– But how? You are children of the same father, the king. Would she dare to defy his will? – I was indignant, not waiting for Evans to speak.
– She wouldn't, no, and that's why we all lived in this very palace while my father was alive," the healer explained hastily. – She didn't have to love us, and what woman would be pleased if her husband found a substitute for her and had children on the side? There were already rumors that the queen was ill, that she could no longer give the king heirs, that she had done something wrong to him and had therefore lost his favor. I understand her. She doesn't deserve to be treated that way. It's just a pity that she was never able to believe that we were also innocent of what happened.
– I understand her too… There are thousands of rumors about me too. But, you know, as cruel as it sounds, if Derek had done that, I wouldn't have put up with his cheating and his children with another woman," I admitted honestly. – Of course, Alva and Willa are different; they came along long before I was their father's wife. I can see why the Queen of Emmerlend couldn't find the strength to be kind to you, and I can hardly blame her.
– Your candor does you credit, Sylvia, but I will not enter into a long discussion of morals and principles, I will simply continue my story. Perhaps the fact was that my father never loved his wife, but only pretended to. Their marriage was arranged for the good of the kingdom," Evans answered my barbs calmly and grinned enigmatically. – A marriage based on contract, without love, is not a strong marriage.
– There's some truth to what you say," I grinned, remembering how my marriage to Derek had started. There was no arrangement, though! I was just a spoils of war!
– I'm glad you agree with me. Once we moved into the palace, all the king's attention went to my mother and me. I was his favorite son, my mother his favorite woman, and his old family lost his favor. He loved his eldest son, Jakub, of course, and often played with him in the evenings, but it was not enough for his brother. He wanted more and so he often bullied me. At first I tried to establish relations with him, called him for a walk in the garden, shared sweets and toys with him, but he was disgusted by my actions. He didn't see us as equals. And his mother never missed a chance to put words in our mouths.
– I'm sorry, Evans. I'm sorry for you and your mother. But I'm sorry for the Queen and your brother, too. But why did you hide your origins from me? – I sat down beside him and took his hand. I needed to see his eyes, to know if he was telling the truth or lying again.
– It's in the past. You're my queen, so you're free to ask whatever you want. – He looked at me again, and only now did I notice that the color of his eyes had changed from blue to yellow.
– Your eyes…" I whispered.
– Yeah, it's bad," the healer grinned. – I drank the potion twenty-four hours before you did. The color of my eyes isn't as bad as yours, though. If your eyes return to their former color… You know how much they hate demons in Emmerlend. Well, if you're recognized as Princess of Flammehav, we'll have bigger problems than sitting in a royal prison.
– We need to get out of here and out of Emmerlend before that happens," I agreed. – But tell me, how did you, a prince, though illegitimate, end up as a physician in my husband's court?
