Heart Over Sword-Chapter 246: A Deal with the Fae King

While Evanna and her company rested and prepared for the next part of their journey, Conrad, who had followed to a degree before learning of Evanna’s destination, changed his path. He arrived at the Lyvarian palace the day before, and his little spies informed him that his princess had spent a few days at the border.

Conrad stared outside the window at one of the enchanting corridors within the palace. His mind was unsettled from the last he’d seen of Evanna and the fight he had with Prince Arawn. The elf was gifted, that was for sure. It didn’t take him long to get out of that iced coffin he put him in, though.

He knew then he couldn’t follow Evanna. What would happen then? Another fight with Arawn and her other comrades. Even then, he would be taking Evanna by force, binding her up so she didn’t try to run away on their journey.

Though Conrad would enjoy hearing her insults and trying to fight him at every turn, she was always such a firecracker. But he needed to play it smart so he would come out as the winner.

So here he was at the palace, grinding his teeth at some of the snickers and comments of arrogant elves and fae. He’d dealt with worse at his own kingdom; he wouldn’t pay any mind to those insignificant to him.

"King Nuvian will see you now."

Conrad turned around to see one of their aides, a woman he already forgot the name of, informing him the king would see him. It wasn’t a scheduled visit, but he was grateful to be seen. Though he wished to see the queen, she was the one who truly ruled Lyvaria.

King Nuvian still had his own authority, but the queen had the final say. Many said they thought alike, though, so the queen agreed with most of what Nuvian did.

Entering the grand icy white hall, Conrad walked towards the dais, his steps echoing to the mighty height of the pointed ceiling. Surprisingly, nobody else was there, and at the far end, seated on a mighty throne, was the king of Lyvaria. He was told King Nuvian was striking, and to see it with his own eyes was slightly blinding, even to him.

"Your majesty," Conrad bowed once he was before the dais.

"Are you lost, little prince?" King Nuvian smirked, his head resting on his hand, seemingly bored by this interaction.

It most likely was to someone like him. "I’m here to make a deal," Conrad spoke confidently. And he was confident. The king may be mighty, but he had powers others couldn’t dream of. He was beyond powerful.

The king’s lips twitched, and green eyes, dazzling eyes that reminded Conrad of Evanna, twinkled in amusement. "Oh? And what might I want that you can offer?" He scrutinised the prince, eyes looking him up and down.

"My kingdom’s armies under your command in the human kingdoms for the gem," Conrad suggested, holding the king’s gleaming gaze.

The king’s mask of indifference did not slip as he tilted his head to the side. "Your kingdom.. I might be far from Hatherland, but I seem to recall that the demon prince does not have control or power to enable this."

Conrad smirked, holding his elbows behind his back as he tilted his chin higher. "I will have more power once I return."

King Nuvian’s eyes flashed in understanding. "Be that as it may.. I cannot make a deal with something that may or may not happen."

Conrad didn’t want to reveal his plans, especially to a king, but he knew the Lyvarians were the least to step in and share information to help his father keep the throne.

Conrad nodded once. "That is understandable, your majesty. But I can wager something else in return until this becomes truth.."

"Hmm.. I like you.. So, I will let you waste some more of my time.. tell me.. what else can you negotiate with?" King Nuvian questioned, his voice thoughtful as he stared at the young prince.

"How does the army of the dead sound?" Conrad asked, his eyes sparkling in mischief.

"Oh? I would accept if there were any proof," King Nuvian stood from his thrown, his wing folding behind him as he stepped down the dais towards the demon prince. "I believe you are not foolish to tell me something of a fairy tale. I would be quite rightly upset."

The king stopped beside Conrad, his height taller than the prince’s who was already broad and tall. Nuvian looked down at him icily. Conrad refrained from gulping, his heart began thumping wildly, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a slither of fear wrap around him in an icy grip. Much like Queen Iolena, whose reputation was known for being cruel, King Nuvian lived up to his fearful name.

He was already stepping on eggshells around the king. He could not afford to upset him. But the army was not a fairy tale. He could raise the dead much farther than what was in Direwood forest.

"Why do you want this gem so much?" King Nuvian questioned. "Is it worth it?"

Conrad turned his head to look at the ethereal being. "It is important to the woman I want as my queen. Only she can rule by my side in the next ventures to come."

Nuvian chuckled. "Ah, young love? Or if it truly was love, would you use this gem as a negotiation for this woman? Princess Evanna?"

Conrad’s jaw ticked at hearing her name slip out of King Nuvian’s lips. Yet he remained calm. For some reason, he didn’t like the king calling her name. It was almost like speaking her name was a threat to her existence.

"It is quite the proposal, no? To come all this way.. Very well. If you can provide us with an army of the dead and be an ally with ALL the armed forces of the Hatherland kingdom, I will grant you the gem. But first.. let us see you bring back the dead." King Nuvian clicked his fingers to his aide on the side.

The elf dashed off through a side door and returned, dragging a limp body, his expression queasy. He dropped the body in front of Conrad and stepped back, brushing down his shirt.

"How do you not know there is an army outside your walls?" Conrad questioned, looking at the body. "I assume this is quite fresh?"

King Nuvian grinned wickedly. "The servant needed to be punished. And there could be an army outside the border, but I’m not going to leave the comforts of my palace to see living carcasses. Besides.. you are not the only one with spies around the kingdoms. You can raise the dead, no?" freewebnσvel.cøm

Conrad sighed and focused on the crumpled-up body. Feeling the dark magic coil around his heart and mind and transfer towards the dead body on the icy ground, the servant who died the day before started uncoiling and standing up; bones clicked like he’d broken one or two. The king began to laugh, clapping his hands together.

"It is a deal."

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