"Your Majesty!" Rose yelled as soon as her eyes rested on the figure in front of her door. To say she was shocked was an understatement.
It was the crown prince in his full regalia. Rose didn't think she had ever seen him dressed in this manner before. He stood tall in a deep crimson cloak, the fabric heavy and embroidered with gold thread. Beneath it, he wore a fitted black tunic trimmed with gold lining.
His black gloves were spotless, his boots polished to a mirror sheen. Every detail about his attire declared his status—not just as the prince, but as one who would soon inherit the throne. He looked every bit the future king.
Caius closed the gap between them in one stride. "At least look a little happy to see me," he whispered as he bent his head down.
His voice sounded heavy, a mix of something Rose couldn't place her finger on, and if she wasn't so shocked to see him, she might have thought that he missed her.
