Freya raised her hand to push Rowan away, but she found both of her hands pinned above her head with one of Rowan’s hand holding them steady. When Rowan pulled back from the kiss, a deep frown crossed his face.
"Stop trying to run. It makes me want to rip your dress off until you’re lying naked under me. This is me being gentle right now, don’t play with it." Rowan’s words held no hint of a joke, and from the look in his eyes, Freya could tell he was serious.
She stopped moving, though her chest heaved, causing her breasts to rise, revealing her cleavage. The position she was now in felt intensely intimate, and she could feel Rowan’s hardness pressing against her inner thighs. Even if she tried to struggle, it would be fruitless, and deep inside her, Freya couldn’t deny that she wanted Rowan, not his gentleness, but his roughness. There was something about it that made her want to forget all her training, principles, and her perfect life and just let him take her into the wild, unknown, dark world.
"I’ll stop here for today," Rowan muttered, pecking her lips. "I’ll wait until you’re ready before I let others know, so you don’t go choking on things you’re not supposed to."
Freya gulped, her toes curling on the sheet ruffling it. She liked the way Rowan spoke about things as they were. Though his words made her blush, they also caused her stomach to churn not with hunger for food, but hunger for something else.
"But I don’t want you running away from me anymore, or riding horses with other men." Rowan kissed her forehead and was about to move back when the door to Freya’s room opened, and Louis entered.
Freya pushed Rowan away, quickly standing up and smoothing her gown, using her hands to brush out the wrinkles that had formed at the hem.
"Freya?" Louis called, closing the door with his foot because he was carrying a tray. Then, he turned and walked further into the room.
Freya jumped up when she heard her father’s voice. "Pa!" Her voice was high-pitched.
Rowan, who had already resumed his normal position with his legs crossed as if nothing had happened, turned to look at her, frowning at the noise as he rubbed his ears gently.
"You’re awake-" Louis narrowed his eyes. "Did you get into a fight?" He looked between Rowan and his daughter.
Freya gulped. It was only then that she realized her hair must have become a mess when Rowan pushed her onto the bed. She glanced sideways at Rowan as if silently pleading for help, but he sat there feigning ignorance.
Louis shook his head and walked over to Freya, brushing her hair gently with his fingers. "You should start acting your age, Freya. Even if you don’t want to marry Rowan, at least try to look presentable in front of him. Stop embarrassing me."
Rowan nodded in agreement, while Freya glared at him as if he weren’t the reason she looked disheveled.
"Here, sit down." Louis helped her to sit. "Since you arrived in Eridor, you haven’t been acting like yourself. I know I’m not supposed to ask this, but... is it that time? The woman’s season?"
Freya whipped her head around, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at her father. She wished the ground would swallow her up at that moment.
"Pa!" Her face flushed with embarrassment. "How can you say something like that? We’re not alone!" She covered her face in shame.
Rowan pressed his lips together, trying to suppress his laughter. He didn’t say a word, just watching the father and daughter.
"What?" Louis sighed. "I know I haven’t been the best father. I also wish you had a mother you could talk to, but if that’s the reason you’re acting like this, let me know." He looked at his daughter with genuine concern.
Freya raised her bright red face. "Pa, if you wanted to ask something like that, do it when we’re alone. There’s someone else here!" she exclaimed, still covering her face.
"Oh... oh." Louis touched his head and bowed apologetically. "Rowan, I’m so sorry. I’ve gotten so used to you that I forgot about boundaries."
Freya, with her mouth agape, stared at her father in utter shock.
"No problem at all," Rowan responded casually. "There are no need for boundaries between us." His eyes locked with Freya’s as he said this, and he grinned mischievously.
Louis sighed in relief. "I’m glad you think that way. You’re really a caring man, so gentle. Only if Freya had accepted your marriage proposal. Training a girl all on my own is not easy," he said with another sigh.
"Pa, I’m fine. Let’s not talk about some things when we’re not alone," Freya nudged her father, pleading with her eyes.
Louis raised his face. "Wait! Is someone threatening you here in Eridor? Is it a man? Remember what I told you..."
Freya quickly shook her head. "No, no, Pa! Don’t say anything, please."
"If anyone’s bothering you, let me know! I may not be able to fight or kill, but Rowan can." Louis finished with determination.
Freya closed her eyes, feeling like her father was embarrassing her beyond repair in front of the man who wouldn’t let her go.
Rowan, now thoroughly intrigued by the conversation, raised his brows. "You told her?"
Louis nodded. "Of course! I’ve heard about men who try to soil unmarried maidens. And if any of them come near her, I know I can’t fight, but you can. Right?"
"Just let me know who I need to deal with," Rowan replied with a grin that only Freya could understand.
Louis laughed. "See, Freya? I knew I could trust Rowan. So if you’re being threatened by anyone, let us know."
"Let us know," Rowan nodded in agreement, his eyes holding a knowing gleam that made Freya realize there was no escape. Her father already trusted Rowan too much.
"Pa," Freya called, standing from the bed. "I want to be alone now, please leave."
Louis twitched his lips. "I’m sure it’s the woman’s season."
"Pa!" Freya shouted, closing her eyes, her face burning red.
Louis immediately stood up, grabbing Rowan by the arm. "Let’s go. She always gets irritable during this time."
"Father!" Freya cried, stomping her foot in frustration, wishing her father would stop talking, especially to Rowan.
Rowan shaped his mouth into a big O. "I see. Tell me more."
"You’re not telling him anything!" Freya pushed Rowan away from her father. "Leave now, both of you! Out of my room!"
Louis gave Rowan a small wink. "Let’s act like we’re leaving separately."
"I can hear you!" Freya raised her voice, pointing at her father. "What kind of father embarrasses his daughter like this in front of a man?"
Louis waved, leaving the room with Rowan close behind. But before he left, Rowan took Freya’s tiny hand in his and smiled.
"You still look beautiful when you’re angry." He gave her a small wink before letting go of her hand and quietly closing the door.
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