Heart Over Sword

Pulling back the chair with a slight screech, Ronan winced as everybody turned to him. He was the last to arrive, but luckily he made it before the king and queen. Barely, though, he almost bumped into them on the way, and Garrett forced him to bow whilst they conversed in Muranthian in hushed voices. Queen Iolena’s gaze had been on him the entire time they rushed off to the hall.

Ronan felt slightly queasy from overdrinking, and he felt worse under that woman’s gaze. Not because the Queen was horrid to look at but because she was Evanna’s grandmother and seemed like a horrid being. He was glad his friend stopped him from making that mistake.

"Glad you can make it," Axel muttered. Nobody was eating, yet there were grand meals on the table. They must be waiting for the king and queen’s arrival.

Ronan felt guilty for the way he brushed Axel off earlier, but his friend looked away, ignoring him before he could muster up the courage to apologise to him. He followed Axel’s gaze and felt his guilt increase as he saw Evanna. She was glaring at Prince Conrad, who sat across from her this time, and Prince Arawn sat by her side, seeming nonchalant compared to the hostile attitude between Evanna and Conrad.

Unlike the previous night, the hall was quiet and seemed chillier, almost hauntingly so. Their group sat at the table whilst Prince Conrad’s guards watched from the wall. They looked like the barbarians they were.

The king and queen entered and took their seats at the other end of the table.

"Please, help yourselves." King Nuvian spread his hands, gesturing for the group to break their fast. Evanna didn’t care for the food; she felt too on edge like her muscles were bunched up tightly.

"*Nuvian, is there a reason why our granddaughter is not eating?*" Queen Iolena asked, tilting her head and staring at Evanna.

The king lowered his utensils and followed her gaze. "*I am not hungry,*" Evanna replied in a calm manner. "*I wish to discuss why we are really here. There is nothing more to it.*"