William lifted his eyes from the novel he was reading and cast a quick glance at the prince. His Highness had been staring out the window ever since they set off again, but the tension in his shoulders suggested he wasn't enjoying the journey at all.
Was he still angry with the king?
William parted his lips, but nothing worth saying came to mind, so he went back to reading. In stories, things went badly for a while, but the protagonists always managed to solve their problems. In the end, they were truly happy.
Reality was more complicated.
Silence stretched between them like a taut rope, broken only by the thud of hooves on the cobblestones and the jolting of the carriage.
William frowned, and the words he was reading vanished from before his eyes. He couldn't focus with him sitting there, looking… nervous.
He looked at him. "Your Highness, is everything all right? You're unusually quiet."
"I just wanted to let you read in peace." The prince turned toward him and smiled. "I'm a bit pensive, but once we reach Lenz I'll feel better."
"Are you not angry with me about last night?"
"No, my raven." The prince kissed the back of his hand. "On the contrary, I should thank you for taking care of me. It was a very pleasant night."
"Oh, um, good."
William blushed and went back to reading, but he could still feel the prince's amused gaze on his skin.
His Highness leaned closer. "Is it a good book?"
"It's pleasant."
"And what is it about?"
"Poisonous herbs. Would you like to try them?"
"No, thank you. I care about not killing my sulky raven."
Silence once again filled the space between the words they hadn't spoken and lingered for several minutes, until a light tapping echoed inside the carriage.
William lifted his eyes to the ceiling. It seemed like it was raining. He leaned toward the small window: the world outside was wrapped in a gray curtain, the glass streaked with slanted lines left by raindrops.
"It really is raining," he murmured.
They reached Lenz in the late afternoon, right in the middle of a dense, gray downpour.
William peeked out the window, chasing with his gaze the buildings with frescoed façades and the spires that brushed the sky, and the paved squares with marble dragons from which clear water flowed.
It hadn't changed since the last time he'd seen it. His Lenz, elegant and mysterious. The city of scholars and artists.
The carriage passed through the market square, the painters' district, and went straight along the avenue leading to the duchess's palace, leaving the humbler neighborhoods behind. His home.
"Where does your family live?" The prince's voice startled him.
He turned to look at him. "Near the textile district."
"Your mother is a seamstress, right?"
"The best in the city."
"Your clothes… did she make them for you?"
William brushed the embroidery at the hem of his robe. "Yes. She sends me a couple every three months." He gave a faint smile. "I've told her more than once to stop, that it makes no sense to waste silk on my clothes, but she won't listen."
"They're beautiful."
"Do you really think so?"
"She's managed to blend Vellarian fashion with Xianese elements, highlighting the strengths of both."
"I told you she's an excellent seamstress."
The garments his mother made for him were all crafted from the finest silk she could afford, with wide sleeves that flared just above the elbow and embroidery forming Xianese knots or exotic motifs.
She could make even the humblest fabric precious.
The prince smiled faintly. "Do you think that if I asked her to make me an outfit, she'd agree?"
"Could she really refuse?"
"Sure, if she really wanted to."
William sighed. "You're the prince, Your Highness. No one could ever refuse any of your requests, not even if you begged them to do so. You should know that better than anyone."
"I don't want to put her in a difficult position. Especially if she has a lot of commissions."
"Then let me handle it. But honestly, I don't think it's a good idea for you to wear clothes like mine."
The prince frowned. "And why? They're beautiful. I'd like to have one, see how it looks on me."
"The court might not appreciate it."
"Even if it's just an outfit?"
"Clothes are symbols, Your Highness. A Vellarian prince wearing garments that recall Xianese fashion would raise more than a few eyebrows."
"Because they'd think you're influencing me, right?"
"I'm afraid so. So it would be better not to give them a reason to think that."
The prince sighed. "You know, this is one of the reasons why I don't want this crown. The way every single one of my actions is scrutinized by the court, the fact that I'm not even free to wear an outfit I like without risking angering someone. It's stressful, and it feels like I no longer belong to myself."
"I'm sorry."
"It's as if I were just a puppet in the hands of the nobility. Someone to place all the blame on, and who isn't even allowed to openly kiss the man he likes."
William frowned. "Perhaps, if you became stronger, you could carve out some freedom for yourself."
"And how am I supposed to deal with Ballard working against me?"
"If you wish, I can turn him into a toad."
A faint, amused smile surfaced on the prince's lips. "Then you're not going to kiss him, right?"
"The only one I want to kiss is you. And besides, Lord Ballard is a duke, and I'm sure that if I kissed him he'd remain a hideous toad."
"He'd deserve it, he's nothing but a bastard. I feel sorry for his daughter, she seems like a decent girl."
"Don't be deceived, Your Highness. She could be just like her father."
The carriage came to a halt, the rain drumming on the roof of the cabin. Beyond the small window, William saw a vast garden, its flowerbeds sunk into the gray gloom of the storm, tall trees rising above them. It looked like the royal palace gardens; it had to be the garden of the duchess's residence.
They had arrived.
"Your Highness, as long as we're here, it's better if we don't share a bed."
The prince frowned, then nodded. "You're right. It's best to keep our distance."
The carriage door opened, and Sven helped His Highness down. William pulled his cloak tighter around himself and followed him.
They climbed the short staircase leading from the courtyard to the palace entrance, where a small crowd had gathered. The rain fell thick around them, and before long William's cloak was soaked through.
"Cousin!" A young man broke away from the crowd and wrapped the prince in a sudden embrace. "By the spirits, how long has it been since we last saw each other?"
"Years, I'm afraid. How are you? Excited?"
The man grimaced. "Don't talk nonsense. I'd rather not take the title this way, you know that."
"Is it that serious?"
"She's old, Alexander. I fear her life is nearing its end." The young man's eyes darted toward William. "Who is he?"
The prince's lips curved into a smile. "Cousin, allow me to introduce my Court Mage, Master William Traver. William, this is Lord Florian von Laar, the future Duke of Lenz and my cousin."
William bowed. "It's an immense honor to meet you."
The nobleman broke into a broad, warm smile, honey-colored eyes sparkling with joy. "I've heard of you! It seems you've achieved quite a few records."
"I owe that more to others than to myself, Your Grace."
"And you're humble as well!" Lord Florian placed a hand on William's back and guided him through the door. "Come on, let's go inside! It's freezing out here today. Ah, you can call me Flori! May I call you by your first name?"
"Of course, it's not a problem."
Lord Florian laughed; his cheerfulness was much like the prince's. They resembled each other physically as well: both tall and broad-shouldered. The future duke had darker blond hair, worn long past his shoulders, and eyes the color of honey.
And he was an open book, just like His Highness.
Their host led them toward the main halls, proudly pointing out paintings, tapestries, and the finest porcelain vases. He seemed fond of the palace and its vast collection of art.
"We also have a huge library!"
William's interest was immediate. He had heard of it in the city; it was considered the pride of Lenz, but he had never had the chance to enter it. "Is it open to visitors?"
"Only by request. But since you're my guest, you can go whenever you like. It's the circular building near the rose garden."
"Maybe we can go together," the prince cut in. "What do you think, Will?"
"That would be wonderful, Your Highness."
"I agree!" Lord Florian exclaimed. "For someone who loves books, it's a little paradise on earth. If you're free, we could go before dinner."
"We have to go down to the city," the prince said.
"Then afterward?"
The prince frowned. "You don't need to come with us. It's not the first time I've been here; I can manage on my own."
"I'd be a terrible host if I didn't look after William." Lord Florian gave a small smile. "The duchess is waiting for you, cousin. I don't think it would be wise to keep her waiting."
"Will, wait for me in the atrium. I'll be as quick as possible, then we'll go down to the city."
"You can use my coachman. Your men aren't familiar with Lenz."
"Thank you, cousin."
"Think nothing of it."
The two men exchanged polite smiles, and then the prince strode away.
William followed the exchange between them and had the distinct feeling of being stuck between two roosters. They didn't seem to hate each other—if anything, it felt like they had a good relationship—yet for some reason it seemed as though they'd just argued without ever raising their voices.
"William," Lord Florian slipped an arm around his shoulders, "may I show you the rest of the palace?"
"I'd like to change first, if possible."
"Of course, of course! The journey can't have been easy, with all this rain." He took a step back and smiled. "I'll leave you to it, then. If you need anything, ask a servant. And if you'd like a tour of the palace, feel free to bother me as much as you like. I wouldn't mind being distracted."
"I don't think it's necessary to—"
The words died in his throat when Lord Florian took his hand and pressed his lips to it. A hand-kiss? To him, a man?
A burning heat rushed up his cheeks, and he gasped, searching for air or for something—anything—to say.
The nobleman smiled at him and walked away, leaving William flustered. It was obvious that the man had taken a particular interest in him, and it was just as obvious that the prince had noticed.
And William had ended up caught in the middle without having done anything other than exist.