Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 63: Flaws

27 March, 1359. Magdaline Castle, Islia

The days after Easter Sunday were a time of celebration in Islia. It was an opportunity to cast off the Lent fasting and deprivations, and welcome the impending arrival of spring.

After what had felt like an endless bitter winter, even in the milder climate of southern Islia, the court had finally returned north to Magdaline Castle. To her surprise, Camilla felt a rush of familiarity and comfort when she saw the rosy coloured walls of the castle. After only a couple of days, she was settled into her apartments in the southern wing, almost as if she had never left.

The king had announced there would be a costume ball that night to celebrate the return to Magdaline. Camilla had inwardly groaned at the announcement, wanting to just spend the evening curled up in her bed. However, she knew she’d have to scrape together the last of her enthusiasm and take part.

Camilla and her ladies walked into the great hall that night dressed as woodland fairies. They had taken turns fashioning gowns out of sheer, creamy gauze. Camilla could barely breathe after Katerine had wrapped her in lengths of gauze, insisting the tight layers were the only way to stop the fabric being translucent.

She just wanted the night to be over with so she could escape as quickly as possible. She wondered vaguely if it would take Bonnie as long to unbind her from the cursed dress as it had taken to get her into it. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

- - -

William weaved through the crowded hall, looking for the princess. As much as he loathed admitting it to himself, she was the only one who drew his attention these days. A lady in an extravagant mask adorned with peacock feathers sidled up to him, but he shoved her aside slightly and kept walking.

There was something about a costume ball, he mused, that made the court act more boldly than usual. A fountain of honeysuckle wine had been set up in the centre of the room for guests to help themselves.

William had no doubt the night would descend into debauchery within a few hours. He was determined to find Camilla well before that happened.

He finally found her, sipping from a goblet and in polite conversation with a brown haired knight. Sir Lewis Rouen.

"Fuck. Not him again." William hissed.

Camilla was dressed as a forest nymph in a pale, shimmery dress that clung to her curves, with ivy twined through her loose hair and a crown of early spring rosebuds on her head. She smiled as she listened to whatever Sir Lewis was telling her but William could tell the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

As he approached, William gave Sir Lewis a hard look and gestured subtly with his chin that he’d better make himself scarce. The knight frowned but quickly bowed and departed.

Camilla half smiled at him. "Good evening my lord. That’s a rather bold choice of costume."

He was dressed as a barbarian warlord of the wild northern kingdoms, in a leather breastplate and a fur lined cloak draped over one shoulder. Blue war paint was streaked around his eyes. He smiled back.

"Do I look familiar then? How many such warriors have you crossed paths with before?"

"Uhhh...none!"

"Really? You’re lying to me. Not a single one?"

Camilla stared at him for a moment and then scowled. "Of course not! What kind of life do you think I used to lead? Do you think barbarians roam wild around Moraigth like livestock?"

William laughed, always enjoying getting a reaction out of her. "Well, if I haven’t scared you off, then come dance with me for a while." Without waiting for her reply, he laced his fingers through hers and led her out.

- - -

The night was rapidly blurring into one dance after another. After dancing with William, Camilla found herself spun around in Prince Rufus’s arms. The older prince had insisted she drink more of the honeysuckle wine especially prepared for the occasion, though she found it too strong.

She then danced with Robin, Francis and back with Prince Rufus. The noise in the room was getting louder and louder as the guests continued indulging in endless wine. The prince insisted she toast with him to an abundant harvest and down another goblet.

Camilla shook her head and refused the prince when he took the empty cup from her hand and replaced it with a fresh one. Her vision was starting to blur.

"Oh, come on. Live a little." Rufus pressed the wine to her lips. She obliged by taking a small sip, but he wasn’t satisfied. Camilla pressed the back of her hand to her forehead, willing the room to stop spinning. Rufus seemed amused.

"Perhaps some fresh air would do you good. Let’s take a walk through the garden, then." His smile was pleasant but Camilla found it unnerving. He grabbed her elbow and started steering her in the direction of the main doors.

Camilla tried to protest but she couldn’t form the words. Her mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cloth and her legs felt heavy.

"Your wife is looking for you, cousin." William’s calm voice suddenly reached her ears. Camilla felt relief flood through her as she turned to find him next to her. Rufus suddenly dropped his hold of her elbow.

William gave Rufus a bland smile. "Better hurry, she’s rather angry already." Before Rufus could retort that he’d deal with Annabel later, William delivered the final blow. "She’s sitting with the king right now, crying on his shoulder as we speak."

Rufus let out a string of the most vulgar curses Camilla had ever heard. As if completely forgetting she existed, the older prince turned and stalked back into the crowd.

"Are you alright? You don’t look well." William frowned at her as she rubbed her spinning head.

She shook her head, even though it made the dizziness worse. "I feel awful. Prince Rufus told me that fresh air...would help. But I just...want to lie down." Camilla was horrified to hear herself slurring.

"Do you feel queasy?" His gaze was a mixture of pity and wariness.

"No, just dizzy...and my head hurts."

William grabbed her be the elbow and started walking her towards the door. "Rufus is right. Fresh air does actually help. I’m afraid you just chose the wrong person to get air with."

Camilla tried to explain she hadn’t actually chosen to follow Rufus but gave up. It was hard to string words together. William led her out of the hall and down the central staircase.

As they started walking down the stairs, Camilla felt her legs tremble and she pitched forward, off balance. She felt like she was almost out of her body, as the image of her tumbling down the stairs and breaking her neck flashed through her mind.

Before she started falling, a strong arm around her waist wrenched her upright. Instinctively, she clutched at whatever was nearest in terror. She found herself face to face with the prince, with handfuls of his cloak in her fists. He was clinging to the balustrade with one hand, stopping them both from falling down the flight of stairs.

Camilla was torn between relief and embarrassment. William on the other hand looked amused.

"Don’t worry, we won’t fall. This isn’t how I plan to die." He waited a few moments until she stopped shaking. "Do you think you can walk slowly down the stairs now?"

Camilla nodded, thinking it would’ve been more of a mercy to have broken her neck than to have to be guided down the staircase like a small child.

They descended slowly, his arm around her waist to stop her from stumbling again. When they reached the bottom, William led her down a corridor until they reached a side door, which he held open for her.

"I am so embarrassed." Camilla whimpered.

William grinned down at her and gave her waist a little squeeze. "Oh, this is nothing compared to the embarrassment you’ll feel tomorrow morning when you wake up sober."

"Why must you always choose words that make things worse?" she despaired.

William laughed. "Don’t fret. If getting dizzy from too much wine is what you’re most embarrassed about, then I think you’re managing quite well. Most people left in that hall will have far greater regrets tomorrow." He winked at her. "I just find it amusing to see your perfect facade slip and remind me you’re just as flawed as the rest of us."

"I’m glad I amuse you so much." Camilla grumbled. "I changed my mind. I just want to go to bed."

William bit the inside of his cheek to stop from laughing out loud at her innocence. "As tempting an offer as that is, I’ll have to turn you down. I prefer my women coherent."

It took a moment for Camilla to understand his reply. When she did, all she could do was wail in embarrassment as William chuckled.