[Music Recommendation: Carry you ~ Ruelle & Fleurie]
Freya held Rowan closely; she didn’t want to let go. She inhaled deeply, taking in his masculine scent, which gave her the peace she needed at that moment. It also helped her clear her mind. She didn’t want to think about how harsh she had been to her father earlier. It hurt her so much, knowing everything her father had done to protect her, to keep her safe. If nothing else, Freya knew she owed her father an apology because, for a moment, she had been ungrateful.
She decided she would apologize, but first, she needed to sort things out with Rowan. Maybe then, she could make her father happy again by telling him she was going to marry the man he had approved of.
"Ehm," someone cleared their throat, catching Freya and Rowan’s attention.
Freya stepped back, finally letting Rowan go. She turned to see a servant standing in front of them.
"Lord Rowan, the King has asked for you," the servant said with a bow.
Rowan nodded. "I’ll be right there," he said, preparing to leave without turning to look at Freya, when the girl grabbed his hand.
"R-Rowan," Freya called softly, gripping his sleeve tightly.
Hearing his name from her lips made Rowan’s heart ache. The softness in her voice and the gentleness of her touch made the selfishness return, the desire to own her, to steal her away and make her his. But Rowan knew the girl wouldn’t be happy. He was never going to make her happy. What she wanted was something he didn’t know how to give; love. He wanted to marry her, but to give her love and a family? Rowan wished he had a clue how to do that. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
"Hm?" he answered without looking at her. He was afraid that one look in her eyes would break all his resolve, and he’d find himself back in her bed, ready to claim her again, feeding his selfishness.
Freya noticed how Rowan didn’t turn to look at her. She wanted to see his eyes, those bored, brooding eyes that she had come to find comfort in.
"Can we meet later tonight?" she asked, biting her lip. "Maybe in my room, or yours?" She blushed.
Rowan narrowed his eyes. The girl was openly inviting him. Didn’t she want to stay away from him? The softness in her voice made him uneasy. Rowan turned his head, finally looking at her. He saw the gentleness in her features and the smile on her face.
"Why?" was his only reply. This time, Rowan was afraid. He prayed that what he suspected wasn’t about to happen because, clearly, from the girl’s hopeful expression, he knew what it meant.
Freya raised her brows at Rowan’s question. She looked away shyly, wondering if he was trying to act coy and tease her later. She drew lines in the dirt with her feet.
"I have something very important to tell you," she replied.
Rowan nodded. "Then let’s meet outside. I’ll be here waiting for you later tonight," he said, leaving without waiting for her response.
Freya’s gaze remained on his broad back. She could still remember how her fingers had dug into his skin every time he pushed inside of her, making her insides expand and crave even more for him. She covered her face with her hands, blushing again.
"Why does he want to meet outside?" Freya asked herself, furrowing her brows. "Don’t tell me he wants to—" she gasped, remembering the night at the spring. Freya giggled.
"Pa, don’t worry. I’ll bring you the best son-in-law, and you’ll be proud of me," Freya muttered to herself. She decided to apologize to her father after introducing Rowan to him. Maybe when they returned to Avon, they would get married.
Freya turned and headed back to her room. She couldn’t wait for night to come so she could meet with Rowan and then proceed with her apology to her father. The thought kept her checking her window every now and then to see if it was dark yet. When it finally was, she changed into something simpler and covered herself with Rowan’s shirt.
Freya wanted to make an impression, and she needed to start by showing him that her feelings for him had changed. As she made her way outside to where Rowan had promised to wait for her, Freya noticed some maids carrying gifts and bags out of the palace. It wasn’t her concern, so she smiled and bowed to them. When she finally reached the tree, she stood there, nervously adjusting her hair.
Minutes passed, and there was still no sign of Rowan. The night wind was becoming very chilly. Freya rubbed her palms together and pressed them to her face, trying to keep warm. Slowly, she began to lose hope. Every time she heard a sound, she turned around, hoping it was Rowan, but each time she was met with disappointment and emptiness.
Freya eventually found a spot under the tree and sat down, hugging her legs to her chest. She decided to wait all night if necessary, assuming something was keeping Rowan, possibly still busy with the King.
"He’s not coming," a voice interrupted Freya’s thoughts, making her look up.
Freya stood up immediately, dusting the sand off her dress. "Prince..." Her voice trailed off as she tried to recall the prince’s name.
"Gerald? Prince Gerald?"
The young boy nodded with a smile. "Rowan’s not coming."
"What?" Freya asked, confusion etching across her face.
The prince continued, "I know you’re waiting for him, and that he’s supposed to meet you here, but he’s not coming."
Freya chuckled nervously, though her heartbeat quickened. She didn’t have a good feeling about this at all.
"W-why? I mean, do you know why he’s not coming?" she asked in a small voice.
The prince took a step closer, closing the distance between them, and grabbed Freya’s hand.
Freya moved back, trying to push him away. "What are you doing?"
"Listen to me, Freya. I’m the only one who can help you right now. I know about your relationship with Rowan," the prince said, releasing her hand and stepping back.
Freya gulped, rubbing her clammy hands on her dress. "Did Lirien tell you?"
The prince shook his head, looking down at his feet. "No... I was in the library that day... I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you walked in on me smoking, so... I heard everything."
It took Freya a moment to realize what he was talking about. There had been someone in the library that day when she had let her inner thoughts take over, moaning Rowan’s name in the process.
"So?" Freya asked boldly.
"I know he’s touched you, and I also know Rowan doesn’t love you. He just sees you as a woman he can easily have. That’s who he is. But I can still marry you, even though you’ve been touched," the prince said, looking into Freya’s eyes. "I won’t tell anyone. I like you, Freya."
Freya chuckled, trying to remain calm despite her growing fear. "You must be mistaken about my relationship with Rowan. Yes, you found out, but that’s not a problem. We’ll be getting married soon. Thank you for your concern, Prince Gerald." She gave him a small bow, turning to leave, when the words he spoke next almost caused her to pass out.
"Rowan is already marrying another woman!"
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