Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 102: Avalanche of Questions

Camilla’s ladies had remained in her presence chamber, anxiously waiting for her to return from the king’s summon. Their eyes widened when she returned, hand in hand with Prince William. They were even more shocked when instead of leaving, the prince slumped into a large armchair. He ordered the equally stunned maids to bring an extra tray of breakfast to the room.

Camilla perched uncomfortably on another chair, feeling her ladies’ eyes volley between her and the handsome man sprawled on the armchair with his head leaned back and eyes closed.

Camilla looked up and saw Meg staring at her and mouthing silent questions. She shrugged, unsure what to say in front of William, especially as he seemed to be dozing off. The silence wore on, none of the ladies daring to move from their seats.

At last, William broke the tension, though he didn’t bother opening his eyes. "I’m not asleep, I just rose early this morning to speak with His Majesty. Princess, do you mind telling your ladies what has been decided, to stop them fretting? I can feel their panic from here."

Camilla aimed a dark look at his direction, sensing he was teasing her. "Shouldn’t we wait until a formal announcement is made?"

"You can if you wish." William yawned. "If you’re content to put up with their avalanche of questions and tell them nothing for the rest of the day, that’s your funeral. Besides," William opened one eye, "I know enough about the fairer sex to know the moment I leave, this room while be nothing but whispers and giggles. So spare yourself the trouble and tell them now."

Camilla closed her eyes as she felt her face heat up. William was starting to laugh. Why did she have to end up in love with a man who delighted in embarrassing her?

She aimed one last dour look at the prince, who was now watching her with both eyes open, trying to keep a straight face. Then she turned to face her friends and spoke quietly, "We’re betrothed."

Meg gave an inelegant squawk of shock, sending William into another laughing fit. The other two ladies simply gaped at her, open mouthed.

"His Majesty has betrothed us." Camilla shrugged helplessly, then a fit of pique overcame her. She grabbed a velvet cushion from her chair and hurled it as hard as she could at William’s face.

"Aahhh!" William yelped, sitting up. "That was uncalled for!" He pushed his hair out of his eyes and grinned at the ladies-in-waiting. "We’re to be married in August. You must stop your mistress from losing her temper with my ways and cutting my throat before then."

Katerine started to giggle, finding the prince’s manner infectious. He grinned back wider at her.

"Oh I knew it!" Katerine squealed and clapped her hands together. "I knew the two of you would end up together! Congratulations to you both, Your Graces."

"Everyone thought they’d end up together, Katerine!" Meg replied archly. "It’s just that no one expected it would last beyond a single night’s tumble."

"Meg!" Camilla whispered, shocked at her directness in front of William.

"Well, it’s true." Meg aimed a smile at the prince that wasn’t very apologetic at all. "Apologies if I offend you, Your Highness. But your reputation with the ladies precedes you."

William scanned all their faces. "So everyone thought this about me? Honestly?"

The three ladies nodded.

William frowned with discomfort. "I didn’t realise my reputation was quite so dire."

"Of course you did, Your Highness." Meg rebutted cheerfully. "It’s just that perhaps that until recently, you didn’t really care."

"Well, fuck." William muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"We advised Her Grace there was nothing wrong with her lying with you, just to not expect anything more afterwards."

Wlliam eyed Meg, looking more than a little uncomfortable. "Are you always this brutally honest, Lady Margaret?

"Yes." All four young women answered without hesitation.

"And everyone calls me Meg, my lord." Meg flashed him a playful smile. "My congratulations, of course."

Camilla realised William had probably never been interrogated by a group of women before. She tried to suppress her smile while appreciating her ladies’ staunch loyalty.

"Did His Majesty summon you to speak about anything else, my lady?" Elizabeth looked at her steadily.

Camilla shook her head. "He just ran through the arrangements to be made and the negotiations that will need finalising. He seemed confident that my uncle will agree to the marriage."

Katerine clapped her hands again in girlish excitement. "Can we help you choose your wedding gown, my lady? And help you get ready on the day?"

"Of course. I haven’t really thought that far ahead though."

Elizabeth nodded. "This isn’t something the two of you discussed beforehand, before raising the matter with the king?"

"Er no. It was a bit of a last moment decision." William was suddenly very interested in his boots.

- - -

Further conversation was paused by the entry of two maids carrying breakfast. They carefully placed the trays laden with food on the small table in front of the prince, then bowed and scurried away when he waved his hand towards the door.

William started tucking into the food, clearly ravenous. After a few moments, he looked up at Camilla and patted the space next to him. "Join me and have something for breakfast, my dear."

"It’s alright-"

"Nonsense. You’re a little too thin and your ladies here have told me you’ve barely touched your meals these last few days." William created a stack of smoked meat and cheese on a large slice of bread, then indicated she should take it.

"Sit next to me and eat something."

Camilla sat next to him and gingerly took the bread from his hands. "Thank you. But you realise I can’t eat all of that, don’t you?" She took a bite.

"Why not?"

"Because I’m not a heifer, William. Would you like me to become one?" Despite herself, Camilla took another bite. It tasted delicious. All of a sudden, she realised how hungry she was.

William smirked at her. "Less arguing and more eating, darling." He popped a couple of raspberries in his mouth and tried to place one between Camilla’s lips. She started laughing, trying to squirm away while also trying to swallow the mouthful she already had. William laughed as well and playfully pinched her waist until she finally parted her lips.

The ladies watched their informal interaction, fascinated.

"What do you have planned for today?" William asked Camilla, handing her a cup of ale.

Camilla shook her head a little awkwardly. "Nothing actually. I haven’t been making many plans lately. What about you?"

It suddenly struck her that she knew little of how William spent his days at court. Unless they accidentally crossed paths in the castle gardens or she saw him in the training grounds, she had no idea where he was or what he did. Most of their interactions occurred over nightly dinners.

And yet, soon his daily routine will become my business, Camilla mused. It was a strange though not unpleasant thought.

William yawned again and talked briefly about the paperwork the king expected him to review before sundown, as well a training drill he was expected to oversee for his battalion of knights. After devouring an impressive amount of food, William had to leave and get his work underway.

"I’m afraid I probably won’t have time to get away beforehand. But I’ll come by here tonight and we can head to dinner together." After cleaning his fingers with the bowl of lemon scented water and drying them, William stood up and straightened his jacket.

Camilla nodded, still not quite believing they would be deliberately spending time together, after weeks of avoiding each other.

He touched her cheek briefly, nodded to her ladies and walked out.

Camilla dragged her gaze from her hands clasped on her lap to her ladies’ avid faces. All of them stared back at her, torn between teasing laughter and admiration.

"Whatever you did to tame the prince into such a domesticated animal, I shall need to know all about it when I’m betrothed in future." Meg said, grabbing a raspberry from the breakfast tray.

Katerine was almost swooning. "He obviously adores you, my lady." she sighed. "I had no idea Prince William could be so sweet! Was it romantic when the king confirmed your betrothal?"

Camilla remembered the threats King Edward had bellowed while she’d stood before him, shivering with dread. Then she remembered what William had uttered when he was on one knee.

You’re in my soul.

Camilla smiled softly at Katerine. "It probably would’ve been a little more romantic if His Majesty hadn’t been between us. But I love him, even if he does make me want to tear the hair from my head sometimes."

"I think that’s a trait all men share." Elizabeth laughed. "And to think that only a couple of days ago, the two of you weren’t even speaking! What changed your mind, my lady?"

Camilla ducked her head while laughing. It seemed the avalanche of questions William had predicted, was unavoidable.