Earning the Love of a Princess

Camilla tried to genuinely smile at Meg’s words, despite the prickle of anxiety in her chest.

Her friends weren’t fooled.

"What’s wrong, my lady? Surely you’re looking forward to being reunited with your husband again?" Katerine’s face puckered in a frown.

"Of course I am!" Camilla replied. "I guess I’m just nervous over the state that I’ll find him in, whether he has fallen ill or been injured. It sounds like it was a gruelling campaign. And to be honest, I’m unsure how he’s going to react to this..." She then glanced down at her protruding belly. "I have no idea if any of my letters even reached William. It might all be a total shock to him."

"Yes, but a good shock. You’ll see." Katerine beamed at Camilla.

"Besides, it’s not like the two of you are some peasant couple who’ll have to do everything on your own." Meg pointed out, ever practical. "You’ll have all the help in the world when raising your baby."

Camilla nodded quietly. She had long given up trying to explain to her ladies why she feared William’s reaction to the baby. They simply couldn’t understand why he’d be anything but delighted, if perhaps a little nervous as any first time father would be, at the thought of having an heir.

They don’t know him like I do, she reminded herself. They don’t know how deep his childhood scars run.

- - -

William leaned back from the heavy oak dining table and stared at the plate in front of him, piled high with the chicken bones he’d picked clean. He sighed with contentment at the sheer pleasure of being able to eat his fill after so many months of deprivation.

He glanced around the dining hall within the Marquis of Niarnol’s lavish country manor. King Edward and the Devon princes would be staying there for at least the next three or four days, to allow the king to rest before continuing their journey south.

The march to Westerhaven would take longer than originally planned due to the king collapsing the previous afternoon, complaining of intense dizziness and fatigue. The stress of the last few months had clearly taken their toll on the man and his physicians had advised him to take a few days of absolute rest.

William was nearly climbing out of his skin with impatience to depart, but knew there was nothing he could do. He also acknowledged there were worse places to kill time than a rich man’s estate, though it was hardly the most cheerful household in Islia.

The marquis’s eldest son had fallen in battle against the Moraigthians a few months ago and the pall of mourning still hung over the house. The servants all spoke in hushed tones and black velvet hangings covered many of the walls. The marquis himself was now a shell of a man with only his second son left, a young man who was crippled in both mind and body.

All these men who pin such grand hopes on their sons, only to end up disappointed, William pondered. It all seemed rather pointless to him.

Finishing the last of the fine wine in his goblet, William rose from the table and with a nod of polite thanks to his host, walked out of the opulent but depressing dining hall. He headed to the guest chamber he’d been allocated, seeking nothing more than the simple joy of sleeping on a soft feather mattress.

He told the guards at the door that he didn’t want to be disturbed, then shut the door behind him. He pulled off his boots, then his outer tunic and shirt.

Walking past a large mirror near the bed, William was startled by his reflection. He was sure that his ribs hadn’t been visible before the war. With an annoyed grunt, he crawled onto the bed and closed his eyes.

Not more than a few moments later, there was loud knocking on his door. He tried to ignore it but when it persisted, William stomped towards the door and pulled it open with a curse.

Seeing the same guard who had been outside his door earlier, William turned his foul temper on him. "Didn’t I just tell you I didn’t wish to be fucking disturbed-"

"Relax, Will. Don’t cut the poor man’s head off. It was me knocking." Prince Tom stepped out from behind the guard with a grin. His smile dimmed however, when he saw William shirtless. "Holy fuck, brother. You should probably try and eat a little more."

William snorted a laugh. "I guess the battlefield diet didn’t agree with me well. What are you doing here, Tom?"

Tom’s smile returned. "The marquis has several courtesans at his disposal in the north wing. He has confirmed the ladies are at our disposal."

"And so?"

"Oh, come on. Neither of us has been near a woman since that accursed wench Joan."

"I never laid an actual hand on Joan, that was all you. And didn’t that end well for all of us?" William retorted sourly.

Tom flinched for a moment, then continued. "That means it’s been even longer for you! Join me. What are you waiting for?"

"I’m waiting until we’re finally home." William crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe.

"But that could still be days away, depending on how long Father takes to be able to ride again!"

"Tom." William spoke patiently because he was very fond of his cousin. "I’m not going wenching with you. You can’t talk me into it. But please, do go on and enjoy yourself."

"Very well." Tom shrugged and turned on his heel to walk away, then stopped. Peering over his shoulder at William as if he were seeing him in a different light, he noted, "You’re faithful to your wife, aren’t you? You haven’t strayed, even after all these months apart."

William nodded.

"Why is that?" It wasn’t a question asked maliciously. Tom looked and sounded genuinely curious.

"Because I know I’ll never find a better woman than her. It really is that simple."

Tom pursed his lips the way he often did when he was about to argue. "But how can you truly know that, Will?"

"I just do."

"But how? If you’re no longer with other women to compare her to? Don’t misunderstand me." Tom added quickly. "Camilla is very charming company and she’s beautiful. I like her well. It’s just...well, how can you be so sure that no one else can make you happier, even for a night?"

William looked down at his bare feet, feeling slightly embarrassed by the conversation. It was certainly nothing he’d ever spoken about with his cousin. "It’s not something I can really explain, Tom. I just know. And I also know I don’t want to do anything that risks fucking up what Camilla and I have." Looking up at the other young man, William expected Tom to burst out laughing or say something to tease him.

But he didn’t. Instead, Tom just nodded slowly and said, "I’ll head off on my own, then." He started sauntering back down the corridor, before turning to William one last time. "I don’t understand a single word of what you’ve said, brother. But if you’ve found such happiness in your marriage, then you’re a fortunate bastard."

William smiled faintly. "Yes, so I’ve been told." Shutting the door behind him again, he flopped face down on the bed.

- - -

Three days later, King Edward declared himself well enough to continue the journey towards Westerhaven Palace. His physicians were alarmed and pleaded with him to take at least one more day of rest. It was no use, however. The king was determined to resume on horseback, insisting he’d never felt better.

That morning, William sat in a sunny courtyard with the other men of his family, feasting on roasted ham and glazed fruit before their departure. He watched with relief as King Edward ate heartily.

"You can stop looking at me that way, boy." the king growled. "I’m not at death’s door quite yet."

William smirked. "I apologise for showing concern, uncle. It’s not every day I watch you almost faint atop your horse."

"Yes, yes. No doubt you’ll never let me live it down!" Edward’s voice was back to its usual strong, gruff tone. He looked sideways at his nephew as he swallowed a mouthful. "I suggest you worry less about me and just focus on eating well. You’re nothing but skin and bones these days. All of you lads are!" He gestured across the table to his sons.

Leo grinned, scratching his scarred cheek. "Yes Father, we know. We all look a fucking mess. But it’s nothing that the comforts of home won’t cure. And now, let us toast!" Raising his cup of ale, he said, "May we all shortly enjoy a reunion with our families and wives."

"And may our beloved ally, the King of Moraigth enjoy only a barren wife!" Rufus piped up.

The men all laughed hard as they clinked cups.