[Music Recommendation: Castle of Glass (Cello and Piano) ~ GnuS Cello]
Freya gently rose from her father’s bedside, her eyes lingering on his peaceful face, now serene in slumber, his health finally on the mend. She let out a quiet sigh before leaving the room in search of the Princess.
Stepping outside the palace, Freya’s nose was first blessed with the fresh scent of freshwater and green leaves. Avon was close to the sea, but during the dry seasons, one wouldn’t notice at all. But with the rainy season on its way, its presence was made known with the heavy scent of wet earth.
Freya closed her eyes, enjoying the feel. It was a lushness she didn’t know she would enjoy a few days ago when she was about to be sold as a bed warmer to the lecherous ministers. The horror of that day replayed in Freya’s mind; her eyes flew open, goosebumps rising on her skin. She shook her head as if dislodging the unwanted memory.
"Only happy thoughts now," she muttered to herself, taking a good look at the palace. Since she failed to do so after she was dragged in with her father as a slave. The walls of the palace were neatly painted white, but they were already having little cracks, and the red flowers that adorned the pillars were now withering slowly like they were in motion.
Freya walked slowly on the plush grass, raising her dress up so she could feel the tingly scratch of the grass on her feet. The feeling warmed her heart, and she smiled with her eyes closed.
"Freya?" Oriana called from behind, seeing the girl lost in another dimension that was definitely pleasant, seeing how bright her smile was.
Freya opened her eyes, "Princess Oriana," she bowed. Happy to see the person she was most grateful for.
"How’s your father?" Oriana fixed the gown she was wearing, touching her waist where the belt Adric had fixed earlier was now sitting prettily.
"He is doing much better now, thank you so much for your help," Freya bowed. "Is there anything I could do to help around the palace?"
Oriana nodded, "I’ll be much more comfortable if you stay beside me," it was better to have someone she could trust as her personal maid. Though the last experience with Bessie still daunted her, she was open to giving Freya a chance. The girl was just so innocent and plain as the books she read.
Freya was also happy to serve beside the princess. Though life in the palace wasn’t as she had imagined, it was harsh and scary, but she was willing to adapt especially if it meant staying beside the Princess.
"Did you come to visit Avon?" Freya asked, curiosity in her small eyes.
Oriana chuckled, "I wish it was just a visit," she sighed. "I’m married to the Crown Prince now."
Freya held her hand over her mouth, stifling a small gasp, "Married?" It came as a surprise to her since the princess didn’t look like someone who actually fancied the Crown Prince during their first meeting. She had a lot of questions to ask the princess about the marriage.
"Was it like a princess falling in love with Prince Charming after a timely rescue? I’ve read about things like this in so many books. You found your soulmate?"
The curious girl bombarded Oriana with so many words at a time that she lost count of the first she asked, "Relax, Freya," the princess said with a smile.
"Have you read about the prince abducting the princess in one of your books?" she asked with a serious expression.
Freya hummed. She had read a lot of books but none where the prince abducts the princess. She shook her head slightly and went further to explain, "In my book, the prince always comes on a white horse. Then he slays the evil dragon that held the princess captive. Then they fall in love and live happily ever after, the end." Freya clasped her hands with dreamy eyes. She always wanted that kind of love for herself, even if it wasn’t a prince, but someone who would love her and be her first kiss, and they would live together forever. The mere thought of it sent Freya to a beautiful land of imagination. "Was that how it was for you and the Crown Prince?"
Oriana sighed deeply; Adric was not any of what the girl had described. In reality, he was the very opposite if not the dragon himself. But then explaining all these details would confuse Freya, so all Oriana said was, "The Crown Prince has a black horse."
"Eh?" Freya asked, with her brows knitted together.
Oriana shook her head slightly, "It’s a black horse he came with, not a white one," she turned her face towards the palace, and speaking of the devil or the dragon because that was what Adric was instead of the charming prince Freya had read about in her books.
Adric emerged from the palace, his usual playful grin noticeably absent, replaced by a more serious expression. His eyes were cast downward, his brow furrowed in concern as he listened to what his personal guard was saying.
Oriana had never seen Adric look so serious. For a moment, she wanted to know what he heard that made him look so serious. But the moment their eyes met, Adric’s expression changed from a serious one, a glint of mischief now dancing in his eyes.
"Freya, I think we should go over there," Oriana pointed in no direction in particular, turning her face ready to escape from Adric.
Freya’s expression clouded with confusion as Oriana asked them to leave. She turned her face, seeking clarification, and her gaze instinctively landed on the crown prince. But her eyes didn’t linger on him for long, as her attention was swiftly drawn to the figure standing behind him. Freya’s neck stiffened, and her muscles tensed. Without a word, she held Oriana tightly and whispered.
"Please hide me," the girl begged earnestly.
Oriana paused, taken aback by Freya’s urgent request. She turned to the girl, her eyes inquiring, "What’s wrong, Freya?"
Freya kept her face hidden, her voice barely above a whisper, "Who is that behind the Crown Prince?"
Oriana’s eyes flicked to Adric, her expression wary. "That’s his personal guard," she said, her voice cautious.
Just then, Adric drew near, his eyes sparkling with amusement, "Ah, looks like I’ve stumbled upon a secret meeting! What are you two plotting? Don’t tell me you’re planning to overthrow me?" he said, his tone playful, but with a hint of seriousness underlying his words.
"Your highness," Freya bowed deeply, her wariness of the personal guard still evident. Rowan bowed, showing respect to Oriana.
"You are..." Adric raised his hand slightly, his brow furrowed in an attempt to recall Freya’s name.
Freya answered without lifting her head, "Freya, your highness. Thank you for saving my father and me." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
Adric nodded, a self-satisfied smile spreading across his face. "You’re welcome, Freya. As crown prince, it’s my duty to ensure everyone under my rule is treated with respect. I’m a man of my word... and rewards." He glanced at Oriana; his eyes gleaming with expectation. "Isn’t that right, Princess?"
Oriana’s eyes narrowed, her self-control barely containing her scowl. She forced a tight smile, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Yes, the Crown Prince is... wonderful." Her words were laced with a subtle venom, her eyes flashing with a hint of disdain.
Adric waved his hand dismissively. "You don’t need to sing my praises all the time, Princess. But I understand," he touched his chest, "Trust me, I do."
Oriana shook her head slightly, her eyes rolling in exasperation. The only explanation for this narcissistic crown prince was that he was a spoiled brat who never had to work a day in his life.
"Excuse me, Your Highness," Oriana curtsied, her voice laced with false respect, "I have a room to clean... as a reward for your great benevolence and also my back to watch for potential dangers lurking in the shadows, ready to strike under the guise of an ’accident.’"
Adric clapped his hands together, his eyes gleaming with drama. "Oh, you do?" he exclaimed, feigning surprise. "Watching your back is good, especially when it comes to surviving inside the palace. Every new dawn is the beginning of your day as a marked target."
Oriana’s mind completed the sentence... a target you yourself created. She forced a smile, her lips tight. "Your wise words are endless, Your Highness."
Adric beamed with pride. "There’s more where they came from."
Freya watched the exchange, her eyes darting back and forth between the princess and the Crown Prince. It was as if they spoke in codes, and only they understood the hidden meaning. She glanced at the guard, Rowan, who stood expressionless, his eyes fixed on some point ahead. She wondered if he was married, her mind wandering back to the situation she had found him in the other day.
Rowan, feeling someone’s gaze on him, turned to look at the tiny girl behind the princess. He raised his brows, and she quickly looked away like a scared cat.
Adric continued, his grin mischievous. "The King’s birthday celebrations are approaching. Be sure to prepare something special as a gift for your father-in-law. The person with the best gift usually gets a wish granted."
Oriana raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Any wish?"
Adric’s grin widened. "Except leaving your marriage, yes, any wish."
Oriana’s shoulders slumped, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips. "I will prepare something, then."
Adric didn’t wait, turning to walk away with Rowan, their conversation continuing in hushed tones.
Oriana muttered to herself, but Freya heard her clearly, "The Crown Prince is the dragon, I tell you. The dragon." Oriana’s glare followed Adric’s retreating figure.
Freya nodded in agreement, finally finding her voice with her eyes fixed on Rowan’s back. "And his personal guard is the Grim Reaper," she whispered to herself, a shiver running down her spine as their eyes met. Without waiting, she hurried after Oriana, her heart racing.
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