{Call out my name ~ The Weeknd}

With the morning light streaming through the windows, the royal family of Eridor and their guests gathered in the grand dining hall. The servants were now serving breakfast, setting plates and spoons that made clattering sounds in the quiet room.

Freya sat just between her father and Rowan. She was already uncomfortable being around him, and now she was stuck eating breakfast beside Rowan. This caused Freya to bury her face down, not wanting to meet the annoying, expressionless look of Rowan.

"I don’t see the King and Queen," Rowan started, breaking the silence. He pushed his plate properly before turning to look at the Crown Prince.

Prince Conrad nodded. "Yes, they went to the temple to pray for a successful coronation. They’ll be back the night before the coronation. Also, they don’t want to ruin the events that follow the coronation; according to them, it’s for the young ones," he replied, leaning closer to listen to what his other wife was whispering.

Rowan hummed, nodding his head. Then he moved back a little to give the maid space to serve his food without spilling it. Then he started eating.

"What’s this? It tastes good," Rowan muttered, taking another spoonful of the meal in front of him.

The Crown Prince smiled, raising his shoulders proudly. "I’m glad to hear that you enjoy it. I had my servants outdo themselves by making our best. That’s a meated porridge," the young man replied.

"I should be able to learn new things while I’m in Eridor, then. Adding more dishes during breakfast in Avon would really impress the King and Queen," Louis added, taking a bite from the fresh bread in front of him, then closing his eyes to savor the taste.

"It’s really delicious; there’s something different about it from normal bread. It melts on the tongue... If your highness doesn’t mind, can I join the servants in the kitchen?"

Conrad nodded. "Of course! Treat this place as your second home. I’d really love to be on good terms with Avon, as I have a lot to learn from the King. He is so young yet wise. I’m glad our war ended without much bloodshed, considering we had to fight just because of one man’s selfishness." The young man shook his head with a sad look on his face.

Freya picked at her food slowly, listening to what they were saying. She wanted to take the food inside her room and eat while reading a book. She hated that she had to sit with people she didn’t even know, and most importantly, she wasn’t used to eating with members of the royal family, which made her feel like the odd one out. Seeing her father blend in easily came as a surprise to the girl.

Taking a small bite from her bread, she picked up her water to drink.

"Your sister, I see she’s not much of a talker. Or does she not like our kingdom?" Conrad asked, his eyes now on Freya.

Freya’s hand tightened around the cup she was holding, bringing it closer to her face. She wished she could give an excuse and disappear. This was how she felt anytime all attention fell on her. She didn’t want any of that attention. Freya just wanted to be left alone.

"My sister?" Rowan started, chewing what he was eating slowly.

Freya raised her eyes when she heard Rowan speak, still holding the cup to her face even though she wasn’t drinking the water.

"The truth is, it was really difficult convincing her to come here. She’s not someone you can easily please," Rowan replied with an innocent smile.

The Crown Prince frowned. "Really?" He let out a deep sigh, reclining in his chair. "I just hope she accepts my sister as your wife, then. My sister is just a normal girl..."

Freya finally brought the cup down from her face because she was now looking weird with it. She gave the Crown Prince a small bow and then a smile because she didn’t know what to say.

"Also, we’d like to rest after this, as we’ve been on the road for a day and one night now," Rowan remarked, putting down his spoon. Taking a cup of water, he finished it in two gulps.

The Crown Prince clapped his hands. "Yes, yes... about that, we are yet to finish the new palace building. So one of the rooms needs its bathroom fixed, so one person has to use a room with a broken bathing tub."

Louis raised his hand, ready to take the room so that Rowan and Freya would be comfortable, but Rowan stopped him.

"I’m fine taking that room. I’m sure my dear sister won’t mind if I use her bathroom once in a while. I mean, we usually help each other..."

Louis furrowed his brows when he heard this because, from what he had seen over the past few days, it was the opposite.

"You do?" the man whispered, looking at Freya, who was now glaring at Rowan. And if looks could kill, Rowan would probably be six feet under.

"Then I was worried for nothing. Let me take you to your room. Tonight, there will be a little party outside to welcome you properly, so you should rest before it starts." The Crown Prince pushed his chair back, taking the hands of his two wives. With his brother following behind, he led the way.

Louis followed them immediately after taking two more pieces of the bread he enjoyed so much.

Freya quickly pushed her chair back, grabbing Rowan by the hand.

"This is really becoming a habit," Rowan frowned. "Why do you always have to talk to me when there’s nobody around? Someone might get the wrong idea."

Freya pushed his hand away, her chest rising up and down. "You’re doing this to provoke me, right?"

"Are you getting provoked? Do I make you feel things you’re not supposed to already? It’s a shame," Rowan twitched his lips, with a fake worried look on his face.

Freya threw her hands up tiredly. "You’re not making me feel anything except annoyance. Why would you choose my room to bathe in? You have other options. Are you doing this to get back at me or something... because I rejected you in front of everyone?"

Rowan chuckled, shaking his head as he listened to the girl speak. He took a step forward, causing Freya to take a step back cautiously.

"Rejection? Nobody has ever done that to me, Freya..." Her name rolled off his tongue, making him smirk.

Being the first time he had ever called her name and looking so serious, Freya gulped nervously, her eyes drowning in those black ones that now stared at her intensely.

"You think I’m the worst man because I not only did it with a married woman? I also shamelessly asked you to marry me." When he said this, Freya widened her eyes in surprise. "I already see how you look at me and I know why, but the thing is... I won’t hold back when it comes to chasing you, Freya, and it started the moment you entered the carriage leaving Avon."

Freya blinked, trying to look away from his face, but she couldn’t. She didn’t like the way Rowan was talking to her at the moment, especially the way he was looking at her. There was something very dark lurking in his eyes.

"I ignited a little fire already, and it’s erosive. Consuming all the boundaries you’ve set, girl. And devouring every word you spat at me, and the very reason you hate me? You’ll be left craving the very thing you despise. I know my ways might be twisted, but that’s me and I can’t change it. I’ll continue to chase you until every part of you becomes familiar with my voice, your body begging for the pleasure that only I can provide. I will leave no stone unturned, claiming every inch of you, body and soul."

Freya opened her mouth to speak, but then Rowan raised his hand to touch her, and instinctively, she took another step back, hitting the chair.

Rowan chuckled. "It’s coming, Freya, but don’t worry. I’ll make you cry and beg for more... I’ll make you scream my name until it’s the only word you know. And the only water you’ll drown in will come from the wetness of your honey pot." With a lean, Rowan pecked the girl’s cheek.

Freya held her breath when she felt Rowan lean closer, her heart drumming frantically against her chest at the words the man had just shamelessly said. The fresh scent of something masculine wafted into her nostrils, causing her to inhale deeply. When he moved back, he left the room, leaving the girl all alone. That was when Freya understood her situation; she wasn’t in Eridor to take her father back. She had walked into Rowan’s trap, and the only thing that could hold her back was her strong will.