Chapter 121 - A Clearer Mind

It has been three weeks since Evanna's birthday and since her mother dream walked to her. After the king and prince left her in the garden, she returned to the prince's quarters and asked to stay in her room. Asked? No, it was an order by the king; there were guards outside the door, including Cedric and Anwel. Neither looked her way as she entered nor spoke to her for the whole day. 

At first, she worried over Arawn and the reprimand he would receive. But then she was reminded that the prince couldn't possibly get in trouble. This was his kingdom, and she was the uninvited guest. 

Still, the longer she spent away from him, the clearer her mind became. She spent her time on the balcony, thoughtlessly rearranging vines with her magic as she stared across at the stunning view. When Rina returned to her, checking in on her, Evanna played the dutiful guest though her mind was swirling with reckless thoughts. After finishing her meal, she dismissed the handmaiden, explaining that she needed to rest. 

Yes, the more time Evanna was by herself, she was reminded of the dream she has been thrown in. With all the qualities of such a place she started to adore, she felt at home even with restrictions in place. But it was not home. The king's chilling look lasted in her mind and felt like a bucket of icy water crashing over her. 

Evanna was jolted awake from the surreal routine that had become her temporary life. And in the time that Arawn had not returned to see her, Evanna started to plan different escape routes. All of them seemed to give a 50% chance of survival unless she were to do the usual of dressing up in a servant's outfit and climbing into a cart. But the princess knew this would not be the case. The guards were aware of her appearance, and even in the elven kingdom, so far, she had yet to meet another with raven black hair and emerald, green eyes. 

Evanna was sitting on the balcony once more as she gazed upon the moonlit sky. Footsteps startled her from her reverie, and she turned her head to see Rina approaching her. While Evanna had been gazing upon the sky, she had not noticed how the flowers bloomed brighter than before and leaned towards her more. Rina stared at the buds closest to Evanna, causing the princess to tilt her head to the side.

"Do you require a bath before bed?" Rina enquired politely. Evanna smiled in return and let the handmaiden draw the bath. Once it was full, she stepped back on the balcony, waiting for further orders.

"Has there been any word from prince Arawn?" Evanna stood up and started to make her way to the bathroom.

"No, my lady. It seems his highness and his majesty are yet to leave the study." Rina followed behind her and dutifully helped Evanna out of her dress. 

Evanna paused her actions. "Have they not eaten?" She stared at Rina, observing her like she used to for any tell-tale signs of lying. With her mind clearer once more, she felt alert to the people around her. Guilt clawed at her chest, but Evanna was not there to make friends, though she would still act normally in fear of attracting unwanted attention to herself. 

"They had their meals in the king's quarters," Rina replied with a gentle smile. "I would not worry, my lady. They must have a lot to discuss, what with the new attacks in the forest and humans in search of a princess."

Evanna turned, staring at her wide-eyed as she held onto the dress to her chest. "What!? How long have you known about this? Are these humans in Direwood forest? Are they the ones attacking?" 

Rina blinked back at Evanna's sudden change in demeanour. "The humans are yet to breach the forest. They have camped outside and await the prince. They just want safe passage or to discuss with the king about their princess. But I do not see why a princess would be in the woods, let alone survive in there. Even some of the elves have fallen in there."

Evanna swallowed past the lump forming in her throat. These men must be her father's; there was no doubt about it. They knew of her skill with a blade, though she doubted they believed her skilful enough to make it through the forest alone. If they were camping outside of the forest, then it had to be of the king's bidding or their commander. 

It was against the law to pass through to the elven kingdom, and so they must wait until the crown prince sees them. This might be the perfect time to make an escape. She would need to wait and make sure everything was prepared beforehand. Evanna nodded slightly in agreement with her thoughts, then replied to Rina nonchalantly,

"Yes, I am not sure who they are, but they must be foolish to think a princess would dare enter Direwood forest.. What are these attacks you speak of?" She changed the direction of the conversation as she climbed into the petal covered bath. 

"They have not revealed much about these attacks. But it is of some creature that has caused chaos before. But it seems to have caused more stir than usual. Maybe they cannot catch it," Rina hummed her thoughts. Well, Direwood forest was full of creatures, so this news was not that catching. If Rina knew more about the beast, then maybe she could prepare in case she ever came close to it. 

Evanna did not allow any help in the bath, but she took this time to discuss with Rina the latest news and even gossip of the Flori. Any new information could help her in succeeding to escape or survive. Listening to gossips such as a guard and a noble lady caught canoodling behind a tree, though it sounded useless, was indeed helpful. If he were guarding a particular area she needed to use for escape, she could send the lady his way as a distraction. 

Evanna went to bed with the intention of setting her plans in motion, even if they would be intentionally slow to grasp the situation at hand. She was still to see what would become of her and Arawn after the king saw them earlier that day. For now, she would make everything up as she went until there was a clearer view of what was ahead. 

Even with her mind swirling, it was odd to find herself easily falling into a deep slumber. Evanna awoke the next day with a troubled expression; even with her resolve to take her time, it seemed fate had other ideas. Her mother visited her last night in her dream. Ger and the others were still yet to arrive in the palace and deliver the gemstone.