Chapter 172: The Ball: Part One
Prince Conrad entered the great hall, his brother by his side, one Prince cast in shades of black with gold embroidery at his cuffs and the other in white and gold, the Demon Prince and Crown Prince of Hatherland. Conrad wanted to roll his eyes as the noblewomen swooned openly at them, and all eyes were glued on the brothers. But his own eyes followed the room until they set upon the stunning and elegant vision which was to be his wife. Evanna held Conrad’s gaze for a moment before flicking to his brother and then back to the King, where she stood among other guests they greeted.
Conrad and Arvid walked around the hall, their gazes directed at the King and Queen, who were adorned in red and gold attire, though Conrad’s attention moved to Evanna more than once until they stood across from them. She looked exquisite, the gold and black suiting her and matching him, making his lips curve up. He redirected his attention to his future father-in-law and the Queen while the other nobles departed at their arrival only to stay nearby, no doubt so they could eavesdrop on any potential gossip.
"King Osian, Queen Eleanor, it has been far too long." Arvid stepped forwards and bowed, followed by Conrad bowing.
"Ah, Prince Arvid, it has indeed been a while. I was not expecting you, though I hope you find the chambers adequate?" King Osian replied, clasping his hands together. Conrad refrained from smirking at the King’s snide comment. It was a last-minute decision that Arvid would come to Dunhurst, and if Conrad had not sent word as they left Hatherland, it would have been ruder to arrive unannounced.
Arvid blinked once and smiled. "At such short notice, they are more than adequate. Thank you for such hospitality. I apologise, since our wars in the north, I realised my brother, and I have not spent nearly enough time together. He is off galivanting elsewhere after this!" Arvid exclaimed and shook his head.
Conrad raised a brow at his brother but masked his face indifferently once more. The Crown Prince was still deemed the ’Angel Prince’, and his words and gestures made it hard for Conrad to keep a straight face. Arvid was no more an Angel than he was; if anything, Arvid was worse than Conrad. But he never feigned being good like his brother, nor did he hide behind pretty words.
"Ah, is that so?" King Osian replied, seeming disinterested in the Crown Prince until Arvid turned his attention to Evanna before Conrad could speak to either the King or his fiancé.
"Princess Evanna." Arvid bowed his head and held his hand out for her to take. As decorum would allow, Evanna followed suit and placed her hand in his. "Would you allow me your first dance? My brother has spent more time on the battlefield than practising dance, and I am frightened your pretty feet would be too bruised to dance after."
Conrad’s hands clenched together into fists by his sides as he watched his brother look at Evanna with keen interest. An interest that made his blood boil. What did Arvid want? Was it to irritate him, or was there something more to this? The whole journey to Dunhurst, he had unanswered questions as he travelled by his brother’s side.