[Music Recommendation: How Villians Are Made ~ Madalene Duke]

"What?" Oriana raised her brows, looking confused. "I don’t know what you’re saying, but I heard some of the market people talk about thieves and bandits. I hope you didn’t meet one."

Freya shook her head. "No, he just held my waist. My money bag," the girl touched the side of her gown where her money bag was tied, "was here...."

"They got you, Freya. The most beautiful man you saw was a thief." Oriana sighed. "I’m glad he stole just your money bag."

Freya bit her lower lip. "And my heart too."

Oriana held her stomach, trying to stop herself from laughing. "It’s time to leave the market. I’ve gotten everything we wanted to buy. Help me carry the other bag."

Freya blinked, trying to get rid of the image of the man she had seen earlier from her head. She didn’t care if her money was taken; she just wanted to see the person’s face one more time. As they left the marketplace, she turned to look at the stall where they got the woolen jacket.

Getting to the carriage, Oriana raised the bag she was carrying. "I bought a lot of things for Walter, Kai, and Father."

Adric was happy to see his woman smile again. "You did? I’m sure they’ll love it. Maybe Rowan can send it to them while we go on our way."

Oriana nodded happily. "But Madame Rosalie left with the other carriage. That leaves Freya without a carriage. Can she go with Rowan? I’m sure the children will be happy to see her."

"That’s settled. Let’s be on our way then," Adric helped Oriana enter the carriage as they continued their journey.

Freya and Rowan left with the last carriage, using another route where the former king now lived with his grandchildren.

Rowan’s eyes watched the girl sitting in front of him. There was something unusual about her. In the past, she wouldn’t have accepted staying in the same carriage willingly with him. Freya would rather walk back to Avon on foot than stay in the same carriage with him.

On the other couch, Freya thought about the man she had met earlier in the market. She imagined meeting him again, getting married. The thought of it caused her to giggle silently.

Rowan nodded, his point proved. The girl was not in her right mind. He didn’t know what she was thinking about, but he let her be.

By evening, they arrived at the part of Avon where King Fidelis was staying. Stopping in front of the simple house, Rowan helped Freya bring down the gifts they had gotten for them.

Walter, who was playing, was the first to see them. "Auntie Freya! Uncle Rowan!" The boy ran as fast as his legs could carry him, throwing himself into Freya’s arms. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Jasmine ran out of the house. The princess look she used to have was now gone; she looked like a normal maiden. Behind her was Fidelis, who looked like he had adapted to the new life.

"Your Majesty," Rowan and Freya bowed in respect when they saw the man.

Jasmine raised her gown, running down the stairs. "Are you here to take me back to the palace? Did brother Adric send you? That carriage won’t be enough for my bags. You know what, let’s just go," the princess said so many things at the same time.

"Princess Jasmine," Rowan bowed.

Jasmine scowled. Without sparing Rowan a look, she went to stand in front of Freya. "You, I think I’ve seen you before. Answer me."

Freya bowed. "We only came to drop the gifts sent by Queen Oriana."

"Auntie Oriana!" Walter shouted. "I miss her and Uncle Adric."

Freya touched the boy’s face. "They miss you too."

"I don’t need any gifts. I just want to go back to being a princess!" Jasmine stomped, going back inside the house with anger.

Fidelis watched his daughter walk away with anger. He waved at them. "Please, come inside. Don’t let her bother you. She’s still trying to accept the normal life."

"How have you been, Your Majesty?" Rowan said, following the man.

Freya stood with Walter. "How have you been? What about Kai?"

"Come and see," Walter tugged Freya’s hand. "Kai now has birds, and he feeds them every night."

Freya followed the little boy. On seeing the prince sitting close to a cage while he fed a bird, she felt bad for him. This was someone who used to have maids do everything for him.

"Kai!" She waved.

Kai raised his face, and when he saw Freya, he smiled. "Auntie Freya," he went to hug Freya.

Surprised by the boy’s action, Freya turned to look at Walter.

"Auntie Freya, Kai now has a girl he likes. And she comes to visit his bird every day," Walter whispered.

Kai pressed his lips, trying to hide his face. "I don’t like her, I only like her silver hair."

"Yes! She has silver hair and is very smart. She wins against Kai in all the games," Walter chimed happily. "And I like her too."

Freya smiled, watching the two boys talk. "I guess she’s a lovable girl, like you both." She was wrong about them being sad. It was as if they found a new life after leaving the palace, and she was happy for them.

Time for them to leave came, and Walter almost cried. He didn’t want to leave Freya alone.

"Auntie Freya, promise me you’ll come back with more gifts. And next time, come back with Uncle Adric and Auntie Oriana."

Freya knelt down, hugging the boys. "I will. Take care of yourself and your mother."

Fidelis turned to Rowan. "Send my greetings to my son, and I will only pray for his victory during the war."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Rowan bowed. Turning to Freya, he gestured for her to enter the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Freya ruffled with the bag she was holding, making a small noise. When she finally found what she was looking for, she raised it up, pushing her hand forward.

"Here."

Rowan looked down at the girl’s hand. "What’s that?"

"I saw it in the market and thought..." Freya muttered.

Rowan hummed. "I see. Did something happen while you were in the market? I mean, when I say something, like you hitting your head on something hard."

Freya frowned, pulling her upper lip up. She was regretting spending her money to even buy something for the guard. Maybe it wasn’t her money, but she still regretted it.

"Hear me out before you curse me out in your head," Rowan tried to pacify the girl. "Earlier, you were smiling at yourself despite sitting in the same carriage with me. Now you’re giving me a gift. That’s odd."

Freya sighed. "That..." She smiled, remembering the face of the man she met earlier. "I saw the one for me."

Rowan furrowed his brows, taking the jacket from the girl. "I should keep this safe since it’s the last gift before you lost your sanity."

"What?" Freya shouted, stretching her hand to take back her gift, but Rowan pulled it back. "I must have lost my mind to think you would act normal for a second!" The girl gritted her teeth, forgetting about how they were sworn enemies.

Rowan nodded. "I agree with you, and I’m worried about your poor father. He can’t have his only child losing her mind!"

"You!" Freya shouted, pointing at his face. "Well, what was I expecting from a man who-" The girl paused.

Rowan raised his eyebrows, tilting his head to the side. "Who?"

"It’s fine. I don’t need to say it." Freya turned her face to the side.

Rowan twitched his lips. "That’s sad. I really wanted to hear what you would say." His voice turned low.

Freya turned her face. "I was going to say who sleeps with a married woman," when Freya said this, she noticed the look on Rowan’s face change, and she felt bad for him. She didn’t mean to go far with her words.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to judge you. I know you’re just a guard and wouldn’t enjoy what you were doing since it was an order." Freya muttered. She felt bad for judging a person who had no say as they were mere servants.

Rowan snorted, raising his hand, trying to stop his laughter. "Who said anything about not enjoying it? I think my situation was far better than yours, a tiny carrot thinking she saw the one for her."

Freya could feel fumes of anger escape her head and ears. She wished to have a knife appear before her so she could drive it into Rowan’s chest. She couldn’t believe she felt pity for someone like him.

"Uhhh," Rowan shivered, bringing out the woolen jacket as he used it to wrap his body. "It’s so cold inside here. I hope I don’t freeze before we return to the palace. But what can I say, I have something to keep me warm." Snuggling inside the jacket, Rowan closed his eyes while Freya continued fuming, her eyes shooting imaginary daggers at him.