Heart Over Sword

Make it up to her? Please. Evanna scoffed. Conrad humiliated her for years, and then as though to throw dirt in her face, he insulted her ’behind her back’.

"You were one of my closest friends, and you betrayed me. Granted, I did not have many but.. You knew all there was to know about me. I.." Evanna stopped and chuckled at herself, but it stopped short as a slight movement caught her attention once more in the area of the woods she noted earlier. The Princess walked closer to it narrowing her eyes slightly. The shadow had disappeared, but her sixth sense still alerted her to something lurking in those trees. Its quietness was unnerving.

All this talk between them was a distraction and one that could be used to the threat’s advantage. But it hadn’t taken it. Evanna sighed, her gaze fixated on the area as she ignored the presence of the large man behind her. She had not thought of what transpired between them for so long, and now all she felt was anger towards him. She was no longer hurt by his words; instead, she’d gained strength through them. To not trust so easily.

"I stayed by your side even when I feared your magic," She finished quietly, still keeping her back to him. "And you continued in your acts of debauchery, and not just in front of me but other nobles and my father.

I.." She blinked and calmed her voice again. "I still do not understand any of it. I thought you were wiser than that-"

"Let me explain, Evanna. Please," Conrad interrupted and stepped towards her slowly.

Evanna’s lips curled up, and she rubbed her temples in disbelief. "What is there to explain?" She turned around and faced him, ignoring the niggling chill coating her back and putting the hair on her nape on end. "You knew I was there that night and still said such hurtful words. You wanted the engagement cancelled." She held a gloved hand up to stop him from interrupting.

"There is nothing more to it. Do not deem me a fool; I followed through and did what we both wanted. But now, I am at a loss. Why are you trying to make amends? I can only fathom that you need my hand for an alliance and nothing more. We do not need to be friends for that to go ahead." Though, Evanna was not going to give the Prince a chance.

This, Evanna understood. By having the Princess of Dunhurst as his wife, it would provide Conrad with more power. Conrad had been in more battles since their engagement was called off. There was more unrest in the north, rumours circulating that the Crown Prince and Demon Prince frequently fought with and without their swords raised.