Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 251: Violet: Ties That Bind

Violet looked at Prince Leo with interest. As heir to the throne, he was undoubtedly the greatest catch for any lady in the country. He was also handsome, with fair hair and a strong build. When he smiled, his teeth gleamed white. Something about his bearing told everyone that he was well aware of his own importance.

Next to be introduced by the queen was her second son, Prince James. He was also tall and golden haired, with green eyes and a shy, sweet smile. Ilse smiled warmly back at him but Violet didn’t see the point of being too friendly. Why put in the effort of befriending only a second son, even one who was actually very handsome?

Violet quickly found herself losing interest as the introductions went on. The third prince was named Rufus - or was it Rupert? He was a gangly, fair haired lad of about Abel’s age and apparently quite the jester, always pulling silly pranks on everyone.

Finally, the two youngest princes - Thomas and William - who were still in the royal nursery. The youngsters said hello but paid little attention to the Thierre twins, being too busy tumbling across the floor and wrestling each other. Young Thomas had the queen’s brown hair and unfortunate stocky build. Whereas William wasn’t even a child of the king and queen at all. It was explained that he was actually the son of the king’s brother Prince Johan.

The sooner those two loud, boisterous children can be sent back to the nursery, the better for all, Violet thought.

Of course, Ilse and her tender heart had to go and befriend the children, didn’t she? She forgot all about the sisters’ shared pledge to only behave in the most ladylike manner possible at all times. Soon, she was on the pavilion floor, playing and laughing with the two boys.

Violet wanted to hiss at her sister to stand up and stop acting so undignified in front of Her Majesty and Crown Prince Leo. She wanted to point out that the hem of Ilse’s dark grey gown was dragging all over the flagstones. Instead, she sat stiffly in the chair offered to her while she sipped fine ale and watched her twin’s antics with embarrassment.

Violet grew even more befuddled when she noticed that far from being disturbed by Ilse’s behaviour, the queen seemed charmed by it. She was laughing indulgently as if the sight of a duke’s daughter romping with irritating children was endearing.

Eventually, Queen Celia announced that she was retiring to her apartments as she could feel a debilitating headache coming on. Violet was disappointed to have her chance to speak to the queen cut short.

Ilse asked, "Do you need one of us to accompany you back to your rooms, Your Majesty?"

The queen gave her a gentle smile. "Thank you for your kind offer, Lady Ilse, but I’ll be quite alright making it back on my own. Stay and enjoy yourselves a while longer in the garden. You can join my other ladies at dinner tonight and begin your duties then."

Once they had all bowed and watched the queen as she disappeared into the castle, Violet looked around awkwardly as she sat back down.

The princes resumed what they’d been doing - Leo was reviewing a document, Rufus and James continued playing cards and Ilse offered to act as umpire for the two younger boys, who continued tumbling across the floor in some type of race.

Violet sat there like a statue, feeling horribly out of place. To hide her nerves, she took another sip of ale and raised her chin elegantly. Rufus offered to play a round of cards with her but she declined.

"Eat whatever you want."

Violet looked around at hearing Prince Leo’s deep voice. His eyes were on the document in his hand and he spoke again without looking at her.

"I said you should eat whatever you want. Given how behind your father’s duchy is paying its dues to the crown, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sent the two of you to court half-starved because he doesn’t have a coin to spare."

Ilse didn’t hear Leo’s callous words but Violet felt the blood rush to her face. Before she could lie through her teeth and deny she’d ever gone hungry, a strikingly handsome man with golden hair strode into the pavilion.

At least, he would’ve been handsome if his features hadn’t been twisted in rage.

Prince William scrambled to his feet the moment he saw the strange man. "Father..." he whispered.

The man stomped over to where William stood and loomed over him. His voice boomed when he spoke.

"That’s enough! I can hear you from my study and your racket is making my head pound! Stop making such a goddamn nuisance of yourself!"

The next moment, one of his large hands struck out and cuffed William across the head. It was no mere slap - the force behind it would have left a grown man with ringing ears. The child was knocked to the floor.

Violet realised this must be the king’s formidable brother, Prince Johan.

The entire pavilion was deathly silent and no one knew where to look. Everyone, including Leo himself, darted his eyes away and refused to meet Johan’s terrifying gaze. Thomas shrank back against the refreshments table, looking like he might cry.

William didn’t cry though, to his credit. He rubbed his head briefly, then slowly picked himself up from the floor and stood up straight. "My apologies, Father." Violet heard the boy mutter through gritted teeth.

Johan sneered at his son for another moment and then stalked back out of the pavilion without a word. Soon he’d disappeared back into the castle.

The uncomfortable silence stretched on. It was obvious that all the young royals feared King Edward’s powerful brother. No one would dare speak up against him.

And yet, Violet didn’t miss the look on Prince William’s face as he watched his father’s retreating form. The cold hatred in the young boy’s otherwise lovely green eyes, was a sight to behold. It was a look more suited to a man four times his age.