Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 79: Never You
2 May, 1359. Magdaline Castle, Islia
William chewed the food placed in front of him without tasting it. He could hear conversation happening around him but listened to none of it. He endured Princess Sarai touching his hand when she spoke and brushing her leg against his under the tablecloth, supposedly by accident, with nothing but a clenched jaw.
He remembered how several months ago, it had been Prince Thomas in the same position, unable to escape the lady foisted on to him by the king. William could now understand his cousin’s deep and ongoing resentment. He vowed to never tease Tom again about his marriage.
After the dinner plates were cleared away and the musicians started playing, William knew he was expected to take Princess Sarai’s hand and lead the evening’s dancing yet again. As he walked past King Edward’s seat with Sarai’s hand in his, he saw his uncle nod in approval.
Two more days, he thought to himself. If everything goes to plan, I only need to endure two more days of this charade.
Unbeknown to everyone, even the king himself, William had recently exchanged quiet words with Queen Celia. And he had whispered to this woman, who was the closest thing to a mother he’d ever had, that he’d never consider marrying Princess Sarai. That if the king insisted on such an alliance, he’d never lay a hand on the princess. And if the king commanded him to share Sarai’s bed, he’d throw his life away cheaply in the next campaign he was forced to fight in.
It was probably a little over dramatic, but it was enough for the queen to assure him that she’d speak to the king herself and try to persuade him to drop all thoughts of a potential marriage.
All William could pray for now was for King Edward to listen to his wife of many decades who still commanded his affection, if not his fidelity.
"We’ll be leaving Islia very soon, my lord." Princess Sarai’s breathy voice assaulted his ears.
"So I’ve heard, Your Highness." William managed to keep the elation out of his voice.
"Wouldn’t it be wonderful if an announcement was made before my departure, confirming how our two kingdoms have strengthened their bond?" Sarai looked into his face as she pressed up against him. The strong scent of her ambergris perfume made him want to sneeze. He had quickly grown to hate ambergris.
"I believe that’s already the case, you’ll be glad to know. I spoke with Viscount Nadrim earlier. Thanks to the negotiations between my king and your ambassador, I’m told an updated set of trade laws will soon be announced between our countries." William gave her a bland smile.
The princess huffed dismissively. "Trade laws? Who cares about that?"
"Well, I would expect you to care, Your Highness. This legislation will prove lucrative on both sides. Surely that must please you as a Princess of Havietten, who no doubt keeps herself up to date on her country’s political affairs." William knew that this girl did no such thing. The only thing her shallow mind could keep up with was her clothing and spreading hurtful rumours.
"Yes, yes." Sarai said impatiently. "But don’t you think an even better, more impressive announcement could be made?"
"More impressive than increased trade profits for both of our nations? That would be quite the feat. What are you suggesting, Your Highness?"
"I’m suggesting something like a marriage alliance, my lord." Sarai batted her lashes at him.
"Is that so?" William had to stop himself from laughing out loud. The girl was so vapid. No wonder Camilla thought it was beneath her to bother engaging in Sarai’s constant digs. "What would you suggest then, my lady?" He tried to look at her as if he was genuinely interested in her pointless thoughts.
"You’re not married yet, my lord. Don’t you ever think about what that would be like?"
William pretended to think the question over. "Actually, no. Not at all. I’ve never had any interest in marriage."
Frowning slightly, Sarai replied, "Perhaps that’s because until now, you’ve never met a lady of quality that you would benefit from taking to wife."
"And how would you describe a lady of quality?" William knew he should stop stringing the princess along but he was enjoying himself far too much.
"Someone who knows her place as the wife of a powerful prince, my lord. Someone who can bring elegance, beauty and royal dignity to the role. A true lady, who doesn’t pursue unwomanly interests."
You mean like reading books, William asked silently?
"Hmmm. Perhaps you’re onto something, Princess. There would certainly be great benefits to marrying someone with the qualities you list." William paused, as if suddenly deep in thought. "But where would I go about finding this perfect example of womanhood you’ve just described?"
Sarai’s jaw dropped for a moment, as if she couldn’t believe how slow the man she was dancing with was. Then she quickly thought better of it and pressed up against William again, purring. "Perhaps she’s a lady who’s already under your nose."
"Maybe. But there are a great number of ladies under my nose. The Islian court is blessed with an abundance of pretty maidens."
"None of the ladies I’ve seen here are worthy of a prince such as you, my lord!" Sarai pouted, clearly frustrated. "There would great benefits to you taking a Haviettenese bride. My father is a powerful man and he would grant me a generous dowry. I am his favourite daughter. I’m also a good judge of character. I understand exactly what you need."
"Do you really?"
"Yes!"
"You are right, Your Grace. Like any man, I’d probably find great happiness in marrying a good lady, one who understands me and what it means to be my helpmate." Willian flashed her a smile. "But whoever she turns out to be, please know that for me, that lady will never be you. Never."
William heard the proud princess suck in a sharp breath. "What? Why would you say something like that to me?" Sarai pulled back to stare at him in shock.
"You look so surprised, Your Grace. Why is that? Didn’t you just say you understand what I need? Surely you understand then, that I definitely don’t need you in my life."
"What is all this? Have you already formed an attachment to someone else?" Sarai’s face slowly twisted in understanding. "It’s her, isn’t it? That foreign chit!"
"Hmm. Who? I assume that the foreign chit you speak of has a name?" Willam’s kept his voice pleasant, as if they were discussing the weather.
"I refuse to say her name! You know who I’m talking about!" Sarai hissed.
"It doesn’t matter who she is." William drew Sarai a little closer and bent his head down so he could whisper in her ear, the way a lover might do. "What matters is that it isn’t you. Never you. Even if my uncle forces us to marry and I must spend the rest of my days with you as my wife, just know that I will never lay a finger on you." He made his voice as soft and sweet as possible, so that the vicious truth of his message would hit home.
Sarai jerked back and he saw her face had turned crimson with humiliation. He thought of all the times the little bitch had used her words to strike people down around her, and smiled wider. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
"Ever since you arrived at my uncle’s court you’ve wielded your words like knives, Your Highness. You obviously enjoy wounding people. I just wanted to let you know what it’s like to be on the receiving end. Quite unpleasant, isn’t it?"
Sarai seemed to have been struck dumb.
William kept his smile in place as he spun the shocked girl around in time to the music. Then he drew her close one last time and whispered sweetly.
"This is the last time I hope to ever have to speak to you, you little shrew. From now on, stay out of my fucking sight. And watch how you speak to others, especially those under Islian royal protection."
Sarai shoved him in the chest as she broke out of his arms. She stared at him for a moment with angry tears in her eyes, before she turned and ran from the dance area, pushing people out of her way as she fled.
Feeling lighter than he had in weeks, William strolled back to the table where several of his knights and companions were engaged in the usual drinking contests. Someone passed him a full goblet and he took a drink, savouring the taste.
Richard Bentworth threw an odd glance his way. "What happened with you? One moment you’re dancing with the Princess of Harvietten and the next she’s running out of the room crying."
"Oh, that. Who knows?" William shrugged carelessly, trying to keep his face expressionless. "She probably had some kind of emotional problem or something. You know how fucking stupid women can be."
