Chapter 153: Sprinkle Of Ashes
"What are you doing?" Caius asked when he noticed she wasn’t walking to the table, but rather toward the bed.
Rose turned to look at Caius but tried to keep the tray away from his line of sight. She wasn’t sure if she did a decent job, but it was better than nothing. "I don’t want to bother you, Your Majesty."
Caius peered at her intently. "You will eat at the table," he replied.
Rose nodded. His tone made it hard to offer up an argument. Besides, she had herself to worry about over some maid. She couldn’t comprehend why he was still here. He had written the letter and should be on his way.
Rose placed the tray on the table with a soft clank. She glanced at the crown prince but immediately regretted it as he was watching her and she met eyes with him. She didn’t like the way a shiver crawled up her back.
She dropped to her seat and pulled the chair closer to the table. She picked up the bread and broke some of it. She eyed the soup but she knew she had to eat it.
"Is this what they serve you?" Caius asked suddenly, his voice dripping with disapproval.
"No," Rose said stiffly, he had spoken so suddenly, that she almost dropped the bread. "Something must’ve ’appened in the kitchen."
"Is that right?" Caius asked, the right corner of his lips lifting in amusement.
"Yes," Rose said and put the piece of bread in her mouth, hoping to end the conversation.
Caius knew she was lying, but he was more curious that she wouldn’t take advantage of his authority. He had clearly heard everything the maid said, and if it wasn’t that he wanted to see Rose’s reaction after the interaction, the maid wouldn’t have left on her own two feet.
Still, the servants must have some nerve serving her this. No wonder she wasn’t putting on any weight. He had chalked it up to her still recovering from the incident. Caius didn’t like to think about the latter at all.