Chapter 159: The Queen Is Furious
Henry spoke slowly and as clearly as he could, but the tremble in his voice couldn’t be hidden. "H-His Highness requested that I be in charge of Rose—"
"Don’t you dare say her name in my presence!" Queen Violeta cut in. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough to shake an already frightened Henry in his boots.
The Queen was clearly furious, and he knew it would be in his best interest not to anger her further. Henry was also worried that he might be punished for this, even though he was simply following the Crown Prince’s orders.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty!" He bowed low as he apologized. "His Highness requested that I oversee t-the c-commoner’s meal," Henry stated, glancing at the Crown Prince to see his reaction, but Caius didn’t even bat an eyelid.
Henry answered to all the members of the royal family, but the Crown Prince had been the one to make him the steward of the castle. Some might say he wasn’t qualified for the position and was certainly not as experienced as the last steward; however, none could say he wasn’t trustworthy.
"Did you just hear what Henry said?" Queen Violeta asked when her son didn’t react. Her eyes blazed as she spoke.
"Yes, Mother," Caius said as he dug into his meal, not bothering to raise his head. He didn’t care for this conversation, but he wasn’t shocked by it.
"Is that all you have to say?" Queen Violeta asked, her voice rising in pitch.
"What else would you have me say?" Caius asked, bringing a bit of food to his lips.
"Explain yourself, Caius. You dare put the steward in charge of a mere peasant’s meal? The steward! Have you been bewitched, Caius? I hear that isn’t the only thing you’ve been busy with. You also had a maid punished because of that—that harlot. Two of my maids in a row."
Caius slowly raised his head, and the expression on his face was enough to make the Queen shrink. "Are you saying I punished them unfairly?" Caius asked, a dark look in his eyes.
Queen Violeta did her best not to shrink back at her son’s gaze. "This entire mess stems from your inability to keep your lust out of a peasant’s bed," she snapped.