The Crown's Entrapment

Gideon let out a long deep sigh before giving the mighty Cordon Castle one more glance from his direction. He was finally returning home, and at this time, he could no longer escape the situation waiting for him.

In one way or another, his path would cross with Freya’s, and he’d have to somehow explain himself without making himself look like an absolute fool. Absently, he wondered if Freya would finally feel the Mate Pull now that she was at the right age to feel it.

“No time like the present…”

Psyching himself up, he wasted no with his inner struggles as he finally began to make his way inside the castle. He was supposed to join the monarchs for dinner, but he decided to first head to his bedchamber to clean up and dress properly.

[I’m back, Sire,] Gideon telepathically related to His Majesty once he was ready.

[Good,] Darius hummed. [Come to my study. We have much to discuss.]

Hearing his liege’s instructions, Gideon immediately walked to the King’s study. There, he was greeted by his King patiently waiting for him.

“Gideon.”

“Sire,” Gideon politely greeted_.

Darius returned the nod and signaled for him to sit in front of him. He gulped, noticing how intensely the king was currently staring at him.

“Sire, everything has been settled as per specifications,” he reported, even though he had already relayed the news through one of his wolf messengers. “I’ve already arranged everything that was needed.”

“Thank you, Gideon,” Darius commented with a nod.

A terse silence settled between them, Gideon completely unnerved at how calm his king was being.

“Now that that’s settled, how come you didn’t tell me about it?” Darius suddenly asked next, making Gideon frown as he looked at him with parted lips.

“About what, sire?”

“About Freya.”

His heart suddenly stopped beating. “How?”

“Freya told me about it,” Darius scoffed. “She recognized you the night that she arrived, and she’s a bit disheartened at seeing her mate so wasted and drunk…”

He suddenly became nervous about how Darius would react. Although he knew his king well enough, he still couldn’t help but feel wary somehow. He couldn’t read his blank expression at all.

“What’s with the nervous look?” Darius coolly asked. “Aren’t you confident in taking responsibility for my sister?”

Gideon gulped. “Stop it, Darius. You know me enough not to ask me that kind of question,” he complained with a frown. They were alone, so it was currently fine for him to not address this friend formally.

Darius’s lips finally stretched into a playful smile. “Seriously, why do you look so intimidated, huh?” he scoffed. He honestly was just playing with Gideon at this point, and the latter’s reaction was just too pitiful not to keep needling him.

“Who wouldn’t be? Even though we’re close, I’m still intimidated by you,” Gideon reasoned. “You have such a moody personality, you know!”

“That may be so,” Darius neutrally raised an eyebrow. “Still, how come you’ve never mentioned this to me, huh? I’m sure you already felt the Mate Pull on Freya as soon as you turned eighteen.”

Gideon’s eyes widened as he impatiently retorted, “Seriously? How do you expect me to say it? ‘Sire, I love your sister’s unique scent. I think she’s my mate.’ Do remember that Freya was only eight at the time.”

“Fair enough then,” Darius chuckled. “But you could’ve told me about once Freya finally reached adulthood.”

“Well, I don’t know where to start,” Gideon weakly stated with dropped shoulders. “Besides… I know Freya likes Gilas.”

Darius almost winced. He could feel how down his friend was when he said his words.

Darius let out another sigh as he said, “Freya already knows the truth. I told her and our mother everything this morning. I just couldn’t stand idly by seeing how boldly Nasser was scheming in front of us. Last night, he even offered an arranged marriage for Freya and Gilas over dinner.”

“What?!” Gideon burst out, his expression turning dim. “And what did you say?”

“Well… My say doesn’t count, Gideon. It’s Freya’s call at the end of the day so… I suggest that you start moving like Bartos and pick up your pace instead of being as slow as a snail…” Darius casually pointed out.

[0)ᴠʟ “I’ll even be generous enough not to stand in your way. Really, you’re so lucky that I’m leaving with Xen for a week or more depending on her training. My eyes won’t be watching you during those times, so seize that opportunity and capture my sister’s heart.”

“You sound desperate…” Gideon fired back.

“Well, I am,” Darius laughed. “Of course, I want my sister to be in good hands. And she’ll be in good hands if it’s you, Gideon,” he sincerely stated.

“You just made my heart flutter, Your Majesty,” Gideon murmured with a sigh. “You’re just piling on the pressure, huh? I’m not even confident in approaching Lady Freya. It has been four years…”

And that wasn’t to mention that he was drunk when Freya first met him that night. He even thought he was simply dreaming about how she would look after four long years of growing.

He knew now, of course, that the beautiful woman that night was indeed the real Freya. It seemed that she kept those adorable short strands on her forehead, and she and Darius almost had the same color of hair, hers looked darker with an ashen dark brown tone on her locks.

“Come now, it’s dinner time,” Darius commented as he stood up. “You should join us. It would be nice if Freya met you formally while you’re sober like this. You see, she hates drunkards…”

*Thump *Thump *Thump

Letting his king pull him towards the dining hall, Gideon tried his best to calm himself as they finally entered the premises. The Queen Mother, along with the others were already in their seats, casually talking to Princess Xenia and… Freya, his mate…

Almost immediately, her scent lingered on his nose and filled his body with more energy than usual. It smells so wonderful, and she was the only one who harbored that beautiful scent.

“Lord Gideon…” the Queen Mother greeted.

He curtly bowed and greeted the Queen Mother and Princess Xenia before his eyes finally landed on Freya. She was indeed a full-grown woman now, her shoulder-length hair from before was now long and very beautiful as it swayed against the nonexistent breeze.

He was amazed… His eyes inevitably fixated themselves on her.

Taking note of his attention, Freya smiled at him and said, “It’s nice to see you again, Lord Gideon.”

“And I feel the same, milady,” Gideon dreamily stated. “You look so beautiful and marvelous. Will you marry me?”

Almost immediately, he realized the stupidity of his actions. He didn’t know what came over him. It was just in his thoughts, but seeing how everybody’s attention all went to him, he must’ve probably voiced those thoughts aloud. He gulped and looked at Darius, his king’s dumbfounded look only making him more nervous.

[What are you doing?!] Darius telepathically questioned him.

[You told me not to move like a snail!] Gideon fired back. [This is infinitely faster, right?!]