Chapter 292: The Trial (3)
Evanna stared at her father, shocked that he had asked her to do such a thing. He was the King, and his word was final, yet he was lending his authority to her. It made the nobles stir, their whispers angry and confused. Why would the illegitimate daughter wield such power? All the nobles knew Princess Isabel had always been known as the King’s favourite. So how could this be?
Evanna glanced at the boys sitting beside their sister. William and George didn’t completely understand what was happening, but their expressions revealed that they knew enough to realise their mother was in serious trouble. The oldest looked at Evanna; his eyes were hopeful. Hopeful that Evanna would give his mother mercy. She had to look away. His little look would unravel all the years of bullying and assassination attempts. She would not cave to it, but she also couldn’t stare back at them as she told them of their mother’s fate.
The nobles quietened as they assessed Evanna, now weighing up the importance of the princess. She was not only going to marry an elven prince but now was given authority over the Queen’s punishment. Evanna could already tell they were reassessing her worth and how she could be used to their advantage. Fools. Evanna internally rolled her eyes.
There was one thing her father overlooked, which the nobles would pick up on immediately. Lady Loraven was his mistress, and she was an ’illegitimate’ child. There was a line to be drawn for the Queen’s punishment. She was the King’s wife and had far better reach and influence than them.
"There is something else I wish to bring to the attention of the courts," Evanna began, flicking her gaze to the King nervously and gulping. Nobody could see the action, and her mask of a princess was set in place. Sweeping her gaze back to the room, she breathed in the courage to say her next words. "I am not the daughter of King Osian Goodrich-"
"Evanna!" Queen Eleanor snapped, startling Evanna. She looked at the Queen, who was more outraged than Osian and her mother. The nobles spoke between themselves, watching them.
Evanna held the Queen’s stare, tilting her head to the side as Queen Eleanor’s expression and body language caused an idea to stir in the princess’ mind. "And you already knew that," she drawled, her eyes lighting up as the Queen took a step in Evanna’s direction. The guards weren’t for the show anymore, though, and stepped in front of her, protecting Evanna from her.
"Stop speaking nonsense!" Queen Eleanor hissed, glaring over the shoulder of one of the guards’ shiny armour. "Must you try and claim something that is not yours?"
"And what would you know about what I am trying to claim?" Evanna sidestepped the guard lazily so she could watch the Queen. "By admitting I am not the king’s daughter, would that not give you an advantage?"
She never stated who her father was. Ignoring the nobles, Evanna continued to assess the Queen as little pieces to a puzzle started to emerge and dance before her. She couldn’t quite place the shapes just yet, but it was becoming clearer that there was more to this. Her initial intention was to admit who she was so the nobles would take her seriously. By attempting to kill her, it was an attempt on the previous King’s heir. The King, who married her mother.
Eleanor clicked her tongue. "You’ve always been so clever with words." She looked Evanna up and down with disgust.
"I do not speak with a silver tongue; I am stating facts." Evanna then turned her back on the Queen and faced the nobles. "I am not King Osian’s daughter. My mother, Lady Loraven, is neither his mistress..."