Heart Over Sword-Chapter 261: Lyvarian Court Drama (2)

The dance was similar to that of what Evanna was used to back home. Only some of the steps differed. Still, she could not relax. Not when a powerful golden fae watched her intently with beautiful yet cruel eyes.

Evanna did not know King Nuvian or the queen, but from their welcoming attacks of incredible power and the vibes in the hall, she knew they were not kind. So, why did the king wish to dance with her?

"*Relax. I will not harm you, princess,*" King Nuvian said. "*Unless you give me a reason to.*"

Evanna smirked, finding his comment amusing. "*You tell me to relax, but then your comment is followed by a threat. So, what should I be, your majesty? Relaxed or ready for a potential threat?*" She couldn’t help herself, even if her gut feeling told her to be cautious around the king.

Blood meant nothing here.

The king chuckled as he swept Evanna across the hall; the dance was more like a waltz with the occasional lift and direction changes. Now that the king and princess conversed, the courtiers continued their discussions and meal. Only a few were observing them intently- a queen, two princes and the queen’s right hand.

"*I would prefer you call me Nuvian. You are my... granddaughter, after all,*" the king replied before lifting Evanna and elegantly dropping her to the beat.

"*Funny, I didn’t know you existed until-*"

"*Do not act like a bratty child now, Evanna,*" the king’s voice grew chilly, eyes sharpening on her features. "*Nothing may be done about the past; it is only now you should focus on. Did you want to argue with me about how I was not there for you growing up? From what I can see, you are loved, and your mother raised you well.*"

Evanna’s lips clamped shut. Was she just scolded? She did not mean to let her emotions take effect; she didn’t even realise she felt resentment towards King Nuvian and Queen Iolena. They were strangers to her.

Or was she resentful of them for leaving her mother to the vipers in court? To deal with Queen Eleanor’s wrath?

Evanna refused to cave into inadequate etiquette and so remained looking at the king, head held high. It was hard at times to keep eye contact, though. This being was a little too blinding to the eyes.

"*I wished to dance with you away from the queen and your... acquaintances. I wished to get a better sense of who you are. The power of your gifts earlier and the way you relentlessly fought reminded me of Loraven.*" The king broke eye contact, looking slightly adrift as though he was lost in memories of her mother.

There was no smile on his lips or change in his expression, but Evanna did see the flicker of softness in his eyes. Until they hardened once more. It was strange; she had the distinct impression that King Nuvian, much like most royals, had a mask in place. Though, from his outlandish behaviour earlier, she assumed that was genuine.

Before Evanna could respond, King Nuvian spoke again. "*I am sorry about your father. Our intel was quite slow at the time. Did you know him?*"

The surrounding sounds faded into the background, and the thudding beat of Evanna’s heart became louder. Her foot missed a count, and she almost stepped on the king’s foot.

"*What are you talking about? King Osian is alive and well.*

The music slowed down, and the last remaining steps followed. Queen Iolena stepped forwards then, her eyes glittered upon seeing Evanna’s confusion. She overheard their conversation.

"*My, did our daughter move onto the next king of Dunhurst so quickly? Did she need power in the human realm?*" Queen Iolena sneered as the king stepped back, glancing between Evanna and the queen. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

"*No, she looks like Selvin. I cannot see any trace of Osian. The age is right..*" King Nuvian replied to the queen, his eyes not removing from Evanna.

Evanna looked between them. This had to be some sort of cruel trick. "*You really are cruel. My father is King Osian; I am his bastard-*"

"*You are not a bastard, you naïve child,*" the queen snapped, her presence exuding a bitter iciness as she glared at Evanna. "*Your mother and Selvin married and bonded against our wishes. She left Lyvaria with him. I honestly do not understand why.*"

Evanna’s breath stopped as her gaze flicked between Queen Iolena’s. Her expressions were genuine, full of disdain at the idea of their matrimony. Still, how could she accept what they were telling her?

"*You lie-*"

"*Then I shall repeat it for you.*" The king interrupted. His wings fluttered for a moment behind him. "*I cannot lie. To my knowledge, you are Selvin and Loraven’s daughter. Loraven left in his arms, and Osian was nothing more than a younger brother to both of them. Selvin was the previous king, and though their marriage may have been short, you are a legitimate child of the...*" He sighed with displeasure. "Of the Goodrich name.*"

Evanna’s knees felt weak, and the air seemed to thicken, making it impossible to breathe properly. She didn’t know about the king’s ability to lie or not, but for what reason would they lie? It was apparent they did not like Selvin or Osian.

It wouldn’t matter to them who was her father. Right? Evanna pressed her hand against her forehead as the room momentarily spun around her. The surges of alternating hot and cold coursing through her body made her feel lightheaded as if she might faint. Frowning and forcing herself to focus, she asked, "*Why does it matter to you if I am illegitimate or not?*"

The Queen tsked Evanna as she looked at her like the princess was an imbecile. The king merely tilted his head to the side. "*A bastard child here and there is fine. But our only heir to be illegitimate is unruly.

If you have been living in the palace and treated unfairly, I must make you aware that you have the most power among anyone- gift or royal blood. I would suggest claiming what is rightfully yours..*"

Why was King Nuvian advising her so? Or was he trying to cause discord in the Goodrich home? That was already there without announcing this claim that she was Selvin’s heir...

Selvins... Not... Not Osian.

Not her father...

No. Evanna shook her head subtly. She would find out for herself if what the king and queen claim is true.

"*Thank you for the advice. If you would excuse me, I need some air...*" Evanna curtsied and turned to leave the hall. Every step felt like lead, heavy, and hard to move. Beyond the turmoil of her inner emotions from this news, her countenance remained unaffected, her mask remaining in place.

"Princess Evanna." Evanna abruptly stopped, her expression may conceal what felt like her life crumbling at the seams, but she wasn’t quite up to the task of reacting quickly. She looked up at the finely clothed elf who stepped into her path in the hallway. It was Edric.

He bowed his head to her, and his expression that had been icy upon their first meeting had now softened, making him more approachable and... charming even with the faint smile on his lips.

His hair was down now, but his pointed ears protruded through them. "Do you need any assistance?" He asked.

"No, thank you, Sir Edric."

"Edric," he corrected her. What was with everyone trying to get on a first-name basis with her?

Ignoring his correction, Evanna started to walk around him.

"I must say you do look pale, your highness. It would be ill-mannered of me to leave a woman in distress." Evanna stopped at his sugar-coated words. His change in character towards her made her more suspicious of him. She was about to decline again when he added, "If you would like a private space to gather your thoughts and breathe some fresh air, there is a balcony Princess Loraven used to frequent."

At the mention of her mother’s name, Edric caught her attention.

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