Chapter 164: [Bonus - ] A Father’s Love (1)
After returning to Evanna’s quarters and freshening up and changing into a dress of gold and blue from the latest season, the princess had her meal in her room, ignoring her father’s request to eat with the family. It was something she had started to do recently, and her father was still against her not sitting with them. Maggie tried to plead with her, but Evanna stubbornly replied that she would not eat then until lunch. She was soon served a hearty cooked meal.
Evanna went to her first class of the morning after a light stroll from her meal in her garden, avoiding unwanted attention. Now, she was sitting in her embroidery class with Isabel and a few of her lackeys. It was the most painful experience she would ever go through, one that made her mind go numb, her finger pricked from the needle and her irritation barely kept at bay from her sister’s ongoing commentary.
A knock at the door to the emerald drawing-room gained their attention, and Sir Hugh entered with a deep bow. "Your highnesses."
Evanna lowered her embroidery hoop, ignoring the snickers from the girls sitting across from her, eying her attempt at a floral pattern. Isabel sat upright, her eyes beaming and her feet fidgeting in anticipation. Sir Hugh’s appearance only meant one thing. King Osian wished to see one of them, and usually, it was her elder sister.
"I apologise, Ms Scarlett, for the interruption," Sir Hugh smiled apologetically at their teacher.
"There is no apology needed, Sir Hugh. Please," Ms Scarlett gestured for the knight to enter the room more as she picked up her own embroidery again.
The knight took a few more steps into the room and looked at Evanna. "His Majesty has requested your presence."
Evanna ignored the searing gaze from her sister and nodded at Sir Hugh before rising from her seat. "Ms Scarlett, thank you for today’s lesson." She held onto her embroidery, gripping it tightly, refusing to leave it behind where Isabel would probably use it to some scheme of hers.
The princess walked behind her father’s most trusted knight, her footsteps echoing quietly behind him in the comfortable silence. He led her to the King’s study, knocking and waiting for his answer before opening the door for the princess and bowing at King Osian. "Princess Evanna, Sire." He bowed before closing the doors behind him, leaving the King to stare at his daughter disapprovingly.
Evanna tilted her chin slightly higher, ignoring the gut-wrenching feeling and the need to fidget with her hands. "Good morning, father," She smiled, curtsying.
Osian flapped his hand and leaned back in his chair with a sigh as he rested his hand against his temple, staring at her. "Enough, Evanna. Sit." He tilted his chin to the chair across from his mahogany desk.