Chapter 162: The Tower
Evanna walked inside of Conrad’s large circular bed-chamber, staring wide-eyed at everything. The stone-cold floors were decorated with furs, especially near the King size four-poster bed, the red and gold embroidered sofas, and just before the fireplace to keep the floors warm. Across from the fireplace stood three large arched windows, with steps before it along with furs placed on the ground and books left in the corner. The middle window was slightly ajar, causing the door to shake slightly from the howling wind outside.
The princess looked at the books on the ground and smiled gently; if she lived in this tower, she would also use the windows as her little reading nook.
"Why do you live here?" Evanna questioned as her hand slid across the surface of the cushioned sofa. It wasn’t a question of ’do you live here?’ because she could already see the top of the tower was lived in, unlike some of the palaces she saw around the estate that looked too perfect. But the question was why, even if Conrad had such rumours circulating about him and the family wanted to keep them at bay, there were plenty of palaces for him to stay in.
Conrad’s boots echoed across the floor as he unclasped the cape from his back and threw it on the sofa, collapsing comfortably on the seat and resting his head into the back of it. "Unlike what you might believe about my dear family, they are also scared of me. My mother dares not look at me, the twins stay clear of me, my father.. chooses when I am his son or not, and Arvid.. well, I don’t need to explain about him," Conrad replied nonchalantly as though his commentary was not upsetting.
Evanna stared at him, wondering exactly what this prince went through when she was not there. She knew from the servants’ stares and whispers that they were scared of him, but whenever Conrad looked over, they scampered away. Whenever they exchanged letters, they were never filled with the details of each other’s problems.
"What of your sister?" Evanna inquired and clasped her hands over her mouth. The proper response would be not to delve further into an obviously uncomfortable subject.
Conrad chuckled and scratched his jaw, not at all looking uncomfortable by the subject. Maybe it was good for him to get it off his chest. "Marna is too young to understand. But for the time being, she likes my company.." He trailed off, looking at the fireplace.
"I’m sorry, Conrad," She sincerely replied, staring at the prince’s side profile, there was no air of sadness around him, but more like emptiness and loneliness but as quick as her assessment was made, his composed features looked at her and it dissipated. "Truly, I am." The young princess added, then turned her face away, not wanting to sit down yet, although her calves were burning from the stairs. Instead, she continued towards the windows where the draft was welcomed to her still slightly heated face.
"There is no need to apologise. It is not your fault, and to be honest, I prefer the solitude here. Only a handful of people are allowed here or dare to come here. You should feel privileged to be one of a few," Conrad boasted, making Evanna roll her eyes with her back facing him. It was nothing to brag about, but that was just a part of the prince’s personality; he really was arrogant. She was used to it now.