Heart Over Sword
Chapter 173: The Ball: Part Two

Chapter 173: The Ball: Part Two

Evanna did not wish to witness Conrad’s lack of respect for her. She lost her composure the moment he stopped in front of a beautiful brunette who looked up at him through her lashes, her eyes shining brightly. The Princess’s palm had twitched with the desire to slap him in front of everyone, to shame him as he did her so arrogantly at her ball. But she pushed down the desire, letting her anger fester in her chest instead while working on her next course of action. But to think rationally right now was impossible with being so close to her betrothed.

Betrothed. Ha! The word tasted like a sour grape in her mouth while she fought to keep her composure, walking as elegantly as possible out of the Great Hall. She was saving face for now, but any who were near the northern Prince and might see her leave would deem her weak for running away. Weak.. It was better for all that she left for some fresh air.

"I wish Ger was here," Evanna whispered to herself as her steps slowed down to the King’s garden. The guards stepped forward to stop her from entering until they saw it was his daughter, and they stepped aside.

Evanna did not go there very often. Unlike her garden and the others in the palace, the King’s was left unattended a lot, with plants on the verge of dying with their colours dull and shrivelled up. Though the only part in the garden that held the bright orange flowers of a type of hyacinth bloomed in a pot in front of a memorial statue of the previous King, her uncle, who died too young. She did not visit much because of the decaying of the plants and the sadness that seemed to cling to the walls. But the Princess knew she would get the solitude she desired.

Evanna stopped in front of the statue, her hands clasped together in front of her. Although she could feel the deathly energy of the plants, she was still content to stand and calm her raging thoughts. She stared at the engraved drawing of the young face of the previous King and let her thoughts wonder how her uncle would react. She never met him; he died before she was born but was told that he was a wise man loved by all.

"I know many do not have the luxury of marrying a man who is of similar age," Evanna said quietly as she looked down, embarrassed to be speaking to moulded stone. "Conrad is handsome, young, strong and has been, up until the last few years, a companion I sought for delightful conversation." She began to pace in front of it, noting the grass had been stepped on many times before. "But am I too greedy in wanting something more?" The Princess stopped and stared at the face, waiting like a child for it to speak back and tell her exactly what she needed to do.

It was foolish, she knew, but it was better she spoke to stone than making a scene in the hall for all to see. Evanna’s reputation was already somewhat of a peculiar nature, especially since she picked up a sword, but she was still one to be careful. It was not just about her reputation but that of a Hatherland Prince.

"It is rather humorous that a man can take anyone to his bed without ridicule, yet a woman cannot so much as slap said man without being scorned."

"Such is society, my dear."

Evanna spun around and stared at King Osian. Her father’s gaze was looking above her, then lowered back to her features, his eyes softening. "I did not expect you to turn to Selvin for help," Osian chuckled though he did not smile. Selvin, his older brother, the late King, was said to have been close to her father, and she knew in moments like this that Osian missed him.

"You have praised him a lot, father. I am merely seeking his counsel." Evanna turned and looked at Osian’s brother, seeing some resemblance in their features and in her own.

"This decision is yours alone, Evanna. I wish to keep the alliance for the sake of our people, but.." Evanna looked back and watched as Osian stared at Selvin’s statue, his brows scrunched together and his eyes sorrowful. He shook his head, making the crown above his brow slide lower slightly, trapping his loose hairs to the side of his face. "Conrad is a good man. I will have a word with him."

"No." Evanna stepped forwards and placed her hand above his. "I am not a child in need of her father’s help trying to keep a man’s attention away from other women. I will speak with him. I have stayed quiet for too long and.."

Osian pulled her into a hug, pausing her from saying any further as he stroked her back in circles like he used to when she was upset as a child. "It is not like you," He finished. "Conrad must know this as well."

Evanna clung to his back, unaware of just how much she needed someone to keep her upright and put strength back into her body. "I just needed to gather my thoughts first," She mumbled into his chest before stepping back and straightening her shoulders.

Osian bowed his head but did not move from his spot across from his brother. Evanna looked back at the statue, then turned away, stopping once more when she was by the doors and watched as her father stroked the petals of the orange flowers, his face grave as he too started to speak to Selvin. Evanna continued down the corridor, following the candlelight back to the Great Hall; she needed to speak with Conrad, but she could not find him upon arriving. The Princess could not leave, though, until she greeted a few nobles and retreated once more after the limelight was on her sister.