Bruce let out a laugh and completed his thought.
- Besides, I'd never marry knowing there's so many beautiful women in the world. That's your job, my brother, so good luck making the MacCalister house prosper!
I laughed laughing, finding your words funny, and I shrugged my shoulders.
- One day, you'll swallow your words. A young woman will still bewitch her heart and mind in such a way that her life will belong to her alone. Just like my brother, who thinks exactly like you.
- Only your brother and I think this way, Your Highness? - ...returned him in a debauched tone. - As far as I know, until you made the battlefield your wedding bed and declared your sword, your bride, was acting just like us. You think I don't know about your dates with Rose in the bathroom? You broke the poor woman's heart, I heard.
I turned my eyes when I heard the name of one of the maids at the castle.
Until I took the head of the army in place of my father, like Alec, I thought only of taking advantage of my life as long as I could. Rose lived in the village and was my greatest companion of fun since she was a child. She became a beautiful woman and my first lover. When he went to work in the castle as a kitchen assistant with his mother, sister and an aunt, we met at the bathhouse and stayed practically the whole night. I always made it clear to Rose that I wanted nothing more than fun and she was never against it. Some time ago I realized she'd changed her mind and I decided to back off. My father would never approve of it, even because of his broad ambition.
- I didn't break Rose's heart at all. - I answered in my defense. Then I shook the reins so that the horse would finish going down the trail and reach the plain. - She knew from the beginning that I was a prince in search of fun. I've never deluded her with promises of love.
- Yeah. Yeah. - he replied in a debauched manner.
- It's the truest truth! - I answered dry. - Rose's problem is that she's always been very ambitious and cunning, so I walked away. Besides, you weren't the only one sharing your bed, were you?
Bruce rolled his eyes over, shrugging his shoulders. He had also slept with her a few nights, besides my brother Alec. We did not have the habit of sharing a woman, but Rose began to insinuate herself to each one of us and no one became a badass.
- How cruel you are, my dear!
- Cruel? I would never be cruel to a lady!
- Lady? The way you talk about Rose, she's more like a whore.
- And what's a whore if not a lady in four walls or whatever suits her best?
Bruce had a laugh.
- I'll agree just because it makes sense.
I laughed accordingly. We reached the campina and then set off, passing through the village towards the entrance bridge to the courtyard of Dunhill Castle. It was easy to get there passing through the mountains, but only we knew that way.
- Wow! Looks like we're having a party! - said Bruce as he dismantled his black stallion, Odin. - That's perfect, yeah, I'm starving!
I disassembled from Sovereign to laughter. My cousin lived hungry as if he'd never tasted food in his life. He'd eat like a horse whatever was on his table. I didn't know how he hadn't become a fat gnome.
- You're right! You're right! - said frowning. - Is it someone's birthday I forgot about?
- Or, they're just happy with our return. - he speculated.
- Hmm! Knowing my father as I do, I doubt that's the real reason. - I whispered.
We walked into the castle passing through countless vassals that cut our way, hurried with some task. They stopped just to greet us and headed for their destination.
- Oh, my goodness! Aunt Lowenna was so capricious in her welcome. - Bruce said by rubbing one hand on the other. - I can hardly imagine the size of the supper.
- Bruce, you only have size, you know that? - I grumbled. - All you need is a plate of food to make you happy.
- Exactly! - he responded by raising his index finger. - That's the reason I eat so much.
I shook my head turning my eyes and walked down the hall looking for my father. He was supposed to be in the throne room, but it was empty. Other vassals greeted us, as did Rose, who blinked boldly at me. Sighing, I shook my head from side to side as a sign of disapproval and continued on my way.
- I wonder where he is. - I whispered out of the great hall that was being prepared for a huge banquet.
- Well, he's in the main hall and he's waiting for you!
My mother's soft voice sounded behind me and echoed down the hall. She approached us with one of her friendly smiles and embraced us one at a time.
- My children!
