[Music Recommendation: Wicked Game ~ Ursine Vulpine & Annaca]
Rowan walked through the passage. He had been told by Adric to only catch the culprit in the act, and because of this, he needed bait. He was almost outside the palace when he saw the new Queen’s sister and Madame Rosalie; beside them was the young girl that also served the Queen.
"Rowan?" Madame Rosalie stopped walking, trying her best to hold Sophie up, but the princess was being too aggressive with her body movements.
Sophie flipped her hair, trying to raise her her heels so she could stand tall. "I want more water!!" She shouted but Madame Rosalie held her steady.
Freya hid behind the princess when she saw the guard. After he had threatened her, she tried her best not to appear in front of him anymore. It was better he didn’t know about her existence, so none of them would have to cross each other’s path.
"Madame Rosalie," Rowan waved back acknowledging the woman’s greeting, then he went on his way when a thought hit him. He paused in his steps, "Can I borrow her for a minute?"
Madame Rosalie, thinking he was talking about Sophie, replied, "The princess is a little drunk...or maybe too drunk."
"I wasn’t talking about the princess," Rowan remarked, "I mean the other girl, if she’s not doing anything for you."
Freya’s eyes widened with fear when she realized it was her he was asking for. She quickly got down on her knees and started holding up Sophie’s gown. "I’m doing something..right her, helping the princess fit her shoes."
Madame Rosalie chuckled, "Rowan, this one is still very young and unripe. If you really need a companion, my girls are at the party. Just call my name, and the best will serve you."
"Why would I take a little girl to be my companion? I need her for some royal duties," Rowan replied, dipping his hand inside his trouser pocket while his eyes remained on the girl who was seemingly acting busy on the ground.
Being called a little girl didn’t sit well with Freya, but she couldn’t retort. So she glared at the floor, imagining that it was Rowan.
"If it’s for royal duty, then why not," Madame Rosalie smiled, "Freya, quick, follow him. I’ll take care of the princess."
Freya stood up immediately, shaking her head. "No! Not him, please. I don’t want to go."
"I know your fears, but trust me, if Rowan isn’t interested in you, then he’s not. Follow him." Without waiting for Freya to reply, Madame Rosalie left the passage with Sophie.
Freya raised her hand, trying to stop the woman from leaving her. She didn’t want to be left all alone with the guard.
"Someone might get the wrong idea, thinking that you’ve been sold to me against your wish. Now start walking before I make it happen," Rowan’s words were sharp and cold.
With a stiff neck, Freya turned slowly, now walking behind Rowan. She made sure she was two steps behind him, nothing more or less. When he paused, she raised her hand in a defensive stance.
Rowan’s eyes moved from the girl’s anxious eyes to her trembling hands. He raised his hand to scratch his brow, and the girl moved back with her eyes closed. The corner of his lips pulled up at her reaction.
"All you have to do is just walk through that passage alone and enter the room in front without saying anything. Even if someone says something, don’t answer until you’re in that room. Nothing else," Rowan pointed. "Start moving."
Freya pinched her nose. She needed it for courage or strength, whatever she just felt like doing it. Though the instructions sounded easy, they didn’t sit well with her.
Rowan stood at the corner watching the girl. He had seen Caspar wandering around the passage like he was waiting for someone. It was the same path Oriana was walking through before Adric stopped her. If his instincts were right, the man was still lurking around.
Freya gripped her gown tightly. Each step she took caused a ball of new sweat to form on the side of her face, and her heart drumming loudly raised her anxiety to its peak.
"Princess Oriana?" Caspar’s voice was finally heard. "That’s you, right? I’ve been waiting for you." He followed Freya behind, thinking it was Oriana.
Freya heard the person’s shoes following her closely behind. She increased her steps, and when she entered the room, she tried to lock the door, but Caspar put his leg in between.
"Ah!" Freya gasped, taking a step back. She looked around the room for a place to hide, but there was none.
Caspar frowned, "Not her? Well, you’re not bad either. Tell me, have you ever been touched by a man?" he grinned, touching his slacks.
Freya gasped, covering her eyes with her hand while still watching to be sure the man wasn’t coming closer.
"Let’s make this quick. Come here now!" Caspar’s voice was so loud and it sounded like he was really drunk, this scared Freya. When he tried to catch her, she ran to the side, making an attempt to reach for the door.
"You’re being stubborn, huh? I already had my treat taken from me, and I’m not one with patience. So come right here, let’s get this done fast while I go look for the new Queen, who is my original prey," Caspar pointed at the girl. He took another step forward.
Freya moved back, but this time out of fear, she tripped and fell flat on the cold floor. Her heart racing with fear, she wondered just where the guard who had put her up to this was. He asked her to enter the room and do nothing else. Was she supposed to let herself get defiled by this man?
Even the thoughts terrified Freya, and she started crying.
"Don’t cry, just take it that I’m eating dessert a little too early, hm?" Caspar nodded, removing his shirt and throwing it away. Then his hands went to his trousers. The harshness of the zipper as it went down gave Freya a heart attack, but before the trousers came down, a bigger hand covered Freya’s eyes.
"R-Rowan?" Caspar stammered. "W-what are you doing here?" He looked around the room, then down at his naked self. Bending down to pick up his trousers, other guards rushed in and caught him. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"Take him to the dungeon; he will be questioned tomorrow." Rowan ordered, still closing Freya’s eyes with his hand.
Caspar gulped, "Rowan, I can explain. The girl, she wanted it. She forced me to. Please, alright, at least let me wear my clothes before you take me away."
"You didn’t care about getting naked in front of the girl; I’m sure you won’t mind walking around without clothes either. Take him away; he’s an eyesore," Rowan waved. The guards bowed before dragging Caspar out of the room.
Rowan slowly brought his hand down from Freya’s face, but her eyes were still closed. "He’s gone, you can open your eyes now." His eyes caught how the girl was shaking. "I’m sorry I was late. I just needed him to say a little bit more, so it’ll all make sense when you testify tomorrow."
When Freya opened her eyes, she had tears lingering at the corner of her eyes. She looked straight into Rowan’s eyes, "Do- don’t ever cross the line like you did tonight. Let us never have anything to do with each other, ever..." As she said this, her body trembled. Gathering herself, Freya stood up and left the room quietly.
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