The gentle morning breeze rustled through Eridor’s castle grounds, creating a peaceful atmosphere that starkly contrasted the somber mood inside the living room. The royal family of Eridor sat on the couch, their faces etched with shame.
Conrad, the young King, spoke up, his voice apologetic. "Rowan, I apologize for my family’s actions. We only sought to strengthen our alliance with Avon. Please, blame our foolish act, but don’t hold grudges." Conrad had worried all night about the consequences of their actions, fearing another devastating war with Avon. Eridor’s military was still recovering from the last conflict.
Princess Lirien sat beside her younger brother, her gaze fixed on the floor, her silence evident of her inner turmoil. She had never supported her family’s actions, and for one fleeting moment, she had almost betrayed Freya.
On the other hand, their mother, the Queen, sat serenely, her expression prideful, as if completely absolved of any wrongdoing. "If Avon truly seeks our trust," the Queen declared, her voice dripping with entitlement, "then a marriage alliance is the bare minimum."
Her husband nudged her gently. "You need to stop talking," the man said with a tired sigh.
"Mother," Conrad said, turning to face her, "you’re not helping. We need to resolve this before Rowan returns to Avon. He’s King Adric’s right-hand man; we can’t risk the king coming—"
"He won’t need to," Rowan interrupted, breaking his silence. His voice commanded attention as he scanned the room. "Our king has no time for trivial matters," Rowan continued, his gaze lingering on each face, his tone implying that Eridor’s actions would barely affect Avon or Adric.
The people before him believed a simple apology would suffice, oblivious to the lives they’d destroyed with their greed and selfishness. They had no concept of the damage their actions had caused. Rowan’s thoughts seethed with resentment, his mind replaying what their useless ambition had cost him. His lost chance with Freya, a consequence of their futile pursuit of power.
He had so much to say to the royal family, but he suppressed his words, opting for a disapproving click of the tongue instead.
Conrad’s voice was laced with remorse as he spoke. "I offer my sincerest apologies for the way you were treated. This is not the hospitality we typically extend to our guests. My mother’s zeal to maintain our family’s hold on the throne clearly clouded her judgment." He bowed deeply, feeling sorry. "We also extend our most profound apologies to Freya and her father. As delegates, they deserved our respect and kindness, not the mistreatment they received."
Princess Lirien’s hands clenched into fists as she heard Freya’s name, a pang of guilt and regret washing over her. She couldn’t bear the thought of facing Freya, the same girl who had kept her secret and remained her friend despite everything. Lirien’s eyes dropped, shame and remorse etched on her face as she realized the depth of her betrayal. She had let her family’s ambition destroy the trust and bond she shared with Freya.
Rowan rose from the couch, his expression unreadable. "Your apologies have been acknowledged. It’s time for us to depart Eridor, having fulfilled our obligation to solidify the alliance by staying as guests of the royal family." He strode toward the door, eager to put the bad memories behind him, when the Queen’s words stopped him in his tracks, shattering his composure and igniting the anger inside him.
The Queen’s voice dripped with venom as she spoke. "If only that girl, Freya, had kept her legs closed, none of this would have happened. I blame her parents for failing to teach her decency."
Every face turned toward the Queen, eyes wide with shock and horror at her callous remark. Conrad’s and Lirien’s faces reflected their embarrassment, while Rowan’s expression turned icy, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Mother, stop!" Lirien exclaimed, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and shame. "You’ve caused enough harm already."
Rowan’s grip on the doorknob tightened, his face darkening as he turned to face the Queen Mother. "What did you just say about Freya?" he growled, his voice low.
The Queen Mother cleared her throat, avoiding eye contact, her expression unrepentant. "I merely stated the truth. An unmarried girl who seduces a man... She’s the one who—"
Her words trailed off as Rowan’s glare intensified, his eyes blazing with fury, daring her to continue.
The Queen Mother’s words caught in her throat as Rowan’s anger boiled over, his hand flipping the table, sending everything crashing to the floor. The sound of shattering glass and wood filled the air. Rowan turned, walking toward the Queen Mother with purposeful strides, his eyes fixed on her with a fierce intensity.
Conrad rushed to intervene. "Rowan, please calm down... Think about what you’re about to do!" But Rowan’s rage was unstoppable. With a single, powerful push, he sent Conrad crashing to the ground.
"Wh-what?" the Queen Mother stuttered, appealing to her children with a frantic gaze. "Someone, stop him! Make him stop looking at me like that!" But her plea fell on deaf ears. The room remained silent, everyone frozen in anticipation of Rowan’s next move.
Rowan’s voice dropped to a menacing whisper, sending shivers down their spines. "Untrained? Poor upbringing? Are you describing your own children, Your Majesty?"
Conrad, still on the floor, and Lirien, pale and trembling, watched in horror. The king and the younger prince sighed, tired of their mother’s thoughtlessness.
"An eldest son with two wives, yet he sleeps with his maids?" Rowan said.
Conrad buried his face in his hands, shame gripping him at that moment.
The Queen Mother’s expression darkened. "Conrad, is this true?" she demanded, turning to her eldest son.
Before she could receive an answer, Rowan’s cold, mirthless chuckle cut through the tense air. "Or perhaps your younger son, who smokes in the library?"
The Queen Mother’s lips parted to ask again, but Rowan’s sneer silenced her. "Or maybe," he continued, his voice dripping with contempt, "we should discuss your daughter, or how you, as a mother, turn a blind eye to your children’s terrible behavior, only to disparage an innocent girl like Freya? You’re no better than a common ruffian, Your Majesty, except for the fancy robes you wear. Don’t think the royal life suits you; you’re just a glorified ruffian with a crown."
The Queen Mother gasped, her face reddening with rage. "How dare you! Will none of you defend me against this insolence?"
Rowan’s eyes flashed with a warning. "Don’t think your title or your being a woman spares you from being hit. I’d rather not stoop to your level, but mark my words: there won’t be a next time. Never mention Freya’s name or anyone connected to Avon again."
His voice dripped with irritation. "You’ve already embarrassed your children enough. It’s no wonder your husband takes you to the temple to tame you. Perhaps you should return there and refrain from causing further trouble for your children, whom you’ve clearly failed as a mother."
When he said this, the King cleared his throat, and the woman’s head snapped around, glaring at her husband.
Rowan stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. His fury had reached a boiling point when the Queen Mother tried to ruin Freya’s name. He knew he was the reason Freya was dragged into this mess, and it filled him with self-loathing.
"Rowan, please wait!" Lirien chased after him, her voice laced with desperation.
Rowan didn’t halt until he reached his horse. He turned to face Lirien, her face flushed from running.
"I’m deeply sorry for my mother’s behavior," she said, her eyes pleading. "I hope Freya finds it in her heart to forgive me."
Rowan mounted his horse, still with a stoic expression. "You should say those words to her yourself," he said, his voice firm but controlled, before turning his horse.
Lirien nodded, her gaze cast downward in shame. "I know. I’ll write to her once everything is settled. My mother is already losing her mind after everything, and I’m grateful you spoke up for us. We can proudly show her that we are not perfect."
Rowan shrugged; he didn’t care about the royal family one bit. He had only said what he wanted because he couldn’t stand and watch Freya being disrespected. His innocent little bunny.
As Rowan prepared to depart, Lirien called out, "I hope you and Freya work everything out. You both deserve each other."
Rowan’s horse began to move, and he mouthed under his breath, "I hope so too." He left Eridor, unsure of what the future held for him and Freya.
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