Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne

#Chapter 32 a wavering village

William POV

Alec had a habit of always sleeping during these meetings. His crib was set up close to William's chair and no one was allowed to disturb him unless they wanted to be kicked from the room.
William was impressed that he never woke even when the meetings got a little tense and loud, if only he could sleep that deep when his mind wouldn't rest.

"Where are they?" William asked his guards.

They looked at each other and offered a small shrug before they turned back to their king. "We haven't seen them, your majesty. This morning they went to the villages but they haven't returned."

William curled his hands into fists under the table. It wasn't the first time the rulers had showed up late or tried to show some sort of sign that they were the ones in control. He knew they did this on purpose despite the way they always tried to act like it was an accident.

It was enough to make him want to throw them and their smug faces back to their kingdom, but what intrigued him more was their business in his village. They were rulers of another kingdom, it wasn't common to want to check out another village unless they had a reason to.

"Prepare my horse, I'd like to see what kept them in my village." William said as he stood. He gathered Alec in his arms and went to take him to Doris before he left. If only he could remain unseen to the villagers, he didn't want to cause a scene.

Doris was asleep on the bed. William laid a sleeping Alec on the bed beside her and kissed both of their heads before he left. It was good she was getting sleep,

worries. He grabbed his most drab coat and glanced back once more before he left. The guards had set up his horse along with four others to follow him. William pulled himself up on his black steed and held up his hand. "Not

asked without a comment. They knew better than to question him

village at a steady pace. The last thing he wanted was to scare off his villagers or make them think that there

The streets were crowded and filled with conversation. Dozens of people wandered in and out of stores and didn't seem to have time to observe their surroundings. William stopped

pulled his hood up the shield his face. " Yes. Don't

like he was one of them. His clothes were fancier,

scent of the rulers instantly. They were like a rotted orange he could sniff out anywhere since he had spent weeks in meetings and lunches with them. They wouldn't be able to hide

could only hope that they wouldn't

to the middle of town. The gloomy sky promised rain and made his shadow follow him across the streets. His guards tried to hide their attire with their own cloaks and walked the streets as if they were one of them— William was only glad that the town was busy otherwise he knew that

laughing with members of the village as if they were part of the crowd. He didn't know why that

amoment. The music

one of the villagers