Unlike the Lyvarian palace and travelling on the road, Evanna and Arawn found themselves bound by societal norms and regulations. It was customary for men and women to socialise with one another in crowded settings with chaperones. That never stopped those from breaking the rules before. It certainly didn’t dissuade Evanna or Arawn either.
In the middle of the night, Arawn would stealthily climb into Evanna’s chambers, all so they could converse secretly, kiss and cuddle. The thrill and excitement of possibly getting caught heightened Evanna’s desire to give her all to Arawn. Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, Arawn never caved, and after cuddling all night, he was gone in the morning before anyone would discover he’d visited her chambers.
It had only been a few days since their return, and news spread along the palace and the kingdom of their princess’ safe return. Servants had also been whispering among themselves of the elves Evanna kept company with. Her father did have that drink with Arawn in the end, and although Evanna tried to sneak in and listen to their discussion, it was impossible, and she had to wait to hear about their conversation from each of them. She didn’t realise how nervous she had been about them meeting each other.
That all faded away into the background, though, whenever Evanna laid eyes on her mother. It really was a miracle. It had only been a few days, yet Loraven hadn’t left her chambers yet. She said it was to attend the banquet and celebrations of their return this evening. But this only made Evanna suspicious.
If their roles had been reversed, Evanna was sure she would have ventured outside, but Loraven seemed to be playing it safe. It caused resentment to swell in Evanna’s chest. The years of being stuck in this palace, at the mercy of others, hearing gossipers and disgusting rumours about them smashed into her like a hammer to the face. She was reminded of why she frequently escaped the palace and sought adventure.
Now standing outside the doors to the Great Hall, Arawn by her side and the men behind them, clean-faced, shaven, dressed in luxury materials, they looked the part of returning heroes. But this wasn’t only about their return. Evanna glanced at Arawn, her hand sliding into his arm as they held each other’s gaze. He was starting to become her rock, especially in a place she despised so much.
Evanna never wanted him to see how her life was as the ’illegitimate child’ of the king and how she was treated. Unfortunately, it was the price to pay for curing her mother. And she wouldn’t have it any other way; what was a dent to her pride compared to her mother’s life?
From what Evanna had seen of Arawn’s glares and frustrated flaring nostrils, the prince struggled with his restraint to the treatment. It was true; if they were in Direwood forest, nobody would dare to utter a word in his presence. It was like that for him in the halls. His icy gaze could chill a room and quieten their wagging tongues, but it didn’t stop them from speaking of Evanna.
"Ready?" Arawn asked, his voice quiet. He couldn’t wait to take Evanna back to the Flori kingdom. He had to suppress his desire to kill the vile insects that dared to stare and gossip about his Evanna. He’d heard a few comments and knew they were sprouting from one central person, someone jealous of Evanna.
Arawn had yet to meet everyone within Evanna’s family, and tonight, he would meet the others, though if his suspicions were correct, the gossip came from one of those family members. Who else would be so enraged by Evanna’s return? There was a lot more drama here, nestling beneath the surface of this royal family; he had yet to see what it was, though. Evanna didn’t know who her real father was, and it appeared that everybody believed she was still an illegitimate child of the king.
Evanna nodded. "Brace yourself, guys. This might be harder than fighting monsters," Evanna muttered over her shoulder at the men.
Garrett narrowed his eyes, his expression hard. He looked ready to go to war. Axel and Ronan shared a look before Axel cracked his knuckles, and Ronan’s lips turned up into a charming smile whilst Ger, who was already used to the gossip inside the palace walls, nodded once.
As the doors swung open, the grand hall was bathed in the warm, flickering glow of candlelight. On one side, a substantial fireplace not only provided much-needed warmth but also cast a welcoming, amber radiance that dispelled the hall’s typical darkness and chill. Tables had been arranged around what could pass as a dance floor, and both aristocrats and servants momentarily halted their activities to witness the arrival of their princess and her visitors from the Flori lands. A hushed silence fell over the gathering as some individuals instinctively distanced themselves from the elves while a handful regarded Ger with a certain apprehension.
Ger had a reputation as a monster hunter just like the other two, but now he’d turned into a ’monster’; someone who could transform into such a mighty beast was one to be wary of. The people of Dunhurst were not used to such magic or elves on their land. The celebrations were already full of entertainment from those in attendance.
After months on their travels and meeting those in places like Lyvaria, the group didn’t find the noble’s judgemental looks intimidating or worth their time. These people were ignorant and didn’t understand anything besides what they were told. Evanna still found it annoying, though.
"The princess entered with an elf?!"
"Isn’t that Prince Arawn of the Flori elves? Are they... an item?"
"What do you think this means?"
"Do you think a marriage is on the horizon?"
Evanna refrained from rolling her eyes at those gossiping as they passed. Did they really not think she could hear them? Or was this on purpose?