Flashback: Appealing at Any Age

The moment he heard the insult, Prince William's eyes narrowed with anger. The two older boys immediately sensed a weak spot in his armour.

Russ gave a mocking laugh. "What? You don't appreciate being called girly, even when you're prettier than most of the actual girls in this court? Don't you worry, my lovely. I can easily fix that! A broken nose will help you look a little uglier."

"You won't hit me." William snorted.

"Really? And why not?"

"Partly because of who I am and partly because I can hit back. Hard." The prince's response was infuriatingly calm.

Camilla wanted to whisper to William that he should probably shut his overconfident mouth and stop baiting the others. There was only one of him against two big, strong lads. How could he not end up on the losing side?

Russ smirked at William. "Really? And who might you be? The bastard son of some minor lord?"