The King’s Lover

Rose tried not to scream in pain when the servant grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the rear entrance. It was the door the servants used to get out of the castle. The servant in question was an older woman, and Rose suspected she had some authority over the servants here. 

The woman held a light in her hand as she pulled Rose, who scrambled to follow her. They reached an open door, and the woman pushed her out. "Follow the walls of the house; you'll get to the front. For goodness' sake, hurry up." 

Rose nodded and bent her knees before turning away. She was unsure whether to go left or right, but neither mattered. She dropped the clothes she was still holding, not caring that she was littering. 

She took the left, as it seemed like it would take less time to reach the front of the castle. It was a bit hard to see in the dark, and Rose clung to the walls of the castle, holding it as she walked. Eventually, she started to see light and could tell she had reached the front. 

Rose took the turn and was immediately met with disapproving eyes. Caius's men were seated on their horses, dressed to leave. A cape around their necks, someone held a flag, and a few held torches. 

"Get on your bloody horse!" she heard a voice, and Rose scrambled toward them. 

No sooner did she sit on the horse than the front doors opened, and Caius walked out with Prince Rylen next to him. Their eyes met immediately, and he smirked. Rose immediately bowed her head and didn't lift it until she heard the order to go. 

"I wish you a safe journey, Your Highness," Lord Edric was saying. He was only with his wife, and his wife was forcing down a yawn as she waved. 

"Hiya!!" Rose heard, and Caius took off, leading his men. Only when they were through the gates of the mansion did he slow down and let some of the men take the lead. Rose was at the edge of the group; they didn't push her out, but she couldn't ride any closer than she was. She wasn't complaining; it was already awkward enough. 

Rose felt her eyes water as she thought of her parents. By now, she would be waking up to prepare for the day, starting with checking on her mother and then going out to fetch some water. She hoped her mother would be fine; her father wasn't very good at making her herbs. 

How long would she have to stay away? Rose would make sure it wasn't for too long. She would get back to her parents and the love of her life as soon as possible. The crown prince might think he's won, but Rose could be persistent. 

---

Rose winced as beads of sweat fell off her face. She didn't have anything to protect herself from the hot sun, and it didn't help that the last meal she ate was breakfast from the day before. She had been offered some food after noon, but of course, there was no way she would eat it, not when the food had been given to her by someone who had no problem killing her father. 

It was noon again now. Rose remembered how she felt around this time the day before. Was noon going to be a period she would… Rose felt her hand slip from the horse, and she tightened her grip. She didn't have much strength left, but she wasn't about to collapse here. The crown prince seemed very particular about getting to the capital on time. She couldn't ruin it. 

Rose slipped again, but unfortunately, she couldn't catch herself. She scrambled, lost her balance, and fell off the horse, but Rose was already unconscious before she hit the ground. 

---

Rose frowned as she slowly gained consciousness. She could feel her hands and legs flopping as if she was on something moving, and there was a weird sensation around her rear like someone was grabbing it. 

Rose's eyes flew open, and she could see the ground as she bounced. She was over a horse, and for some reason, she could guess whose horse. Rose wiggled and tried to get off. 

Suddenly, Rose heard a sound, similar to a thunderclap, followed by the words, "Stay still." 

Rose's eyes widened, and she clamped her hands over her mouth to keep from crying out. She couldn't believe her ears nor the sensation on her skin, but the way her rear was stinging, it wasn't lying to her. The crown prince had just slapped her buttocks. 

Rose could hear whispers and giggles; she could also recall hearing a gasp when the sound erupted, but it was hard to tell if it was her. Rose's face was red, and she didn't take her hands off her face. It was louder than it hurt, and the stinging pain had completely faded. Rose's eyes narrowed, annoyed that she was still thinking about it. 

They rode for a bit with her like that, and it wasn't until they got to a stretch of dense trees, their branches woven thick enough to cast deep shade, that he finally slowed the horse. "We will rest here for a bit," Caius said. 

Rose knew better than to move before he asked her to, so she lay still across the horse until he got off. Rose wanted to slip down herself, but the hands on her waist told her she wouldn't be getting that luxury. He helped her down, and while dropping her to the ground, slid her in front of his body. 

At first, she felt armor, and then Rose's eyes could barely contain the horror. It was broad daylight. Surely, the crown prince had some control. Clearly, he didn't; he was like a dog in heat, ready to go anytime, anywhere, any day. However, Rose didn't think she could do that again, and her body shook in fear. But instead of anything ridiculous, the crown prince let her go. 

"Give her something to eat," he said as he started walking away. "And eat. If you faint and slow down my journey one more time, I'll give you a reason to be unconscious." 

Rose could only see his back as he walked away, but the fear she felt was intense enough to make her legs shake, and it had nothing to do with the hunger she felt. She knew he meant every word, and not only would he carry them out to the letter, but he would also do so in front of his men. 

Someone walked up to her and handed her a bag. "Thank ye," Rose mumbled and accepted it. 

Holding the bag, she walked to an empty spot where she sat down on the grass under the shade. The cool air beneath it was a relief after the relentless sun. Rose looked up at the sun, and it looked to be after noon, almost mid-afternoon. She could barely hide her shock; she had been unconscious for a long time. 

She must have fallen off her horse, and the crown prince had to carry her on his horse. She glanced in the direction he was. The crown prince was sitting with a leg resting on the other and arms behind his head as he lay under the tree. His eyes were closed, and as if he could tell she was staring, his eyes flew open, locking with hers. 

Rose looked away, startled. She pulled open the bag she was given with a bit of aggression. There was dried meat, some fruits, and, more importantly, water. Rose felt her eyes water as she took the fruit and dug her teeth into it. The juices had her closing her eyes in bliss.