Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 31: All Men Are The Same

Looking as beautiful and as cold as an avenging angel, William fixed her drunk dance partner with a hard stare and said calmly, "I’ll be cutting in now." He plucked the man’s hand from the small of her back with evident disdain and pulled Camilla away slightly.

The other man looked offended and tried to stand his ground, despite swaying on his feet a little. "But Your Grace-"

"You should worry about learning to hold your drink better instead of whether you lose a dance partner, Sir Harry. Go now." William’s icy voice made it clear he wouldn’t tolerate any argument.

Camilla watched the other man bow and walk away dejectedly and sighed with relief. Feeling self conscious in front of the prince, she quickly looked down and smoothed the front of her gown. Unfortunately, she always seemed to catch his gaze when she was looking her most disheveled or embarrassed.

Seemingly unruffled by what had just occurred, William placed his hand on her back and started leading her around the floor to the music again. "You didn’t seem to be enjoying yourself with him." He watched her face intently for a reply.

"I wasn’t, but I didn’t know how to get away without making a scene. I know I’m not well liked here and I don’t want to cause trouble." Camilla admitted with a nervous smile. "Thank you for stepping in." She hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Was it because that knight had been drinking or are all men in this court as, ah, forward as him?"

William gave a short laugh. "I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking me. Men are men, wherever you go. We’re all about the same when it comes to dealing with women." He averted his eyes from her as if bored and spun her around, clearly not interested in further talk.

But you’re not all the same, she thought to herself. William didn’t press her against his body shamelessly while dancing, nor stare at her chest. His touch was hesitant, as if she were made of delicate glass. Camilla figured he was trying to avoid touching her as much as possible, probably still displeased about their encounter a few days ago. She felt her face heat up with embarrassment again at the thought sitting there in nothing but her wet chemise.

"Why are you blushing?" William eyed her. "Did Sir Harry say something inappropriate to you?"

She nodded, glad for the plausible explanation. She’d rather pluck her own tongue out before telling him what she’d been really thinking about.

It was ironic, she thought. It was precisely because William didn’t like her very much and tended to mostly ignore her, that she actually felt safe next to him. She tried to stop thinking about how warm his arms had felt around her, that day in the forest.

- - -

William watched the tall knight drunkenly paw at Princess Camilla and felt his hands clench into fists.

He couldn’t believe Harry even had the nerve to ask her to dance in the first place, or that she had agreed. He watched them, fuming, until he saw the distress on her face. He could tell by the way she squirmed that she was discreetly trying to free herself from Harry’s grasp but the oaf wouldn’t let go. It was embarrassing to realise how relieved he was that she wasn’t enjoying the other man’s attention. At the same time, there was something about the knight trying to run his hands all over her body that made his temples ache.

He then saw Harry say something to Camilla that made her face turn white with horror. Without further thought, William stomped through the dancers until he was standing right next to Harry and Camilla. They both turned to face him.

Harry scowled but Camilla looked both shaken and relieved. She gave him a tentative smile and he felt his heart almost stop.

It only took a few sharp words for William to send Harry on his way in a drunken sulk. He then stepped in to take Harry’s spot, placing his hand lightly on the girl’s waist and looking into her lovely face before spinning her around.

She looked up at him wide eyed and asked, "Was it because that knight had been drinking or are all men in this court as forward as he was?"

William thought about how he should reply. He knew exactly how almost every man at Magdaline stared at the young princess, with barely concealed raw hunger. Then again, was he any better? There was something about Camilla that made him want to punch any man that tried to get near her. But when she was close, all he could think about was how to corrupt her in the most delicious ways possible. The fact that she was so pure made his craving for her even worse.

No, all men are the same, he realised. No point pretending otherwise. He told her as much.

She started to blush and the sight of the colour rising on her face was enthralling. He tore his eyes away with difficulty. Feeling his self control close to snapping, he touched her as lightly as possible as they danced, fearing what might happen next. What he wouldn’t give just to bite her heart shaped pout and discover whether she tasted as good as she smelled.

Sweet lord. Why has he gone in and tried to rescue her? Now, he was the one that needed rescuing before he mauled her in front of the entire court.

"Are you alright, my lord?" she looked up at him with such innocence that he wanted to hit something in frustration. She had no idea. He was almost wild with lust next to her and she had no idea.

"I’m fine." he snapped in irritation. Looking taken aback, she kept silent for the rest of the song. As soon as the music ended, he turned on his heel and left the banquet hall.