“But prince, you cannot go to fish in the ocean! Even the queen has prohibited that! You know very well that you are the heir to the throne and now that the king is quite ill, the queen will go into a fit if she realizes that you went into the deep sea especially with a coming storm.”
                “Well, she doesn’t have to know,” the prince said with a huge smile. “Just tell her I went gardening or something. Don’t let her know I went to sea.”
                “But my prince….”
                “No buts Salina. Just do as I tell you.”
                “If anything happens to you, you do realize I will be liable?”
                “Salina, Salina, Salina, how long have I been out in these waters? Ever since I was a toddler!! What makes you think anything will happen to me now? Come on, I’ll be back in two hours, safe and sound. I promise you.”
Salina frowned deeply, clearly not pleased with the situation. The queen had given her very strict orders not to let prince Williams out of her sight. It was clear that the king’s death was lurking in the shadows and the whole kingdom was waiting for the death announcement anytime now. Because William was the heir apparent, he was to be watched over around the clock. Salina was his maid and she loved him to death. She thought it was her little secret but what she did not know was that William knew of it and it amused him.
Prince William went towards the stables for his horse, trying to be as discreet as possible. He found treble, his horse, as majestic as ever. Treble was a strong, big, black horse and the only word that truly summed her up was beautiful. It was truly amazing how such a strong animal could be mild and obedient to its owner- Williams- though it was worth noting that William would have done anything and everything for his horse.  He patted the horse lovingly as he led it out of the stable and felt the adrenaline rushing.
He missed his civilian friends, Richard and Henry, and he would pass by their place so that they could leave for the sea together. It had been a while.
The first thing he noticed when he got to their place was the loud music and he knew without a doubt that they were partying, again. Of late it seemed like partying was the only thing these two really did. He went in without knocking.
He saw people merrymaking, pretty girls who were barely in their teens and older men with huge beer bellies. Suddenly one of the girls noticed him and immediately went down on her knees.
“Look whose here!” she shouted. “The prince himself. Oh My God!”
A hush fell in the room and William cursed silently. Damn the little girl. He looked around and everyone was staring at him. He threw his hands in the air. “What the hell are you staring at?” he growled, trying to look mean. “Go on with the party. Time to have some fun, no? Don’t let my presence spoil the mood.”
The little crowd cheered, with a few whistles renting the air. People liked William and everyone said how he was a good guy. He would make a good king, they all agreed. Unlike his father, William II, or his younger brothers. The guys went back to merry making. One older woman who looked to be in her thirties winked at him and smiled, showing a row of black decayed teeth. She adjusted her cosset invitingly and pushed her breasts even higher. William smiled back at her, but only out of politeness and looked the other way.
If the queen saw him here now with such company she would get into a crazy frenzy.
His two friends finally emerged, both adjusting their clothes. They came close to him and stood still, saluting in the process.
“Oh please cut the bull,” William said and they burst into laughter.
“It’s been ages man.” Richard Said.
“Shhhhh, don’t be disrespectful. It’s not man, its King. King William III.” Henry said heartily, and again they burst into laughter. After the laughter had died down, William looked at them suspiciously.
“Don’t tell me you two were at it again?”
“Were at what again?” Henry asked with feigned ignorance.
“Oh come on you know what I’m talking about. Why are both of you coming from the same room? Were you having a threesome? What horrible men you two are! Rah, let’s not even talk about it. We are going to sea. Carry your fishing stuff.” He adjusted his dagger and sword and went outside.
“But there is a coming storm.” Richard called after him with a surprised voice. William ignored him.
Henry and Richard looked at each other, shrugged and went to carry their fishing apparatus.
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Tbc……..