Chapter 266: Thoroughly Unpleasant
Caius watched Rose’s expression as she sat looking very uncomfortable. It was a little annoying that he couldn’t ask her directly, as she didn’t know he knew about the herbs in the jar.
He had tried to ignore the implications of her actions, but recent developments had him recalling them. Caius thought the feeling it invoked was thoroughly unpleasant.
He wanted to know if that was the reason she needed to see Lady Delphine. Thomas had not been able to tell him anything useful. It still irked him. Everything she did told him just how much she wanted to get away.
The crown prince didn’t look like he believed her, and the way he studied her as though he knew something was up unnerved, Rose. She adjusted in her seat; the coat on her shoulders no longer felt as warm as it once did.
Caius didn’t say anything for the longest time, and when he finally did, it was only two words: "Very well."
Rose nodded. The lump in her throat didn’t feel any smaller, and it was hard to swallow. She turned her gaze away from him toward the road. It was hard to say if it was getting brighter or if she was just getting used to the darkness.
She didn’t know how long the journey would be, but she could recall Caius mentioning something about getting there before nightfall, which meant she would be stuck with him in this carriage until then. With the atmosphere in the carriage, Rose feared she might not survive until then.
The carriage rode for quite a while in silence. All she could hear were the sounds of hooves and commands given to the horses.
Rose stuck to the edge of the seat, keeping her gaze locked on the window, as she knew if she stared anywhere else, she was bound to meet eyes with him. She didn’t want that.
They soon drove through the marketplace, and Rose wouldn’t have recognized it if she hadn’t been through the front before. It was mostly empty—no children running around, barely avoiding the carriages and horses that ran past.
A few traders were setting up, opening their shops as they prepared for the day. Rose recalled the man who had been caught by the guards the last time she passed through there. She was still staring in that direction even after the carriage had gone past.
By the time the sun had fully risen, they were out of Hearthgale. This time, Rose stared even harder as they passed through the gates. She hoped this would be the last time she would ever have to set eyes on the capital.