The rest of that night was spent by firelight, combing through every single paper in that vexatious stack. Every single letter that had his father's hand was pulled, examined carefully and then burned viciously.
Beverly stayed by his side, helping organize. They didn't speak. They simply worked. Separated, read, burned. Separated, read, burned. Separated, read, burned.
Anything and everything with the mention of a secret child or of Elizabeth de Bourgh. Everything else could be looked at at a later date. For now, the priority lay in scrubbing this woman off the face of the earth. She had to never exist. Any chance that she could be known was going to be washed away.
The moment Will returned home; he would do the same to any records they had. He doubted he could reach the records in Rhodes or in Germany, but England would be wiped clean of Elizabeth de Bourgh.
Her words always brought a pause to Will when he read them. There weren't many letters from her. Only two or three out of the many that had never been sent by his father. Each one was begging for Sanford to just reach out to her, send one single letter back. Will could only guess that his father could never send the letters in fear of hurting himself politically if they were ever found. He spouted his love like a poet loud enough, so Will couldn't find a reason for Sanford to do it out of spite.
Will pulled free another letter in the woman's handwriting and nearly wanted to chuck it directly into the fire, but stopped, his heart clenching in his chest as he read who it was addressed to.
My Darling William
His lack of movement must have caught Beverly's attention, because she set aside the paper in her hand and looked carefully over Will.
"What is it?"
Will swallowed around the lump in his throat, shaking his head. "It's to me."
"From Elizabeth?" Beverly rose to her knees to scoot closer to the prince, looking over his shoulder to see the letter. Will gave a small nod. "Do you need me to read it?"
"I..." The paper began to tremble like a leaf in his grip and Beverly pulled it carefully from his hand. She leaned closer to the fire to better see.
"My Dearest William," Beverly read, keeping her voice low to not wake her father who was asleep in the next room. "Today is your first birthday, my sweet child. My heart aches with a longing that words cannot adequately convey."
Will rose to his feet, hands resting on his hips as he paced the small space in front of the fireplace. He had to keep moving or he was going to shake apart. He couldn't listen to the words of this stranger without a million emotions swirling through him, each one far too complicated to pin down.
"I perfectly remember the day you came into this world, my precious one. Your tiny fingers grasped mine, and your eyes, so full of wonder, met mine for the briefest of moments. In that fleeting instant, I felt an overwhelming love that consumed my very being. It was a love like no other, a love that I had never known before, and one that I will carry with me until my last breath."
The words turned his stomach. He had never heard his birth mentioned before by either the king or queen. He had never thought to question it before. He assumed that it was something that was never spoken of, but now that he could hear the love coming from those few written words, his heart was shattering. This is what it was meant to be like. This was what his life was supposed to be. There was someone there who had loved him all along and he just hadn't known.
Beverly's words continued to flow through the kitchen as Will's pacing kept a steady beat.
"I hope, with all my heart, that you are safe and surrounded by love and care. I long to hold you, to caress your soft cheeks, to sing you lullabies, and to watch you grow. Though I cannot be there with you physically, please know that every thought, every breath, every beat of my heart is dedicated to you."
Will's eyes closed tightly. He refused to cry again. He would not be weak any longer. The moment the words were done being spoken, the paper would be burned and his mother along with it. A woman he had never met, but somehow felt closer to in these last few moments than he ever had to Theophania.
"I want to make you a promise. A promise that I will always be here for you, even if it means loving you from afar. I will watch over you in spirit, guide you from the shadows, and protect you as best I can, as a mother should. I will wait patiently, my love, for the day when fate brings us back together."
Theophania had done her best. Will still did not have an explanation as to why Theophania had taken him as her own, but she had. She might not have been ideal, but she had been there. He could not fault the woman. He doubted he could ever understand raising another woman's child. A woman who was meant to be your best friend and who had been seeing your husband on the side. The letters had made it clear that Will had been unplanned and unwanted by everyone, save Elizabeth.
"As you take your first steps, say your first words, and embark on the incredible journey of life, know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers. I wish for you happiness, health, and the strength to face any challenges that may come your way. You are my greatest joy, my greatest treasure, and I will cherish you always. Happy first birthday, my dearest William. May your life be filled with love and wonder, and may the day come when we are reunited, and I can hold you close to my heart once more. With all my love, your mother, Eliza."
There was a loud exhale from Beverly and the paper was lowered into her lap. Will's steps slowed to a stop, and he stared into the fire until his eyes were burning with the heat of it.
"Burn it," he muttered thickly.
"Will, I think-"
"Nothing can remain." Will cleared his throat and brushed his curls back from his face. "Burn it, please."
The page was given over to the flames and swallowed whole. It crackled as it turned to ash. The last piece of Elizabeth de Bourgh turned to smoke to float away in the night sky, be taken across the ocean, maybe to space. Anywhere but here. She did not belong here.
"Are you going to bring this up with your father?"
"Not unless it becomes necessary." Will sat on the floor once more, beginning to dig through the extensive stack of papers again. "The less he knows that I know, the better the situation will be. He might only be keeping me around for this marriage, to secure his line. If he knows that I know, he might have me silenced before I can tell the court."
"Are you going to tell the court?" Beverly reached out, stilling Will's hands and bringing his attention to her instead of the papers.
Will shook his head. "No. The court will never know. The crown will be passed onto my cousin."
"You said that you didn't care if the crown went to Charl-"
"It is my crown," Will said tightly, voice harsher than he meant it to be. "It is my kingdom. It is my legacy. It is mine and no pompous French reprobate is going to take it from me."
"If Charles doesn't, Mason will."
"Not if I take care of him."
"Will." Beverly's grip tightened on him and there was a plea in her gaze. It dripped from her lips. "Please think this through. You don't have to-"
"I have thought it through Beverly." Will inhaled deeply and held the breath there in his lungs for a moment before letting it go. He squeezed Beverly's hands in return and placed a broken smile on his lips. "I have too many ideas and plans for the future to allow something like this to slow me down. Mason be damned."
"You're going to kill him."
It wasn't a question. It was a firm statement. It brought a genuine smile to Will's lips.
"After the wedding, when Margot is safe, I will take care of it."
"You are still going through with the wedding?"
"I cannot be king if I am not married to a queen," Will explained, pulling his hands free from Beverly and beginning to sift through the papers. "And if the secret does get out and my throne is given to Charles, I will still have Germany to rule."
"You sound like your father, Will."
Will paused at the concern in Beverly's voice, but he didn't look up from the papers. He nodded in understanding. "Perhaps it is time I stepped a bit more into his shoes. Does that scare you?"
"It worries me."
"You have nothing to fear. I promise you, Beverly, your life will be secure no matter the outcome of this situation. I will protect you."
"And who will protect you if someone decides you need to be taken care of?"
"I am done being protected. It is my turn to finally make something of myself. I refuse to sit back and let something this insignificant affect me."
"This is not insignificant, Will."
Will did his best to keep the anger from his voice as he pulled the final letter in the stack to him. He tipped his head to the side as he looked over the words, unreading.
"Beverly, I think it is time for you to decide as well. And there will be no ill will with your decision, but I need to know if you are going to support me. If not, then perhaps it is time for us to part ways."
There was a long moment of silence, only the crackling of the fire existed. It stretched on and on for an eternity and then a second eternity. So long that Will was almost certain he had lost Beverly in this war he was going to wage.
Finally, her voice broke the air around them, setting Will's blood ablaze.
"You will always have my support, Will. You are my best friend and I do not take that lightly."
Will nodded, lowering the unread letter into his lap.
"Thank you, Beverly. And I apologize for my behavior today. It was rude and unbecoming and I will do my best to not let it happen again."
The news of King Molson's passing did not surprise Will in the slightest. Margot had been correct in her estimate. It had been a little over a fortnight. Mason was going to be crowned in the next day or two according to tradition and then the first steps of their dance were going to take place.
The question that Will was waiting on to be answered was if there was still a wedding to be held after Mason was king. Would he allow the wedding to continue? Mason's plan did not need Margot married off to be a success, though Will could see how it would benefit him. If Mason was smart, and under all the twisted, he was, then he would use Margot as another bargaining chip.
He would use Margot to play on Will's emotions, keeping Will under the knife. Will would protect Margot, that much was already decided. It had been from the moment the arranged marriage was told to them. But Will refused to be taken advantage of. Mason would never touch Margot again and Will would make sure of it.
Until the answer was provided, Will was busy with helping plan the royal wedding. It seemed he was needed everywhere all at once and he was being pulled in every which way. They needed colors picked for the wedding, they needed the food decided on, they needed music and dances and if Will had to pick between two shades of white one more time he was going to scream.
His only reprieve was a letter being handed to him, which he swiftly excused himself to go read. He wound his way through the halls in a swift walk until he was away from the prying eyes of people and broke into a sprint until he was able to hide himself away in the library.
He sat in one of the chairs, a finger tracing the back of the carved bird before he tore at the wax seal on the envelope. He pulled the paper free and opened it, something light in his bones as he stared at Hannibal's handwriting.
He hoped that this letter was far more uplifting than the ones he had been reading lately. Hoped there was good news somewhere in the letters.
Dearest Will,
I have finally arrived in Spain. Our ship hit some unexpected storms, but we did make it through to the other side unscathed. That would be the reason for my slow response, but I must say that I was overjoyed to find your letter waiting for me on our arrival.
Thank you for the apologies. I hold no animosity towards the interaction. I do understand that my ways of conducting myself and business are convoluted at best. I do not often find myself needing to discuss the reasons behind my decisions as they were often only mine. I will be sure to rectify this in the future.
As for any further updates, I am to meet the king tomorrow and go over the treaty with him. In all honesty, I pray that the meeting is dull and concluded quickly so that I might return to you. I miss you so.
This distance is decidedly worse than when we were younger. Then I was uncertain of the events that would play out, but now that I know you are there waiting for me to return, the ache is substantial. I long to see your smile again.
I shall write to you again soon with news of our progress. Until then, know that my heart remains steadfastly loyal to you. I love you.
Yours always,
Hannibal
It was far shorter than Will had hoped for, but at least Hannibal was safe. And if they could get the treaty signed without issue, then hopefully Hannibal would be back home in a few weeks. He could only hope for such a thing.
He reread the letter several more times before hiding it back away in the envelope. He would write Hannibal back later that evening. For now, duty called, and it unfortunately was calling with the decision of roses or marigolds.
Will left the library and was heading back towards the main hall when the sight of his father speaking with Jack caught his attention. He stopped at the end of the hall, just watching as the two wandered the hall, deep in conversation.
Will did his best to bite back the anger that filled his blood at seeing his father. The scars littered across his body stung brightly with old lies. Old secrets kept from him. They were just as fresh as if they had just occurred and Will had to wipe at his cheek to make sure that it hadn't started bleeding again.
"You want us to go after Mason?" Jack's voice asked, barely able to carry down the hall. Will hesitantly stepped closer as they disappeared. "I am not saying that I wouldn't enjoy the opportunity if it arose."
"The Verger bastard has been playing his game for long enough," Sanford grumbled. Will glanced around the corner of the wall and watched them carefully, waiting for their next moves before he followed them. "He will have passed the information onto his son. Once that animal is crowned we are done for. He will not rule with the same grace and leniency Molson did. I cannot risk my crown for the brute."
"I thought that was the reason you said yes to the commander's suggestion." Jack sounded just as confused as Will felt. "Once the prince is married-"
"Mason will only continue to extort my kingdom and it will carry on for generations to follow if we do not end his line and put one of our own heirs on the throne."
"Then we must wait until the wedding and then we remove Mason from the throne."
"And my son will rule both kingdoms."
Will rounded the corner now that their voices were beginning to fade.
"He is not legit-"
"Once he is married to that wearisome princess, then it will not matter who his mother was. He will be as good as legitimate."
Jack gave a sigh and stopped walking, causing Will to freeze in his step. His heart pounded in his chest and he held his breath in fear of it being heard. Both men kept their back to him, but he dared not move an inch.
"And has the prince been informed that he is not-"
"Why on earth would I tell the brat something like that?" Sanford demanded, voice so suddenly loud it caused Will to jump and stare hard at the two men. "I would no sooner tell him how inadequate Theophania was at providing an heir than I would that I am proud of him. He would clean the floor she walked with his tongue if she asked. He would never believe the truth. Nor does he need to know. His resolve is shaky at best. I will lose everything if he so much as suspects that he is not in the line of succession."
"The secret remains then?" Jack asked, no indication of his feelings in the words. He was simply a man doing his job.
"As it has for the last eighteen years."
"Will he not suspect that we killed Mason?"
Sanford gave a deep sigh. "He is far too occupied with wedding planning and that is how we are going to keep him. Also, send for the commander. He should be finalizing that treaty by now and we have work to do. I need his hand in this."
Will exhaled slowly, taking a step backwards.
"I will see that he is returned here as swiftly as possible," Jack assured.
Will rounded the corner and pressed his back to it just as he heard Jack's footsteps returning up the hallway. His eyes closed. His mind was tumbling over the new information and Beverly's words. Maybe he was becoming his father. They both had the same idea, the same reasoning behind it. Only now Will had another item to add to his list of things to accomplish and if the man wasn't careful, then his name would be moved to the very top of said list.
"You would be wise to work on your stealth if you are going to listen in on conversations you are not privy to." Will jumped at the voice and his eyes shot open to look up into Jack's face. "How much did you hear?"
"Nothing that I didn't already know," Will answered in just as low a voice as Jack's. "Save for not knowing that Theophania was infertile."
"I think that we have many things to speak of Your Highness. Walk with me." Jack started down the hall and Will's feet stumbled as he tried to catch up with the soldier. "How long have you known?"
"A week. Since I left with Beverly."
"And how did you happen upon this information?"
Will weighed his answer for quite a spell before he ran into the back of Jack who had stopped and was looking down on the prince with raised brows.
"Mason." That was the truth, though not the entirety of it. He couldn't very well admit that he went to the Lecter estate without putting Hannibal in danger. If Hannibal were willing to go through all of this to make sure that Will still had a stake in the throne, then the very least Will could do was protect him. "He mentioned Elizabeth's name and that she was close to my father."
"Bastard." It was hissed through teeth as Jack started walking once more and Will trailed after him.
"Then when I went to visit Beverly's mother, she told me about Elizabeth being my father's mistress and my mother."
"I see." Jack rubbed his chin in thought. They turned down another corridor, one that Will didn't often travel down. It was some back servant's hall that made sure they could move around the castle efficiently without being in the way. It was as private as they could be without stopping their walk. "Then you know what they did when you were born."
"It's a little fuzzy around the edges," Will said with a shrug. "But I think I have the general idea. Theophania couldn't have a child. Elizabeth ended up being pregnant with me. I was born and she was banished and raised as the crowned prince."
"It was a clever plan between the three of them." Jack nodded in agreement. "I don't think that Elizabeth and Sanford were expecting Theophania to become jealous in the process. Sandford wasn't meant to fall in love with Elizabeth, but the moment Theophania realized it, she threw Elizabeth out."
"Elizabeth wasn't supposed to leave?" Will questioned, passing through a door that Jack held open for him.
Will glanced around at the servant's quarters. It was decently well furnished. Humble, but as pleasant as Beverly's home had been. There was a small dining table with two chairs and a bed neatly made. A desk was also shoved into the room and in a chair by the window sat a reading Bella. She had looked up when they entered the room.
"Your Highness." She got to her feet and gave a small bow and Will tipped his head to the side. "What can I do for you?"
"He knows, Bella." Jack gave a deep sigh and stepped around Will to give his wife a kiss. "We're discussing the best course of action going forward."
Bella's eyes widened and she looked Will up and down carefully. "Oh, darling." She stepped over to Will, holding her arms open and pulling Will into a hug. Will melted into it, something so home like in the grip. Was this what it felt like to be held by a mother? "We will figure this out together. I promise you that."
"You knew too?"
"Yes, dear." She broke the hug and pulled Will to the bed, where she sat him on the edge of it. "I was friends with your mother, Theophania and Margaret once they moved here. They were quite the rambunctious group and I found that their energy was far more intriguing than the other women in the court." Bella gave a small laugh and held Will's hands tightly.
"Elizabeth was never supposed to be banished, was she?" Will asked, looking between Bella and Jack. Jack shook his head and Bella squeezed his hands.
"No. She was not. She was going to help take care of you like Alana did," Bella explained softly.
"She went to the Vergers after she was banished, didn't she? That's how Mason knew." Will looked to Jack who again nodded.
"She had a cousin of some sort in their court who she thought could help her as far as I am aware. We're not sure how Molson learned of the situation, but once he did, everything became much harder on Sanford. That was why Sandford implemented Count Giuliano Lecter as a negotiator to handle everything between the two kingdoms. Lecter had ties to both kingdoms and had quite a magnificent way with words and ideas. He kept Molson happy while making sure that your father was still able to rule his kingdom the way he wanted."
Will's brow furrowed and his chest ached as another rey of light lit up. Will didn't have the proof behind it, but he doubted he would need to have any to be correct.
"Molson Verger killed Hannibal's family," he said, eyes wide.