Chapter 13
"Lady Evrart, are you sure this is wise?" Pirella said as she jogged along beside Evrart.
Evrart had been summoned by her father in the throne room. She was not going to refuse his command again for she knew that her fate was inevitable. She was going to show her face to her father. Evrart couldn't tell him how it had happened but she would listen to his command as he sent her home to Highhollow where she could no longer be a nuisance.
"Pirella it doesn't matter anymore. I'm going home and the prince will remain here. I have tried my best but Aysi wins this time," she felt terrible saying those words because deep down she knew that they were not true. Evrart would never give up her desire for revenge but she did not want to make her father even more upset then he already was.
Pirella looked at her in a way that Evrart knew that she didn't believe Evrart's change of heart. She folded her arms and said, "Lady Evrart, Princess Aysi should not get away with her crimes."
Evrart stopped and Pirella had to pause mid step. She looked at the girl. She was not in the mood to be reminded of what Aysi had done.
"Pirella, could you please return to my chambers. You should start packing my things," Evrart said.
The tone of her voice was enough to make Pirella blush and bow her head, "Yes my Lady."
She backed away and disappeared down the hall. Evrart walked onwards towards the throne room.
The cut on her neck from the night before had completely healed over and Evrart could tell that it wouldn't scar like the gash on her face. It was completely exposed as she made her way through the palace. She wasn't worried about seeing the prince by accident. It was early in the morning and most of the people had been at the ball and had stayed until the very end would be sound asleep.
She pushed the great doors open and marched forwards. Her father was talking in quiet tones with one of his advisors as the poured over a large piece of parchment. Evrart's entrance had made them raise their heads. She stopped a few metres from the throne.
"Good morning father," she said as she curtsied. The advisor gathered up his papers and rushed away.
It was as she raised her head that the king's eyes narrowed and searched the right side of her face. There were words on the end of his tongue as Evrart spoke, "You wanted to see me?"
"What happened to your face?" He said concerned. Evrart closed her eyes and sighed.
"I received a summons. Is there something that you wanted to talk to me about?"
The King clenched a fist and rubbed a finger on his temple. Evrart was going to be the difficult child again. She was not going to give him a straight answer because not only would he not believe the truth but he had enough problems to deal with. For Evrart to lie would only further dishonour her image.
"Yes Evrart. I told you last night but clearly you refused to listen as usual. I want to know why the prince has been asking after you." He closed his eyes and breathed slowly. Talon looked like a weary old man. "I want this wedding to be over and done with. I need the aid of King Richard's army if we are to hold back the threat from the west. I can't let your ignorance cause my people to lose their lives."
Evrart couldn't help but hear her sister's voice in his words as well. He wanted to use the prince as much as Aysi did. It was all fine and dandy to align the kingdoms, but to do so simply to defend their own borders. Evrart bowed her head.
"I have not engaged in communication with Prince Philip since you have told me to not do so. However, if he wishes to speak to me that it of his own doing," she said diplomatically. It was the cold hard truth and she hoped that her father would believe her for once.
"I understand why you feel the need to rush through this and I promise I will be more careful. They are my people as well," she added.
King Talon's eyes softened. Evrart could tell that he was not truly angry with her. The stress of running the kingdom was aging him more than his years. After the incident of the night before she felt that he might be more kindly with her. He had looked like he had been truly afraid that he was going to lose her.
"Very well. I hope that you will not disappoint me." He said after a long moment of pause.
Evrart lifted her head. She bit her lip and twitched her fingers.
"You're not sending me home?" She said reluctantly. It was bringing up the topic but she had to be certain that it was his command before acting.
His face broke into a smile, "Not yet, you do not need to burden your brother at the present..."
Evrart swallowed. He was keeping her in Bymerrow so he could simply watch over her.
"... but arrangements can be made if you decide you want to be difficult."
STAI LEGGENDO
Rose Thorns (The Cimmerian Cycle #3)
FantasyThe third installment of the Cimmerian Cycle follows Lady Evrart, bastard to the king of Meol. Evrart has never known her mother, and she lives every day with the knowledge that she is less then her siblings. When the Prince of Dayrius is known to...
