Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 334: Violet: The Long Game

"I know." Leo blew out a shuddering breath. "I don’t want to regret it either. But Father’s determined to see this match become reality. And you know his is the final word on these matters, not mine. Not yet, anyway. At least nothing much will happen for the next few years."

Violet pursed her lips thoughtfully. "I suppose not. But we should prepare for all outcomes. If we want our daughter to reign with the heart and stomach of a king, we must give her the education to match. We can’t let her mind be filled with only frivolities like needlework and singing. She must understand law, theology, mathematics. Whatever the little butterball learns, we must make sure Celia knows twice as much."

Her own lack of education had always been a source of shame for Violet. She refused to let that mistake repeat itself with her own girls.

"That’s true." Leo said slowly. "She should learn everything little Edward does, shouldn’t she? In fact, the two of them may end up ruling the two kingdoms as sibling monarchs. Wouldn’t that be a sight?"

Violet nodded, the thought of it making her smile.

"I’ll make arrangements with Edward’s tutors first thing tomorrow." Leo added. "Eve can join them as well when she’s a bit older. The four of them will be some of the most educated young minds on the continent."

The two of them continued strolling together quietly for a few moments. Violet thought there was something satisfying in the two of them being united towards a goal, instead of quarrelling over it.

"William is going to fly into a rage when he hears about Father’s plans." Leo eventually broke the silence with a chuckle. "That boy’s temper is as fierce as Johan’s was."

"Surely he must have an inkling about the king’s plans. He’s the last remaining unmarried prince. Does he really think he’s going to be left unmatched forever?" Violet asked.

"It wouldn’t be so bad if he was."

"Oh? Are you so opposed to him marrying Princess Sarai?"

"I can’t say I really care either way." he shrugged.

"Don’t tell me you’re worried his heart will break if he’s pushed into the bed of a woman he clearly doesn’t like."

"Hardly." Leo laughed. "A broken heart would require the boy to actually have a heart and to pursue wenches for more than what’s between their legs. But so long as Will is without an heir of his own, his lands revert to the Crown should anything happen to him."

"And what exactly do you expect to happen to him?"

"Don’t look at me that way, wife. I’m not planning anything sinister." Leo rolled his eyes. "But who knows what the future will bring? Being a knight is risky. He might fall in battle, or even during those ridiculous, violent jousting tournaments those boys seem to enjoy so much."

You mean the very jousts you were enjoying strutting like a peacock in, a decade ago? Violet kept that question to herself, however.

"Why didn’t you want me talking about Will’s latest conquest in front of Father?" Leo asked. "He’s been hot on the trail of the Moraigthian girl for weeks now. You really think Father won’t have already noticed? Lord knows, everyone else has."

"Maybe you should tell your little cousin that. He’s probably convinced he’s the model of secrecy and that no one’s seen anything different in his behaviour."

That made Leo laugh again. "Does he really think that? To be honest, Will needs to make a greater effort to hide his lusts from his king. If Father finds out his precious, virgin negotiating chip is now sullied goods, he’ll be furious. He’ll probably have her tossed back over the border again and let her own uncle deal with her." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Violet looked at him, askance. "I don’t think William is going to give up very easily, Leo. He seems quite infatuated with the barbarian girl."

"What makes you say that?" he stopped laughing. "This is the lad who’d happily lay with a different wench every week."

"Yes except this time, the girl isn’t lying with him. I’m willing to bet she keeps on denying him the grand prize. How else do you think she’s managed to hold his attention for so long?"

"We can’t really know that for sure what’s happening between them. Has William actually told you anything?"

"Of course not. Think about it, Leo! No man’s going to willingly admit that he’s struggling to bed a woman, is he?" she snorted. "But if William had already lain with her, he would’ve lost interest long ago. He wouldn’t keep pursuing her with that ridiculous look on his face."

"You make her sound like a scheming little bitch." he muttered.

"Yes, perhaps. It’ll be deliberate. She must be playing the long game with some goal in mind. And if that barbarian is stringing along your very wealthy cousin - your cousin who governs a large part of Islia for the crown - don’t you think we should find out what her goal is?"

- - -

The following morning, Violet found herself in Princess Sarai’s spoiled, haughty presence. The two of them were seated under a beautiful arbour in the eastern gardens, listening to the surrounding birdsong. Servants hovered nearby like unmoving statues.

Violet would’ve far preferred to enjoy the peaceful surroundings alone, while she supervised her children as they played, shrieking and laughing. However, there was information she needed to glean.

Sarai waved a hand at a servant for them to refill her wine goblet. Her gown was so weighed down with ropes of pearls and golden beads that even the small gesture of moving her sleeve created clicking sounds. Violet found that in itself, rather offensive.

She’d long become used to being the most magnificently dressed lady at the Islian court. As the senior princess, her gowns dripped with pearls and bejeweled trims. Her circlets were wrought from pure gold and her veils were the finest gossamer silk.

Violet knew it was shallow and extravagant, but her wardrobe was a compulsion she couldn’t keep under control. It was driven by wanting to erase the poverty of her upbringing. She wanted to make everyone forget about her arrival at court with nothing but plain gowns and a heart full of envy.

It also meant that now, she didn’t appreciate the Princess of Havietten trying to outdazzle her. Not one bit.

However, she had to swallow her annoyance and try to make useful conversation.

"How have you been enjoying your stay at our court so far?" Violet asked pleasantly.

"It’s adequate here." Sarai sniffed.

Adequate? Violet tried not to glare. "I’ve noticed Prince William escorting you around the castle and grounds. Has he been treating you well?"

Sarai nodded as she quickly looked away from William, who was at the far side of the gardens. He was leaning on the edge of a fountain with a group of young knights. "Yes, well enough. He’s polite, and dreadfully handsome, of course. But he’s also obtuse in the way most men are." Her smile turned a little pinched at the corners.

"Obtuse? What do you mean?"

"He can’t see the obvious - that a match between the two of us makes complete sense. It aids both of our countries."

"Hmmm." Violet acted as if she were musing the young woman’s words. "Can’t see or won’t see?"

"Who knows? But if he doesn’t say something soon, I’m going to have to raise the point with him myself. Which isn’t very romantic at all, is it?" Sarai pouted. "He should be the one courting me! Writing me notes and giving me little gifts to gain my favour."

Violet said nothing.

Sarai glanced at her from the corner of her eye, seemingly unhappy that she didn’t rush to agree with her. "What kind of lady usually gets the prince’s attention?"

"Most of them, you could say." Violet said with a snigger. "William has been surrounded by eager women since he started turning into a man. He’s known to fully enjoy the opportunities that come his way. That’s the nature of men."

The foreign princess’s petulant frown grew. Violet decided to add a little more kindling to the rising flames.

"William won’t deny how much he enjoys a pretty face. And he loves that all the beautiful girls love him, of course." she added impishly.

Sarai looked up at the prince again with a dark expression. "Well, once he and I are married, that will have to cease. I’m not having him keeping mistresses or spending his nights roaming as he pleases."

Violet stifled another laugh. The naïveté of youth, she marvelled. Imagine the girl thinking she’d have any say on how her promiscuous husband behaved. When did the Devon men listen to any of the women in their lives?

"Cheer up. If the two of you do marry, at least you’ll know your husband is experienced in handling a woman’s body."

Sarai’s cheeks reddened at that comment, embarrassment and fascination both flitting across her face. "That’s a rather immodest thing to say, isn’t it?" she muttered.

"I’m a married woman and the mother of princes." Violet curled her lips into a little sneer. "You might not like what I say but you’d be wise to listen when I speak about marriage to a Devon prince. Marriage isn’t a topic for modesty. And what good would come from me lying to you about the habits of the man you want to wed? William can - and does - bring all the young women to their knees."

All except one, that is.