Heart Over Sword

Prince Conrad was led to Princess Evanna's private garden the following morning. After his 'lovely' family breakfast, he received a message that the Princess wished for their last lesson to be outside. The Prince knew that only a named few were allowed entry to her garden. At first, before he started to understand her, he presumed the Princess must have tantrums if anyone entered. 

Now, as he walked down the patio steps and onto a path that led through a vibrant garden, did he understand why nobody was allowed entry. The area was peaceful, with the flowers in full bloom and nobody else in sight to whisper and gossip about Evanna. Other than her chambers, this was her safe haven. 

The servant who directed him to the garden had already left. He was now walking along the path by himself, holding onto the books by his side. He followed a curve that led to a small courtyard with a few benches and a fountain. This was the spot they were meant to meet, but Evanna was not there; he pulled his golden pocket watch from his navy coat pocket and checked the time. 

He was five minutes early, so he placed the books down on the nearest bench and stood waiting for Evanna's arrival. As he did, Conrad's eyes snapped to the side where a large tree was in front of the balcony, but what gained his attention was the bird that fell from the sky. Conrad walked in its direction and sighed when he saw the raven lying on its back, dead. He crouched over it and tilted his head to the side. 

Conrad wondered how Evanna would react to his powers. Now that he was closer to the balcony, he knew a particular pair of green eyes were watching him from the tree. There was no doubt that the balcony was connected to Evanna's private quarters, and the quickest route to her garden was by climbing down the tree. That was exactly something he could see her doing. If Evanna went as far as dressing up as a commoner to explore the village outside of the palace, then climbing trees must be a piece of cake. 

Conrad redirected his attention to the dead bird on the grass and raised his hand above it, focusing his energy on it, like he'd done on previous occasions. The bird's chest suddenly expanded, and its wings flapped before it hopped up onto its feet, flicking its head from side to side before squawking and ruffling its feathers and staring at Conrad; its eyes were glazed over. Conrad frowned as his energy started to dwindle, and his head began to throb; he clutched his head, hissing before releasing his hold on the bird. 

Evanna gasped and dropped the vast distance down beside him, landing gracefully like a cat. He was hunched over, his knee's now on the ground as he felt a sharp needle-like pain prick at the side of his head. The bird hopped to the side near him, but Conrad waved his hand dismissively, and the bird flew away. 

"Are you okay?" The Princess approached him slowly. 

Conrad chuckled through clenched teeth, wincing at the pain in his skull. "What did you see?" He asked instead of answering her. His heart was racing, his head throbbing, and he wanted to crawl back into bed. It had been a while since he used that power. Usually, the animal would flop dead to the ground, but he could feel this disgusting link between him and the raven even while it flew further away. It was a sickening feeling; his body was chilled from bringing it back from the dead.

"I saw everything," Evanna replied gently and squatted down next to him, clutching her arms around her knees, staring at him in concern. 

"Whatever you thought you saw, it's not what it seems," He muttered. He didn't know what Evanna could be thinking, but it was refreshing to see someone still next to him after witnessing such a thing. Normally though, the animal was dead again by the time anyone saw him; he was known as killing animals. Sure he'd experimented with his powers on the dead animals but never killed them intentionally to do so. 

"Weren't you saving the bird?" Evanna tilted her head to the side.

"So naïve. You should be running off screaming by now. Don't you know? I kill animals for fun," He laughed darkly, but there was no humour behind it before sighing and releasing his head.

"That is not what it looked like to me," Evanna replied calmly. 

Conrad looked at her incredulously. "You are a very strange princess," He spoke aloud what he kept thinking about her, then blinked back in shock as Evanna held his hand in hers, inspecting it curiously. 

He watched her for a moment more before yanking his hand back. "What are you doing!?" His cheeks had reddened, and he looked away, clearing his throat and trying to regain his composure, which was hard when the Princess scooted closer to him and leaned into him. 

Conrad whipped his head back to look at her and paused his tongue from snapping at her when he saw her face. He was so absorbed with his headache and Evanna's odd reactions that he ignored the terrified handmaidens rushing towards them. 

"Are you a sorcerer?" Evanna whispered, gaining his attention again. She stared at him in earnest. He felt insulted that she thought they were close enough to ask such a thing. But instead of pushing her away or lashing out like he had done in the past, he stared back at the girl's innocent green eyes and felt calmer than ever before. She wasn't scared of him even after witnessing that; her question was genuine without any malice.

Conrad glanced at the approaching servants; they were fearful of him and wore expressions of conflicting emotions. Now he knew why she was so close to him, so he could answer without worrying that they would hear them. Though the Prince found it odd, she was not embarrassed. But he reminded himself that she was only eight.

"I don't know what I am," He finally replied quietly before shuffling to his feet. His headache had subsided now, though he still felt sleep deprived and swayed for a moment. Evanna helped steady him by grabbing his shoulders. He didn't know how he felt seeing a worried expression on the Princess's face; it was strange. 

"Princess Evanna! Prince Conrad! What have you done?!" One of the handmaidens squealed; she looked at Conrad, petrified. 

Evanna squeezed his shoulders and turned away from him. "We found a dead bird-"

"Your highness. This is not a good look for you," Another handmaiden interrupted and reached out, grabbing Evanna by the wrist harshly. Conrad frowned at the disrespect this servant was showing the Princess. 

"His highness has a bad reputation," She whispered loudly in Evanna's ear and glanced in his direction. She made sure that he and the other servants could hear what she said. "And here you are cosying up to him after witnessing SOMETHING LIKE THAT!"

Conrad glared at the servant, making her flinch. "How dare you put your hands on the princess!" He stepped forwards, but Evanna blocked his path, moving in front of him, her wrist still in the servant's hand. He could see her digging her nails into the Princess's skin. 

"His highness and I have a lesson. I'd appreciate it if you unhand me." Evanna yanked her wrist away from the maidservant, her chin tilted up in defiance as she glared at her.

"I am only looking out for you, princess-"

"Since when did it become an issue that the Princess and I become better acquainted? And since WHEN was it okay to show such disrespect to not only your Princess but a Prince of another kingdom. If this was Hatherland, you would lose your tongue for speaking so ill of us," Conrad spat viciously. 

The servant's eyes widened in fear, and she started to tremble, taking a step away from them, bowing her head. "I did not mean to-"

"These are my private gardens, Agnes. You and the others do not serve me. Return to the Queen and tell her of what you found." Evanna flicked her hand, dismissing the servants and sighed tiredly. 

"I serve all.." Agnes trailed off and curtsied after Evanna looked at her pointedly, and Conrad glared at her. "Your highnesses."  She scurried off behind the others. 

The pair stood there, watching them leave in silence until the servants disappeared and Conrad turned on her. "Why did you let her treat you so disrespectfully? You don't let your sister, and you certainly would never let me yet you let that servant-"

"Because I don't have enough power yet!" Evanna snapped back, interrupting him. Conrad felt his jaw go slack at her words. Power? How in the world was she already wise enough to know of the way things worked?

"I'm only eight! I don't have the connections yet to grow my influence. This palace is controlled by the Queen. If I were to discipline them, my personal maids would then be punished. Until then, I lay low and take my wins when I can," Evanna continued; her cheeks grew red from her little outburst, her hands were balled by her sides, revealing just how frustrated she was. 

"That may be so, but while I am here, there will be no such instances," Conrad said in determination. "That I will promise you."

Evanna smiled sadly as they began to walk back to their original meeting spot by the benches. "You are only here for another two days but thank you, Conrad," She thanked him graciously. 

Her thanks and casual use of his name took him by surprise, and it showed on his face. He didn't feel insulted by her dropping his title; it was strange. He knew spending time with her and away from his family was making him change. But he was yet to figure out if that change was a good thing or not. Did Evanna weaken him?

Evanna shook her head, "Maybe we started off on the wrong foot?" She suggested and stopped walking. Conrad also halted and looked back at her with a raised brow when she held her hand out towards him. "Let us start over. I am Princess Evanna Elwen Goodrich. Please, just call me by my name."

Conrad scoffed and shook his head. "So lame!" He complained, but he still shook her hand quickly, grumbling his name, "Prince Conrad Hart." He turned his back on her calling over his shoulder. "Come on, you still have a long way to go. You know you're not a very fast learner," He lied, then glared as he felt Evanna's fist connect with his shoulder lightly. 

Evanna skipped ahead. "Hmm, well, I have a whole year to learn it and catch up before I see you again." 

The children sat at the bench and began their lesson again, unaware of the friendship that would blossom between them.