Heart Over Sword-Chapter 165: A Father’s Love (2)

Osian watched Evanna after delivering the news of the Prince’s delayed arrival until winter. The only telltale sign that Evanna was saddened by the news was her wandering gaze towards the window as though she was waiting for him. The King never expected a friendship to grow between the pair after their first encounter ended with the pair nearly fighting; alas, it seemed studying together in the library brought them together in unexpected ways.

Now, as he watched Evanna, he was disturbed greatly by how quickly the princess was getting better at hiding her emotions. The gentle smile now on her face was practised for court life, but he had seen her smile much brighter with child-like glee.

Unfortunately, the life of a royal cut short a child’s playful years due to the scrutiny from those older looking to exploit any weaknesses found in a royal. As his life was planned out for him, his family’s will also be planned out, bound by duty of the throne and of the kingdom. The Princes and princesses were all under scrutiny, Evanna more so, though those who speak ill of her would never speak so boldly in front of him lest they want their heads removed from their shoulders. But he knew of the growing whispers circulating around Evanna, and there were only so many he could kill until his own reputation grew to that of a tyrant.

It was fortunate, however, that Evanna was a bright child and understood from a young age how to act and use methods through words that could cut others down as sharp as any blade would. She was very much like her mother, Loraven, and he loved that about her. Initially, he thought like his father and believed the elven race were all cold-hearted creatures until he met Loraven. He briefly looked down at the signet ring on his right hand and twirled it around, his thoughts turning back to the first time he met Evanna’s mother, smiling fondly at the memory of her blade pressed against his throat as she protected a human.

Evanna stayed for some time longer, sharing a pot of tea, sitting on the sofas nearest the balcony doors. Osian had missed her and felt that breakfast was stifling without her. He adored all of his children, but Eleanor was not his wife by choice; much like most, it was a marriage of convenience.

Yes, his Queen could never want for nothing, and he treated her respectfully, but something was missing, that ’spark’ others spoke of. Though he would never search for that ’spark’. As a ruler, he did not have time for such matters, and his joy came from his children, and that was all he needed.

"Ah, father, I would love to stay longer, but I need to take Midknight out," Evanna spoke up after putting her teacup onto the saucer.

King Osian sighed as his eyes flicked back to his paperwork on the desk and the issues arising between two kingdoms Dunhurst was allied with. It was a pressing matter but one that was causing him nonstop grief and headaches.

He stood and held his hand out for Evanna; she placed her hand in his then hugged into his side, squeezing tightly, looking up at him knowingly. "You should make time to go for walks, father. I fear your belly may get big if you sit all day without exercise." She beamed up at him and giggled at his paling face.

"You insolent little.. I will never get fat!" Osian grumbled and released the princess. "Go! I will see you in the morn."

Evanna walked away then paused at the doors, looking back at him, her smile still set on her lips. "I could entertain you on strolls instead of sitting at breakfast?"

Ah, another attempt to not see his wife and Isabel. "I will see you in the morning, Evanna," He said with a tone of finality, ending further discussion on the matter. Evanna dipped her head and then left the room, leaving Osian to watch after her, his fingertips touching the terribly embroidered handkerchief on the desk. Nevertheless, he was still incredibly proud of her; she may not be good at embroidery, but what good was it for anyway? He smiled down at the green and pink smudges of what looked to be a floral pattern and placed it inside of his jacket, patting the area tenderly.

Sitting back down behind his desk, his thoughts swirled back to the Demon Prince to which Evanna was betrothed, and his smile turned into a frown. He was concerned that King Horik sent his son to the battlefield at such a young age, but now it seems Conrad had built a reputation through blood and gore. It worried him about the beast he was turning into and whether his hunger from the battlefield made him crave more power than what a second prince was given. And that Prince was to wed Evanna in the future, and he was not certain if her safety would be any better in the North than it was here.

A knock at the door drew his attention away from his thoughts, and his eyes moved to the opening door. Sir Hugh stepped in bowing, though his features looked flushed.

"Your majesty.." He began; the alertness in his voice made Osian straighten.

"What is it?" He asked slowly.

"The Black Knights have been seen on the outskirts of Torthe," Sir Hugh announced. Torthe was a small town that led to the Horanian path back to the northern kingdoms. But the last report from his scouts told him Prince Conrad was further down the path than where Torthe was situated. Why was he turning back?

Osian’s eyes narrowed. "What would they need to return for? Are there any uprisings against Hatherland nearby?" Even as he asked the question, he knew the answer. Surely Conrad would not go against the King’s command to see Evanna; there had to be another reason.

As it were, Prince Conrad arrived in Reigh that afternoon, and his army of knights followed behind him, all adorned in their black armour. The Demon Prince was on his black horse up front, crossing the bridge that led to the palace. Only ten knights stayed with him, and the others were sent to rest in the village. The Prince hopped off his horse and bowed at King Osian as he approached him with open arms.

"Prince, you have travelled far. I was told just this morn that you were going straight back to Hatherland." He patted the Prince on the shoulder and found himself looking up at the young lad. Osian refrained from shivering as he stared into the Prince’s golden eyes, his aura radiating a dangerous, dark aura. He was correct in believing the lad had changed, not just in his looks but in the way he carried himself.

"My men are too weary to continue on such a journey, your majesty. I hope it is not too much of an inconvenience for us to rest here," Prince Conrad replied, his face impassive and tone now much deeper than when he was a child.

"You are of no inconvenience at all," Osian replied with a smile as he led the Prince through the palace doors.

They made it up the stairs and through to a hallway that overlooked a courtyard when the Prince stopped. "Where is Evanna?" He asked. Osian’s lips twitched in amusement. His men may have been weary, but it never stopped the Prince from travelling much further between places before they rested. His knights were not only known for their brutality but their strength and stamina.

"Hugh, where is Evanna?" Osian asked while continuing to walk, his hands behind his back.

"Erm.. your majesty.."

He knew that tone. The King inhaled sharply and looked at the knight, though he caught the Prince’s amused gaze before his attention was fully on Sir Hugh. "Where is my daughter?" He asked again, his tone clipped.

"The princess did not show to her last lesson. I was only just informed." Sir Hugh was already bowing.

"Find her!"

**

Evanna walked through the market, her hood covering her head, and her clothes were of a servant. Her hair was pinned back behind her, hidden beneath the hood, and she kept her eyes lowered. Although she was eager to see all the sights and eat the food of a commoner, she was not there for pleasure.

After her lesson with Midknight, the princess overheard a servant discussing with another about a travelling sorcerer who put on shows for coin. It was strictly forbidden in the kingdom, and so the news of this traveller piqued her interest. She rarely saw anything extraordinary in her life, and so she stepped outside to see something that could help her sleep at night. At first, she wanted to bring Ger along, but she could not find him, so she set off on her own.

Leaning against a building, Evanna crossed her arms and listened to the hustle and bustle of the lively marketplace until she picked up on the whispers of this travelling sorcerer located behind one of the taverns. With a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, she pushed off the wall and turned away into the alley next to her. She already knew some of the backstreets from avoiding the guards on her previous outings, though she didn’t particularly like to take them; after all, she was still a young girl.

Maybe cross-dressing would have been better?

Nonetheless, she followed the route to the tavern and stopped, hiding behind a wall as she saw this sorcerer already entertaining a mass of armoured men. Evanna’s eyes widened at their black armour, and a crest she’d come to know well showed on their right shoulder plate.

"The Black Knights?" She whispered, clasping at the corner of the wall and keeping her body hidden still.

"I should have known I would find you in the streets and not in the high walls of your golden prison."

Evanna tensed at the deep voice from behind her, then she turned and faced a familiar face, though his cheeks had sharpened, his eyes hardened, and his golden hair now a mane around his chiselled features. The princess blinked up at his approaching tall stature, his long strides brimming with confidence and power, his aura startling to any near him. Even with his looks, most backed away from him, fearful of the terror this dangerous man might bring.

Evanna’s eyes draped across his dishevelled appearance, his shirt loose and revealing his muscular chest, the hilt of his sword behind his back. Her fiancé looked more like a bandit than a prince, but maybe that worked better in these backstreets.

"Conrad?"

The Prince smirked, and he patted her head. "It’s been a while, princess."

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