Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 126: Keep Your Enemies Closer

Neither of them slept much that night, just dozed in each other’s arms between whispered conversations. William felt like he couldn’t pull her close enough to him and suspected Camilla felt the same by the way she clung to his waist.

A little before dawn, they both heard a gentle tapping at the bedchamber door. It was Casimir, signaling it was time for Camilla to return to her own rooms.

With a quick kiss, William sent her off in silence and then fell back on his bed, his eyes heavy from lack of sleep. He could smell her scent on the pillow and marveled that for the first time in his life, he had spent the night with a woman in his arms and hadn’t taken her.

"Perhaps I have changed after all." he muttered to himself.

Quickly washing and dressing himself, William slipped out of his rooms as he saw Casimir heading his way as if to deliver a message.

"Your Grace, His Majesty the King of Moraigth says-" the page began.

"Not now, Casimir! Later!" William bit out, refusing to slow his pace. He ran to King Edward’s apartments, hoping to catch him early and alone.

Seeing the doors to his uncle’s presence chamber slightly ajar, William pushed through them, before performing a hasty bow as he tried to catch his breath.

"My lord, I apologise for entering unannounced, but I have something urgent to discuss with you in strict confidence-" William abruptly shut his mouth when he met his uncle’s gaze.

King Edward was on his feet and looking at him with amusement as he slowly tugged on a leather hunting glove. Next to him stood King Kenneth, a sly grin on his face. Both men were dressed in immaculate hunting tunics and tall boots, obviously about to head out for a morning of sport.

William bowed to the Moraigthian king as well, his stomach sinking with disappointment. "My sincere apologies, Your Majesties. I didn’t expect the two of you to be together so early in the day."

"I promised my kingly brother here that I’d take him on a hunt in the southern forests." King Edward replied cheerfully. "We both know some of the best game is caught early in the day, before the sun is at its zenith. Don’t we, my lad?"

William nodded listlessly, his plans for a private word ruined.

"Now, what did you wish to speak to me about that made you run here?" Edward smiled at his nephew as he adjusted his collar and cuffs.

William shifted his weight awkwardly from one foot to the other. "It’s alright, my lord. It can wait till another time when you’re less occupied."

"Are you sure? You’re welcome to join us for the hunt if you wish, boy." Kenneth’s offer sounded generous but his eyes gleamed with malicious laughter. "If you think you can keep up with two seasoned warriors, that is."

William bit his tongue to avoid retorting that he was an experienced hunter himself and that unlike others in the room, there was no risk of him tumbling from his steed from being too drunk. "Another time perhaps, Your Majesty." he replied simply, with a tight smile.

Both kings swept past William, clearly eager to head for the stables. As King Edward brushed past him, William whispered in desperation, "Uncle, I beg you to send for me when you have a few minutes alone. I must speak with you urgently."

King Edward nodded but looked distracted. "Very well then. I’ll send for you when I’m free. It may not be until late today though."

"Thank you, Sire. I wouldn’t ask so aggressively if it weren’t important."

Edward nodded again, then gave William a cryptic look. Kenneth’s booming voice rang out from down the corridor, urging Edward to hurry and ruling out any further conversation between uncle and nephew.

William could only return to his rooms and wait impatiently for the king’s summon.

There was no summon that night, though. After a long and fruitful hunt, the servants confirmed with William that the two rulers had cloistered themselves in the king’s map store for negotiations. This was followed by drinking, the usual dinner banquet and dancing with the court.

William was growing increasingly nervous. He sat through dinner, drinking very little and trying to look at ease while he watched Camilla possessively. When they danced under Kenneth’s leering gaze, William whispered reassurances in her ear, in part to try and convince himself as well.

William heard nothing from his uncle the following day, or the one after that. It was only on the morning of the fourth day of August that a summon from King Edward finally reached him.

William was at the archery butts in a vain effort to try and fill his day. As soon as the message delivered to him by a page, he dropped his bow and ran for the castle, not offering even a word of explanation to his bemused friends.

By the time he reached his uncle’s presence chamber, William was breathless. He dropped to a deep bow before Edward.

"Uncle, thank you for finally seeing me."

"Yes, yes. You’ve been pestering me for days, even though you know I have my hands full with entertaining the visiting king." Edward waved his hand and gave William an irritated look.

"I’ve been begging for a private audience with you for days because I need to speak to you about my betrothal to Princess Camilla."

The king raised his brows. "What of it? And why didn’t you just raise the matter earlier, at dinner for example?"

"Because you never seem to have a moment where you’re not at the side of King Kenneth lately, and this is a matter I need to discuss with you alone." William tried to keep accusation out of his voice, knowing he couldn’t afford to upset his uncle this early in the conversation.

Edward smirked. "Oh dear. What’s the matter? Does it trouble you that I’m getting along so warmly with your future uncle in marriage?"

William stuttered a little. "W-w-well, I’ll admit I’m rather surprised. I didn’t think you wished to pursue such an...intense friendship."

Edward’s smile grew wider, slow yet ruthless. "There’s a saying, William, that a wise man keeps his friends close and his enemies closer. That’s exactly what I’m doing with my esteemed royal guest."

William ran a hand through his hair, flustered. He knew his uncle was a duplicitous man but still hasn’t expected such a reply. "I apologise if I’ve misread the situation, Your Grace. It’s just...just that the two of you seem to have grown so close lately."

"Fool. That man is close to no one. He uses people to best serve his own interests. I’m simply responding in kind."

"I see. So how does King Kenneth intend to use you then, uncle?"

The king raised his eyebrows again but offered no reply.

"What more is he after? What more can he want when we’ve already agreed for our families to be allied through marriage?" William kept his voice low and placid when he asked, "Please tell me what else has he asked of you, my lord."

King Edward’s face turned blank as he refused to confirm or deny anything.

"I’m supposed to be getting married in less that a fortnight, aren’t I?" William hoped his voice didn’t betray his anxiety. "If my future has changed, then I believe I have the right to know."

King Edward glared back for a moment, then as if admitting the truth, he gave a small nod. "My brother of Moraigth seems to have cooled on the betrothal."

"Alright then. What is he offering you in its place, that you’re clearly considering, Sire?"

King Edward’s lips tightened with obvious disapproval. "What makes you think I’m considering an alternate offer?"

"Because you taught me yourself since I was a child, that a man must consider every option on the table before making a final decision." William hoped that by reminding his uncle of their familial bond, it might help soften his iron heart.

Edward gave him the faintest of smiles. "So you did listen, all those years ago. How I wish some of my other, more foolish sons, had also listened." His face turned serious again. "Kenneth confirmed a couple of days ago he has another match in mind for his niece, one that will achieve other goals that are important to him."

William tried to suppress the shudder of revulsion threatening to ripple through him. The only goals that man had were to satisfy his sinful, carnal desires. "And if you were to agree to end the betrothal, what did he offer you to sweeten the deal, uncle?"

There was a long pause before King Edward broke eye contact and finally admitted, "Possession of the Arandar Valley."

William gaped in stunned silence. King Kenneth was clearly determined to get his way if he was willing to offer Edward the most tempting of prizes.