William sighed, climbed into the carriage, and sat down beside the prince. "'Lovely raven'? Really? You truly are shameless."
His Highness smiled. "You didn't answer me. Did you dream about me?"
"I don't remember. Probably not."
The carriage set off toward the duchess's palace.
The prince rested a hand over William's. "Was your brother happy?"
"He was, at least until I scolded him."
His Highness chuckled. "You have no mercy even for a child."
"This time there was a serious reason." William rubbed his forehead. "Though I also scolded him for how little attention he pays to his studies."
"Is that the serious reason?"
William glared at him. "It is a serious reason, Your Highness. Studying is important." He sighed. "But it's not why I scolded him."
The prince grew serious and clasped William's hand between his own. "What happened?"
"A few things. Some unpleasant."
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
"I thought I would after meeting the duchess, but since you came all this way…" He lowered his eyes to their joined hands, to his own bare and pale one and to the prince's, covered by a dark glove.
"Will…" His Highness caressed his cheek, prompting him to look up. "What happened?"
"Noah was beaten. By a group of older boys. Much, much older."
The prince frowned. "How much?"
"The leader, Josh, is eighteen. I guess the others are the same age."
"They're twice his age."
William nodded. "I know. They could have killed him, but Noah is too young to realize it. And I'm worried it could happen again."
"Why did they do it?"
"My brother bit the leader. To defend my honor or something like that." He brushed his fingers over his temple. "Noah has always had trouble fitting in. You know, because he's mixed-blood and because I'm his older brother. And when they disrespect me, he loses his temper." He smiled. "Just like you."
The prince kissed him on the forehead. "So that's what happened?"
"I think so. They must have said something very ugly about me, something he didn't want to repeat and didn't even understand."
Something that must have had sexual undertones, enough to horrify his mother.
"And your brother bit them to defend you, and they beat him."
William pressed his lips together. "And that's not all. He also told me they hurt an older girl and the baker's daughter from our neighborhood. The first girl killed herself; the second came home without clothes and covered in bruises. And she's only ten."
The prince tightened his fingers around William's hand. "A rape?"
"More likely."
"Was he punished?"
"No. His father seems to be quite powerful in the city. He trades in precious books and sells them to the duchess as well."
His Highness frowned. "Flori would have had him punished, I'm more than sure of it. My cousin has a strong sense of justice."
"He might never have heard about it. The parents may not have filed a formal complaint; they might have been threatened."
"Then we'll intervene. We'll report it to Flori."
William shook his head. "We have no proof. And without proof it's the word of a commoner against the son of a rich man."
"You also have my word, Will. I'm the prince—surely that counts for something."
"Not in a case like this. They could say you're a fool who believes commoners over nobles." He placed a hand on the prince's cheek. "And I can't allow that."
"Right now I wish I hadn't acted like an idiot all this time." He took William's hand and kissed his palm. "But we can always beat them up."
William shot him a sharp look. "Don't joke. You can't do that."
"Then we'll find the proof we need and have them arrested." The prince smiled. "And if the father is involved, I'll make sure to ruin his business forever."
"I think that's a good plan." William rested his forehead against the prince's chest and sighed in relief. "Thank you."
The prince brushed William's hair. "I'm just doing my duty as a prince."
"You're doing much more than that. Believe me."
His mother had been wrong about the prince. His Highness was a good man who would never take advantage of him. He shone like the sun, and William would continue to stay by his side and enjoy his warmth and his light.
"After we speak with the duchess, we'll decide how to proceed."
"My grandmother will be very happy to meet you."
"I hope so."
William considered telling him that his mother, on the other hand, did not agree with their relationship at all, but he didn't want to upset the prince. And in the end, he didn't need her permission to keep loving him. In time, he hoped his mother would understand that she had nothing to fear.
The carriage stopped in front of the palace entrance, and they got out. Lord Florian led the way to the back garden, chatting freely; the duchess was waiting for them beneath a wooden gazebo, together with one of her ladies-in-waiting.
The table was laden with sweets, pastries, and biscuits; there was even a fruit salad. Far too much food for William's poor appetite.
The prince bowed. "Good morning, Grandmother. How are you today?"
The duchess smiled. "Just like yesterday, my sunshine. Time doesn't exactly run backward." Her gaze settled on William, who hurried to bow. "And he's the young man, am I right?"
"My name is William Traver, Your Grace. I'm deeply honored to make your acquaintance."
"Well now, Alex, you've found yourself a very well-mannered young man." She gestured toward the two chairs placed before her. "Please, have a seat and help yourselves. Unfortunately, I won't be able to keep you company, but I hope you'll enjoy my pastry chef's sweets."
William and Alex sat down as the duchess's lady-in-waiting poured them tea and offered a selection of pastries.
The elderly noblewoman smiled. "Master Traver, is that correct?"
"Yes, Your Grace. I'm not a noble; my parents are humble workers in the city."
"Alex told me your mother is Mei the seamstress. I know her—she's made several garments for me. She's a woman with a unique talent."
"You're very kind. My mother would certainly appreciate knowing you hold her skills in such high regard."
"And you are my grandson's Court Mage."
"Exactly."
The duchess nodded and took a sip of her tea. "I hope it isn't too burdensome a position. Alex is a complicated young man."
The prince blushed and hid his face behind his teacup. William barely managed to suppress an amused smile.
"If I may speak freely…"
"Of course," the duchess said. "In fact, you must."
"His Highness is stubborn, naive, impulsive, and has the unfortunate tendency to sacrifice himself for others."
"Will!" the prince exclaimed. "At least in front of my grandmother you could be less harsh!"
"But?" the duchess prompted.
"But he's a good man, kind, and has a strong sense of justice. I'm more than certain he'll be an excellent king."
"How many rulers have you known, Master Traver?"
"None, Your Grace. But I spent my childhood immersed in books and manuals; I can't claim to be an expert, but even at the risk of sounding arrogant, I believe I've learned a thing or two that could be useful to His Highness."
"Arrogance isn't necessarily a vice if it's grounded in truth." The duchess set her cup back on its saucer. "And from what I've seen, you seem to know what you're doing. I wonder what makes you so loyal…"
William hesitated. Was this a test? Most likely. The duchess had been testing him ever since he sat down—perhaps even before that. Maybe she wanted to be sure her grandson was surrounded by trustworthy people.
"I have a debt to the crown, and serving the prince is my way of repaying it."
The duchess frowned. Had she sensed his lie?
William sighed. "And there's also a personal reason, but I'd rather explain it to you in private, if possible."
He felt the prince's gaze on him, but forced himself to ignore it. He didn't want to tell him that they had already met years before.
The duchess lowered her eyes. "I imagine you have your reasons for wanting to keep it to yourself. In that case, I won't force you to tell me anything."
"Thank you for your understanding."
"I know Alex's position at court is weak, and that you're working to forge alliances."
William nodded and set his cup on the saucer. "That's correct, Your Grace."
"Good. I have information that could be useful to you. About the nobles. About who might support Alex and who might oppose him, the current alliances and the reasons for conflict." She shifted her gaze to Alex. "Consider it my farewell gift. For the good of your future reign."
"Thank you, Grandmother."
The duchess smiled, then gestured to the lady-in-waiting. "I think it's best if I return to bed. I'm starting to feel a bit tired."
"Try to get some rest."
"Don't worry about me, my sunshine." She let herself be helped to her feet and leaned on her cane. "Take care of each other, and… Alex, I entrust Florian to you. He'll need you when I'm no longer here."
William and the prince bowed and watched her walk away toward the palace.
"That went well, right?" His Highness said.
"I think so, although I had the impression she was testing me."
"That would be just like my grandmother. She's ruled this duchy for decades—she has nerves of steel."
"Her information will undoubtedly be useful."
A mischievous smile curved across the prince's lips. "Can I have a kiss?"
"No. We're in public. And you promised to keep your distance."
"You're unfair, Will. You know I'm very affectionate."
"Not. In. Public."
Alex tilted his head to the side, looking thoughtful. Then he shifted his gaze to the circular building that housed the library and smirked. "I've just had a brilliant idea."
William looked at the building, then at him, and frowned. "Absolutely not."
"When you look at me like that, it only makes me want you even more." He stood up, grabbed his hand, and pulled him toward the library. "Come on, it'll be fun! Besides, you're the one who wanted to visit it, am I wrong?"
"I wanted to visit it to read, not to do indecent things with you!"
But the prince ignored his protests and pushed him through the doors. And William's breath caught.