Evanna and Arawn continued to the long table at the far end, where the king and Queen’s family faced the court. The pair greeted with a curtsy and a bow. Unlike her time with the elves, the clothing she wore again seemed plain and simple, covering her up with a tight corset to keep everything in check. Evanna had become accustomed to their clothing, so wearing something that kept her breathing and movements limited again was highly frustrating.
"I can’t wait to take this damn thing off," Evanna muttered under her breath as the king rose from his seat, raising his hands to quieten the hall.
Arawn smirked, keeping his voice quiet, and only so she could hear him, "Is this your way of seducing me? I must admit, it is working. I will help you out of your dress later."
Evanna’s eyes crinkled up at his response, relaxing her further even under the scrutiny of her family and the nobles around her. After everything she’d been through, something like this shouldn’t faze her. It mostly didn’t. Yet her anxiety and years of habits made her feel like a bird locked in a cage for all to admire and experiment with. It was highly unsettling.
"Will you help me with any further needs after that, though, Your Highness?" Evanna whispered back, then felt her cheeks heat after Axel cleared his throat from behind them.
Their conversation was quiet, and others shouldn’t be able to hear them, but those gathered in the hall suddenly quietened under the king’s command. Nobody besides their group heard, but those watching might see some of the men’s ears slightly red or their faces a little flushed. All except for Garrett, who seemed more displeased than anything. But when didn’t he look moody?
"We’ve gathered here not only to rejoice in the homecoming of my cherished daughter, Evanna, but also to honour the knights who accompanied her, safeguarded her, and ensured her safe return. Our dear friends from the Florian kingdom played a vital role in reuniting us, and as a symbol of our strengthened bond with the Flori, I’m delighted to declare the engagement of Princess Evanna and Crown Prince Arawn Thorn. Let us all raise our glasses in a toast to Evanna and Arawn and celebrate this joyous occasion tonight." The king raised his glass from the table, smiling broadly.
The nobles followed, clapping and cheering from around them. Evanna and Arawn shared a glance before going towards the two empty seats on the left side of the king, where Lady Loraven sat straight, looking radiant. Evanna greeted her before sitting, ignoring the feel of two pairs of eyes sending daggers in their direction; they already knew who it would be.
"Evanna! Evanna!"
Before her backside could hit the seat, Evanna’s body was pushed back from two bundles of joys jumping straight into her. Her arms wrapped around her younger brothers, or younger cousins, William and George, and embraced them back. They stared up at her with sparkling eyes.
"I heard you returned on the back of a dragon!" William exclaimed with excitement, speaking so rapidly that it elicited laughter from Evanna.
"A weel dwag-on?!" George, the youngest at six years old, inquired. They were such adorable kids. They must take after Osian, more than their mother.
"I did-"
"And with elves!" William interjected, clearly unfazed by Arawn or Garrett, as he peered around Evanna, keeping an eye on Arawn.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highnesses," Arawn greeted the boys, who started walking around Evanna to see Arawn, who was seated and bowed his head at them.
"Woah! Look at his ears!" George exclaimed in that innocent way that only children could get away with. He even pointed directly at them. If the Queen could hear George right now, Evanna was sure he would be scolded, firstly because of his lack of etiquette, even at this age, and secondly because Arawn was an elf.
Evanna looked in Queen Eleanor’s direction, but she was distracted by telling off a servant. Isabel was smirking as the servant kept their head down, apologetic for whatever small deed they must have done.
"Boys, you should know better than to point at guests," Evanna lightly scolded, though she saw Arawn’s eyes twinkling in amusement and a mischievous grin on his lips.
Slouching over, he looked between the children, acting as though he was about to tell them a secret. "Do you want to see something magical?" He whispered.
"Arawn, you can’t. It is against the law here," Evanna fretted, worried for her fiance’s life.
"Can you two keep this between you?" He asked, his eyes still on the children.
They nodded their heads swiftly, excitement widening their eyes. "We won’t say anything! Isn’t that right, Will?"
William nodded. "That’s wight!"
Arawn smiled and turned his hands over, creating a small flurry of tiny snow falling and landing on his hands, where it built up and started to slide through his fingers. George and William were fixated on it, their mouths open. George tried to catch the snow falling from Arawn’s fingers, but it disappeared before then.
"Woah. This is magic?" George asked in amazement.
The snow stopped falling, and Arawn put his hands together, raising the top one after a few seconds to reveal the snow had transformed into a small icy dragon. The ice dragon started to move, its wings flapping up and down, tail moving slowly.
Evanna’s cousins gasped and giggled at what they saw, attracting a few others at the table to look over. Loraven watched, her gaze sad as she saw elven magic and snow at that, reminding her of times long gone. King Osian also watched; he could only determine what was happening from his seat.
It truly was amazing to see, but if anyone else noticed, there could be complications, something they couldn’t afford. The king cleared his throat, drawing Arawn’s attention to him, and immediately, the dragon melted and disappeared.
"That’s amazing, big brother!" George gripped Arawn’s wrist in his excitement. "We won’t tell anyone!"
Big brother? Arawn’s brows rose at that, but the surprise was a delightful one.
William nodded along, grinning widely with a few missing teeth.
"George? William?" The Queen’s voice made them stiffen and bow at Evanna and Arawn before returning.
Evanna shook her head as the boys whispered excitedly between themselves.
"Cute children," Arawn commented; he sounded surprised. It was understandable. The Queen had been glaring at her and Arawn from her seat during Osian’s speech.