{Dear readers, there was an error in publishing yesterday.
So there’s a new Chapter before this one, and it’s titled:
A Little Fire.
Read it first then continue with this one.}
~ ~~~~~
As Rowan left the dining room, the grin on his lips widened. He could already see the fear and panic in the girl’s eyes; that was how it started. First, she would be scared of the world she had never experienced. Next, she would want to have a taste, and after that, the rest would be history. Though he knew he was being too straightforward, there was nothing he could do about it since that was exactly the kind of man he was.
It wasn’t fair of him, but he just had this dark urge in him to cover Freya’s mind with things she wouldn’t even dare to imagine. He only wanted to do really dark things to her, so dark but good at the same time that even Freya wouldn’t be able to explain it. These were just a peak of what he wanted to do to the innocent girl who wanted nothing but to hide herself and read all day. Her only luck was catching the attention of a man like him.
Back inside the dining room, Freya held her chest, trying to catch her breath. Then she grabbed another cup of water, taking a sip before setting it down. It was only when she tried to move that she noticed her legs were squeezed tightly together.
"Wha-"
"Freya?"
Before Freya could talk to herself, an unfamiliar female voice called for her, making her turn around and release her legs.
"You are?" she asked, looking at the girl standing at the door, smiling at her like they had known each other for a long time, when in truth it was the first time Freya had ever seen someone like this girl.
"Oh, my bad... I’m Conrad’s sister, Lirien. He already told me about you... you must have been surprised when I called your name casually, right?" the princess smiled, adjusting her hair as she walked closer to Freya.
Freya waved her hands dismissively. "I was surprised, but it’s okay. Umm... Princess Lirien?"
"No, no... don’t do that. Call me Lirien since we are going to be sisters-in-law soon. I’m so happy you’re almost my age. We are going to have so much fun together," the princess rambled on, looking very excited.
Freya rubbed her neck gently, her eyes moving to the door. All she wanted right now was for someone to come inside and call for the other princess.
"Ah, yes! I heard from your brother that you like reading so much. I have my secret library, where I keep all my best collections. Let me take you," the princess tugged Freya out of the room. Before she could even protest, they were on their way to the library.
"We’re here! I’ll let the guards know to let you inside here... since I don’t usually let other people in. But since we’re going to be family... yippee!" The princess clapped. "I’m so happy!"
Freya nodded slowly, following the girl inside the library. It was just like any library; the smell of old books and faded wood filled the room, mixed with the melting of wax and the warm glow of the dim candle that gave light to the room because the curtains were closed.
"Ta-da!" The princess gestured. "Welcome to my little paradise. I remember when I was little, my parents didn’t want me to read because girls in our kingdom had to learn how to cook, clean, and be good wives. So I secretly..."
Freya’s attention drifted as she could no longer keep up with the princess. She moved around the library, picking up books that looked interesting, then flipping through the pages before putting them back. When she got to a corner, she noticed how different the books there were. Freya stretched her hand, ready to pick up a book.
"No... no!" The princess ended her words and ran to Freya, stopping her from touching the book. "Not these ones, please... you can read all the other books, but not these ones... I’m afraid you won’t let your brother marry me if you do..."
Freya knitted her brows, her eyes moving away from the books the princess was trying to protect. "Why do you like Ro- I mean my brother, why do you like my brother so much..." As much as it gave her a bitter taste to call Rowan her brother, she didn’t want the princess suspecting anything and asking her more questions.
The princess blushed, fanning herself with one of the books she had picked up. "I know it’s stupid of me, but after everything my brother told me... during the war, Rowan was so brave, and he fought like a beast... my brother couldn’t stop talking about Rowan’s strength and the King’s wisdom. And slowly, I found myself attracted to him."
Only if she knew, Freya thought to herself, letting out a tired sigh. "I see," she replied.
"What about you? I heard from my brother that you’re so close with Rowan. What do you like about him? How does it feel to be a sister to someone so great and... I can’t wait to see him. Do you think he will like me?" The princess started again, this time talking about how she had missed breakfast because she was getting a new dress to meet Rowan.
Freya almost yawned, but because she didn’t want to appear rude, she stood there smiling like she was hearing everything the princess was saying, when in truth, she was just regretting so many decisions, with the cherry on top being coming to Eridor.
"...and we leave it that way. But what about you? If I’ll stay with your brother tonight, who will you stay with?" the young princess asked, finally moving away from the books she was trying to hide.
Freya’s eyes fell on the books one more time. She couldn’t deny that she had the urge to really read them and know why the girl was hiding them. She decided to let it go for the moment.
"I can stay on my own, or not come out for the party," Freya replied, walking behind the princess as they left the library. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
The princess turned to look at Freya. "You shouldn’t! Tonight’s event is the best opportunity for you to find a suitable suitor, so don’t miss it."
Freya wanted to tell the princess that she didn’t want a suitor, and she didn’t want to listen to anything she was talking about, especially about Rowan. But she just let it be. She had only just met this person a few minutes ago to be saying how she felt.
"I’ll go rest now and come around later then..."
The princess nodded, walking beside Freya. When they got to Freya’s room, she hugged her closely. "See you later tonight, Freya. Also, tell your brother good things about me." With a small wink, the princess turned and left.
Freya let out the air she didn’t know she had been holding. Opening the door to her room, she walked inside to finally rest her head from the day’s events.
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