Chapter 155: Alliance
At dinner, the families dined together in the banquet hall. The tables were set up, so the Kings and Queens sat side by side, with the right side of the table followed by the Crown Prince Arvid and Prince Conrad, with the right adjoining table sat the younger Hart siblings. The ’terrible twins’ Prince Harald and Prince Halvar argued over some competition between them, their voices loud throughout the hall even after their nanny scolded them more than once, and sitting quietly to their side was Princess Marna.
To the left of Queen Eleanor was Princess Isabel, and Princess Evanna, the adjoining table to the left sat Lady Loraven and some court ladies that seemed to speak more to the Queen than the mistress of the King. Conrad sat quietly observing everything and taking note of the quiet slander aimed at Princess Evanna by Princess Isabel and occasionally the Queen whose insults were hidden by pretty words. It seemed the princess was dealt in emotional abuse more so than physical here, but the King seemed unaware. From how he reacted to him slapping his daughter, Conrad knew King Osian loved his daughter dearly, and the Queen appeared to pick her battles with the King’s daughter.
The evening was filled with laughter and lively conversations between the two families or, in this case, the Kings and Queens. Entertainment was provided for them during the mighty feast, and a jester entertained the room before the band played for the nobility to dance to. And for once, his brother, Arvid, sat quietly by his side. But Conrad knew that Arvid was never quiet; he was calculative, manipulative and enjoyed watching people squirm beneath him. So, when he was silent, Conrad became concerned.
Yet, nothing came of it as the feast ended and the night drew on. Conrad’s younger siblings had already been taken by their nanny to go to bed, and much to his disappointment, Conrad was not dismissed even when he tried to call it a night. He was still fatigued and almost pale from using his powers earlier that day; he wondered if his father purposely kept him there because of this.
"I think it is time our dear wives and children should call it a night and let two old King’s reminisce," King Osian finally announced as he stood up from his seat, his hand clasping King Horik’s shoulder with a drink in the other hand.
"Old? Talk for yourself!" King Horik barked in laughter, mirroring King Osian’s stance.
With the dismissal, the Queen’s walked away, chatting cheerily about stuff he didn’t bother listening to, and Princess Isabel barged past Princess Evanna so she could walk by his brother, Arvid’s side. Conrad was all too happy to head back to his chambers, but at the same time, he wanted to spy on his father. Throughout dinner, Horik had been glancing at Princess Evanna with a calculative look in his eyes, and he was acting nearly friendly to him the whole time. Conrad needed to somehow listen in to what their conversation was.
While he was trying to work out how to do that exactly, Conrad heard Princess Evanna’s voice float across his ears.
"Maggie, I will be fine. It is my duty to walk and keep Prince Conrad company until his quarters. I will see you when I return."