Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 39: Flashback: Pluck

15 July, 1353. Port Canfirth Palace, Moraigth

William sat next to his father at the royal high table, only half listening to the conversation between Prince Johan and King Kenneth. He listened hard enough to know the moments when he should nod appropriately, but no more.

The atmosphere at the table was tense. Everyone knew the bond between the king and queen was frosty, due to the queen having given birth a couple of months ago to a daughter who had not lived. King Kenneth’s lack of a son was a topic no one dared discuss openly but it hung heavy in the air.

Then again, William reasoned, my father has a child and I’m a boy. Yet he’s not happy either. Why did adults think their future happiness hinged on their children? It made no sense at all to William.

His eyes scanned the long table and ended up drifting towards Princess Camilla a few seats away. She was sitting quietly between two stern looking women who had been introduced to William as the queen’s unmarried younger sisters.

I think I know why they’re unmarried.

Glancing again at the young princess, he could tell she was trying to keep a neutral expression as she picked at the food on her plate. The king was obviously fond of greasy cuts of meat, covered in highly spiced sauces. William discreetly pushed his own plate away.

She’s just as bored as I am. His mouth curled upwards slightly.

There was a lull in the conversation and everyone at the table heard the queen’s voice hiss like a snake. "Sit up straight! A princess should never slouch!"

She then muttered under her breath to the king at her side, "Lord help me with that one."

Camilla sat up and straightened her shoulders at the rebuke. She cast her eyes down as appropriate for a high born lady, but not before William caught the briefest flash of defiance in them as she looked away from the queen.

William idly wondered if her father ever tried to beat the stubbornness out of her the way his own did.

Prince Johan glanced down the table and asked the king, "Who is the girl, Your Majesty?"

Not bothering to swallow the mouthful of food in his mouth, King Kenneth replied, "She’s my niece. The youngest of my dear half brother’s children. I invite my niece and nephews to spend the summer at court every year. Robert has let them run wild all their lives so being here provides them with a sense of structure." The king made it sound like he was granting them a wonderful favour by having them at his side. "I’m trying to make decent soldiers of the boys so I’ve sent them away on campaign up north. The girl remains in my queen’s rooms, learning how to become a proper lady."

"A lady. That will be a tall task, husband." Queen Antonia grumbled. "The girl is incorrigible. Her will needs breaking."

The king gave a snort of laughter and shovelled in another mouthful of roast boar. "Yes, she’s a spirited one, having been terribly spoiled by her father. I should think her future husband will have quite a task keeping her in line."

Unable to stand the boredom and discomfort any longer, William decided to risk his father’s wrath by speaking out of turn. "Father, should I dance with the princess for a while so that we don’t interrupt your conversation?" He kept his voice low and passive.

Fortunately, King Kenneth overheard him and seemed rather pleased by the idea. "Yes, yes. Go and dance with my niece. That way, the adults can continue talking without distractions." He flicked his hand lazily in gesture between the two young people as if to shoo them away. Prince Johan aimed an irritated look at his son but said nothing further.

As William stood up, he watched Camilla’s eyes dart around as if weighing up which was the better option - dancing with him or sitting like a prisoner between Queen Antonia’s sisters.

I don’t know whether to find that funny or insulting, William thought to himself. He stretched out his hand to lead her to the area of the hall where other couples were already dancing and she followed reluctantly.

As they turned to face each other, he noticed the princess kept her eyes firmly on the floor.

"The polite thing would be to make eye contact with your dance partner. Like a proper lady." William grinned at her, enjoying her evident embarrassment.

Camilla aimed a quick glare at him but couldn’t stop her cheeks from going red. "Why are you being so obnoxious?"

"Admit it. I did you a favour by getting you away from that table for a while. The food was disgusting and those two ladies next to you looked like your jailers." William spun her around. "You’re welcome."

"You’re just lucky my brothers aren’t here. They wouldn’t like you teasing me. Especially Malcolm."

William laughed. "You think I’d be afraid of this Malcolm even if he was here?"

"You should be. He’s taller than you and the king has promised he will be knighted by the end of the year, even though he’s only fourteen." Camilla looked up at him pertly.

William kept a straight face and tried not to show his envy, even though he was impressed. The youngest age in Islia to be knighted was typically fifteen and that was only for truly exceptional individuals. Even his closest friend Richard Bentworth, who was already fifteen and who William looked up to, would not be knighted for at least another year or so.

After a period of music, the court musicians were replaced by a bard reciting ancient poetry. William rolled his eyes and led Camilla back to the high table.

William slid back into his chair, trying to draw his father’s attention as little possible. Prince Johan didn’t even glance his way. William was at first relieved until he saw that his father’s eyes were focused on the pretty young girl quietly taking her seat. There was something in his stare that made William uncomfortable, as if he were appraising a horse or a hound he was considering buying.

King Kenneth noticed too. After a few minutes, he whispered to Prince Johan with a cunning smile, "I believe it has been many years since your late wife passed. Would you ever consider marrying again, my lord?"

"What for? I have mistresses. They serve their purpose well enough."

"But you only have one legitimate heir to pin all your hopes on. Wouldn’t it be better to lessen your risk by having more children?" The king’s voice was smooth and persuasive. "Especially with a young wife that you can mold to your needs and preferences. I’m sure a girl like my niece would benefit greatly from the guidance of a mature husband. She’ll be quite a beauty too."

Prince Johan’s eyes continued scanning her young face with avid interest. "Yes, yes...I can see that about her. Is she fertile?"

King Kenneth smiled. "Give her a couple of years and I would expect so. Her mother gave birth to healthy children before her death, including three sons. The most important responsibility of a wife." He aimed the last words as a vicious whisper in his wife’s direction.

The queen pointedly ignored him.

Prince Johan smiled slowly and nodded. "Hmmm. I do find young girls are easier to train in absolute obedience, Sire. It is a shame that we depart home tomorrow, otherwise you and I could have started negotiations for her dowry."

"Why don’t we continue this discussion upon your return to Islia? I’m sure we can reach a mutually beneficial arrangement. We still have time on our side, after all. She’s currently only eleven summers old. I would recommend letting the flower bloom a little more before you pluck it, wouldn’t you agree?"

The two men laughed and clinked goblets. "You have yourself an agreement, Your Majesty. We can continue this conversation over the next few months."

William stared at his father in horror when he realised the full weight of what was being discussed. "Father, you surely can’t mean it. You can’t marry a child. She’s younger than me!"

Prince Johan glared at his son. "Shut your mouth, lad. My affairs are no concern of yours. The only marriage you need to think about is the one I will arrange for you in the next few years."

William said no more but he shot another look at the young girl sitting there, completely oblivious. He tried to picture the slim little creature alongside his father, running his estates, managing his staff and trying to avoid his violent temper. He couldn’t do it any more than he could picture her having a baby of her own. He certainly couldn’t picture himself having to refer to her as his new mother.

He felt a surge of pity. But he knew he couldn’t do anything to help her.