Chapter 43
A Friend in High Places
About an hour had passed since the cake incident, and Caspian was feeling remarkably content.
Caroline was on his arm, still glowing from their shared desserts and the look on Percival's face when Caspian had appeared beside him. The evening had been enjoyable so far—seeing Caroline's family, watching her spend time with her cousin, and then simply being together.
But there was one obligation he still needed to fulfill.
"We should greet Prince Alexandros properly," Caspian said quietly to Caroline. "Wish him a happy birthday."
Caroline nodded, smoothing her skirts. "Of course. I'd like to meet him."
They made their way through the ballroom toward the raised dais where the royal family held court.
King Edric and Queen Marguerite sat in elegant chairs, receiving well-wishers with practiced grace.
And standing beside them, laughing at something a nobleman had said, was Crown Prince Alexandros Vaelindor.
Alex was twenty-four now—two years younger than Caspian—and looked every inch the future king.
Dark hair swept back from a handsome face, warm hazel eyes that seemed to take in everything, tall and broad-shouldered with the athletic build of a warrior who actually trained rather than just posturing.
His smile was genuine and charismatic, drawing people to him naturally.
He was everything a crown prince should be: approachable yet commanding, friendly yet regal.
And he was one of the few people in the kingdom who had never been afraid of Caspian.
As Caspian and Caroline approached, Alex's eyes swept over the crowd and landed on them. His face lit up immediately.
"The Butcher of the North!" Alex called out, his voice warm with genuine pleasure. "You actually came! I was beginning to think my invitation would be declined."
Several nearby nobles turned to stare, but Alex was already stepping down from the dais to greet them properly.
"Your Highness," Caspian said, bowing respectfully. "Happy birthday."
"Oh, stop with the formality," Alex said, waving a hand dismissively. Then his gaze landed on Caroline, and his expression warmed with genuine interest. "And this must be the famous Duchess who accomplished the impossible. The reports didn't do you justice, my lady."
Caspian felt Caroline stiffen slightly beside him, but when he glanced at her, she was blushing rather than offended.
"Prince Alexandros," Caspian said formally, "may I present my wife, Duchess Caroline Vanthorn."
Alex took Caroline's hand and bowed over it with perfect courtly grace. "My lady, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you in person. I've heard remarkable things about the transformation at Frostholme. You must tell me—how did you win over my notoriously stoic battle brother?"
Caroline's blush deepened. "I... I just was myself, Your Highness?"
Alex laughed—a warm, genuine sound that made several nobles smile despite themselves. "I like her already." He looked at Caspian with a grin. "You're a lucky man, my friend."
"I'm aware," Caspian said dryly.
"Come," Alex said, gesturing toward the dais. "You must meet my parents properly. They've been curious about the duchess who captured the Butcher's heart."
He led them to where King Edric and Queen Marguerite sat.
King Edric Vaelindor was in his late fifties, with silver threading through his dark hair and the kind of face that inspired both respect and trust. He had the bearing of a man who had ruled wisely for decades.
Queen Marguerite was a few years younger, graceful and elegant in deep blue silk, her kind eyes taking in Caroline with genuine warmth.
"Your Majesties," Caspian said, bowing deeply. Caroline curtsied beside him.
"Duke Vanthorn," King Edric said, his voice dignified but warm. "It is good to see you away from the borders for once. You guard our kingdom well."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Caspian replied.
"And this must be your duchess," Queen Marguerite said, her eyes on Caroline. "We've heard much about you, my dear. The change in Duke Vanthorn has been... remarkable."
Caroline blushed again. "Your Majesty is too kind."
"Not at all," the Queen said gently. "It does our hearts good to see those who serve the kingdom find happiness as well. You are very welcome at court, Duchess."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Caroline said softly.
King Edric nodded approvingly. "We hope to see more of you both in the capital. It's important that our defenders know they have the Crown's support and friendship."
"We are grateful, Your Majesty," Caspian said.
After a few more pleasantries, Alex drew them aside, allowing other nobles to approach the King and Queen.
"You really did it," Alex said, his voice quieter now, more personal. "You actually found happiness."
Caspian glanced at Caroline, who was looking around the ballroom with interest, and felt warmth spread through his chest. "I did."
"I'm glad," Alex said seriously. "Truly. You've spent years fighting for this kingdom, sacrificing everything to keep the borders safe. You deserve to find someone who sees you for who you really are, not just the reputation."
"Caroline does," Caspian said simply. "She sees me."
Alex smiled. "I can tell. The way you look at her—I've never seen you like this. Relaxed. Content." He clapped Caspian on the shoulder. "It's good to see, my friend. Very good."
"Thank you, Alex."
"And the duchess," Alex continued, glancing at Caroline with approval. "She's lovely. Genuine. Not at all what I expected given the rumors about her before."
"She changed," Caspian said. "We both did."
"Love does that," Alex said. "Changes people for the better." He grinned. "Though I have to admit, watching you chase off Earl Sinclair from your table earlier was highly entertaining. Half the ballroom was watching."
Caspian raised an eyebrow. "You saw that?"
"Everyone saw that," Alex said, laughing. "The look on Sinclair's face when you appeared beside him? Priceless. I thought he might actually faint."
"He was bothering my wife," Caspian said flatly.
"And you dealt with it perfectly," Alex agreed. "No violence, no scene. Just your presence and that look you get. Masterful."
Caroline turned back to them at that moment, having finished admiring a nearby tapestry. "What are you two talking about?"
"Your husband's intimidation tactics," Alex said cheerfully.
"Oh, those," Caroline said, smiling up at Caspian. "They're very effective. Though he's much less intimidating once you get to know him."
"Is he now?" Alex asked, clearly delighted.
"Very gentle, actually," Caroline continued. "Brings me cake without being asked. Tolerates my growing collection of unusual pets. Even sits through shopping trips without complaining."
"Shopping trips?" Alex looked at Caspian with mock horror. "She’s completely domesticated you."
"Happily," Caspian said without shame.
Alex laughed again. "This is wonderful. Truly wonderful." His expression softened. "Caspian, I meant what I said. I'm happy for you. Seeing you like this—happy, at peace, with someone who clearly adores you—it's everything I could have hoped for my battle brother."
Caspian felt his throat tighten slightly with unexpected emotion. Alex was one of the few people who knew what those years on the border had cost. What it meant to be called "The Butcher" when all you were doing was protecting your home.
"Thank you," Caspian said quietly. "That means a great deal."
"You've earned this happiness," Alex said firmly. "Don't ever forget that. You've given years of your life to protect this kingdom. You deserve every moment of joy you can find."
Caroline's hand slipped into Caspian's, squeezing gently.
"I won't forget," Caspian promised.
Alex smiled. "Good. Now, I should return to my other guests before my mother gives me that look. But we should speak more later. I want to hear about your northern estates, the border situation—and I definitely want more stories about how the Duchess tamed the legendary Butcher of the North."
"There are no such stories," Caspian said.
"Liar," Alex said cheerfully. "I'll get them out of the Duchess instead."
Caroline laughed. "I have plenty of stories, Your Highness."
"Excellent!" Alex bowed to them both. "Enjoy the celebration. And Duchess Caroline—welcome to court. I have a feeling we're going to be great friends."
He returned to the dais, already greeting the next group of nobles with that same warm charisma.
Caspian and Caroline stood together, watching him go.
"I like him," Caroline said softly. "He's kind. Genuine."
"He is," Caspian agreed. "He's a good man. He'll be a good king someday."
"And he's your friend," Caroline observed.
"One of my few," Caspian admitted. "We fought together on the border campaigns for years. He's seen me at my worst and never flinched."
Caroline squeezed his hand again. "He sees what I see. A good man doing what needs to be done."
Caspian looked down at her, at the woman who had somehow become his entire world, and felt that now-familiar warmth spread through him.
"Come," he said. "Let's enjoy the rest of the evening."
"More cake?" Caroline asked hopefully.
Caspian smiled. "If you'd like."
"I always like cake," Caroline said.
And as they made their way back through the ballroom, Caspian caught Alex's eye across the room. The prince raised his glass in a silent toast, his expression knowing and pleased.
Caspian returned the gesture.
Yes, he thought. He was lucky indeed.