Chapter 2
It had been raining all day, so the hunt Niles had been preparing to undertake had been called off. It was a pity, really – he'd seen the most magnificent stag recently, and he could imagine its antlers taking pride of place mounted on the wall over the fireplace in the dining room. As he hadn't been able to leave the palace because of the weather, he'd had to settle on staying around the place, looking for something to do. But nothing had gripped his attention, and that had frustrated him like nothing else. The discontent had only built up the longer he'd sat there in his chambers, too, trying to read a book or find something else to occupy his mind.
Not even picking at the morsels he'd been served on a plate was giving him any pleasure. He'd attempted to alternate between that and reading a novel, but neither were proving fruitful as ideas. There were only two things that might satisfy his needs currently, and one of them had been barred to him by way of the rain coming down outside. The other, of course, was fucking any willing slut that came his way. That urge was stronger than even the need to hunt, and it could easily be brought upon him in the palace. By any one of the maids, even if one in particular had been occupying his thoughts more than most: Lady Babcock.
It'd been...what, three or four weeks since he'd had that conversation with his mother? Five, maybe, at a push? That was how long Lady Babcock had been in her position at the palace. He'd been his politest, most caring self every time he'd seen her in the time since – she'd needed the sympathy in the last few weeks that she'd been there. He hadn't tried to ask her against the wall, or into his bed, or her bed. He hadn't even tried touching her whenever she'd passed by him, or convincing her to let him look beyond that which anybody could see!
He'd kept conversation to that which needed to be said, and his hands hadn't left his sides. Not that they hadn't itched while they were there. And Lady Babcock had had the time she'd needed to settle in, to let her heart start healing, and to finally open up and receive him. And she would be one of the better ones when she did receive him. Ample and curvaceous in all the right, hand-sized places, and ready for him to grab and fondle. He could very easily see himself slapping her rear, or slipping his hands upwards and over her breasts – she'd love it, once she'd agreed.
He'd make her love it so much that she'd beg for more, and then she'd be eating out of the palm of his hand until he was done with her...
That was it. He had to go find her. It had been long enough, and he had to at least try. This was one chase being swapped for another, and it would be just as thrilling as finding any stag. The satisfaction would be twice the pleasure of any kill, though.
Any thoughts he'd still had of trying to finish the sodding book, or of starting up some other trifling pastime, were abandoned. Different thoughts of getting some exercise after all were back on. Full on. Only this time, it'd happen inside the palace. All the times would, unless he suddenly found a preference and decided to take her somewhere else. He dropped the novel he'd been holding uselessly on the nearest table, shoved aside the plate of food he'd hardly touched, and got up. Lady Babcock had to be around the place somewhere – she was a servant, so she had to be on duty, cleaning something in one of the rooms. That was what servants did.
He found her after searching several rooms, on her hands and knees, scrubbing away at the floor of the largest library in the palace. Even from a distance, he could see her mouth had turned downwards in a hard frown. She looked utterly miserable; like she was one wrong word or thought away from bursting into tears. No doubt it was still some lingering grief on her mind, which had yet to leave her heart. he'd certainly help her put that to one side for a while, soon enough. He'd been nothing but polite and patient with her for these last few weeks. It had to be easing by now.
And he knew just the thing to help it along…
He stepped into the room softly. It was almost like the hunt he would've gone on – him silently approaching his chosen prize, ready to bag it and mount it in one of his favourite rooms in the palace. Not that he was going to start with that. After all, ladies still did appreciate a lighter touch to start off with. A gentle approach.
"You should take it easier, my lady," he crooned as soon as he was close enough. "No one expects you to be quite so thorough, given the circumstances."
His voice made her flinch, so much so that she lost her balance and fell on her side. Clearly, she hadn't been expecting to be interrupted by anyone, least of all by Prince Niles himself.
"Oh, Your Royal Highness...!" said C.C., scrambling to her feet and bowing to him, as most of the servitude did.
He stepped into the room softly. It was almost like the hunt he would've gone on – him silently approaching his chosen prize, ready to bag it and mount it in one of his favourite rooms in the palace. Not that he was going to start with that. After all, ladies still did appreciate a lighter touch to start off with. A gentle approach.
"You should take it easier, my lady," he crooned as soon as he was close enough. "No one expects you to be quite so thorough, given the circumstances."
His voice made her flinch, so much so that she lost her balance and fell on her side. Clearly, she hadn't been expecting to be interrupted by anyone, least of all by Prince Niles himself.
"Oh, Your Royal Highness...!" said C.C., scrambling to her feet and curtsying to him, as most of the servitude did.
"There is absolutely no need for that," he said, smiling boyishly and plucking the wet cloth C.C.'d been holding from her hands. He then proceeded to drop it in the washbasin at her feet. "You've clearly been hard at work, made even harder by the time you've had recently. No need to strain yourself by moving too fast – you should be resting. Taking your time."
As he spoke, the prince had gotten progressively closer to C.C. – uncomfortably close. She didn't like the way he was looking – leering – at her, nor did she like the fact that one of his hands was moving at a snail-like pace towards her waist. She hated to admit it, but Ruth had been right about everything they'd discussed. The prince was after her, just like he'd...been after...every other maid in the place. The notion crawled under her skin like weevils, wriggling and digging its way to the point where her stomach started turning itself over.
She had more than an inkling of what he wanted her to "take her time" with!
But she wasn't about to be drawn into any of his ideas. Prince or not, his...uncomfortably close attention was the last thing she wanted in the entire world. Ruth might've been right about her being in the prince's sights, but she was wrong about C.C. giving in. Her pride and self-respect depended on it.
Similarly, her livelihood depended on her actually working. Something she couldn't stop doing just because the Prince had happened to find her and wanted to strike up a conversation. Perhaps reminding him of what she still had left to do would get him to...back away? Despite everything, His Royal Highness wasn't unintelligent. He'd be able to tell a polite "no" when he heard one, even if it wasn't said in those exact words.
It was certainly worth a try.
"Thank you my lord, but I…I have no other way to sustain myself. Taking my time is hardly an option," she said, smiling nervously at him. "So, if His Royal Highness does not mind, I shall continue with my work now. Otherwise I will be reprimanded."
That was all she was willing to give to him. It had to be enough – didn't it? She couldn't possibly have been any more respectful...
Niles smiled at her like a fox might smile when confronted with a full henhouse.
"There is no need to worry about that, my dear," he retracted his hand, taking it away from where it would've touched her side and laying it over where his heart would have been. "I am the Prince of Wales, after all. You will never get in trouble for talking to me..."
C.C. doubted that very much and took a half step back before he could change his mind and come forward again.
"I'd like to think that I can also stay out of trouble by simply getting on with the task at hand. Not stopping to talk to anyone."
But the prince wasn't giving in. She might have been circling overhead like a magnificent bird of prey being used in falconry, but she needed someone to tell her that it was more than alright to land!
"Yes," he grinned. "But certain things are much nicer in life if people are talked to. And I do believe that I could make life a lot nicer for you..."
The way he said "nice" was ironic, considering it was the furthest thing from "nice" that C.C. could imagine. It actually sounded as though it had a layer of slime on top of it. She wasn't going to fall for it. Charm without actual feeling behind it held no purpose. And there was no feeling – not from him to her, nor from her to him. The fact that he thought he could get her to give in like this was insulting beyond measure. Not that she could say such a thing; her income trod a fine line between doing her job and not insulting her employers!
That in itself was frustrating right then.
"I am not looking for...nice, sir," she told him tactfully. More tactfully than he deserved. "My life is satisfying enough just as it is."
The prince's facial expression was insufferable. He looked like he'd caught her out on something.
"Ah, so what you're saying is it can be better," he said, smirking in amusement. He clearly had this down to an art, or so he thought. "And that's exactly what I'm offering you – a better life than mere servitude. You are wasted in a life like this, I think we can all agree..."
C.C. could only imagine what he'd rather she was spending her time doing. It sent an angry heat to her blood, like a kettle put over the fire to boil.
"With all due respect, Your Royal Highness," which truly was none, given her tone. Not that he seemed to notice. "I am perfectly happy to remain as I am. Even if you believe I am...wasted...in this position, I'm not going to give it up for any others."
Much to C.C.'s annoyance, Prince Niles merely scoffed and took yet another step forward, forcing C.C. to step backwards. To her horror, she realised that the prince had backed her against a wall and, before she could slip from his grasp, he put his hands either side of her head.
"Oh, you say that like you know what you're missing out on," he sounded like she'd just told him a slightly funny joke. "You shouldn't be afraid to embrace a new idea every now and again. You might like it, after all. All the others have..."
The others. He said that as though it were a testament to his prowess. His ability to please. It made C.C. feel vaguely sick.
"I have no desire to try out any of your ideas," she stated, unable to hide the disgust in her voice. "And I never will either, sir!"
The prince looked at her in mock offence, "Oh, come now, my dear – my attentions and friendship are very much sought after amongst young, beautiful women. They fight for them, and I am handing them directly to you...!"
C.C. was about to say that she'd happily hand them right back when the prince spoke again.
"They come with many benefits, too, which I've...well, practised to perfection over the years," he murmured, leaning in towards her with his whole body. "Let me provide you with a small sampling."
Before C.C. could move, the prince had dropped his hands to her buttocks and had pulled her towards him, grinding his hips and...and his parts...against her like an animal!
C.C. stiffened, her entire body feeling like it was crawling with insects she couldn't brush off. His hands, his body, feeling their way over hers, it all felt wrong – like she was being besieged by an enemy invader. This wasn't what she wanted – but how was she going to get out of it? She couldn't even think!
But the prince, mistaking her lack of a response for a "yes", forced her to when he leaned in and planted his lips on hers. Her fight or flight responses were having none of that. On pure instinct, she broke away from his disgusting embrace and shoved him roughly, screaming at the top of her lungs as she fought to keep him away, hitting anywhere she could, as hard as she could.
Anything to keep the distance.
"Stop it! I said no!"
Lashing out one last time, her palm caught him flat and hard across the cheek.
The prince staggered, nearly falling but just catching himself before he lost what was left of his dignity. Not that getting his footing back made it any better! His head felt...slightly cloudy, and his ear was ringing...
Reaching up, stunned, he gingerly felt the cheek she'd slapped and recoiled as the smarting spot protested. There would be a bruise there later. She'd...she'd injured him...! She'd told him no and she'd struck him like he was some sort of stable boy she could whip and kick any time she wanted! Like he was some awful peasant she could send away if he repulsed her! How could she have done such a thing?!
He'd never had a woman turn him down in his life, let alone put their hands on him! From the highest of highborn ladies to sluts and whores who'd been born in the gutter, they'd practically queued up to open their legs for him! What on Earth made this maid think she was any different to any of them? What made her think that she was special?!
It was insolence. Pure insolence – and arrogance – on her part, to imagine that she held such worth! The only one there who got any special treatment was him, from every woman that he met and seduced, and that was the way things were supposed to be! She should have been on her knees in front of him right then, taking everything he gave her!
She had no right to strike his person, or touch him in any way he hadn't expressly told her to.
"How dare you?!" his voice grew in power and rage as he let his hand curl into his fist and fall back to his side. "Have you no respect, girl?!"
Noble or not, she had no right to strike him. Didn't she know he was to be her king?! She should've been grateful that he'd selected her for special treatment! He might've considered her for regular service if she'd pleased him, but now all he wanted was to ensure she was ruined! Her smug silence was infuriating. He took a step towards her. A warning of what was to come.
"You dare to strike me?" he snarled, reaching out to grab at her arms. "Would you be stupid enough to do it again?!"
He dug his fingers in as he snatched her towards him, immediately shoving her back so that she hit the wall. Hard. She yelled out in pain as her head hit the stone, but she remained on her feet. She looked scared though – eyes wide and breathing unsteady.
She looked ready to listen to him.
"Don't you know who I am, girl?!" he shouted, pointing a thumb at his chest. "I am your future king! I selected you out of every other maid in this palace, and you dare to insult me and injure me?! You'll be ruined before the day is out – even though God knows the streets are far better than what you deserve for this!"
C.C. felt her heart sink into a dread-filled stomach. He was going to throw her out, and take away the only safety and security she had. All over not getting what he wanted. That made her blood run hot beneath her skin.
Spitting, the prince continued, "You should've been grateful for my attention. Thankful, even!"
Somehow, that was all it took to make her blood go from simmering to boiling over.
Th-thankful?! Thankful for him forcing himself on her? For having been subjected to the most disgusting pair of hands and lips this side of Christendom? What was there to be grateful for in his treatment? She wasn't going to stay quiet anymore. What did it matter, anyway? If she was about to be dismissed, so be it. She'd get her say in before it happened.
Defiantly, she came forward, her own fists curled and ready to fly if he tried anything again.
"Thankful for what?!" she barked. "For you assaulting me?!"
The prince looked like he might stagger, just for a moment, before his face turned into a sneer.
"You have no idea what you're even talking about," he said. "I didn't assault you, you stupid girl!"
"Then what the hell was all of that just now?!" C.C. exploded, gesturing around and in the space between them. "Forcing me against the wall, forcing your hands on me, forcing your lips on mine?!"
Niles opened his mouth to pollute the air with a defence, but nothing ever came out. C.C. wouldn't let him.
"You forced me the whole time, with everything you did! Even after I'd told you no and that I didn't want anything to do with you!" she screamed. "If you never intended to assault me, then why didn't you stop after I said that?!"
Silence hung in the air as what she'd said (and its implications) hit home with the stupefied prince. She couldn't have been right. What would that say about him, if he'd assault a woman who'd told him no? But she seemed adamant that...that he had been in the wrong. That he'd...forced himself on her...
Shit. She had a point, didn't she? Thinking over what he'd said and what had...transpired, she had an actual point in this conversation!
It must have caught him off-guard that such a beautiful, fresh young thing hadn't wanted him. Made him act rashly. He'd gotten the idea in his head that she was just being coy! And once that idea was there, that was it! He'd had plenty of women before who'd done the same – not really said yes, while acting like they might say no. It was a teasing game. It had to be just a game, didn't it? He hadn't just transformed into something he loathed!
He didn't care much about how his conquests felt after he'd fucked and dropped them, of course, but he wasn't some monster who forced himself on women!
Was he…? Did it only take one time to be branded that sort of creature for life?
The notion was making him uncomfortable all over – he wasn't like that. Normally. He wasn't like that, normally. He was a charmer, not a monster, and he really did enjoy the chase and eventual reward. His father had taught him that men who needed to force themselves on a woman to get sex instead of rightfully charming and taking them to bed, weren't real men at all! He'd seen that disgusting behaviour in the military and he'd promised himself that he'd never turn into those animals who'd claimed that a woman seen, was a woman free for the taking.
What had he been thinking? He hadn't been thinking. He couldn't have been thinking! He wouldn't have done such a thing if he'd actually been thinking about what he was doing!
It was...not at all him, or gentlemanly, to have...ground himself against her like that. To have touched her without permission. To have kissed her without permission! His stomach turned over itself thinking how close that came to...to assaulting her. Just as she'd said.
He wasn't that sort. Was he? He'd done it, whether he told himself he wasn't the sort to do it or not. But he must have been showing signs of his inner turmoil because C.C.'s own gaze grew more triumphant.
"It's just as I thought," she said before she turned away to leave.
She knew she'd won this, for better or worse. She might've lost her job for humiliating the prince by refusing to let herself be assaulted, but she still had her pride. And she'd struck a blow with him that was harder than any slap in the face. She packed up her cleaning implements, all the while keeping an eye on the prince. She wanted him to stay exactly where he was – preferably even farther away than that, if she could help it.
She had no interest in him, and currently only felt anger and hatred if she looked in his direction. He was nothing but an arrogant boor who wanted nothing but to use women. He was spoiled, entitled, and completely and utterly repulsive. Why any woman would want him, she didn't understand. What she did understand, though, was that she would never fall for that empty charm, made attractive only by wealth and power but completely lacking all substance. And the less said about what he'd apparently do when that all failed, the better.
Once she had all her things, she marched towards the door and only looked back once more to glare at the prince.
"I'll await my dismissal downstairs."
Without giving him time to attempt anything else and without bowing or asking for permission, she stormed out of the room, leaving the prince alone with his troubled thoughts.