Heart Over Sword
Chapter 177: [Bonus - ] Politics: Part One

Chapter 177: [Bonus Chapter] Politics: Part One

Make it up to her? Please. Evanna scoffed. Conrad humiliated her for years, and then as though to throw dirt in her face, he insulted her ’behind her back’.

"You were one of my closest friends, and you betrayed me. Granted, I did not have many but.. You knew all there was to know about me. I.." Evanna stopped and chuckled at herself, but it stopped short as a slight movement caught her attention once more in the area of the woods she noted earlier. The Princess walked closer to it narrowing her eyes slightly. The shadow had disappeared, but her sixth sense still alerted her to something lurking in those trees. Its quietness was unnerving.

All this talk between them was a distraction and one that could be used to the threat’s advantage. But it hadn’t taken it. Evanna sighed, her gaze fixated on the area as she ignored the presence of the large man behind her. She had not thought of what transpired between them for so long, and now all she felt was anger towards him. She was no longer hurt by his words; instead, she’d gained strength through them. To not trust so easily.

"I stayed by your side even when I feared your magic," She finished quietly, still keeping her back to him. "And you continued in your acts of debauchery, and not just in front of me but other nobles and my father.

I.." She blinked and calmed her voice again. "I still do not understand any of it. I thought you were wiser than that-"

"Let me explain, Evanna. Please," Conrad interrupted and stepped towards her slowly.

Evanna’s lips curled up, and she rubbed her temples in disbelief. "What is there to explain?" She turned around and faced him, ignoring the niggling chill coating her back and putting the hair on her nape on end. "You knew I was there that night and still said such hurtful words. You wanted the engagement cancelled." She held a gloved hand up to stop him from interrupting.

"There is nothing more to it. Do not deem me a fool; I followed through and did what we both wanted. But now, I am at a loss. Why are you trying to make amends? I can only fathom that you need my hand for an alliance and nothing more. We do not need to be friends for that to go ahead." Though, Evanna was not going to give the Prince a chance.

This, Evanna understood. By having the Princess of Dunhurst as his wife, it would provide Conrad with more power. Conrad had been in more battles since their engagement was called off. There was more unrest in the north, rumours circulating that the Crown Prince and Demon Prince frequently fought with and without their swords raised.

King Horik was now unable to keep Conrad under his control. Evanna heard through these whispers that Conrad overthrew another kingdom without his father’s permission, and the Prince now ruled over it, not the King. Though that rumour was quickly replaced with another, that it was King Horik’s idea all along. She knew better, though.

"Evanna.. I did not wish for our engagement to be cancelled.. but it HAD to be cancelled. For your safety. Arvid.. That bastard-"

"Watch your words," Evanna interrupted icily.

Conrad frowned but looked at her apologetically. "I did not mean it. It was a slip of the tongue, an insult towards my despicable brother-"

"If you wish to reconcile even a shred of our friendship, maybe you should consider using better insults." Evanna brushed past him, ignoring both the Prince and whatever was in the woods. The Princess had a feeling that it wouldn’t attack them anytime soon. Maybe Conrad’s presence was enough to keep it away. At least there was some use to him after all.

Evanna slumped down to the ground in a not so graceful manner, though more elegant still than most. She rested her hands on the ground, extending her legs, her boots stopping just before the cliff’s edge. "I doubt you will let this go until I have listened to you, and seeing as I am now your prisoner, I do wish to have a decent night’s sleep before our travel back to Dunhurst. Continue." Evanna waved him on while watching the sun’s rays trying to filter through the thick forest below.

"Arvid had his own spies in Dunhurst palace. His own assassins set to kill you and Lady Loraven.."

Assassins. Evanna rolled her eyes.

"What would Arvid’s end goal be from killing us? Surely that would just invoke a war between the two kingdoms? Did he not wish for peace like your father?" Evanna asked though she knew if Dunhurst was not as powerful as it was, then King Horik might have waged war against them a long time ago. The two kings may be old friends, but she could always see the greed twinkling in Horik’s eyes. He would, without any hesitation, take Dunhurst if it was possible. Instead, he settled for the alliance.

Conrad walked a few paces and stood to her left. Unlike Baldwin, who was fearful of the cliff, the Prince was at the edge, looking across the land like he owned it. It annoyed her. Evanna shifted slightly but refrained from scooting away from him. She wasn’t that childish, and she was intrigued with what Conrad might say.

Evanna knew Arvid was anything but the angelic persona he showed to the courts, but those who knew him well tried to stay clear of him or feel his wrath. The Princess didn’t know all the specifics, but she knew Arvid tormented Conrad when they were younger, and he enjoyed torturing people. It was some sick and twisted perversion of his.

To hear Arvid had assassins ready to kill them created mixed feelings. Evanna was both shocked and not so by the comment. She was still trying to put the puzzle pieces together. How cancelling the engagement would help.

"Arvid was adamant from the start that he had to be the one to marry and ally the two kingdoms. We both know he was meant to marry your sister. But.." Conrad looked down at her and smirked before rubbing the stubble on his jaw and flicking his gaze back on the setting sun. "My father liked you."

"Yes. So.. What happened? Arvid wanted to kill us.. He was threatening you with our lives, was that it?" Evanna questioned, urging Conrad to get to the point. Conrad knew she’d lived her life almost always being targeted, so this news did not faze her. The Princess was also growing impatient with the orange and purple hues of the sky, revealing the soon to be darkened skies. She wanted to use the cover of night, but something told her she would not be escaping yet.

"I needed you to be taken off the board. From his radar. My power was growing, and Arvid became paranoid that I would take his spot." Conrad chuckled to himself, his hands going to his hips, keeping his cloak swept back behind him. "Although I was always looked down on for .. my differences, Arvid was still scared that the throne might not be his."

Evanna shifted slightly and hugged her knees to her chest as her gaze fell on the Prince, whose golden eyes were growing distant with his deepening thoughts. "So.. I was a weakness," She stated simply. "It made sense. Of course, I do not agree with any of it; you could have told me from the start instead of.. well.. was it all acting?"

"Yes! I was acting, Evanna! Of course, I was!" He stomped his large, booted feet towards her, stopping just before her boots and squatting down, so they were nearly eye level. His hand instinctively stretched out towards her face and then dropped. "I didn’t mean anything I said that night, and all the women meant nothing to me. They were a means to an end. I had to get our engagement cancelled so he would back away-"

"And now.." Evanna began as her eyes flicked between his. "What has changed?"

Conrad looked away briefly, then when his gaze locked with hers again, she almost fell back from the fierceness behind his eyes. There was ambition and power. He gave up any chance between them for a reason, and he was about to tell her.

"My power surpasses Arvid’s, and my influence is almost greater than Horik’s. I need someone strong and intelligent by my side.."

Evanna’s breath caught. There was a dangerous glint to his eyes and in the manner, he was speaking.

"You want to usurp the throne."