Chapter Fourteen

The next morning, I didn't really want to wake up. No. I was too warm and too comfortable, and I didn't want to face the world today. I sighed and snuggled deeper into my pillow, feeling a weight across my waist tighten just slightly. I could only assume, through my tired state, that the weight against my back was William. I sighed wistfully and snuggled closer to that warmth, faintly hearing the other man snore lightly. I felt a small smile form on my lips. Leave it to William to be the type to snore. Not that I minded at all, I actually thought it was kind of cute. Made him seem vulnerable, and not at all like the proper prince he was.

I opened my eyes, blinking until the brightness was tolerable. I yawned, stretching my body and turned around to look at William, giggling silently at his peaceful face, his lips opened just the slightest bit as another little snore escaped him. After a couple of minutes, he was startled awake when there was a heavy knocking on the bedroom door, his eyes opening as he shot up in bed.

"Who is it?" He asked, voice still heavy with sleep as he ran his hand through his messy hair.

"A-ah Your Highness King Henry wishes to speak with you," the person on the other side spoke, making William groan and fall back onto the bed.

"Tell him I will be there in about an hour." When the other individual answered and left, William began rubbing his eyes. "How was your sleep, Mel?" He asked, glancing towards me with sage eyes that seemed even brighter.

I blushed, pulling myself up as I tucked my hair behind my ears, nibbling at my bottom lip. "I actually slept really well, to be honest. The best I have in a long time." I pulled my knees up to my chest and leaned my head on them, my eyes on William. "Seeping with company is much better than by yourself, I've noticed."

William gave me a smile. "I'm glad." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before he got up and pull off his nightshirt, causing my face to burn in embarrassment when I realized just how naked he was under that thin, white fabric.

I immediately tore my eyes away, nibbling at my bottom lip as the other man got dressed. "So...um...are we going to tell A-Anthony about what we've learned last night?" I wondered as I twirled my hair between my hands, risking a glance towards the blond.

William looked over his shoulder towards me, sage eyes glazing over in thought. Finally, after a moment, he nodded, biting his bottom lip. "Unless, of course, you don't want him to know. If not, then I will keep him in the dark."

I shook my head, climbing out of the bed. "You can tell him. He's your...lover, surely this isn't something to keep silent about." I sighed, messing with my fingers. "Actually, to be honest, I need to have a word with Mother, and ask why she has kept this from me for so long. But on the other foot, I'm too nervous to even bring it up. I mean, what if she tries to come up with more lies, to cover this up?"

I felt a hand on my cheek, and when I looked up, William was giving me a look of encouragement. "You don't have to pursue her now, if you don't think you're ready yet. Give yourself some time to think of questions you want to ask her, like why she lied to you all your life, or what were her motives were behind this cruel thing. And when you feel that the time is right, then you can pursue her."

I looked down at my feet, nibbling my bottom lip, as a warmth spread in my chest. "You're right. If I interrogate her now...I don't know, I don't think I would be ready to. I'd be too upset and probably crying or something stupid like that-"

"Crying isn't stupid, Mel. Everyone is allowed to have feelings sometimes, even the toughest of warriors." William pressed a kiss against my cheek and began making his way to the door, turning to glance back at me. "Is there anything you wish for me to pick up from the kitchens? You don't have to face anyone for breakfast if you feel too uncomfortable. I'll let them know that...well, you're exhausted from our...ah...nightly activities."

I frowned, confused. "But, we didn't do anything."

"They don't know that." William winked at me, causing the heat to return to my face.

I nibbled at my bottom lip, glancing down at my hands. "Well, in that case, may you pick me up some honeyed ham? With some eggs, maybe?"

William stared at me with those gorgeous sage eyes before he nodded, giving me a soft smile. "I don't know how long my father will have me for, but I will endeavor to make sure your meal is still hot by the time I come back. I the meantime, I have a mini library in my study if you wish to pass the time."

I felt a warmth blossom in my chest, my cheeks burning as butterflies danced around in my stomach. "Thank you, William."

The blond nodded in my direction before he opened the door and left the room, causing me to sigh to myself and flop backwards back onto the large bed. Why was William so accepting of me right now? I mean, I'm actually extremely happy that he was taking this whole 'me being male' thing really well, but...surely had another man been in his position...wouldn't they react differently? Wouldn't they demand why and how this had happened?

I nibbled at my bottom lip, closing my eyes as I lifted a hand, pinching the bridge of my nose. Whatever the case...I was just happy that William was taking this as well as he was. Heck, I don't even think I was taking it that well. I mean, I really wanted to confront Mother and Father...demand that they tell me why they lied to me my entire life...but, I was too much of a chicken to do that. Well...maybe I could ask Marvin if he had known. He was here already, wasn't he? Maybe he could give me some answers, considering he didn't scare me as much as our parents did. Perhaps he could indulge me in a chat.

I sighed and pulled myself out of bed, yanking my nightshirt...or, well...William's nightshirt off before I pulled out one of my dresses, hesitating for a moment before I pulled it on. I then brushed my hair and left the room, asking around to locate where my older brother's room was. When I got there, of course my chest was tight with nervousness, my heart beating wildly within me as I stared at the oak door in front of me. What if he had known? What if he laughs at me for believing them all this time?

I shook my head. No. He wouldn't laugh at me. At least...I didn't think that he would be this cruel. Holding my breath I raised my hand and gently tapped my knuckles against the door, feeling like the air around me was heavier than it needs to be. I bit the inside of my cheek when I heard hushed voices on the other end of the door, and in the next instant it opened up to reveal Marvin, who stared down at me with icy blue eyes.

"Melani? To what do I owe this unexpected visit?" He wondered, keeping the door closed mostly so that I couldn't really see into his room.

I nibbled nervously at my bottom lip, restlessly wringing my hands together. "I-I would like to have a talk with you. Um...privately."

Marvin blinked, those full lips pulling into a frown before he nodded his head and looked back into his room. "Give me just a moment to..." he looked back at me. "Just give me a moment. I have company over."

"O-Oh. Ok."

He closed the door, and only about a minute later, it opened, only it wasn't my brother that left the room. This was that blond guy I had seen chatting with Marvin, the one who also seemed to be in the royal guard. Those umber brown eyes were warm as the tanned man nodded towards me, before he began walking down the hall. Marvin appeared back at the door. "I apologize for that, we were discussing...guardly things that you don't need to know about. But alas, come on in, make yourself comfortable."

I nodded and made my way into the room, eyes scanning over the very simple decoration. A decent sized bed here, a table and chairs there, nothing at all like how my room had been, both here in the castle and back home. However, I was too nervous to take a seat, my hands unable to stay still as I turned to face him, staring intently at his face. "I need to know something very important, and I want you to be straightforward with me. Do you think you can do that?"

Marvin frowned, placing his hands in his back trouser pockets. "Of course I can. You are to be Queen whenever His Highness ascends the throne. I serve you."

I blushed and winced, before I inhaled deeply. "Did you know about me? About my body?"

Marvin's brows shot straight up, tanned cheeks turning bright red. "Melani, I-I don't think I'm the right person to ask about any changes you may be having-"

"I'm n-not talking about that, Marvin. I'm asking you if you knew that I was...that I was actually male?"

Marvin stared at me, bewilderment crossing his handsome face. "Male? What are you going on about, Melani? You're my little sister, a female, mind you."

I shook my head, taking a seat on one of the chairs in his room. "I'm not a woman, Marvin. I-I have the same anatomy as William...a-and you. I saw the proof. So if you're lying to me...please let it be known now."