Heart Over Sword-Chapter 270: Useful Proposal (1)

Pulling back the chair with a slight screech, Ronan winced as everybody turned to him. He was the last to arrive, but luckily he made it before the king and queen. Barely, though, he almost bumped into them on the way, and Garrett forced him to bow whilst they conversed in Muranthian in hushed voices. Queen Iolena’s gaze had been on him the entire time they rushed off to the hall.

Ronan felt slightly queasy from overdrinking, and he felt worse under that woman’s gaze. Not because the Queen was horrid to look at but because she was Evanna’s grandmother and seemed like a horrid being. He was glad his friend stopped him from making that mistake.

"Glad you can make it," Axel muttered. Nobody was eating, yet there were grand meals on the table. They must be waiting for the king and queen’s arrival.

Ronan felt guilty for the way he brushed Axel off earlier, but his friend looked away, ignoring him before he could muster up the courage to apologise to him. He followed Axel’s gaze and felt his guilt increase as he saw Evanna. She was glaring at Prince Conrad, who sat across from her this time, and Prince Arawn sat by her side, seeming nonchalant compared to the hostile attitude between Evanna and Conrad.

Unlike the previous night, the hall was quiet and seemed chillier, almost hauntingly so. Their group sat at the table whilst Prince Conrad’s guards watched from the wall. They looked like the barbarians they were.

The king and queen entered and took their seats at the other end of the table.

"Please, help yourselves." King Nuvian spread his hands, gesturing for the group to break their fast. Evanna didn’t care for the food; she felt too on edge like her muscles were bunched up tightly.

"*Nuvian, is there a reason why our granddaughter is not eating?*" Queen Iolena asked, tilting her head and staring at Evanna.

The king lowered his utensils and followed her gaze. "*I am not hungry,*" Evanna replied in a calm manner. "*I wish to discuss why we are really here. There is nothing more to it.*"

She didn’t want to wait any longer. They asked to wait until breakfast, and they did.

"Do you not like our hospitality?" Queen Iolena asked sharply, not speaking Muranthian on purpose so others could hear the iciness in her voice. Silence followed her words, the reaction she most likely aimed for. But it did not deter Evanna.

"Of course, your hospitality is greatly appreciated," Evanna replied calmly, maintaining a composed demeanour despite the tension in the room. "But you are aware we came here for a reason. The gem that belongs to the Flori, the one sold to you, was stolen by an old comrade. I need it."

Evanna didn’t want to waste any more time on this. Time felt fleeting, especially after Ger’s death. She wanted the gem and to return to her mother’s side. "I thought we might have a pleasant meal before discussing deals-"

"Like I said. I am not hungry. I will be blunt with you," Evanna interrupted the king. Those around them stared at Evanna wide-eyed, all except Arawn, who remained calm, providing her strength silently. The queen glared at her, but the king smiled gently, finding Evanna amusing. "My mother, Loraven, is dying. Physicians have said it is incurable. That gem can heal her. She has a few months left to live."

Their expressions turned to one of shock. Queen Iolena looked at the king, who expressed more concern for Loraven. "This could be a lie. We have not heard anything about Loraven-"

"You also did not realise Loraven had a daughter. Correct?" Evanna interrupted the queen this time. "Your sources are either outdated, or you have not bothered in the last eighteen years to learn more about your daughter."

"Listen here, you little brat-"

King Nuvian held his hand out, cutting off the queen’s comment. Queen Iolena did not like that. Nuvian was the consort, after all; he only wielded so much power. But she allowed it to happen.

"Go on," King Nuvian prompted. He wanted to see Evanna’s negotiation skills. She was a princess, so he didn’t expect anything less. "Prince Conrad offered us a great deal that I, for one, cannot see the point in refusing. What can you, princess of Dunhurst, offer Lyvaria?"

Evanna couldn’t help glaring at Conrad from the corner of her eyes. But that wasn’t what made her pause. She just told them their daughter was sick, almost on her deathbed, yet they barely blinked and asked about what she could offer them in return for the gem. Evanna knew they weren’t warm and fuzzy, but this was harsh, no?

None of this was revealed on Evanna’s features, though, either, making her believe that maybe King Nuvian and Queen Iolena were exceptionally skilled with keeping their expressions impassive. They had years of experience, more so than most. Evanna steepled her fingers together on the table and held the king’s stare, trying to figure out what they might want for the gem. It had to be beneficial to them. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Evanna glanced at Arawn from the corner of her eyes after his hand went on hers to comfort her. There was something she hadn’t thought of yet. A question she hadn’t answered the prince yet. It wasn’t ideal, it wasn’t romantic, but it might help.

Arawn’s thumb caressed her skin, and a slight smirk tugged at his lips as he felt Conrad’s heated stare. Evanna did not shake his hand away, of course. He was providing comfort, but he knew the king was brutal to make a deal with.

The previous night, Arawn offered not to go to war with Lyvaria after he and the king had a heated discussion. The gem was his by birthright; whether Lyvaria paid for it or not, it was still his. He didn’t bother with offering money because they had more than enough. He had one last card up his sleeve and hoped it would work.

"*There is something I wish to say,*" Arawn said, his voice louder to gain everybody’s attention. Evanna looked at him questionably, though she wouldn’t deny the relief she felt at the attention going to him right now. "Evanna has agreed to marry me."

A glass shattered on the side, but Evanna was not looking in Conrad’s direction; her gaze was locked with Arawn’s now. He had been thinking exactly as she had been. "Dunhurst and Flori will be united, strengthening our alliance. As a wedding gift, the gem would be much appreciated, and war will not break out."

"That is right," Evanna added, turning her head to look at the king and queen. King Nuvian smirked, his head resting on his hand as he stared at them. "As my... Grandparents, you would be a part of this alliance. IF you agree to hand over that gem."

The tension around the table grew. Conrad stared at the king, trying to gain his attention. Surely his army was much better than some alliance? There was already a treaty in place-

"I hear Hatherland will be growing their empire soon," King Nuvian began. "It would be wise to strengthen our ties with Dunhurst AND Flori."

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on freew(𝒆)bnov𝒆l.(c)om