Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 335: Violet: Common Knowledge

As if on cue, the Moraigthian girl suddenly appeared at the far end of the gardens. She was wearing one of her simple dresses and strolling arm in arm with her dark haired lady-in-waiting. The two young women had their heads bent together, absorbed in their conversation. Suddenly, the chit’s laughter rang out.

Violet saw William’s posture stiffen and his frame immediately swivel in the direction of the musical laughter.

She could see he was trying hard, so very very hard, to ignore the object of his desire and not look at her. But his efforts failed dismally. Unable to stop himself, he just sat there with eyes locked helplessly on her.

The chit didn’t even blink his way as she walked past.

Brutally cold.

Could she really be oblivious to the prince’s scalding stare? No, Violet concluded. She must’ve noticed the prince and is just pretending she didn’t. I wonder where she learned to be such a skilled actress.

The foreign girl continued talking to her companion, the two of them in fits of giggles and completely ignoring those around them.

Sarai glared at Camilla’s back and clenched her fists in her lap. "I swear I can’t even turn around without seeing that girl in front of me. Why the hell is she in Islia? Has she really no other place to go?"

"I assume you’re referring to the Princess of Moraigth? She’s an orphan. King Edward declared her under his royal protection almost a year ago now, so here she remains."

"A whole year? I don’t understand why she can’t she go back to Moraigth and live with her own kin."

"She has no kin that would take her back. The princess’s mother died long ago and her father fell in battle last year. He was trying to overthrow his brother and king." Violet sipped her wine. "So I doubt the king would show his niece any mercy. Treason runs in the blood, after all."

Sarai’s eyes widened. "Really? I’d heard her father had died in battle, but not that he’d been a traitor. When I’ve asked Prince William, he refuses to say a word about it."

"Is that so?" Violet purred. "Perhaps he wishes to keep the terrible truth of what happened that day to himself as much as possible. He obviously wants to protect the princess’s heart from the details of her father’s death. How very sweet of him."

"Why would anyone want to protect the feelings of a traitor’s daughter? Especially one who dresses like a cheap harlot?" Jealousy twisted Sarai’s otherwise unremarkable face into something quite ugly. "Why does William care?"

Violet took another slow sip of wine, savouring the rich taste. She also savoured the power of being able to manipulate the silly girl sitting next to her. "I’m afraid you’d have to ask him that. Ask him why he’s always looking at her and seems to enjoy conversations with her so much."

"Conversations? But they never talk. I’ve barely seen them exchange two words the whole time I’ve been here! All anyone sees is William simpering over her like a puppy."

Violet smirked a little. The self satisfied smirk that a person who knew a great deal, would give to someone who knew nothing. "If they’re not talking, that’ll be her decision. It’s certainly won’t be his."

Both women turned to look at William again. He was watching Camilla’s retreating back, frustration and longing stamped all over his face.

Sarai looked ready to scream at the injustice of it all.

Violet knew how the Haviettenese girl was feeling. Hadn’t that been her own reality many years ago? She’d once also been a girl desperate to catch the eye of an unattainable prince and trying to compete with a girl far more charming and beautiful.

I understand her suffering perfectly. And despite that, I don’t feel even the slightest bit of sympathy for her.

Because it far more agonising for me.

Of course it was. I was forced to fight my own sister to reach my goals. I had to let my love for Ilse slowly curdle into bitterness.

Sarai on the other hand, has no bonds of kinship with Camilla. She owes the barbarian no loyalty whatsoever.

Violet felt Sarai’s eyes on her. "Do you know what happened to Camilla’s father, Your Grace?"

"Of course I know. My husband led one of the battalions that entered Moraigth to help its king crush the uprising. He saw all that went on." Violet said with a beatific smile. "Besides, I know virtually everything that happens or is talked about at this court. How could I ever hope to be queen if I didn’t?"

"Then please tell me what you know."

Violet cast her eyes down to her lap with false modesty. "I’m not very fond of wasting my time with idle gossip. I’ve more important things to occupy my day. As should you, Princess."

Sarai’s eyes flashed with malice. "I’m begging you, Your Grace. I must know."

"And if I tell you, what will you do with the information?" Violet asked silkily.

- - -

When Leo stormed into their apartments the following night, Violet was at her dressing table getting ready for dinner. She sat very still as Elspeth carefully weaved silk ribbons stitched with diamonds into her braids.

They were the most heartwarming ribbons, she thought to herself as she watched the sparkling jewels reflected in her mirror. She’d gotten the idea during the gift exchange from the past New Year’s Day. That day, the decidedly unromantic William had given the barbarian girl a set of hair ribbons dripping with rubies. No one had any idea why, least of all the recipient.

The wench had just sat there, too stunned to speak and with everyone’s eyes on her.

In that moment Violet had decided she wanted bejeweled ribbons as well, despite Leo having already arranged other gifts for her to open. She’d begged and wheedled until her husband had finally given in and instructed one of the court jewellers to make ribbons.

Violet had made sure to insist her own ribbons were stitched with diamonds, as they were more valuable than rubies.

"What intrigues have you gotten us dragged into now, wife?" Leo’s deep rumble made her reluctantly look away from the gems.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about. Care to explain?"

"I had William accuse me of blabbing something about the Moraigthian wench, then about the Haviettenese wench...I couldn’t understand half of what he was yelling. And I didn’t really care." Leo said crossly. "But he’s steaming with rage. At one point I thought he was going to take a swing at me!"

"That would’ve been a sight to see." Violet murmured. She’d seen Leo and Rufus come to blows on a couple of occasions and it never ended very well for either side.

"He kept yelling at me that what I’d done was cruel and unnecessary. But I haven’t said a fucking word to Sarai! What would I have to talk to her about?" Leo was indignant, then stared hard at her. "You, however, have..."

Violet said nothing and merely nodded to Elspeth to confirm she was satisfied with how her hair had been arranged.

The maid bowed and quickly left the room, sensing an argument brewing between the royal couple.

"What the fuck have you gone and done, Violet?" Leo’s tone was harsh. "What intrigues are you involved in, and why are you dragging me into this as well?"

She spun around on her cushioned stool to face him. "Only two days ago, I told you I believed the barbarian princess is stringing your cousin along. And given the riches at William’s disposal, we agreed it was wise to find out what her intentions are, didn’t we?"

"Yes, but what does that-?"

"Sarai is determined to marry William." Violet interrupted, frustrated yet again by her husband’s inability to the the whole picture without her having to explicitly point it out to him. "But you’ve seen how, ah, unenthusiastic William is by the match."

"And so?" Leo folded his arms.

"Sarai is rather unhappy her would-be betrothed is clearly smitten by another woman. She’d heard Camilla’s father had been slain in battle but no other details. She didn’t know he’d died a traitor. She begged me to tell her what happened at the sacking of Arlen Castle." Violet shrugged. "I didn’t tell her anything that wasn’t already common knowledge."

Leo snorted. "Well, it seems the Moraigthian girl was unaware of this so called common knowledge. Apparently that was obvious when Sarai threw it in her face earlier today."

"And how was I supposed to know that?" Violet asked blandly.

"You fed Sarai information knowing she’d deliberately use it to attack Father’s prized hostage. Now Will is fucking furious about the whole thing and for some reason, he blames me!" Leo shook his head in frustration.

"Why are you so concerned about an immature lad being angry at you?" Violet turned back to her dressing table mirror, rapidly losing interest in the conversation. "As if William’s opinion is that important. Didn’t you always say it’s the king who picks the royal brides?"

"Yes, so why are you trying to assume Father’s role? Why are you getting involved in matters that have nothing to do with you?"

"You really think who marries into the House of Devon has nothing to do with me?" she snapped.

"That’s not why you’re doing this and we both know it. The only reason you’re causing problems and quarrels between princesses of the blood, is out of jealousy!" he snarled.