Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 198: Flashback: Still Me

14 July, 1353. Port Canfirth Palace, Moraigth

Camilla found herself idly walking through the northern gardens, before the sun rose too high and made the day uncomfortably hot and dry. Normally she’d go walking with Lady Valerie Clare, the only court lady who treated her kindly. But that morning, Valerie had been ordered on an errand by her bossy elder sister, Sophia.

As she wandered aimlessly, two youths called out to her and started walking in her direction, smiling. Camilla smiled back and waved, though a little hesitant.

One was the stablehand Bronson Elcott. The other was Russell Cattenberg, a former page who’d recently been promoted to a junior squire. Both boys were a little older than Camilla but she’d known them since she was very young. Ever since she’d been forced to spend her summers at court, she’d snuck out to play with Russ and Bronson whenever her guardians didn’t notice. The children had frolicked in the mud and explored the forests near the palace. The boys had taught Camilla how to hunt for lizards and catch little fish in the creeks. They’d always seemed happy enough for her to tag along on their escapades.

This summer however, everything seemed different. Their old, easy camaraderie was no longer there. Instead, the youths seemed to hold themselves aloof from Camilla, yet seemed to watch her with strange little smiles on their faces. They never invited her to join them any more.

Camilla didn’t understand why and putting it bluntly, didn’t like it one bit. It was as if they no longer considered her as one of them.

Was it because she was a girl, or a princess? That didn’t make sense though, because they’d always known those things about her. It’s not like she’d changed who she was.

Had they suddenly decided they were too high and mighty to spend time with her, thinking of her as only a child? That thought made her blood boil - they were only three years older than her at most! Why were they suddenly looking at her as if she were a completely different beast, constantly muttering between themselves and elbowing each other’s sides around her?

The whole situation made Camilla want to stamp her feet in frustration. She dealt with being ostracised every day by the queen and her snooty ladies. Now two of her precious few friends at court were suddenly turning from her as well for no good reason?

A couple of times she’d been tempted to confront the smirking boys, had wanted to yell at them, "Why are you being like this? I’m still me!"

Today though, they were seeking her out and Camilla was happy and relieved. Perhaps they’d invite her fishing in the shady woods again, something she’d always enjoyed.

"Princess, how are you?" Russ bobbed her a bow as he spoke, smiling. Bronson smiled as well, then slowly looked at her from her face down to her feet and back up again.

What a strange way to look at someone, Camilla thought. She shrugged it off, glad they were after her company.

"We were wondering if you’re free for a little while." Russ continued. "There’s something in the stables we thought might interest you."

Camilla was immediately intrigued. Perhaps a new foal had been born, though she couldn’t remember the stable master mentioning any mares being pregnant. Regardless, Camilla nodded happily and started following them towards the stables.

The boys spoke little as they walked, though the two of them glanced at her regularly while smiling, especially Bronson. Camilla smiled back, though she thought their expressions were a little strange, as if they were sneaking around somewhere forbidden when they were all just walking to the stables in broad daylight.

They finally reached the stables, which were empty of any living creature apart from the horses. That in of itself was strange.

"Where’s Olav?" Camilla asked, looking around the quiet space for the cranky old stable master.

"Oh, he took ill late yesterday." Bronson said casually. "I’m in charge of the stables today."

"Oh." Camilla glanced around again. "So...what did you want to show me here?"

The two youths smirked and Russ elbowed Bronson’s side with a guffaw. "It’s up in the hayloft, Princess."

"What? In the hayloft?" Camilla looked over to the skinny wooden ladder leaned up against the side wall, leading up the the hayloft. "What could possibly be up there?" Were the boys playing a joke on her?

"Climb up and I’ll show you." Bronson offered, gesturing to to the rickety ladder. "I’ll hold the ladder for you while you climb. Russ can stay down here and act as a lookout."

"Why? Act as a lookout for what?" Camilla clutched at her skirts, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.

She saw Bronson roll his eyes while Russ clicked his tongue impatiently. "Oh, come on. Stop being such a scared child. You wanted to spend time with us, didn’t you?"

"Y-y-yes..."

"Well, this is how we have fun now. So if you really want to prove to us that you’re not a baby, go up into the hayloft and find out what Bronson wants to show you."

Camilla swallowed hard. She didn’t want to be thought of as a baby. She wanted the youths to treat her like their friend again. But something about climbing into a hayloft where she’d be completely out of sight from anyone on the ground, didn’t sit right with her.

"I wouldn’t go up there if I were you." a strange voice suddenly spoke. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Camilla whirled around in the voice’s direction, both startled and relieved. Russ and Bronson did the same, both scowling.

Prince William of Islia stood a little distance away, looking rather bored. When had he snuck in and how had he done it without making a sound?

"Who the hell are you? And what are you doing here?" Bronson hissed, eyes darting around nervously.

"It’s a stable. I came here to check my steed was being looked after well. I think that’s a fairly common reason to visit a stable." William answered, nonplussed.

"I mean how...why did you find your way here?" Bronson insisted.

"Does it really matter? The point is, I did. I think the more important question is why you think you should be allowed to coerce a girl."

"We’re doing no such thing. It’s just a bit of good natured teasing." Russ waved a dismissive hand. "We’ve been friends with the princess here since childhood. Isn’t that right, Your Grace?"

Bronson and Russ both turned to Camilla and gave her pointed stares, clearly expecting her to defend them to this stranger. And normally, she would have. As Russ said, they had all played together for years. She should stick up for her friends, shouldn’t she?

So why was her tongue frozen? Why did she not want to speak in their favour?

Bronson’s nostrils flared as he stared at her hard, clearly unimpressed by her hesitation.

"Th-they’re telling...the truth." Camilla managed to stammer in a small voice.

William flicked his flat stare in her direction. "You should head back to the main part of the palace. No good will come of you lingering here." He jerked his head in the direction of the stable doors impatiently. "Go, then. What are you waiting for?"

It was the same tone her brothers would use when they thought she was being stubborn. Camilla felt anger prickle across her skin and she was almost tempted to defy him. The last thing she needed was someone ordering her about like a fourth older brother.

"Who even are you?" A visibly fuming Bronson abruptly turned to William. "What’s your name?"

"William Devon." the prince answered coolly.

How strange. Camilla looked at him open mouthed, not understanding why he hadn’t just told them who he really was. The moment he told them he was royalty, albeit foreign royalty, Bronson and Russ would be forced to treat him with deference.

"Well, William Devon," Russ growled his name disparagingly, stepping slowly towards the prince until he was looming over with his stocky frame. "You should probably leave now and ignore things that have nothing to do with you. Leave the princess be, in the company of her friends."

William just stared back at Russ and refused to retreat an inch.

Russ’s face twisted into a scowl that Camilla had never seen before - one that made his face frightening. He barely looked like himself anymore.

Who had he become?

"Didn’t you hear me?" Russ took another step closer to Prince William until the two youths were toe to toe. "Are you deaf or do you just not mind being punched?"

William looked as if he wanted to smile. "Oh, I heard you. I just truly doubt you’ll hit me. And I wouldn’t recommend it."

"Why’s that?" Russ’s face was quickly reddening.

"Don’t waste your time arguing with him, Russ." Bronson said. "Just knock him down and be done with it. Mess a little with his girly face."