The Crown's Entrapment

At Castle Cordon

Freya couldn’t help but burn in her own embarrassment as she walked through the hallways of the castle. She had just gotten out of the infirmary after faking unconsciousness for what amounted to a few hours, and her back was practically sore after lying down with her eyes closed for what felt like forever with the healers fussing over her. Gideon had tried to stay with her over the course of the day, of course, but it would seem that he got called over for what seemed to be kitchen duty.

Thank the Almighty for small miracles, she supposed.

“That was close…”

She didn’t know what she would do if Gideon had decided to hover over her supposedly unconscious form. She was only lucky that she had somehow managed to talk to the healer to keep her actual condition a secret. The kind woman then promptly convinced her mother and Gideon that she was better off being left alone to rest, much to the audible annoyance and worry from the two of them.

“I’m so dead if they ever find out,” she mumbled to herself in worry. “I really should’ve just come clean…”

[And what? So that Gideon would only question you further as to how it actually happened?] Poona teased. [What would you say then?]

[That I… Well…]

[See? You’re still not ready to even face the truth,] her wolf pointed out with a wicked tone to its voice. [But seriously, you should just go ahead and accept him already. Spare yourself the pain and let’s go get him!]

Freya shook her head as her wolf’s constant howls only added onto her already stupidly thick haze of confusion. It didn’t help that his kiss still made her lips tingle even after all this time. It was as if his lingering presence was still affecting her even hours after it had been done.

[That’s because-]

[I know already, okay?] Freya whined. [Shut your mouth for once.]

Poona’s laughter haunted her mind as she loitered through the hallways. Her cheeks were also still red, having been like that ever since she got back. She could still remember his arms wrapped around her body, rushing through the gates in an effort to save her from a nonexistent illness.

Freya sighed for the umpteenth time that past hour. She really didn’t know what to do. With the day passing by quickly, her brother would soon return with Princess Xenia in tow. By then, she wouldn’t have the time to come clean to someone, preferably her mother…

‘I really should just say it…’ she inwardly thought. ‘Mother will understand… hopefully…’

With her mind made up, Freya spun on her heels as she made her way to her mother’s room. She might be livid for a bit of time after having worried about her for a good while, but surely she’ll forgive her once she shared her plight.

Taking a deep breath, the princess gathered her courage as she stood in front of the door. Raising her knuckles, she knocked.

“Mother? It’s me, Freya,” she called out.

Inviting herself in, Freya almost closed her eyes in anticipation of a livid mother chiding her for lying. Instead, warm arms enveloped her almost instantly, taking her into her embrace as she melted in the older woman’s loving arms.

Then again, she hadn’t even told her anything yet.

“You’re finally up,” the Queen Mother greeted in relief. “I was so worried. Are you fine?”

“I’m fine, Mother,” Freya meekly replied, her courage melting as she quickly spun up another lie. “I wasn’t that sick.”

“Still, you’ve been out for almost the entire day,” the older woman worriedly shook her head. “Did the healer clear you of illnesses yet?”

“Yes,” Freya replied. “I’m healthy again.”

Her mother nodded in approval. “Good. Still, you can opt out of dinner if you need to rest early.”

Freya shook her head in denial. “I’ll be fine, Mother. I’ll join you all in dinner later.”

While the thought of skipping dinner briefly flashed through her mind, she immediately dismissed the notion after a bit of quick thinking. If she was going to run away from her problems, she would just put it off time and again until there was nothing left of her courage to push her forward. And she wouldn’t want to put Gideon through that torture of waiting for her.

No, she’ll be nipping this in the bud right here and now… Well, maybe later, but it was a step in the right direction.

“If you insist,” her mother nodded. “So, what brings you here, Freya? I’m assuming this isn’t you just telling me that you’re fine already.”

Freya took in a deep breath as she let her mother lead her to the nearby chair. Taking a seat, she sat just in front of the Queen Mother as she gathered her words.

“I’m… I’m conflicted,” she admitted. “I don’t know what to do about Gideon…”

“Gideon,” her mother hummed. “You mean the Mate Pull?”

“Yeah,” Freya nodded. “It’s just… I don’t want to be beholden to it. I want to experience love naturally, but how am I supposed to do that with the Mate Pull influencing my perceptions?”

Hearing her words, her mother took on a pensive look as she formulated a response. Freya could only wait for the advice she sorely needed, hoping that it would at least shed some light as to what she was supposed to do.

“Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to help much in regards to counteracting the Mate Pull,” her mother regretfully sighed. “I didn’t have the privilege of experiencing such a blessing, and I can only assume that it’s one of the best feelings a werewolf could ever have.”

Freya couldn’t help but feel disappointed at what she just heard. “So you’re saying that I should just let it happen?”

“Not at all,” her mother warmly denied. “In my opinion, the Mate Pull is simply the Almighty’s way of helping things along for our kind. Like some kind of matchmaking tool, I suppose.”

“That… doesn’t really give me much confidence,” Freya admitted.