The Prince's Choice ✔

Chapter Sixty Six • Epilogue

In the courtyard of William's stronghold

He stood in a sea of faces. Draped in his cloak and his hood shielding his face from curious eyes. Unknown to each and every one of them by appearance but not by name. Occasionally, he was shoved by those who stood the closest to him. They wanted to get closer to the front of the crowd so they could get a better view of what was about to happen.

If those around him would hear his name, they would not be standing so close, or shove him. If his name was to be spoken out loud, he would have plenty of space because these peasants would scatter to give him the room he deserved. Those around him would gasp, and get down on their knees in front of him. They would address him as 'your grace'.

If the people around him would have recognized him, all eyes would be on him and not look up at the steps, waiting for the event that was taking place within the castle walls to end. A coronation. So, he had chosen to go here in disguise. He needed to see if the rumors where true. Had his nephew truly married a filthy commoner and made her his queen?

Rowan's sister Eleanora, the boy's mother, had arrived shortly after that useless husband of hers had sided with their son in the matter.Why she had abandoned her castle Rowan did not understand since Uldard apparently left it to her. She could have just stayed there and held an important position that would be favorable for them in the war, but then again, his sister had always been one to act impulsively and unreasonably.

Uldard loved her from the moment he heard of her... Of course! Rowan heard his sister's voice echoing in his mind as he kept a close watch for anyone who could possibly recognize him. He comes from a purity himself, why would he want to taint ours by letting our son marry her? I tried my best to talk him out of it. William of course would not listen to me, he never has. But the boy's father cannot see the harm in fusing the girl's blood into ours. It is blasphemy!

Rowan agreed with his sister, but he did not tell her that out loud. Instead he just listened to her drunken slurs.

Eleanora had been drinking upon her arrival and had not stopped since. Ever since she had stepped foot into his courtyard she had rambled on and on about this girl that William had allegedly found on the side of the road.

I am so pleased that you waged war against them... She had suddenly blurted out.

Why is that? He had asked her puzzled but without letting it show in his face. They are your family. I would have understood if you had been upset.

Nothing can upset me more than the betrayal they have both committed towards me, dear brother. Her furious but calm voice lingered in his mind as he sighed and stared up towards the top of the stairs again. Would they ever show themselves? Do whatever you like to them... but promise me one thing; kill that filth first.

After his sister's unannounced arrival, Rowan had decided that he needed to see to this matter, himself. It sounded too bizarre. Would William truly marry beneath him, like his mother said he was planning to? Therefore, he left his own kingdom in secret and unaccompanied. He did not want anyone to know where he was going. Not a single soul.

To his big surprise, and even bigger disappointment, he found out very quickly that William had indeed married the peasant. The boy had made his mother's worst fears come true by falling madly in love with this filth; soiling their bloodline and making a mockery out of his mother.

According to Eleanora, the girl must be a witch because she could not see any other reason to her son's sudden change in behavior. Which Rowan himself of course found preposterous. There were no such things as witches, and the allegation only made his sister seem more crazy than she already was. This whole thing had clearly freed her from all sense and reason.