Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 279: Violet: Options at Your Disposal

18 August, 1348. Magdaline Castle, Islia.

The sun was hot on her back as Violet stepped towards the archery field, holding her skirt up a little to the hem wouldn’t drag across the damp grass.

She hadn’t been able to speak with Prince Leo at all the previous day. She hadn’t even seen him as he’d been summoned by his father to a series of meetings. It had been disappointing but Violet knew she still had another chance.

For the second morning in a row, Ilse had woken up in too much pain to carry out her duties as a lady-in-waiting. Violet knew her sister would likely be well enough to resume her usual routine in another day, though.

Today, she told herself. I have to talk to that man today.

She’d heard it mentioned that Leo and his brothers were taking advantage of the dry weather to practice their arrows. No doubt there would already be several ladies gathered at the archery butts to heap endless praise on him.

"It doesn’t matter. None of those women can match me for ambition." Violet whispered to herself as the little crowd around the butts came into view.

She could see Leo standing next to his brothers James and Rufus. Wearing only white linen shirts, even Violet had to admire the way the two older brothers’ muscles flexed as they took turns releasing their arrows. Every so often, one of them would lean over to give the youngest prince some pointers or adjust his posture.

Next to them, Rufus appeared long limbed and gangly, looking like a lad desperately trying to keep up with grown men. Violet guessed that if he was prepared to wait five or so years, he’d likely resemble his older brothers quite a bit.

Too bad his character is so annoying, she thought as she politely greeted the princes.

James gave her a pleasant smile as she rose from her bow. Leo stayed quiet and raised his eyebrows slightly at the sight of Violet having arrived alone.

Rufus lowered his bow and also looked at her. "Good morning. Where’s your sister? The pretty one?"

I hope you misfire an arrow and it pierces through your foot, you bad mannered little clod, Violet thought spitefully. She managed to keep her steady smile as she replied, "I’m afraid she’s ill, my young lord. But I expect she’ll be better again tomorrow and I’ll give her your kind regards."

Rufus smiled vaguely and returned to staring at the target. The boy was probably too shallow to even think of sending someone his regards. Any thought he’s ever had has surely died of loneliness, Violet told herself.

She didn’t miss the flicker of concern on Leo’s face when he heard her say Ilse was unwell but still, he said nothing.

So she waited, watching quietly and clapping politely whenever an arrow hit the bullseye. There was no point in practically fainting in delight the way the other ladies seemed about to do.

Whenever Leo looked over at her, she smiled but stayed silent. She could tell he was desperate to ask her questions, so she let him stew in his growing discomfort for a while longer.

Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer. Leo tossed his exquisitely carved bow carelessly to a nearby page and told his brothers he had grown bored of archery.

"But you can’t leave yet! You promised to show me a new technique for aiming longer distance shots!" Rufus’s whining tone made Violet want to pinch him.

"Don’t fret like a little wench. James can teach you." Leo flicked his hand dismissively and strode toward Violet. "Walk with me, my lady." It was more of an order than a request.

She was happy to oblige, of course.

- - -

"What’s wrong with Ilse? You said she was ill." Prince Leo blurted out the moment the two of them were alone, strolling through a grove of yew trees.

Violet scowled briefly before she managed to control her expression. The first moment in weeks the two of them had been able to speak without others around and he has to mention her twin? "She’ll be back on her feet in a couple of days, I’m sure."

"Yes but what actually ails her?" Leo asked impatiently.

Violet was losing patience too. If the fool wanted to know so badly, she’d tell him. "Womanly troubles, Your Grace. I’m afraid Ilse sufffers from very painful monthly courses. They’re also irregular so the poor girl can be confined to bed at a moment’s notice."

She actually saw the prince’s face turn a greenish hue, much to her glee. It didn’t surprise her that he was one of those men who found the workings of women’s fertility strange and disgusting. Her father had been one as well.

Ridiculous, Violet thought. How did these men think they got their precious heirs on women if not for these things?

"I see. Well, hopefully she’s recovered soon." Leo muttered, looking intensely uncomfortable.

Violet smiled up sweetly at him. "Your concern is very kind." She was fairly confident that would be the last mention of Ilse for the rest of their walk. She linked her arm through his and noticed he didn’t protest.

Of course it probably didn’t hurt that she’d laced her gown’s bodice so that it sat a little lower and the difference in their height meant Prince Leo now had a decent view down her cleavage.

"You’re very skilled with the bow, my lord. It’s impressive to watch." Violet said after a few moments of quiet. All men liked being praised, didn’t they?

He managed to drag his eyes from her chest long enough to grin into her eyes. "That I am. I think I’m even better than Johan now, which of course the bastard hates."

Ugh. Did the man not have even a drop of modesty in his veins?

"James is a good archer as well." Leo finally conceded. "Rufus is still rather hopeless."

"Yes, but he’s still a boy. If he practices hard for a few years, he might become almost as skilled as you." She peeped up at him through her lashes.

"I doubt that." The prince’s voice suddenly sounded bored. "Rufus can’t focus on much for more than a few moments. He’s too lazy to put in the effort it takes to become truly good at something."

Violet nodded, not wanting to say anything offensive about Leo’s younger brother.

Silence descended between them again, which she didn’t like very much. She remembered Ilse mentioning once that when she and Leo would go for walks, they never ran out of things to talk and laugh about.

Surely her sister had exaggerated? The prince didn’t strike Violet as a great conversationalist, unless the talking was all about himself.

She figured she might as well bring up his favourite topic then.

"I hear you’re also an exceptional horseman, my lord. What is the name of your favourite stallion?"

Leo paused to think for a moment, then replied, "I suppose that would be Farley, the enormous grey steed I recently had brought over from Havietten. But that may change soon. I like variety, so my attention never stays on one creature for very long."

"Are we still talking about horses?" The thoughtless question escaped Violet’s lips before she even realised.

Leo laughed, then winked at her. "I don’t know. Are we?"

Violet felt her face turn red. She needed to turn the conversation so that she was controlling it again. But before she could say another word, Leo suddenly stopped walking and faced her.

"What is it you’re really after, Lady Violet?"

"What makes you think I’m after anything from you?" Violet stood her ground and refused to take even a single backward step, even though the prince’s broad frame looming over her made feel both excited and terrified.

He gave her a knowing look. "Every woman wants one thing or another from me. I just decide whether I’m willing to grant it or not."

Maybe he was more perceptive than she’d given him credit for, she admitted silently.

"So what is it you want?"

Violet decided she was sick of tiptoeing around the issue. If she didn’t ask now, she might not have another chance. Ilse would probably be well enough to rise from bed and as soon as she was, Leo would be draped all over her again and forget about Violet.

"I want what you’ve given my sister." she said bluntly. "Nothing less."

Leo narrowed his eyes as if thinking deeply. "What do you know about what’s taken place between Ilse and me?"

"I’ve seen the gifts you’re showering her with and I know you’ve placed your hands on her." Violet hurried to explain herself when she saw his eyes widen. She didn’t ever want him to know she’d watched them that afternoon in the storeroom. "Ilse told me that."

"I see. And you want the same as her? Nothing less?"

Violet held his gaze, wondering if she was in over her head by negotiating with the man.