Princess Estina stirred, snuggling her head deeper under the heavy blankets. Warmth permeated around her, and it took her a moment to remember where she was.

Her eyes startled open, and she flicked the top of the blanket off of her face. There, beside her, was Menelt, flat on his back with his head pointed in the opposite direction.

Immediate questions filled her, and she wondered whether the night before had been a good idea. It had been very pleasurable, that much she would give Menelt. His time with Weldlan had certainly not diminished his knowledge on how to please a woman. Would their respectful relationship still exist? How would she hold her own now that Menelt knew every last little detail about her at her most vulnerable? How could she keep a straight face when he now knew how to make her a quivering moaning mess?

Despite his brutish and blunt personality, deep down she didn’t think Menelt would act like her older brothers and their fellow courtiers. When she had been younger, she had heard their snickering and condescending conversations of the young women around them.

And then there was that nagging thought, that nagging doubt again. How would others perceive her if she took a lover?

Princess Estina clenched her fists, and her fierce determination shoved all her doubts and fears aside. All of a sudden, she didn’t care what anyone else thought. The evening had been pleasurable not only for her she was sure, but also for Menelt. There were bigger things to worry about now, such as saving the Kingdom from her sadistic brother and hopefully, helping a kidnapped cannibal Lombock.

She almost laughed to herself. If she said those words out loud, they would sound unbelievable.

Princess Estina pushed herself up slightly and scooted over to the side of the bed with the aim of not disturbing Menelt. And that’s when she noticed Weldlan asleep on the other side of him.

That was one aspect of this interaction she had forgotten about. Would Weldlan be angry that she had stayed in their room? Would that be crossing a line? She had no recollection of him even coming to the room. No idea of what his reaction had been.

Princess Estina slowly turned away and climbed out from under the heavy blankets. Spinning on the spot, she searched for something to cover herself with and spied her clothes folded neatly on a chair. One of the household ladies must have left them there for her. She shoved down what they must have thought and quickly dressed. Muffled sounds came from behind her and she froze.

Slowly, Princess Estina turned back to the bed.

Her shoulders relaxed. Menelt had simply rolled over towards Weldlan, and in the privacy of their room, the pair had embraced in their sleep. Princess Estina watched the two, suddenly feeling privileged to be given the opportunity to see their intimacy that was rarely displayed in the open. The sight of their embrace made it even clearer to her. Last night had been wonderful, but she was in no doubt about what it had meant and where she stood. She would never expect anything else but sex from Menelt. Nothing would ever come in between the bond he had with Weldlan.

Quietly, Princess Estina tiptoed out of room and into the long corridor that ran along the front of the main living quarters. She gazed out of the arches that looked out into the courtyard. It was early morning, dawn not long caressing the morning.

A door on the opposite side of the courtyard opened and Princess Estina stopped in surprise. There, in the first rays of early morning light, she spied Lady Annalei stepping out of Ardena’s quarters. Lady Annalei turned back as Ardena arrived in the doorway, and then to Princess Estina’s surprise, she watched them share a long and tender secretive kiss of lovers parting ways.

Princess Estina took a step back into the darkness that still hung in the corridor. She pursed her lips. Ladet was not with Lady Annalei after all.

>>

Wrapped in a thick heavy shawl, Princess Estina walked down the long corridor and its many arches that surrounded the same courtyard she had used at dawn. Now, however, it was half an hour after breaking their fast. She had not slept but had managed to refresh herself and change her clothes. In her hand she carried a large cup of strong tea, its steam whirling into the air and across her skin as she walked. When she reached one of the entrances, Ladet stepped into the corridor. A look of surprise flickered over his face before he quickly bowed in formal greeting.

She smiled warmly, but Ladet turned immediately to walk beside her and did not return her friendly gesture. Princess Estina frowned. He usually returned her smiles.

“You’re heading to the meeting?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said. “I think this could be a good opportunity to learn more about how we can help Teal.”

“Certainly,” she responded. “I have to warn you though. If he is as dangerous as what we’ve heard, I don’t know if we can rescue him.”

“Even if I have to do it alone,” Ladet said stiffly, his gaze still poised in front of him. “I will try. You do not need to put yourself at risk, Princess Estina. You have already done so much for me, and I will always be grateful. If I can rescue him, I will not make haste, and I will take him straight back to the Talbecan Empire.”

“I hope you are successful,” Princess Estina told him, and then after a pause she added, “I will miss having you around, Ladet. We have gotten used to you being here.”

Ladet’s lips made a thin line, but he nodded his head.

An uneasy silence fell between them. Their past conversations had become easier and easier over the past couple of weeks, casual almost, so this sudden stiffness was a surprise. But then, she chided herself. This was why he had come to the Keglar Kingdom in the first place - to help save his friend. Of course, his mind would be solely focused on the task.

They reached the meeting room door, and Ladet stopped to allow her to enter first. He bowed deeply as she walked towards the closed door. Another so formal gesture compared to their casual interactions.

She paused as her hand reached for the door handle. Before she entered the room where they had displayed the kingdom’s map in dirt, she would need to take a deep breath as the sense of unease she had felt earlier in the morning attempted to wash over her again.

Princess Estina shook her head, straightened her shoulders and cleared her thoughts.

Concentrate.

With one last deep breath, she turned the stiff iron handle. It creaked under the motion, and she had to push heavily for it to move inwards. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ladet reach over her shoulder to help as she steadied the big cup of hot tea. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, she clasped the cup with the other hand as well, eager for its warmth on this bitterly cold morning. Snow was not far off.

Menelt, Weldlan, Prince Alain, Clagen and Lord Owen were all in attendance, standing around the table already deep in conversation. To her surprise, Lord Clep, Lord Rea and Earl Jenric were also present. They all stopped talking, and apart from her brother, turned to bow at her entrance.

“The day is a good one,” she said in greeting. “Let’s keep it that way. What news do you have?”

She glanced at each man in turn, and she remembered Weldlan and Menelt’s words.

‘Stand beside. Don’t stand behind.’

She walked straight up to the table and stood confidently in between Menelt and Weldlan.

“We’ve been determining the best options of how to leave Prince Yernal’s estate if something were to go wrong,” Prince Alain explained.

Princess Estina analysed the map and saw the changes they had made to it. Various stones had been added, representing the land governed by the different men. Uncertainty hit her stomach. There was at least three days’ worth of riding in between Prince Yernal’s estate and Lord Clep’s estate. In between, they would be riding through land that was governed and ruled by Prince Yernal supporters.

Her eyes drifted to Prince Yernal’s estate, and she took a large sip of her tea before she offered her opinion. “I visited this city on several occasions when I was a child,” she began. She pointed to one spot on the map a short distance away from Prince Yernal’s estate. “There’s a property here surrounded by gardens. I would feel safer staying there than being in Prince Yernal’s estate for the entire time.”

“He could easily set up enemies in this property as well,” Lord Owen advised. “He has plenty of time.”

“Hmm, you’re correct,” Princess Estina agreed. “But it would mean we would have easier access to our horses when we’re not directly in Prince Yernal’s castle.”

“Yes,” Prince Alain said, “and I remember there is a road at the back that links up with the castle, but also leads out of the city. It’s a good idea.”

“It could mean a fast escape but also a fast pursuit,” Lord Clep added, rubbing his chin as he thought.

They continued discussing possible challenges Prince Yernal could send their way over the next several hours, coming up with different ideas and plans based on different scenarios.

When the sun had moved to as high as it would reach on a mid-Autumn day, Princess Estina ran her hand through her hair. She was hungry and desperately wanted to get some fresh air.

“Please remember, Princess Estina,” Lord Owen said. “We will do whatever we can to support you if the need arises.”

“Thank you,” she responded. “Let’s all take a break and relax over a mid-day meal,” she said to the group of men.

“If you need to relax, Princess Estina,” Menelt said, “you may visit my quarters again tonight.”

Princess Estina froze as all eyes in the room suddenly fell on her. She had often heard of people who had wished they could disappear in uncomfortable situations. Never before had she experienced it until this moment.

She took a long sip of her cup that had been refilled by household staff over the past couple of hours. When she lowered it, she hoped her hand was not shaking and the heat she felt in her cheeks did not mean that her face had turned red. She turned to Menelt. “If I do go to your quarters again this evening, Menelt, it will be to give you a lesson on discretion.” To the other men she smiled, and bode them farewell. “Gentlemen.”

With that, she turned to leave, ignoring the shocked expression on her brother’s face. The other men turned away quickly, but she caught the smiles and smirks they were trying to hide and their glances in each other’s directions.

Princess Estina closed the door behind her and sighed. The morning had almost gone smoothly without her losing her dignity. Almost.

>>

Packing for their journey was not helping to settle her nerves.

“But, Your Highness…”

“Princess Estina,” she reminded the maid.

“You must take more than just this travel bag.” The young serving woman beside her wrung her hands. “What will you wear when you are in Prince Yernal’s court?”

Princess Estina looked down at the boots, trousers and shirt she was currently wearing. “Pretty much the same as what I’m wearing now.”

Gasps came from the other two maids in the corner of the room who she spied folding some delicate looking clothing. Where had they come from? How had they even gotten their hands onto clothing that looked far too expensive.

“You’re getting distracted,” a middle-aged maid called Clarein said to her.

Starting to feel annoyed, Princess Estina turned to the woman who had taken it upon herself to try and take Princess Estina daily personal affairs into their own.

“You should drink the berry tea every morning that you believe you will lay with Menelt.”

Princess Estina’s mouth dropped open.

“So much for keeping it quiet,” she muttered, and she was all too aware that the two other younger maids were keenly listening.

“If you do not wish to bear a child as you have strongly stated,” Clarein continued with a hint of indignation, “the berry tea will ensure that.”

Princess Estina sighed. “Ladies,” she said authoritatively, “I need my room to myself.”

They froze where they stood and fell silent.

“I really appreciate everything that you are trying to do for me here,” she said, trying to relieve some guilt at the expressions she saw on their faces. “You have to remember though that I have seen to most of my own affairs over the past two years. I have a really big and dangerous journey ahead of me tomorrow, and I really need to reflect and review what plans we have put in place.”

The two younger maids bowed and started towards the door. Clarein pursed her lips, but she bowed as well. As she approached the entrance, Princess Estina called out, “If you could please ensure that some of the berry tea is delivered to my room promptly.”

Clarein smiled and bowed. “Certainly, Princess Estina.”

Her shoulders relaxed instantly. Now she could do this at her own pace. It would be soothing in some ways. Organising and setting things right in her room. Even though it had only been a short time, the concept of having her own room again had grown on her.

From the corner of her eye, Princess Estina spied Weldlan appear at her open bedroom door, and she wondered how long he had been waiting for the ladies to leave. He leaned against the doorframe and watched her.

She swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump that had formed in her throat. This was a conversation that was going to happen whether she wanted it to or not. He had said he wouldn’t mind but... hindsight could alter everything.

“You’re a lucky man, Weldlan,” she said, removing a delicate blue dress and replacing it with another piece of practical clothing into her carry bag instead.

“That I am,” Weldlan agreed.

“He sure knows how to give pleasure. He is a very giving lover.”

Weldlan entered her room, and Princess Estina turned to face him. “Sorry for encroaching into your space last night. I fell asleep after we had… It won’t happen again.”

“You do not encroach and you are welcome any time. We will just have to work out a schedule,” he said. “I get the feeling however, that someone maybe jealous.”

Princess Estina stopped. “What? What do you mean? Who?”

Weldlan gave her a knowing look.

“Ladet?”

Princess Estina sat down on her bed, clothes in hand and a frown on her face.

“Maybe he is. Maybe he isn’t,” she said. “I don’t know what to do about that.”

“Maybe you don’t need to do anything right now,” Weldlan said. “It might not be the best time. His mind weighs heavily on his friend. I have seen the change in him over the past couple of days. His purpose is now solely on being a soldier, but there is always later.”

Despite the pressure and stress weighing over her shoulders, she smiled. “Weldlan,” she said. “I’ve always admired your positive and confident outlook. I really do hope there is a later.” She paused. “I mean that in the sense that I hope we do come back to Lake Tehlea alive.”

He smiled reassuringly. “Start thinking of a new name, Princess,” he told her. “We will come back alive.”

“A new name?” she asked.

“Yes,” Weldlan said. “Lord Owen made the suggestion over lunch. He believes you and your brother should rename the estate. Old Lake Tehlea doesn’t fit anymore.”

“It might be very short lived,” Princess Estina laughed, only half joking.

Weldlan stepped up into her space and placed his hand on her shoulder. It was so large, his fingers hung down over her shoulder blade. “There’s always later.”

>>

Late in the evening, Princess Estina closed the door to her room and walked the short distance, two rooms down to Menelt’s. She knocked softly and waited only a few seconds before it was opened from the other side.

Menelt didn’t speak but stepped back to allow her to enter. She did a quick sweep of the room, and she relaxed when she saw that Weldlan was not present.

“Last night was very enjoyable,” she said once Menelt had closed the door.

“Yes,” he said simply. “You are very enjoyable.”

A gentle delighted laugh escaped her at his response, and she let her eyes wander over his body from head to toe. He was dressed in his usual everyday training clothes, simple brown trousers with a lighter brown and black shirt. It was an unusual feeling to look at the muscles under his clothing with such a lustful intent, but she wanted him. She did. She wanted all of him. After all, this could very well be the last time she could take part in such activities, and after last night, she really had to wonder at herself for why she had waited so long.

Tomorrow they would leave for Prince Yernal’s castle. Who knew what lay ahead for them? Who knew who would live and who would die? For that was the real question on their lips. There was no doubt about that in her mind. She had to be the person she had fought to be over the past two years. And until the sun rose on the morrow, she would allow herself to enjoy this evening. She would allow herself to get lost in the pleasure and the sweat and scent of the man who had taught her everything.