Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 84: Within Four Walls

7 May, 1359. Magdaline Castle, Islia

Camilla opened her swollen, scratchy eyes. For a moment, she couldn’t recall anything besides having barely slept that night.

Then she remembered what had happened with Richard the previous day.

It was like being plunged into an icy river. Her entire body tensed in horror. She shut her eyes tightly again, willing her mind to go blank.

It didn’t work.

Why did I even wake up?

Curling her aching body up under the soft blankets, Camilla tried desperately to think of what to do next. Who could help her?

She found herself discarding every possibility as soon as she thought of it.

My reputation will be completely destroyed if word gets out that I was alone with Richard in the forest, she thought bleakly. It won’t matter if I say I never wanted to be with him - I’ll still be sullied goods in the eyes of most.

My value to King Edward as a valuable pawn would all but disappear. Why would he ever bother negotiating with my uncle over who has custody of a ruined woman? In fact, maybe the king will marry me off to Richard to try and bury any whiff of scandal at his court.

Camilla broke out into a cold sweat at the thought of having to marry a vicious man like Richard.

She shivered even harder as she imagined the look of pure disgust on William’s face when he found out she’d been with his closest friend.

She vowed to drown herself in the creek before any of those things could happen.

A knock at the bedchamber door forced her to sit up. A moment later, her maids swept in to start carrying out the morning routine with practiced efficiency.

The two older maids started pulling open the drapes while Bonnie gently placed a tray of food on the bed next to Camilla.

As soon as the sun’s rays pierced the room and hit her swollen eyes, Camilla shrank back against her headboard. "Close the curtains!" she croaked.

Matilda pulled the curtains closed again and looked at Camilla with a question in her eyes. "My lady?"

"I’m feeling unwell." Camilla quickly lied as she used her hand to shield her aching eyes. "I wish to stay in bed and sleep longer."

The two older maids instinctively stepped backwards, as if trying to put more distance between themselves and the supposedly sick woman in the bed. Any other time, Camilla would have found their reactions amusing.

"Shall we summon one of the court physicians for you, my lady?" Matilda’s voice wavered.

"No." Camilla tried to speak as steadily as possible. She knew she’d always been a terrible liar. "I know I’ll feel better with more rest and some food. I’m not to be disturbed today."

The maids all nodded and hurried out of the room. Bonnie shot her a sympathetic smile before she exited, gently closing the door behind her. Camilla pulled the blanket up to her chin as if it were a shield.

- - -

Apart from visiting the privy once to relieve herself, Camilla had stayed in her bedchamber the entire day. The drapes had stayed closed and the tray of food Bonnie had brought her in the middle of the day remained almost untouched.

Her belly burned. When she had tried to eat by taking a few bites of bread, waves of nausea had overwhelmed her.

Camilla had prowled her room restlessly all day, racking her thoughts about what to do. She had come up blank. It must now be getting close to time for the evening meal, she told herself.

She couldn’t bear to face everyone for dinner in the great hall. Especially not when Richard would be there, probably silently laughing at her.

I can’t see him again.

I can’t face William either. Even though he barely looks at me anymore, I can’t sit next to him and pretend nothing’s wrong. What if he looks at me and just knows?

So many times over that last year, she had worn a pretty dress and fixed her smile in place like armour before the court. She’d attended so many banquets while no one knew her heart was silently breaking.

She couldn’t do it anymore.

She turned when she heard a knock on the door. This time, Elizabeth’s voice drifted in. "My lady, are you well enough to join us for tonight’s dinner?"

"No Bess, I’m still not well."

"Please let us call one of the physicians to see you then, my lady."

"That won’t be necessary. I just wish to rest. Go to the great hall without me tonight. Enjoy yourselves."

There was silence for a moment, then Elizabeth asked, "Alright. But will you at least please open the door first and let us see you?"

Camilla shut her eyes. Was that a note of suspicion she could hear in Elizabeth’s voice, or was her own imagination tricking her? 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

For the briefest moment, she wondered if she should admit the truth to her ladies. She desperately wanted to confide in someone.

I just want someone to tell me that none of this is my fault.

But her shame wouldn’t let her.

Camilla swallowed hard. She’d go to her grave without admitting to anyone what she’d suffered at the hands of such a horrible man.

"I don’t want to risk making you ill as well, Bess. Please just let me be. We can speak again tomorrow when I’m sure I’ll feel better."

- - -

The three ladies-in-waiting made their way down to the banquet hall, speaking little. Elizabeth felt uneasy but didn’t say anything out loud.

She couldn’t pinpoint anything in particular about her brief conversation with Princess Camilla that had been unusual - if the princess said she was ill, then she was ill.

But something didn’t sit quite right with her.

As she bowed to the royal high table, Elizabeth felt eyes boring into her. She raised her head slightly to see Prince William’s shrewd gaze scanning over them. He was slouched in his chair, idly twirling a golden fork like he couldn’t be bothered with anything or anyone.

And yet, there was a trace of surprise on his handsome face as he stared at the three ladies. He locked eyes with Elizabeth again.

She lowered her head again in a hurry before he could ask her anything.

She made her way to the ladies’ table, where she she would take her usual seat between Meg Vere and one of Princess Violet’s ladies.

"Ah, my Lady Taunsen. Don’t you look lovely this evening?" a deep voice spoke behind her.

Elizabeth craned her neck in its direction, only to find Sir Richard Bentworth standing uncomfortably close to her seat. His question was polite on the surface.

Something about his smile made her almost recoil.

Elizabeth quickly bowed her head respectfully, suppressing a shudder. She wished Archibald could be with her instead of away on a diplomatic mission to the south.

Richard smiled wider, eyes crinkling at the corners. Why did it make her skin crawl?

She knew about his dire reputation amongst the court’s women, of course. Everyone did.

There was also something about his gaze that always made her feel like she was only partially dressed.

She didn’t have to like him. But he was Prince William’s dearest friend. It made him almost untouchable.

He knew it, of course.

"And where’s your royal mistress tonight?" Richard pressed, still smirking.

"Ill, my lord." Elizabeth replied shortly.