After Alex finished talking, Sven sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I warned you it was dangerous."
"It wasn't just the kiss. The governor's been provoking me since I arrived, trying to see how I'd react." Alex looked down at the tips of his boots. "And I reacted badly."
"You were only defending the mage."
"I told him that if anyone touched William, I'd break their legs."
"Ah. Definitely not very princely."
"The governor forced my hand, Sven. He implied that William was my treasure and that someone might steal him from me. But he is a person, not an object. I couldn't keep quiet."
"Still, it seems the governor sensed something from the start."
"Yeah." Alex rubbed his forehead again and glanced around. "From the moment we arrived, he's been hinting that there was something between us. I didn't think much of it at first, but now I'm worried. And I wonder how he figured it out just by looking at us."
"Maybe he was just guessing. Or maybe he heard rumors."
"That's possible."
"It's strange that he didn't ask you to lie, though."
Alex shook his head. "Actually, it makes sense. If he had, it would have been like admitting he was hiding something. The only thing he could do was ask me not to investigate."
"Which is basically admitting guilt."
"In practice it's not the same thing. If I were to denounce him publicly, he could defend himself by saying the crown doesn't trust the nobility and suggest that I was trying to fabricate evidence to accuse him. It would be a hard blow for my father."
Sven frowned. "He threatened William, didn't he?"
"No, he only said he could't guarantee his safety."
"But he said he could if you slept with him. I'd say he has ties to the merchant."
"I think so too, but I don't believe sleeping with him would change anything." Alex hesitated. "I think it was just a way to see how far I'd be willing to go for William. To see how easily I could be manipulated."
"You didn't accept, did you?"
"No, I refused. It wouldn't have changed much for William, but I would have lost what little credibility I have. Luka would have spread rumors that the prince liked being fucked by his subjects."
Anyone would have tried to get into his bed just to control him better.
Sven let out a sigh of relief, and Alex shot him a glare.
"You thought I'd give in?"
"I don't know. I get the impression that for William you'd be willing to do quite a lot of foolish things."
"It's just that he…" The prince hesitated and lifted his nose toward the clear sky. "He was hurt so badly, so deeply that right now I think he's one step away from the abyss. And maybe I'm the only thing keeping him from taking that step."
"Your Highness…"
"And maybe I'm also what's hurting him the most." The prince looked back at him. "So yes, for him I'd even give up the crown, if it meant letting him live one more day."
Sven furrowed his brows and lowered his gaze. He stayed silent for a while. "What do you want to do now?"
"I don't know. I can't rely on William at the moment, and I'm not particularly good at these things, but I can't just sit on my hands."
"Maybe we should reassess our priorities."
Alex nodded. "That might be a good idea. After the incident with the merchant, I think our priority is William's safety. Cox gave me the impression he wouldn't back down. And I don't think Will will be able to defend himself."
"Is he alone right now?"
"I had Ian keep an eye on him."
"Good idea."
"The best thing would be to keep the merchant away from him, but the governor won't help us. It seems Cox is powerful and influential."
"So all we can do is finish our investigation and return to the palace as soon as possible."
"I think so. Have you found anything?"
Sven shook his head. "Nothing suspicious. The servants seem happy with the governor, and there's no particular discontent or gossip. They're paid adequately and on time, treated well, and never overworked. The governor's currently unmarried and appears to have had several lovers. Men and women, mostly merchants or foreign ambassadors."
"Nothing particularly scandalous."
"As for the banditry issues, we haven't found anything. The servants seem to know nothing about it."
Alex sighed. He had hoped for some useful clue or lead, but they still had nothing to go on.
"We should investigate the city. What do you think, Sven?"
"It might work."
"There's a banquet tonight; we could take advantage of that too. You and Ian could attend as nobles."
"What about William?"
"If he doesn't ask to stay in his room, he'll join us. I'll keep an eye on him myself, while you observe and report back to me. I'll have too many eyes on me to do that."
Sven nodded and stretched his arms. "It's a good plan. Let's hope everything goes well."
Alex didn't really believe it, but he hoped so. "Do you think I'm an incapable prince?"
"No. Maybe you're a bit vain, superficial, and too naive, but you're just as capable as your father."
"Sven, how do you tell if you're in love?"
His friend raised his eyebrows, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Has it never happened to you?"
"I used to think so, but now I'm not so sure anymore." Alex lowered his gaze and gave a small smile. "When I look at him, all I can think about is how much I'd like to have him by my side for the rest of my life. I imagine small things, like seeing his face in the morning when I wake up, or watching him read in silence on a balcony."
"Does it make you happy?"
"Yes, and it makes me feel at peace."
Sven frowned and knelt in front of him.
Alex stiffened. "What are you doing? You know I hate seeing you on your knees."
His friend met his gaze steadily. "I apologize for having scolded you and for being harsh with you during the journey. I didn't understand the depth of your feelings, and I hurt you. And I fear I made you feel misunderstood."
"There's no need, Sven. I truly mean it."
"There is. You supported me when I asked for your sister's hand, and I'll do the same for you. If you were to ask for William's hand, you would have the support of your private guard."
Alex flushed, his heart leaping into his throat. "You're rushing things!"
His friend gave him a probing look. "Don't you want to marry him?"
"I don't know! It's complicated, you know that."
"The issue of his title can be dealt with easily."
"He's of Xianese blood; he won't be accepted."
"He's a capable man—his achievements will speak for him."
"But I won't be able to have children."
"Maybe there's a spell that could make it possible. Or you could name one of your future nephews as heir, or take a lover." Sven rose to his feet. "There's a solution to everything, Your Highness. You only need to want it."
And did he want it?
By the spirits, he was in love—but William was a wounded man, and perhaps he would never accept being anything more than his mage.
"Let's focus on why we're here. We'll think about the rest once we're back at the palace."
-------------------------
That evening, Alex dressed with care. He was supposed to meet local nobles and merchants, and he didn't want to make a bad impression. The sooner he exposed the governor, the sooner he could take William far away from Cox.
Once he was sure he looked as impeccable as ever, he left his room and waited for William outside his chambers.
Sven and Ian joined him shortly after, both wearing doublets and trousers.
"You seem agitated, Your Highness," Sven murmured.
Alex combed his hair back behind his ears. "I'm actually angry. I'd rather that slime weren't there."
"If William doesn't feel up to it, he could stay in his room. One of us would stand guard."
"It's not for me to decide."
Even though he would have preferred to do exactly as Sven suggested.
The door opened and William stepped out. He wore sober clothes, with tight sleeves and a high collar. His hands were covered with a pair of gloves; the bandage Alex had glimpsed that morning was nowhere to be seen. Very little skin was exposed, as if he wanted to hide from the rest of the world.
It wasn't an outfit that suited him. It made him look too stiff and dulled his charm.
"Are you ready?"
William nodded, his gaze as dull as it had been that morning, and set off at his side. Alex swallowed the urge to pull him into his arms; after what had happened, he feared that touching him would be enough to make him collapse.
As if he were hanging by a very thin thread.
Alex led the way to the hall where the banquet was to be held.
A soft murmur and the gentle clinking of glasses and small plates filled the air; the warm, dancing light of candles illuminated the room tastefully frescoed, with scenes of pastoral life and a decorated coffered ceiling. Slender gilded columns supported wide windows overlooking the inner garden.
Along one side stood a long table piled high with food, around which several guests—nobles and wealthy merchants of the city—had already gathered.
As soon as they noticed the prince's presence, a composed silence fell over the room.
The governor cleared his throat, stepped forward, and bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Your Highness. I hope this small celebration in your honor is to your liking."
Those present bowed, and Alex put on the most affable smile he could manage.
"Thank you, Governor. And thank you all for coming."
He shot a brief glance at Cox, but the merchant seemed intent on staring at his feet. With a bit of luck, he'd understood that he shouldn't bother William.
A light string melody began to play, and Alex headed toward the table to nibble at the food. He was hungry, but above all he wanted William to eat something too.
He filled a plate and handed it to him. "Just eat, no arguments."
"I'm not hungry, Your Highness."
"That's impossible. You haven't eaten since last night."
Not to mention that, during the journey, Alex had realized just how little the mage ate. How had he failed to notice before?
William gave him an empty look and took the plate, but didn't touch anything.
"Will, please, you can't—"
"Your Highness!"
Alex turned, annoyed, but at the sight of a pair of ladies in elegant velvet gowns he was forced to swallow his irritation deep into his stomach and pretend he was pleased to be interrupted.
Which he wasn't. Not at all.
That evening he had no desire whatsoever to make anyone's acquaintance—especially women. He just wanted to stay with William as much as possible, make him eat something, and then take him back to his room.
And sleep holding him, just to make sure he wasn't hurting himself.
"Ladies, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The two women let out irritating little giggles, more shrill than flirtatious.
"How gallant you are," one said.
"If we had known you were coming to Narea, we would have arranged a warmer welcome."
Alex shook his head and smiled. "I'm here on my father's behalf."
"For what reason, if I may ask?"
"Nothing important. Trifles."
He cast a glance over his shoulder, but William was no longer there. He searched for him, but couldn't see him anywhere.
William was gone.