Chapter 165: A Father’s Love (2)
Osian watched Evanna after delivering the news of the Prince’s delayed arrival until winter. The only telltale sign that Evanna was saddened by the news was her wandering gaze towards the window as though she was waiting for him. The King never expected a friendship to grow between the pair after their first encounter ended with the pair nearly fighting; alas, it seemed studying together in the library brought them together in unexpected ways.
Now, as he watched Evanna, he was disturbed greatly by how quickly the princess was getting better at hiding her emotions. The gentle smile now on her face was practised for court life, but he had seen her smile much brighter with child-like glee.
Unfortunately, the life of a royal cut short a child’s playful years due to the scrutiny from those older looking to exploit any weaknesses found in a royal. As his life was planned out for him, his family’s will also be planned out, bound by duty of the throne and of the kingdom. The Princes and princesses were all under scrutiny, Evanna more so, though those who speak ill of her would never speak so boldly in front of him lest they want their heads removed from their shoulders. But he knew of the growing whispers circulating around Evanna, and there were only so many he could kill until his own reputation grew to that of a tyrant.
It was fortunate, however, that Evanna was a bright child and understood from a young age how to act and use methods through words that could cut others down as sharp as any blade would. She was very much like her mother, Loraven, and he loved that about her. Initially, he thought like his father and believed the elven race were all cold-hearted creatures until he met Loraven. He briefly looked down at the signet ring on his right hand and twirled it around, his thoughts turning back to the first time he met Evanna’s mother, smiling fondly at the memory of her blade pressed against his throat as she protected a human.
Evanna stayed for some time longer, sharing a pot of tea, sitting on the sofas nearest the balcony doors. Osian had missed her and felt that breakfast was stifling without her. He adored all of his children, but Eleanor was not his wife by choice; much like most, it was a marriage of convenience.
Yes, his Queen could never want for nothing, and he treated her respectfully, but something was missing, that ’spark’ others spoke of. Though he would never search for that ’spark’. As a ruler, he did not have time for such matters, and his joy came from his children, and that was all he needed.
"Ah, father, I would love to stay longer, but I need to take Midknight out," Evanna spoke up after putting her teacup onto the saucer.
King Osian sighed as his eyes flicked back to his paperwork on the desk and the issues arising between two kingdoms Dunhurst was allied with. It was a pressing matter but one that was causing him nonstop grief and headaches.
He stood and held his hand out for Evanna; she placed her hand in his then hugged into his side, squeezing tightly, looking up at him knowingly. "You should make time to go for walks, father. I fear your belly may get big if you sit all day without exercise." She beamed up at him and giggled at his paling face.