Heart Over Sword-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. ƒreewebɳovel.com

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..."

"Evanna!" Queen Eleanor smacked one of the guard’s suits in annoyance.

"I am the daughter of the previous King, King Selvin. My mother, Loraven, is the princess of Lyvaria, and she married King Selvin before his death."

Evanna’s announcement caused an uproar. Nobles jolted from their seats and started shouting, arguing among themselves when the King did not object to her statement. The princess expected as much, but they needed to know who exactly the Queen tried to kill on multiple occasions. Loraven was an elven royal; attempting to assassinate her would cause a war between the kingdoms. The nobles of Dunhurst didn’t need to know the rift between the King and Queen and their daughter.

All Evanna needed was for them to understand why the Queen deserved a severe punishment. By commoner standards, the law was the law. If somebody tried to kill another, then they would be hanged. But they were nobles, and there was a world of politics that would take precedence before assuming the role the Queen would take. Queen Eleanor would be punished for her deeds, but to what degree?

Eleanor was the King’s wife with three legitimate children with two heirs to the throne. That was why the nobles needed to know who her mother was and who she was. Evanna did not want revenge for how she had been treated; she’d grown up with it and did not care. But she would use this status as the previous King’s child to her advantage.

Although this was new to Evanna, and she did not know King Selvin, she was sure if he was anything like Osian, he would be pleased with her claiming her title. This would ensure a better future for Loraven, who had been either sought after to stay on the King’s good side by pleasing his ’mistress’ or treated like a smudge on a newly cleaned window.

"Your Majesty! Is this true?!" Similar questions were asked aloud by the nobles. While their attention was on the King, the Queen managed to close the distance between herself and Evanna. The guards had moved aside, watching the nobles and ensuring they did not go to Evanna or the Queen.

"You little brat!"

"Why are you so angry, Eleanor?" Evanna smirked, watching in delight at the anger brewing like a storm behind the Queen’s eyes.

"It is true." The King spoke up as Eleanor and Evanna stared at each other. "I promised my brother, Selvin, to take care of Loraven."

Evanna continued to watch the Queen’s expression as Osian began to explain in simple terms the details about Loraven and Evanna’s birth. Eleanor directed her glare at Loraven.

"Why do you hate my mother so much?" Evanna asked, her tone quiet to hide the emotion brimming at the edge of her voice.

Eleanor slowly turned her head to look at Evanna. For the first time, she seemed to measure her answer even though only moments ago, she had been so angry. Evanna tuned out the King’s finishing sentences and the backlash of the nobles’ bewilderment, all so she could hear Eleanor’s next words.

"I was always meant to be Queen."

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