Alex studied Will's mother's face for a moment, searching for similarities with her son, but found none.
She was a woman of ordinary beauty, with sharp dark eyes and a wide mouth framed by fine wrinkles. He had expected a stronger resemblance, but side by side they hardly even looked like mother and son.
William must have taken after his biological father, whoever he was.
"What's all this commotion?"
A broad-shouldered man with sun-browned skin stepped out of the forge. His eyes flicked briefly over Alex, standing stiffly by the carriage, before settling on William, still held tightly in his mother's embrace.
"William? Is that really you?"
The mage lifted his head and nodded. "It's been a long time, Father."
"By the spirits, boy, why didn't you warn us?"
The big man reached him and pulled him into a hug, then gripped his shoulders.
"Are you eating properly? Are they treating you well? If they mistreat you, you just tell me and I'll bring you home, all right?"
"I'm fine, don't worry." William stepped back and extended a hand toward Alex. "Mother, Father, allow me to introduce His Highness, Crown Prince Alexander."
The man went pale and hurried into a deep bow, followed by his wife. "Your Highness, I beg your pardon, I didn't think that you—I mean—"
"It's all right, I'm not offended." Alex smiled and touched his shoulder to help him straighten up. "I understand your concern; he is your son, after all. But I assure you, I'm taking care of him to the best of my ability."
"I'm glad to hear it, Your Highness. We're deeply honored."
"I hope William doesn't speak ill of me in the letters he sends home."
"Oh no, not at all! He has only good things to say about you."
"Good, because otherwise I'd have to pretend to be offended." Alex laughed and rested a hand on the mage's shoulder. "I insisted on coming. I hope it's not a problem, but I wanted to meet his family."
William's mother shook her head. "No, it isn't. On the contrary, we're honored to have you here. Our home is humble, and I fear Your Highness may not find it particularly comfortable."
"You don't need to worry. I'm an easygoing prince." He turned to Sven and Falko. "You two wait here."
He followed William and his parents inside the seamstress's shop.
The workshop was crammed with fabrics, embroidery threads, and balls of yarn. Mannequins and half-finished garments filled every corner. Alex had never been in a place like this; the tailor always took his measurements and fitted his clothes in his own chambers.
William's mother pulled an armchair closer to him. "Please, have a seat."
The father had already vanished, muttering something about the other son.
"Would you like some tea?" the woman asked.
Alex nodded. "I'd love some."
She disappeared as well, leaving him alone with the mage.
"So," William began, "what do you think of them?"
"They're good people. And they clearly care about you a lot." Alex gave a small smile. "The smile you had earlier was really beautiful, Will."
The mage blushed and looked away. "Your Highness, you promised."
"I wanted to tell you before I forgot."
"As if you could ever forget to compliment me."
Alex chuckled. "True. That would be very difficult."
William brushed his fingers through his hair. "Would you like to have an outfit made?"
"Can I?"
"I think it would please her." He cleared his throat, his cheeks turning red. "I really do speak well of you in my letters. Except in the first one, where I complained about having to kneel for an hour. My father wrote back telling me to come home."
Alex flushed. "You told them?"
"I'm sorry. I was angry."
"Will! You traitor!"
"This is entirely your fault."
"William!" shrilled a small voice.
A child darted through the fabrics and threw himself against the mage's legs. His face was a blend of Xianese and Vellarian features; the brown curly hair he had inherited from his father, while the elongated shape of his eyes came from his mother.
He had to be Noah, Will's little brother.
"You came to play with me, right?" he chirped, eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Only for tonight. Tomorrow I have to leave."
"But that's not fair."
"I'm sorry." William hesitantly stroked Noah's head. "But I'll write to you as soon as I'm back in the capital, I promise."
"But I want to play! It's not fair, you never play with me."
"I can play with you," Alex cut in.
Noah shot him a dubious look. "And who are you?"
"A friend of William's."
"You're weird."
"What if I were a wandering knight who defeats enemies and rescues princesses in distress?"
Noah furrowed his brow and studied him for a moment. "You're just bragging."
"Then I challenge you to a duel. To defend my honor."
"And if I defeat you, what do I win?"
"A kiss on the cheek from your brother."
"And if you win?"
"Same prize. William plays the damsel in distress."
Noah burst out laughing. "And you're the enemy to defeat?"
"No, I'm the prince who wants her hand."
"You don't look like a prince at all. You're too funny."
Alex flashed a wide smile. "Believe it or not, I really am a prince." He held out his hand. "I am Prince Alexander. Pleased to meet you, Noah Traver."
The boy's eyes and mouth flew open, and for a moment Alex was convinced he had impressed him. Then Noah pointed a finger at him.
"Dad! There's the nasty prince who hurt big brother! Take my sword! I have to defeat him!"
"Noah!" exclaimed the mother, leaning out from the back of the shop with a tray in her hands. "No one is defeating anyone in here. Apologize to Your Highness at once!"
"But Mom! That one hurt big brother!"
"Noah!" the father added sternly, appearing behind his wife with a jar of cookies in his hand. "Obey your mother. The prince is a guest, and guests must be treated with respect."
The boy pouted and went to sit in a corner. He looked like Alex's little brother, but in a way he was wilder. If social classes hadn't stood between them, they might have become friends.
The prince grew serious again and bowed to the two parents.
"I apologize to you both. I know William told you about our first meeting. It was never my intention to make him kneel for an hour, but I know it was unpleasant for him."
"A prince shouldn't bow," the father murmured.
"But a man should." Alex straightened his back. "William is a dear friend of mine. He is loyal, and he has saved my life more than once."
"And you saved my life," the mage murmured.
Alex smiled at him, and his chest felt lighter. Then he turned back to William's parents.
"At the moment, he is the person I trust most in the world and the one who understands me best. That's why I am honored to take care of him, and I want to reassure you that I will never allow him to put himself in danger for my sake. Your son is in good hands, Mr. and Mrs. Traver."
"Edward," said the father. He cleared his throat. "This is my wife, Mei. We are honored that you chose our William among all the mages of Vellara, and that you came here today."
"I'm not honored," Noah exclaimed, jumping to his feet. He pointed at Alex. "If you want my brother, you first have to defeat me in a duel."
William blushed. "Noah, what are you saying? You don't speak to a prince like that."
But the boy didn't listen and planted himself in front of Alex.
"My brother is smart and knows a whole lot of things, but unfortunately he's emo-whatever and not much of a warrior. So I'll be the one to challenge you." He gave a sly grin. "I'm the strongest warrior in the neighborhood. If you manage to defeat me, you can have my brother and get a kiss on the cheek. But if I win, you'll have to leave him with me at least until tomorrow."
"Deal," Alex exclaimed. "But first I need to ask your mother something and enjoy her tea, then we can duel."
Noah snickered. "The prince is already getting worried. Victory is mine."
Mei gave an embarrassed smile. "I'm terribly sorry, Your Highness, but he can be stubborn and impertinent. I beg you not to take him too seriously; he's just a child."
Alex laughed. "You don't need to worry. My younger brother is exactly the same." He took the cup the woman was offering him and sipped it. "It's very good. I think it's one of the best tea I've ever had."
"It comes from Xia. I prepared it the way we do."
"It's good, truly. William could make it for me now and then."
Will shot him a glare. "I'm not your servant, Your Highness."
"And yet you once insisted on cooking for me."
"I was apologizing. And you even said it tasted awful."
"As if I'd say something that cruel to my gorgeous personal mage."
William's gaze sharpened even more, and Alex answered with a smug little smile.
Mei cleared her throat. "Is there something you wished to ask me, Your Highness?"
The prince smiled at her. "Yes, I would like you to make me an attire."
"An attire? For you?"
"I'd like it to be similar to William's clothes. I like them—they have a nice cut."
The woman's cheeks flushed. "Oh! It would be an honor for me."
"Mother," William interjected, "you don't have to accept if you don't have time. Your Highness is understanding; he doesn't want to overload you with work."
Mei raised a hand and smiled. "I accept very gladly, Your Highness. But I ask you to be a little patient. As you can see, I have quite a bit of work to finish."
"I'll wait as long as you need. I'm in no hurry."
"Is there anything in particular you'd like?"
"Well, I'd like a green-eyed raven embroidered on it."
Mei looked surprised, then nodded and set the cup down on the tray. "If it's not too much trouble, could I take your measurements now?"
Alex smiled. "Of course."
He stood up and let the woman take his measurements, noting the circumferences and the lengths of his limbs. Mei also sketched a few designs on paper, and Alex told her what he wanted adjusted. In the end, they were both satisfied with the model.
"It will be a splendid garment, Your Highness. I'm quite certain the ladies will appreciate it."
"Thank you, but I'm not trying to impress the ladies."
"Have you already found a consort?"
"More or less. He's an intelligent, loyal man, blessed with a beauty as heartrending as the moon."
Mei frowned, and for a brief moment she looked uncomfortable. "He must be fortunate to have drawn the prince's attention."
"It's the prince who is fortunate to have his love."
"Is the raven a message for him?"
"Yes. No one else will understand, but he'll know that he's always in my heart."
Mei smiled. "It's a truly romantic gesture, Your Highness. Your beloved is a very lucky man."
Alex was the lucky one, able to look at William every day and discover new sides of him.
The next half hour the prince spent pretending to duel Noah. In the end, he let himself be defeated and laughed when the boy leaped onto his brother. He would never be able to keep them apart, even though it really bugged him that he couldn't demand a kiss from William.
"I'm afraid it's time for me to go," he said, rising from the chair.
Noah clung to his brother's legs. "You promised he'd stay here!"
"And in fact I'm the one leaving—he's staying. Tomorrow, I'll send a carriage to pick him up. The duchess wants to meet him."
"Then you'll send him back here?"
"Maybe. Unfortunately, we won't stay long—we both have to return to the capital. The king needs us."
"Is my brother really that important?"
"Much more than he thinks. You said it yourself—he's smart and knows a ton of things, right?" He ruffled the boy's hair and headed for the shop door. "It was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for making me feel at home."
The parents bowed deeply, murmuring words of thanks, then disappeared into the back room together with their youngest son.
"Your Highness." William's voice made him stop on the threshold. "Thank you for coming. I really appreciated it."
"So did I. Your family is truly wonderful, Will." Alex hesitated, then placed a hand on his shoulder. "If I could, you know I'd leave you here."
"I know. But we can't."
"Spend some good time with them, all right?"
William nodded, and Alex brushed his cheek with his thumb. He cast a glance around the shop, then leaned down and kissed him on the lips.
The mage jolted, then stroked his neck and returned the kiss. "You are a truly shameless prince."
"If you don't dream of me tonight, I really might become one." Alex kissed his palm. "See you tomorrow, Will."
"See you tomorrow, Your Highness."
The prince left the shop, climbed into the carriage with Sven and Falko, and returned to the duchess's palace.
The whole way, he couldn't help smiling at the memory of William's family and the happy expression on the mage's face.