Stalemate

8 May, 1358. Magdaline Castle, Islia

William rapped on the doors of Camilla's presence chamber impatiently, ignoring the curious glances of the guards stationed outside.

No response. He knocked on harder, each knock echoing in his head and making him wince. He was groggy and had a fierce headache from having stayed up late drinking and carousing with his companions the night before. He had been doing the same for a few nights in a row and the after effects had finally caught up with him.

Out of patience, he strode in, nearly colliding with the maid who had been rushing to open the doors. She made a hasty bow and apologised but he barely heard her as he looked around the room.

The princess was nowhere to be seen. Huffing an impatient sigh, William moved to the bedchamber door and knocked.

"Enter."

William opened the door and found the princess sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace, dangling a piece of wool at a black and white cat. When she saw him, she registered no surprise. She stood up to bow and asked, "To what do I owe this pleasure, Your Grace?"

Her expression was flat, as if it had been one of her maids who had entered unannounced. He gritted his teeth. "Where did the cat come from?"

"She is a gift from the queen. I've named her Sophie." Camilla smiled briefly as the cat rubbed itself against her skirt. "Her Majesty thought the cat would be good company, given the time I spend alone in my chambers."

William's eyebrows rose in suspicion. Was her last comment a subtle rebuke because he hadn't visited her in several days? He wasn't interested in playing mind games with a woman, especially when his brutal headache refused to abate.

He had deliberately steered clear of visiting her every since the night of the king's victory banquet. He cringed every time the remembered how she had fled from him. It would be best if he never had to set eyes on her again. She had made the task easier by taking her meals within her chambers instead of in the dining hall, sparing him the humiliation of having to sit next to her at the royal high table. Every night when he glanced at her empty seat, his chest had filled with a curious sense of relief mingled with disappointment.

But the previous evening, King Edward had commented on the princess's repeated absence and told William he expected to see her take her meals with the rest of the court from this day onwards. He had also ordered the William to give the princess a tour through the main areas of Magdaline Castle.

"The king has ordered me to give you a tour of the castle." He wanted to make it very clear he was only visiting her out of obligation, not because he wished to see her. "He has also announced you're to join the royal family at all formal meals from now on."

"Why would the king insist on having me there? Wouldn't it make more sense for a foreigner to stay in the background instead of dining at his table or wandering around the castle?"

William pinched the bridge of his nose and grimaced. He vowed to never touch another drop of liquor again. "You'd have to ask His Majesty for his reasons. I am just following commands. Let's go." He stalked out of the room and waved his hand for her to follow.

"Perhaps he's hoping you'll become familiar enough with Magdaline to stop needing to be reliant on me to escort you everywhere. You have taken up a lot of my time."

If the princess was offended at his words, she didn't show it. "Even if I knew this castle like the back of my hand, I doubt I'd be allowed to just roam at will. My movements would be reported." She gestured back to the presence chamber they had just walked out of.

William stopped walking. "What are you talking about?"

Camilla lowered her voice to a whisper. "Don't pretend the maids haven't been commanded to keep track of me. Same with the guards posted outside my doors."

"Every high born lady has maids attending her. And the guards are for your protection." He knew very well the guards and maids were in fact there to keep her from escaping but he didn't want to admit that to the princess.

Camilla fixed him with a hard look. "Please don't insult my intelligence, my lord. It belittles us both."

William stared at her for a moment then kept walking, before he said something he regretted. No woman had ever spoken to him in such a manner and he didn't enjoy it.

"You are currently staying in the east wing of the castle. This is where the guest suites are located and where ambassadors from foreign courts reside. However, King Edward has graciously confirmed you are to be prepared a more suitable set of rooms in the south wing, where members of the royal family have their apartments. I expect you'll be moved into your new rooms in the next couple of weeks."

He led her through several corridors, halls and courtyards. It was only when they reached the grand central staircase that the princess showed any interest. She looked at a set of partially open doors and asked, "Is that a library?"

"Yes." William replied apathetically. "The king has many rare books and manuscripts. He also has a collection of maps." He was about to keep walking when he heard her voice again.

"I assume I'd require His Majesty's approval to enter the library?"

"Why would you want to enter?"

"Why do most people use a library, Your Grace?"

An odd realisation struck the prince. "Are you telling me you can read?"

Camilla looked truly offended at his question. "Of course I can read! I was educated in letters, history and mathematics alongside my brothers!" she snapped at him. "What kind of illiterate barbarians do you think my people are?"

Even William knew he shouldn't answer that question with complete honesty. "Apologies." he muttered. "It's just that not many ladies in Islia are taught to read and write, let alone the rest. Not even among the nobility."

"Perhaps you are the barbarians then, not us."

Despite himself, William had to stifle a laugh. Her quick wit was unlike anything he had ever encountered in a woman. It would likely get her in trouble in the future. "I'm sure if you ask the king's permission to visit his library, he'd indulge you, my lady."