Chapter 12: The Lion and His Cub

Camilla allowed herself to be led through endless corridors as Prince William escorted her to the king's private chambers. The prince spoke very little, and seemed to avoid looking at her as much as possible. Perhaps her appearance really was that unacceptable, she wondered. Even if it was, it was too late to change anything.

She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She had told the prince she didn't care if she lived or died, but the thought of being executed and possibly tortured still terrified her.

They finally reached a pair of grand doors gilded in gold, flanked by guards in the royal Islian colours of black and red. The guards swung the doors opened and announced their arrival to the king.

Camilla's first glimpse of King Edward was of a broad shouldered man of around 50 years, slouched on his throne and tapping his neat grey beard with heavily ringed fingers. On either side of him stood two fair haired young men, one scowling and the other far friendlier looking.

The king's eyes were a faded blue, but sharp as blades as they appraised her. Camilla quickly cast her eyes downwards and bowed.

William also bowed. "Good morning, Your Majesty. I bring you the Princess of Moraigth, as you requested. You can see she's in good health and being well cared for."

"Yes, yes." sighed the king impatiently. "Rise, both of you. And step closer, girl, so I can have a proper look at you. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be."

Hesitating, Camilla moved closer to the throne on the dais, keeping her eyes downcast.

"Closer." growled the king.

Camilla aimed a quick glance at Prince William in confusion and desperation, but he didn't seem interested in helping her. He merely shrugged slightly and gestured she should move closer still to the king.

The blood roaring in her ears, Camilla took another step forward. She was about to bow her head again when King Edward suddenly rose from his throne and slid a finger under her chin, forcing her to look up and directly into his eyes. He scrutinised her face.

"Is it as my nephew says? Are you being well looked after?"

That was not what she expected to be asked. "Y-yes Majesty, I'm being treated well. Thank you for your generosity."

A small smile appeared on the king's face. "I see a great deal of your late mother in you. She was quite the beauty. I don't see as much of your father, though." King Edward paused. "He was a brave man, Duke Robert. Foolhardy but brave, especially in battle. For years his moniker was The Lion and it wasn't hard to see why."

The unfriendly looking blonde man at the king's right hand side muttered, "Just as well you don't see many traces of that shifty bastard in his daughter, if she's going to stay at our court."

The king gave him a brief glance, then turned to Camilla, "This is Prince Leo, my eldest son. And this here," he gestured towards the other young blonde man, "is Prince James, my second son."

Camilla bowed to both princes. Prince James flashed her a gentle smile but Prince Leo merely scowled at her. "A pleasure to meet you both, Your Graces. If you could please refrain from speaking ill of my late father though. He is no longer here to defend himself and whatever his faults, he always showed his children great love."

"He betrayed his anointed king." Prince Leo barked, drawing his heavy eyebrows together.

"His actions as a brother are no reflection of how he was as a father." Camilla shot back, then paused. If she wanted to keep her head attached to her neck, antagonising one of the princes was probably a poor choice. She peered in fright towards the king, expecting to face his fury.

But King Edward merely chuckled. "I guess I was wrong. Perhaps there is something of the lion in his cub after all." His smile widened.

Changing the subject, he nodded in Prince William's direction. "Let my nephew here know if there is anything else you need. I'm afraid you'll be here for a while, at least until your half-uncle's anger burns out. But you will be treated to all the trappings of a royal princess. William will be responsible for showing you around and explaining you how things work within our court. You're about the same age, aren't you?" The king narrowed his eyes. "How old are you, child?"

"Sixteen, Sire."

"Not a child at all then. And only two years younger than William. You both should get along well. He's a good lad. Far too arrogant for his own good, but he usually means well. And the ladies of the court are very fond of him." The king said with rough affection, and William laughed despite himself.

King Edward leaned back in his throne. "You are both dismissed."

As Camilla and William started moving backwards towards the doors, the king's voice rang out. "Ah. Before I forget, you're to be my honoured guest at the banquet planned for tomorrow night, Princess. We will celebrate ending a successful campaign and strengthening the bonds of friendship with our beloved ally King Kenneth." King Edward's voice held a soft mocking lilt when he spoke the other king's name. "You shall sit next to my queen and I, and we both look forward to getting to know you better."

Camilla couldn't think of anything more horrible than attending a banquet to celebrate her hated uncle's triumph at the expense of her own father and brothers. Nevertheless, she smiled politely at the king. "I would be honoured, Sire. Thank you again for your protection and your generous treatment."

With a lazy flick of his wrist, King Edward dismissed them and turned away. Once they exited the presence chamber, Camilla released a breath she didn't know she was holding. Relief throbbed in her veins.

Prince William gave her a wry smile. "What do you know? Sounds like King Edward will let you live, at least for the meantime. I guess he found your barbarian ways charming enough. Well done."

Camilla pointedly ignored him the entire walk back to her chambers.

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