Chapter 211: A Crime
Caius softly closed the door behind him as he noticed she was asleep. The door made a soft click and she stirred, turning slightly, but Rose didn’t wake up. It wasn’t until she stopped moving again that he realized he had held his breath. He didn’t know why he was being quiet.
He walked closer, and he could see Rose’s face now. The candle that lay on the bedside table flickered as a light breeze came through the open window. The glow landed on her face, and Caius hovered as he stood beside the bed and just stared.
Her breathing was steady, her long lashes rested gently on her cheeks. Her red hair was spread all over the pillow, and there were a few strands on her face.
Caius moved before he thought about it. He sat on the bed and brushed the strands of hair away from her face. Her freckles littered her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Caius had to fight the urge to trace a finger over them or rub the back of his palm against the side of her face.
She was dressed in nightclothes, the same type she wore to see him. The light clothes framed her shape as she slept and as he moved closer, he realized she smelled heavenly. Caius took a deep breath as his eyes trailed down her body. He grabbed the sheets and squeezed them before returning his attention to her face. It was either that or he might reach for her.
She was sleeping so peacefully, her breathing steady, and not a single frown appeared on her face. It almost felt like a crime to wake her up. Caius’s face softened as he realized it was quiet—there was no sound in his head—and he was content just watching her sleep.
He lifted a hand to touch her face but quickly brought it down, worried that anything he did might break this moment.
Suddenly, Rose’s eyes flew open, as though she sensed someone was staring at her while she slept. Her eyes blinked in confusion as she looked up at him. Then, when she recognized him, she bolted upright in horror.
"Your Majesty," Rose cried as she moved to a sitting position.
Her eyes widened in gut-wrenching horror and panic as she realized she had fallen asleep instead of going to the crown prince’s room as she had been instructed.