Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 69: Some Weapons Make No Sound

William and Tom led Princess Sarai around the great hall during the dinner banquet that evening, making introductions. Richard joined them partway through. The princess received all the bows haughtily, as if she deserved no less. She also made subtle remarks about the immodesty of the gowns worn by the Islian ladies.

William could only hope she’d choke on her own extravagant lace veil.

He tried to steer Sarai well clear of a table at the far side of the hall where he could see Princess Camilla talking merrily with her ladies.

Unfortunately, Princess Sarai’s crafty eyes flicked over the table and she insisted on an introduction. William bit back a groan and reluctantly led the way. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The three ladies-in-waiting all cast their eyes down and bowed respectfully when introduced to Princess Sarai. William watched Camilla stand and bow to the princess with her hand over her heart, giving her a friendly smile.

Sarai looked startled at being looked in the eye and greeted as an equal. "Who’s this lady and why is she so brazen, my lord?" she demanded angrily to William. "Has she never been taught manners in front of royalty?"

Prince Thomas interjected, trying to soothe Sarai’s ruffled feathers. "She is royalty too, Your Grace. This is Princess Camilla of Moraigth."

Camilla looked unfazed and smiled again. "It’s my pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I hope you are enjoying your stay."

Sarai’s eyes narrowed. She was clearly unhappy to meet another princess. "Moraigth, you say? What are you doing here in Islia? Are you on an official visit as well?" She became upset at the thought that this girl might possibly steal her thunder. Sarai was determined to be the centre of attention.

"Oh no, Your Grace. I’ve been staying here for a while now and I’ll probably remain for a while longer. You see, my uncle the king is not best pleased with me. The Islian royal family have been gracious enough to take me under their protection."

Sarai frowned and clenched her fists on her heavily embroidered skirt. The girl being here on a more permanent basis was somehow worse. It sounded like she had been around Prince William for months and would likely have gotten to know him. What did the prince think of her?

"I’ve heard about the King of Moraigth." Princess Sarai said coolly. "My dear father says the man spends more time in his cups than in his chapel." To her surprise, the Moraigthian princess didn’t take offence and laughed instead.

"That is true enough. Your father is a wise man, Your Highness."

"But surely you have other family, don’t you? Wouldn’t they be missing you and wanting you to return to your home?" Sarai pressed. "What about your parents?"

"My parents are dead." Camilla’s doe eyes clouded over briefly. "There’s no one in my country for me to return to. But I’m well looked after here and I’m content."

Sarai didn’t miss the shadow that crossed Princess Camilla’s face at the mention of her parents, before it disappeared as quickly as it arrived. She made a mental note to find out more about the Moraigthian girl’s background, and learn how to exploit her weakness.

"So then, you’re an unwanted orphan living off the charity of the Islian King. How difficult that must be for you." Princess Sarai’s voice oozed false sympathy. "I don’t know how you rise from your bed every morning. If I were in your place, I’d never manage."

"And yet I do, Your Grace." Camilla’s voice was placid. "Life deals us all challenges. Some ladies can rise to the challenges. And some...cannot."

William saw the anger flash across Sarai’s and his own gaze swivelled between the two royal ladies. His eyes met Thomas’s briefly. Tom looked like he was trying to stifle a laugh after hearing Camilla politely challenge Sarai.

William was used to quarrels between men, with the bluster and violence that involved. This battle between the princesses though, was a completely different matter. He knew ladies were taught from birth to keep their voices and tempers mild. Ladies had to fight with sweet voices and subtly cutting words. But it didn’t make their weapons less dangerous or their blows less painful.

William was unable to stop comparing the two women before him. Truly, it was no competition at all, he thought. Sarai was full of her own importance, her tone imperious, her face made unattractive by her unfriendliness. The ridiculous layered dress she wore was so weighted down with gems and gold chains that it clinked while she walked.

Camilla stood in contrast in a rose coloured gown that skimmed her beautiful body, making her look like a delicate nymph. Her glossy hair was pulled up with a silver pin and simple diamond drops hung from her ears, drawing William’s eyes to her exposed neck. He remembered how she had sighed when he’d kissed the spot below her ear and felt a rush of blood to his groin.

He shifted uncomfortably. Why did she have to stand there looking like sweet temptation itself?

Camilla placed her hand on her heart again and bowed to Sarai. "I hope your stay here will be pleasant, Princess. No doubt our paths will cross again soon." With that, she left the great hall, followed by her ladies-in-waiting. Meg Vere briefly scowled at Sarai before following her royal mistress.

Sarai turned to William and asked innocently, "What became of that poor girl’s parents? It breaks my heart that she’s alone."

William replied curtly, "I only know her mother died of illness years ago and her father died in battle." He refused to say more and started leading her in another direction.

Sarai narrowed her eyes, noticing that William’s friend seemed to know more on the matter. The brute with the close cropped dark hair and cold eyes looked as if he was about to say something before a sharp look from William had made him close his mouth. Sarai decided she’d speak to the disagreeable looking brute named Richard, later.