The Crown's Entrapment

At Everett Manor, Black Claw Pack Territory

Freya tried her best to calm herself as she finally went out of the bedchamber properly dressed. She felt so embarrassed at her previous predicament, and her face was still red at the fact that it even happened at all.

Walking out, Gideon was already outside waiting for her with his usual charming smile. He firmly grabbed her hand, their fingers intertwining together as they walked hand in hand.

“Relax, Sweety. You look gorgeous, and that dress fits you perfectly,” he encouraged. He then pulled her hand up to his lips as he murmured, “You don’t have to feel embarrassed about what happened a while ago. That would be a normal thing between us once we’ve gone through the Ritual of Marking.”

“What’s wrong?” she murmured as she noticed him just staring at her intently, her attention still split as she tried to calm her beating heart.

“Nothing. It’s just that I’m planning to tell my parents that we’ll do the Ritual of Marking on your twenty-first birthday, if that’s alright with you,” Gideon spoke with that lovely smile of his. “That is if the Trial By Combat is already finished by then.”

“Do you think it’ll only take one more week then?” Freya asked. Her birthday would take place about a week from now. She honestly didn’t think that they’d need to delay it anyway, seeing as she was already sure of what she felt for Gideon.

[Why haven’t you told him yet then?] Yal asked her. [I’m sure he’ll be very happy once he hears those words…]

[I’m shy…] Freya answered, her face turning red at the mere prospect of confessing her feelings.

“Are you alright?” Gideon asked as he gently caressed her reddening cheeks. His gaze was intense as he asked further, “Don’t you want us to do the Ritual of Marking?”

“It’s not that,” she hesitatingly replied. “It’s Yal, uhm-“

“Remember I won in our race, so you have to grant me a request,” Gideon suddenly brought up.

Freya nodded.

“I want you to be honest and vocal with me at all times, Freya,” Gideon insisted. “That’s my request. Can you do that?”

“Yes,” she answered with a half smile.

“Good. Then tell me and be honest, are you still hesitating to do the Ritual of Marking with me?” he sincerely asked. “I’m sorry if I’ve become a bit forward and confident. It’s just that I thought… I mean, although you’ve never said the words yet, I feel like our feelings for each other are mutually growing. I understand your situation since everything is still new for you. After all, entering a relationship and sorting things out… I’ll respect your decision if you don’t want us-“

“No!” Freya suddenly interrupted.

“No? You don’t want us-“

“No, that’s not what I mean. I want to proceed as you suggested,” Freya corrected. “Let’s do the Ritual of Marking on my twenty-first birthday or as soon as the trial by combat is finished. Either way, is alright with me, Lord Gideon.”

“Oh thank you, Sweety!” Gideon burst out in happiness, so much so that he even lifted her up and swung her around in his embrace.

“That’s enough, milord,” Freya chuckled. “Your parents have already waited for long enough. We need to go down the stairs already.”

Gideon put her down, but he hadn’t let go of her body just yet. Instead, he hugged her close and whispered, “I love you, Freya. I’ll take this as you accepting me wholly already, so don’t you dare change your mind. There’s no turning back now.”

Freya chuckled. “I won’t. Now let’s go before I feel too embarrassed in facing your parents,” she insisted. “They’ve been waiting for long enough, and I don’t want them to think that we’re doing something-“

Gideon cut her off with the sound of his index finger smacking her lips. “Lord Gideon and milord sounds old and formal. How about you call me Sweety too?”

“Sweety,” Freya obediently said, making her blush even more.

“So adorable,” he chuckled. “Now come, or else I might just end up locking you inside my chamber.”

Holding her hand, Gideon led the way to the dining hall where his parents were already waiting for them.

Exchanging pleasantries, Gideon’s parents were warm enough that Freya instantly felt like she was already at home. And as he had said prior, he immediately informed his parents about their intention to do the Ritual of Marking soon.

“That’s good news. We should arrange for a visit to your family soon, dear,” Gideon’s mother, Rosa, commented. She then added, “Do you love flowers, my dear?”

“Yes, I do,” Freya sweetly smiled. “Freesias are my favorite.”

“Hmm, no wonder my son is into Freesias,” Rosa commented. “He has a variety of that particular plant everywhere in the garden.”

“Yes, Lord Gideon had told me about it, and I’m honestly excited to see them,” Freya enthusiastically commented. She was honestly touched upon seeing the Freesias displayed inside Gideon’s bedchamber, not to mention the ones planted near his balcony.

She couldn’t help the lovely smile appearing on her face as she recall how Gideon had told her that he wanted freesias around him since it reminded him of her.

“Right, I’ve been the one tending to them whenever Gideon isn’t around,” his mother regaled with a smile. “I have to make sure that they’re properly taken care of, or my son will nag at me nonstop…”

“Mother… How could I nag you? Freya might think I’m actually nagging you now,” Gideon complained, making the old woman laugh.

Freya also chuckled upon seeing how Gideon bantered with his parents. No wonder he was always so bubbly if his parents were the same. Unfortunately, he was an only child, but from what she remembered, Gideon’s parents had adopted a girl before, and she could recall meeting her once back when she was ten, during the coronation of her brother as their new king.

Unknowingly, she darted her eyes towards the vacant seat that had empty silverware set in front of it. Rosa followed her gaze, and the older woman smiled and said, “My apologies… Gideon’s sister rarely comes home. We’re just used to her coming and going whenever she pleases. But I’ve already sent word that she shouldn’t miss dinner to meet her brother’s mate.”

“That brat,” Gideon mumbled with a fronw. “What is she up to now?”

His father chuckled and said, “She’s conducting an experiment with a rogue werewolf’s body in the dungeon of Cordon’s Infirmary.”

Gideon’s face crumpled in disgust as he complained, “Why is she so obsessed with dissecting the dead? She’s not getting any younger, Mother. She should be enjoying her youth, going out with friends, and having a man instead of spending time with corpses.”

“Corpses can make for better companions than the living, Brother,” a woman’s voice suddenly made itself heard. Turning, Freya saw a dazzling woman now sitting on the chair in front of her.

She looked at her and deadpanned, “Hello.”