Chapter 230: Princess of Lyvaria
[ Loraven ]
The look on the princes’ faces was comical, though it shouldn’t have been. Their opinion or anything they did should not have held any part of her attention. The humans were below them. Still, Loraven could not seem to control herself before them.
Her expression was masked once more after being scolded by her mother. Her father, like the fae Prince he was, took pleasure in mocking the princes’ looks and the way they lived. For some reason, her chest felt tight, and his words grated her. Still, her face remained expressionless whilst watching the pair.
Prince Osian could not quite hide his displeasure, but he did not act out like he did to her before. Loraven wondered if he would have still acted in such a way if he knew who she was. It was intriguing, which was why she preferred keeping her identity a secret. Though most elves and fae knew who she was in these parts. At least as a ranger to those who did not know her did not hide their true personalities.
On the other hand, Prince Selvin’s composure was what most prideful Kings could not match. He stood there, not understanding the language, but his eyes revealed his understanding of their mockery. Those kind eyes she’d seen by the lake were now glinted dangerously, making her wonder about his thoughts. But she could only discern this from paying him more attention than those around them would.
"Ah, my apologies, your highnesses. Most of our people do not speak outside of the Muranthian language," Queen Iolena lied. She did not look apologetic, and her smile was more of a smirk. She then clapped her hands. "You came here for a feast, so let it begin."
Like with all of their feasts that welcomed guests, they liked to reveal the splendour of the kingdom’s wealth and superiority. A spark of elven magic made tables and chairs form from the icy floor. The motion was smooth as they formed into the furniture. The crowd gasped and clapped.
It was the first time in Loraven’s lifetime that they had used the gift of ice to create such structures. It was rare, even among those in Lyvaria, to have such a gift. At the previous feast, her father used his own powers to create the tables. It was wonderous in its own way, with flowery vines and wood creating such artful structures. These were still rather bland in comparison, but the display was still jaw-dropping.
Well, to those who were not used to seeing magic. The human Princes watched in awe. Prince Osian was still yet to completely mask his features, or maybe that was how he was. Prince Selvin, on the other hand, smiled and clapped politely.
Queen Iolena stood from her throne and began to make her way to the head table that was like a long semicircle. King Nuvian followed behind her, his large sheer golden wings falling behind him and dragging along the floor. They sparkled like fairy dust, adding to his beauty which was known among the fae and elven lands.
Sitting down at the table, Loraven sat beside King Thalinal at the far end of the table from her parents. They preferred Thalinal there, and she preferred not to be watched like a hawk, though wherever she went here, it would always be the case. On her other side were other nobles, and friends of her parents, all similarly cruel in their discussions and in their deeds.