Heart Over Sword-Chapter 172: The Ball: Part One

Prince Conrad entered the great hall, his brother by his side, one Prince cast in shades of black with gold embroidery at his cuffs and the other in white and gold, the Demon Prince and Crown Prince of Hatherland. Conrad wanted to roll his eyes as the noblewomen swooned openly at them, and all eyes were glued on the brothers. But his own eyes followed the room until they set upon the stunning and elegant vision which was to be his wife. Evanna held Conrad’s gaze for a moment before flicking to his brother and then back to the King, where she stood among other guests they greeted.

Conrad and Arvid walked around the hall, their gazes directed at the King and Queen, who were adorned in red and gold attire, though Conrad’s attention moved to Evanna more than once until they stood across from them. She looked exquisite, the gold and black suiting her and matching him, making his lips curve up. He redirected his attention to his future father-in-law and the Queen while the other nobles departed at their arrival only to stay nearby, no doubt so they could eavesdrop on any potential gossip.

"King Osian, Queen Eleanor, it has been far too long." Arvid stepped forwards and bowed, followed by Conrad bowing.

"Ah, Prince Arvid, it has indeed been a while. I was not expecting you, though I hope you find the chambers adequate?" King Osian replied, clasping his hands together. Conrad refrained from smirking at the King’s snide comment. It was a last-minute decision that Arvid would come to Dunhurst, and if Conrad had not sent word as they left Hatherland, it would have been ruder to arrive unannounced.

Arvid blinked once and smiled. "At such short notice, they are more than adequate. Thank you for such hospitality. I apologise, since our wars in the north, I realised my brother, and I have not spent nearly enough time together. He is off galivanting elsewhere after this!" Arvid exclaimed and shook his head.

Conrad raised a brow at his brother but masked his face indifferently once more. The Crown Prince was still deemed the ’Angel Prince’, and his words and gestures made it hard for Conrad to keep a straight face. Arvid was no more an Angel than he was; if anything, Arvid was worse than Conrad. But he never feigned being good like his brother, nor did he hide behind pretty words.

"Ah, is that so?" King Osian replied, seeming disinterested in the Crown Prince until Arvid turned his attention to Evanna before Conrad could speak to either the King or his fiancé.

"Princess Evanna." Arvid bowed his head and held his hand out for her to take. As decorum would allow, Evanna followed suit and placed her hand in his. "Would you allow me your first dance? My brother has spent more time on the battlefield than practising dance, and I am frightened your pretty feet would be too bruised to dance after."

Conrad’s hands clenched together into fists by his sides as he watched his brother look at Evanna with keen interest. An interest that made his blood boil. What did Arvid want? Was it to irritate him, or was there something more to this? The whole journey to Dunhurst, he had unanswered questions as he travelled by his brother’s side.

Evanna raised a brow at Arvid’s off-handed insult to Conrad, but she bowed her head and replied with a smirk. "Then I shall have to take your word that there would be no injury to my feet as well. Have you not been in as many, if not many more wars as Prince Conrad?"

Arvid’s eyes snapped towards her as he straightened up. "Ah, but I have still delighted in attending balls," He replied as he led her towards the floor of dance partners. Conrad watched on, listening to their conversation as he stood to the side of King Osian, continuing in conversation and entertaining him.

Evanna felt a shiver run down her spine as Prince Arvid pulled her waist closer to his body than she felt comfortable with. Even without this sixth sense warning her of this man, she would stay clear of the Crown Prince. There was something off-putting behind that dazzling smile of his; he was not all as he appeared to the public. The words that seemed kind and like a simple jest at his brother were not concealed enough; Evanna could read through the lines and that sparkling smile for what he really was.

A snake.

Evanna snorted at Arvid. "Then you have made much more effort in attending balls than I, and it might be your feet that end up covered in bruises." The young Princess purposely stubbed his toe and then smiled sweetly. "My apologies, your highness."

Arvid’s grip on her tightened, and she watched his golden eyes harden, revealing more of his true character in seconds. "No need to apologise, Princess," He drawled through gritted teeth and a tight smile. "A few bruises do not compare to injuries on the battlefield. And it is your company I enjoy more. You are certainly someone I much prefer to look at."

His words rolled over her like slime, and the hand at her waist that moved lower caused her to stomp incredibly hard on his big toe once more. "Are you sure about that? I do beg your pardon, Prince but do I need to remind you that I am betrothed to your brother."

Arvid cursed beneath his breath, and his hands returned to an appropriate level. He narrowed his gaze at her, then smiled again. "That could all be rearranged. If you insist on purposely stamping on my feet, Evanna, then I might accuse it as an act of war against Hatherland." He twirled her around and clasped her close to him once more, making her feel dizzy and startled, but her balance never swayed, and her mind was still racing and keeping up with the conversation of a man who was nine years her senior.

"Ha! An act of war, your highness? I hope you jest or was that a poor excuse to reveal how powerful you are as the Crown Prince of Hatherland?" Evanna sneered, though her smile never left her features.

"Careful, Evanna. Conrad may very well be your fiancé and my brother, but he cannot protect you from my wrath if you do so wish to upset me." He leaned closer as the song began to slow down to a stop, halting their gliding footsteps. "I am the future King of Hatherland. Even now, I could take that pretty head from your shoulders. Or.." He turned his head to look at Conrad as he spoke next to her ear. "Maybe I will take you as my bride instead."

Evanna glanced at Conrad and noted the tick of his muscle working in his jaw, his eyes blazing. She turned her head slightly at Arvid, inhaling sharply at the realisation of how close they were but kept her features composed. "You assume I need protecting if I ruffled your feathers too much, but who would protect you if you ruffled mine?" Arvid’s dark golden eyes flicked back to hers sharply, and he scoffed, his arrogance somehow worse than Conrad’s.

"Are you threatening a Crown Prince of Hatherland, young Princess? You should know better," His lips twisted into a smile, his eyes shining in amusement.

Evanna’s hands lowered to her side. "Do you truly find a teenage girl threatening?" Evanna smiled back and walked away, taking only a few steps until her chin tilted up at the broad chest and tense muscles of her fiancé. Conrad continued to watch Arvid as he placed Evanna’s hand on his arm.

"Did you really have to play into his game, Evanna?" Conrad asked quietly as he started to lead her towards the table full of food. Neither picked at any of it while they both scanned the room full of people watching their every move.

"Well, good evening to you too, your highness. I hope you are well; how is the weather in Hatherland? How is your father?" Evanna replied as she started to slide her hand out of his arm, but Conrad halted the action by placing his hand above hers, and he turned to her, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Good evening, Evanna," He replied. "You are.. breath-taking."

Evanna sighed and looked away from him. She kept herself shielded from his charm now, knowing well just how easily it led others to warm his bed.

"Thank you," She replied tersely.

"Stay away from Arvid," Conrad warned before grabbing a chalice full of wine, his eyes remaining on the Crown Prince.

"I cannot decline a dance. Though, I would much prefer if I was in your arms." Evanna stepped in front of him, her hand slipping from his as she tilted her head to the side. "Do you care to dance, Conrad?"

Conrad’s eyes flicked down to hers again, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Of course, my dearest fiancé would ask me instead of waiting for me to ask her," He replied in amusement.

"Was my show not enough, Conrad? I can get to Evanna and Lady Loraven easily. My spies are everywhere." Conrad slowly looked up and met Arvid’s eyes at the other side of the hall. His brother glanced at Lady Loraven speaking to a noblewoman who sprinkled something into a chalice and handed it to her.

Conrad’s eyes widened slightly after Lady Loraven tipped the wine down the other woman’s dress. Now he could see where Evanna got her spark from; it also revealed her mother to be more vigilant and cunning than she appeared. Guards grabbed the other woman by the arms and marched her through the doors wordlessly.

"That is one of many," Arvid said as his gaze fell onto Evanna, regaining Conrad’s attention instantly."Although it really would be a waste. I quite like the way Evanna bites back; I can see why you and father are so smitten." freёnovelkiss.com

Arvid revealed his hand too soon.

Initially, the Crown Prince wanted to wed Evanna; it was painstakingly apparent after the first few times he attempted to speak to King Horik. But now, he was adamant that Hatherland did not need Dunhurst to prosper, and sure it did not, but it was better to have a powerful ally in the south than none at all while they were waging wars. Conrad was pleased to learn the lengths his brother would go to secure his spot as the Crown Prince, but it meant he had to play the long game and, in doing so, hurt Evanna in the process.

Unaware of his brother’s threat, Evanna replied with a slight blush on her cheeks. "Like in other ventures in life, your highness, a woman should not always wait for a man."

Conrad’s chest tightened, and his throat worked while his brows drew together. Evanna was safe, and he would make it so until he accomplished his goals.

"Excuse me, your highness. I must.. see to something urgently." Conrad brushed past Evanna as he left the chalice in her hand and walked the length of the room, his eyes landing on a pretty brunette who had been watching him from afar and none too discreetly. He put on a charming smile, fighting the urge to return to Evanna’s side.

It was only moments later that he looked back at the Princess to see her beginning to leave the hall, her back stiff and her head held high. Conrad watched her, and he could already feel the chill and distance growing between them.

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