Heart Over Sword - Chapter 122

It had been a month since Evanna was separated from the group. The princess already estimated it to take that long to return, even with a few complications on the way. Something was very wrong. She feared for her friends and for her mother.

As soon as she was up, Evanna immediately started to pace, but before she could do much more, Rina returned with the king’s summoning to breakfast. It was to be expected, but she was still lost in her thoughts about everyone else than her current status. Her handmaiden dressed her appropriately, leaving her hair in a half-up hairstyle before Cedric and Anwel called for her.

Now she sat in the tense silence of the dining room with king Thalanil and prince Arawn. Even with a mere half-day between them, it seemed a gap had formed between Evanna and Arawn as though time itself had flown much longer without contact. Each was lost to their own thoughts, though Evanna still tried to keep a mask of politeness upon her features, only faltering when their stares became too much. She did not meet their gazes and instead focused on her meal as she worried over what had to happen next.

Only occasionally did she glance in Arawn’s direction when the king held his attention on discussions about an upcoming ball. Evanna paid no heed to such an event and wondered why the prince was acting quite coldly towards her. But she did not think too much into it; it was a passing thought. They were seated by the king’s side, a king who was not pleased with her and Arawn becoming friendly.

Once the king was finished, Evanna began to stand, but he held his hand up for her to continue without formalities. Arawn waited until his father was gone until he spoke up. “Something is troubling you. What is it?” He asked. His voice sounded distant, almost disinterested. This caught Evanna’s attention, and so she looked up from her plate and stared at his stoic expression.

Evanna bit the inside of her mouth before placing a smile on her face and replied, “Why do you think something is the matter, your highness?” Her question caused him to narrow his eyes before he smirked.

“You have not called me formally in such a while. Something must be wrong, especially since you have been playing with your food.” He stood up and walked around the table, so he sat by her right side.

“It is considered rude not to eat the food provided for you, is it not?” Evanna retorted smartly.

“That is no different from what you have had before,” Arawn murmured before standing again and holding his hand out for her. “If you do not wish to eat, I will not force you. I have other matters to attend to today, and so I cannot help you with your gift.”

Evanna took his hand, staring at him once more. But he did not meet her gaze and his hand; his energy felt much cooler than before. What did he and the king speak about? Before she could question him, he was already leading her back through the palace. As usual, people moved out of their path, only a few glancing at them anxiously. Most likely due to the dark aura.

They barely made it to his quarters before he bid her good day and abruptly turned on the spot. Evanna reached out gently holding his muscular arm. He turned his head, his hair whipping back as he stared down at her. “*Did I do something wrong?*” Evanna whispered the words on her mind. She let go of his arm in shock, her eyes lowering so as not to see his response. Why would she ask something so stupid?

Even if he was acting cold. It did not matter; Evanna was to leave soon. There was no point in this stupid attachment. Arawn’s fingers suddenly tipped her chin up, so their gazes met; his eyes had softened, causing her breath to leave her and her muscles to relax. “*Of course not. My father had much to tell me yesterday, it is still on my mind, and there is a lot I must see to today.*” His whispered words made sense. He was a prince, and he couldn’t keep his prisoner entertained all the time. She understood that.

She smiled in return and inhaled sharply after Arawn leaned in closer to her and left a kiss upon her cheek before dropping his hand and leaving her there dazed. Once his retreating footsteps left the echoing halls, Evanna shook her head and scolded herself again. If she were to die easily, it would be by his hands, not by monsters in the forest.

At least she would see something pretty before she died and not some beast.

Evanna rushed back towards her room, taking each step of the stairs two at a time. An action most of the servants watched in wonder until she hid behind her doors, closing them on Cedric and Anwel. Rina was not in her room, and so she expected her to be helping the other servants under prince Arawn.

There was one thing on her mind now, and that was to organise her gear once again. She marched towards the adjoining room with many dresses and searched for clothes she had not worn in four weeks. Almost hidden from the luxurious and colourful dresses at the far end were her trousers, boots, cloak and shirt; even her Dracosbain armour was left there. She stroked the material again and was reminded of the gifts her mother gave her.

Her hand glided along the length of the cloak also and went to the hidden pockets on the inside. Her hand felt the scroll, confirming it was still there, but then her fingers brushed something she completely forgot about. Her hands wrapped around it, and she pulled it out, staring at it in disbelief.

How could she be so foolish as to forget something so incredibly useful!?

~ This is for an emergency, if you need me, call my name in your head, and I will be there ~

Those were Nesrin’s words as she created the golden flower that now lay atop the palm of her hand.