15 July, 1353. Port Canfirth Palace, Moraigth
William sat next to his father at the royal high table, only half listening to the conversation between Prince Johan and King Kenneth. He listened hard enough to know the moments when he should be nodding appropriately, but no more.
The atmosphere at the table was tense.
Everyone knew the bond between the king and queen was frosty, due to the queen having given birth a couple of months ago to a daughter who had not lived. King Kenneth's lack of a son was a topic no one dared discuss openly but it hung heavy in the air.
Then again, William reasoned, my father has a child and I'm a boy. Yet he's not happy either. Why do adults think their future happiness hinges on their children? It doesn't make any sense at all.
