[Music Recommendation: Wicked Game ~ Ursine Vulpine and Annaca]
Outside the inn, Freya rubbed her palms together. Just like Oriana’s dress, hers was thin but in a shade of purple. Every time a guest walked inside, she would bow deeply, making sure she didn’t make eye contact to avoid trouble.
"We need to make money too. The girls inside will get all the money while we stand here in the cold," one of the girls suggested, but Freya wasn’t paying attention. She didn’t want the money, nor did she care about the other girls inside who were making more; she just wanted to go home.
"Look, the next guest, we’re going to make him pay us."
As the man approached, Freya decided to step aside to allow the other girls to shine and make their money.
"If you want extra coins, let her serve me." To Freya’s greatest surprise, the man pointed at her.
She waved her hand, shaking her head as she tried to act polite. "Sorry, I’m not interested, My Lord."
"Seven gold crowns each, for her. What do you say?" The man’s offer caused the maidens to gasp, and everyone turned to look at Freya as if she was bringing bad luck by not accepting such an offer that was difficult to come by.
Freya racked her brain, looking for what to say in this situation. She didn’t want to ruin this for the girls who had their hopes up, nor was she going to let the strange man touch her.
"I—"
"There you are. I asked you to come by once the event starts," Rowan, who had been watching the girl from a distance, intervened. He was going to let her come out of the mess by herself since she decided that he was evil, but something about the way she was fidgeting made him step in.
Freya had never been so excited to see a familiar face. The last time she felt like this was when Princess Oriana had saved her. Though she and Rowan were more enemies than friends, he was the only familiar enemy in a crowd filled with people ready to devour her.
"Won’t you serve me anymore? Should I look for someone else?" Rowan pointed at the other girls, ready to make his pick if Freya hesitated.
Freya wasn’t going to lose the opportunity. She ran towards Rowan, holding him closely. "I didn’t forget, Good Sir. I was going to come the moment I finished ushering this guest."
Rowan nodded. "I see, but it looks like this guest already wants you. I should let you go with him; you can come to me after that," he decided to tease her a little since he was saving her so easily.
"You’re such a wise young man," the man who had almost lost hope of having the young girl smiled brightly.
Freya’s grip tightened on Rowan; she wasn’t planning on letting him go for any reason. "No! I want to go with you," she used her eyes to plead with Rowan.
Rowan, being as evil as the master he served, grinned. He wanted more from the girl other than just a plea. "I’m not sure..." He drawled. "I mean, why do you think I should pick you? What if you don’t please me enough?"
"I will please you!" Freya shouted without thinking. "Anything you want, I can do it."
The mischievous smile on Rowan’s lips widened. This time he took out a cigarette box. Taking out one stick, he lit it, but it was difficult to raise his hand since Freya was holding him tightly, so he turned her, making her front press against his body, as he smoked the cigarette calmly. When he brought his hand down, he said to the man, 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
"You heard the girl. It would be a shame not to enjoy what she’s offering. I’ll take her."
The man who had offered to pay Freya grumbled before he entered the inn with a frown on his face.
Freya didn’t let go of Rowan’s hand, nor did she look closely at their current position.
The one who was enjoying the situation the most, smiled, looking down at the girl in front of him. He puffed a smoke. "Now I’m interested to know how you’re going to please me."
The fresh scent of mint and tobacco wafted into Freya’s nose. That was when she realized how close they were. She tried to move away, but Rowan pinned her to a spot.
"Going back on your words, are we?" He asked, looking at the girl straight in the eyes.
Freya scowled. If there was another way she could help herself without taking Rowan’s hand, she would have done it. Rather than accept the help someone as evil as Rowan was offering.
"I don’t know what’s going on in that tiny brain of yours, but next time remember you reached out and took the hand of the same evil you hate so much." Rowan finally released her. Before he left, he said, "Go and cover yourself. You look like a fresh lamb ready to be devoured, and if you’re going to be eaten so easily, allow me to have a taste."
Freya moved back. Knowing that Rowan was not just evil but shameless made her hate him even more. She eyed him subtly before leaving the entrance of the inn.
Meanwhile, Sophie finally arrived at the inn, but she wasn’t let inside no matter how hard she tried because she was a noble lady. She had seen Oriana enter the place and wanted to gather facts before going back to the palace to report.
"Let me inside; I’m going to pay you." Sophie tried her luck again, but like the other times she tried, she was denied access. As she stood, trying to think of a better plan, someone tapped her back.
"Having a strenuous night, Beautiful Lady?" It was the charmer who had stationed outside, waiting for the women to come around and talk so he could gather information for the King and Queen, but none came.
When he saw the noble woman trying to get inside, a thought came to his mind. To make the woman love him, and since she was noble, it only meant that she was rich enough to take care of him. Then he would let go of his life as a charmer and escape from the mess he had found himself in.
"What?" Sophie asked, looking down at the man who was dressed in tattered garments. "You smell terrible. Get out of my sight, you lowly commoner."
Galen smiled. "I understand that my features don’t suit your taste, Milady, but I’ll like for you to keep your eyes on the ball," he moved the ball left and right.
Sophie scoffed. "I see here is a place where lowly rats gather. I wonder what Oriana is doing he—" her words got stuck in her throat when she started feeling dizzy by looking at the ball. Sophie closed her eyes.
"Now you think about starting a family with me, and you take me to your father because you love me so much. We have been in love, and you can’t wait to give me everything you have," Galen smiled. "When I snap my fingers, you open your eyes," he snapped his fingers, and Sophie opened her eyes.
The princess looked around for a moment as if she was lost, then at the charmer in front of her. "Let’s get married," she muttered.
The man shouted, "Yes! It worked, You have been charmed Milady." He smiled to himself. He couldn’t wait to run away with the girl, and the royal family would never find him again while he lived in wealth forever. Just the thought of it made him happy.
"Let’s get married," Sophie said again, looking at the man with a bright smile on her face like she was in love with him.
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