Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 127: Damnation

The Arandar Valley was a lush, fertile region that nestled between clear rivers and formed part of the borderlands between the two kingdoms. It was also the site of significant veins of silver and copper that provided the Moraigthian treasury with a large part of its wealth. The valley had originally been part of Islia but was lost in the series of disastrous wars between the two previous kings. William knew it was a great blow to Edward’s pride that his own father had been a weak king and lost such a valuable region to Moraigth.

William could see his king’s eyes glittering with lust for the land. He cursed Kenneth for his cunning, for offering something as tempting to Edward as the apple in the Garden of Eden surely had been to Eve.

King Edward shook his head in greed and wonder, croaking, "Do you understand what it would mean, boy? To avenge my father’s foolishness and have that land restored to us, as it rightfully belongs? To right a historical wrong against the Royal House of Devon?"

William knew he had to tread very carefully. "It would be incredible. But how do you know Kenneth won’t go back on his word, Sire? That the moment he has the girl and crosses the border, he won’t just simply refuse to remove his troops from the valley?"

Edward snorted in scorn. "If he did something so dishonourable, he knows we’d simply invade and take the land by force. Do we not have the larger army?"

"But it wouldn’t be an easy campaign." William’s voice was soft and measured. "The valley has been one of the most heavily defended part of the borderlands for decades. Duke Robert himself designed and oversaw its latest built fortifications. And if we were to invade, the terrain would put us at a disadvantage. We would have to sacrifice tens of thousands of men to even have a chance of success."

King Edward gave William a mutinous look. "Who’s side are you on, boy? Kenneth’s or mine?"

"Always yours, Sire. I always fight for Islia’s gain. But there’s a reason that we’ve never crossed that valley to enter Moraigth in over fifty years. The terrain is unforgiving - we’d be fighting uphill with no way to conceal ourselves. We’d be lambs to the slaughter."

There was stony silence as the king weighed up the unavoidable truth in William’s words. William stood quietly as he watched naked ambition and caution wage a battle across Edward’s face.

"It could still be a risk worth taking." King Edward’s voice was still determined, though a little less firm than it had been a few moments earlier.

William nodded quietly. He had appealed to the king’s sense of caution and hadn’t quite succeeded. He only had one last strategy left up his sleeve - to appeal to the king’s immortal soul.

"My lord, did King Kenneth tell you about this other match he has in mind for Camilla, one that’s more valuable than marrying her to me?" William asked.

Edward shrugged, looking disinterested. "No. He likely wants to use her as a pawn to bring one of his more rebellious lords to heel-"

"He wants her for himself, uncle." William interrupted. There - he had said it. There was no going back.

Edward gave him an irritated look. "What? Don’t be ridiculous, lad."

"It’s the truth. He lusts for her and intends to annul his marriage to his current wife, if she doesn’t produce a son. He’ll then take Camilla for himself."

Edward’s face began to redden and tighten into a scowl. "It’s a sin to talk such filth about a man, even more so for a crowned king. Kenneth is rough and untrustworthy but even he deserves more respect. Watch your mouth."

William replied quietly. "I’m not inventing this, uncle. He told me so himself. He wants my betrothed for his own, because of how she resembles her late mother."

Edward looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Yes, well, I suppose the resemblance is strong. Everyone remembers how Kenneth was obsessed with Duchess Isabella and the schism it created with Robert. Caused quite the scandal back then. But this is entirely different. We’re talking about his own niece now. His brother’s child!"

"Kenneth said he doesn’t believe the late duke was his brother, but was another man’s bastard. Therefore he doesn’t believe Camilla is his niece."

The king threw his head back in laughter. "Now I know you’re toying with me. As if anyone would believe that. The two men were practically twins! Or at least they would’ve been if Kenneth hadn’t ruined his looks with all that drink."

"My lord, I’m telling you the truth. Whether Kenneth truly believes his brother wasn’t his brother or not, he’s determined to have Princess Camilla in his bed. He plans to bribe the pope with gold to get his marriage annulled if needed." William ran his hands through his hair, almost pulling it in frustration. "And even if Queen Antonia births a son, he’ll keep Camilla as a bedwench because the lecher craves a young girl."

Edward’s face became a mask of disgust. "Good lord. Do you know what you’re accusing him of, William? You speak of the gravest of sins."

William nodded. "I know it, Sire. But I swear on the soul of my father that I’m telling the truth. Kenneth is a monster destined for hell. But if knowing all this, you still permit him to break our betrothal so he can defile his own niece, then I also fear for your soul."

"This is horrendous, foul talk. Pure sin!" King Edward’s eyes started darting around the room. "Do you have any proof of what you’re saying?"

"The only proof I have is the way he looks at his niece every night at dinner. You’ve seen it too, haven’t you? Imagine if my father had looked upon your daughters the same way."

"Please tell me the princess knows nothing of this!"

"She knows." William’s belly twisted painfully of what Camilla had said a few nights ago. "And she swears she’ll take her own life before allowing her uncle’s hands on her. She refuses to let him damn her for eternity."

The king put his heads in his hands. "This can’t be. This simply can’t be! She is his flesh and blood! How could Kenneth even consider...?"

William could see his uncle was conflicted. He was an ambitious man but also a reasonably pious man. "Please, uncle. Don’t be part of Kenneth’s sin, don’t condemn yourself and Camilla to hell. Let me marry her instead. Peace along our borders still benefits Islia, even if we don’t possess the Arandar Valley."

Edward gritted his teeth. "Is that all? Are you that determined to protect my soul from eternal hellfire, boy? Or is there something else driving you?"

William looked at his king steadily. "I love her, Sire. I want her next to me for the rest of my life." He dropped to his knees and bowed his head. "I rarely ask you for much, but I’m humbly asking you now."

Silence.

"If you wish, Sire, you may take Camilla’s dowry for yourself. I don’t care about the gold. I only seek the girl." William thought half a million gold ducats might go some way to soothing the king’s hunger for riches.

After what felt like an eternity, Edward gave a long defeated sigh. "Very well, you may have her."

William kept his head bowed, though his thoughts raced as relief and elation flooded him. "Thank you, Your Majesty. You have my deepest gratitude."

Edward gave him a small smile. "I’ll even let you keep most of her dowry, as my wedding gift to you." The king then extended his right hand to William, wearing the great gold signet ring of the Crown of Islia. William kissed the ring as a sign of fealty. The agreement was sealed.

As he stood up, William saw the grim look on his uncle’s face.

"You realise, lad, that we’re earning Kenneth’s wrath by doing this. If he truly wants his niece and you’re taking her away from him, he’ll seek revenge in the near future."

"I know it. But I think it’s inevitable no matter what we do, that he’ll eventually strike at us. He’s not a man for peace." William then smirked. "I may even help lead the next campaign for you."

- - -

Camilla stepped out of her presence chamber, her ladies behind her, braced to face the court for dinner. She was exhausted from the tension of the past several days and felt her skin crawl at the thought of yet another evening under her uncle’s eye.

William stood in the corridor waiting for her, looking as flawless as ever. He grinned at her, his old merry smile that she’d missed. As he wrapped his hand around hers, he whispered very softly, "Come see me later tonight. I’ll let Casimir know to expect you."

Camilla looked at him sidelong. "Has something happened?"

"I finally spoke to King Edward and the two of us have reached an agreement. Everyone should end up with what they want, except your brute of an uncle."

Camilla tried to keep her expression calm, despite wanting to shake the man next to her for information. "What did he say-"

"I’ll explain it all later, when we’re alone. Then we can celebrate." William winked at her and squeezed her hand. "And I can think of no better way to celebrate."

Camilla looked at the ground and bit her lip to stop her shy smile. "I thought we agreed that wouldn’t happen again until we were wed." she said primly.

"To hell with agreements. Tonight, I’m bedding my wife."