Chapter 72: A Lady Before A Thief
Evanna took another moment to psyche herself up. They were, after all, quite frightening to be around. Even now, with their attention on the table, she could already feel the unease resting in her stomach at their marble, cool features. Taking a final deep breath in, Evanna straightened her already stiff shoulders and clutched the sides of her dress slightly as she entered the stunningly bright room.
On her arrival, the prince’s head turned to her with one side of his lips pulling up. The king, however, only stared at her with no expression on his face. Evanna dipped into a curtsy at the far end of the table, "Your Majesty-"
"Enough. I do not have all day. Come sit so we may eat," The king interrupted. Although he was curt, the king still had enough manners to wait until she stood behind her chair, by his right side and across from prince Arawn, before he sat down.
Taking her seat, she kept her gaze fixed on the empty plate before her. The last time she sat with the pair, a servant’s hand had been cut off in front of her. She hoped this would not be the case this morning.
"Did you sleep well, Evanna?"
She looked up to see the prince looking at her intently, a glint of amusement flickering behind his eyes. Without trying to read too much into his odd ways, she played it safe, keeping her answer short and replied politely, "Yes, your highness. And yourself?"
"Not as well as I hoped for, considering we have our thief now in close quarters," Arawn hummed back before sticking his fork into the food the servants placed in front of him.
"And why is that, Arawn?" The king’s quick question was as sharp as a knife, making Evanna pause from eating her own meal. His tone of voice showed disapproval of the prince’s decision. Plus, she, too, wanted to hear his explanation for putting her in a room next to him. She was, after all, a thief, a criminal and really should be in a cell to rot or, in the elven world, a limb at least removed.
Evanna was aware that her position was very bizarre; she clearly should not be sitting in the finest materials, eating the most lavish of meals next to the elven king and prince of Direwood. Nevertheless, she lifted her gaze from her food and stared at the prince, who moved his own gaze away from the king and met her stare, locking her in place.