The Crown's Entrapment

Freya's shoulders dropped as she let out a loud sigh. She was already inside her bedchamber lying on her bed, but sleep was still nowhere to be found for her. She was missing Gideon hard. While the two of them were always together, both of them had been so busy overseeing the tournament the whole day that they never really interacted beyond them coordinating their efforts.

Even now, they weren't able to eat dinner together because Gideon had to attend to something important. Also, she started to notice how Gideon was starting to avoid her in a way that would prevent them from having some private time alone. Even now, he didn't bother to come and say good night to her as he would usually do.

"I feel like I'm becoming so clingy," Freya sighed with a pout. "I don't like this feeling."

[Isn't it obvious? He's having a hard time controlling himself around you after that service you gave him,] Yal chuckled. [I'm sure the poor man's currently agonizing over himself and is craving for more, but he knows he shouldn't push just yet. Don't worry though. It's just a few more days before the two of you can finally eat each other out without holding back.]

Freya's face burned red in embarrassment. Standing up from her bed, she grabbed her cloak and made for the door.

[Where are you going?] Yal inquired.

[I can't sleep,] Freya shrugged. [I might as well visit my working chamber...]

If she wasn't going to sleep, she might as well get some work done. Ever since her return from Everett Manor, Freya had honestly assessed herself in regards to what and where she was good at, and how she could explore those skills of hers for her own growth as a person. She didn't want to be called the spoiled Princess of Cordon or be accused of being someone who had nothing beyond her beauty and grace as a Princess. She wanted a trademark of her own, and from there, she decided to open up her own working chamber where she started practicing more things she was good at, such as pottery.

Looking into the future, she wanted to turn her pottery making into a business, possibly opening a stall in the Capital City Market and selling her works there. But before all of that, she had to make a few starting samples first and ask her brother and Mother what they thought of her work once things finally calmed down.

She was walking through the hallway when she had a sniff of Gideon's pleasing scent. Immediately, a bright smile appeared on her face as soon as she felt his hands covering her eyes from behind her.

Chuckling, she scoffed, "You do know I can smell you, right?"

Removing his hands, Gideon chuckled. "I know... Then again, it's still an excuse for me to touch your eyelids."

Freya's face blushed at his words. After a while, they began walking together, Gideon accompanying her on her way.

"So where are you going, milady?" Gideon asked.

"Hmm... I'm off to make some pots since I can't sleep, I guess," Freya hesitantly answered. "Care to walk me to my working space? No one had seen it yet, so you'll be the first one..."

Freya grinned at her own offer. She wanted to show her space to Gideon for a while now, but he had been way too busy with important matters for a while, so she thought she would just have to do so once things had settled down.

"It would be my honor to accompany my future bride, of course," Gideon enthusiastically answered.

With their destination clear, the two walked side by side, their hands brushing against each other with each step that they took. Freya bit her lower lip as she felt a strange sensation just from merely brushing her hand against his. She wanted to hold Gideon's hand, but it would be inappropriate for a Princess like her to display public affection right now.

Still, she wondered if Gideon was feeling the same way. He seemed quieter than usual.

"Will it be alright? I mean, don't you have something else to do right now?" she asked just as they stopped in front of the door and opened the lock.

Gideon didn't respond. Instead, he opened the door and walked right inside with her. Freya was startled when Gideon suddenly held her by the wrist the moment the door closed. Pulling her close to him, his lips suddenly brushed against hers as soon as they were inside.

"It's been so hard..." Gideon mumbled on her lips. "I intentionally hadn't been visiting you since I was afraid that I'd lose control like this, but then I caught your addicting scent and saw you..." He huskily breathed out, his lips nibbling on hers. "I thought I'd be able to manage to control myself, but it still feels like hell..."

After the surprise wore off, Freya knew she had no intentions of letting Gideon go. Immediately, she snaked her arms around his neck. But before she could reciprocate, he quickly pulled himself back and released her lips. He was panting at her, staring at her with his adorable smile.

"How about some form of distraction?" Gideon hoarsely offered. "Show me around your workshop. Let me see your wares... How do you do it?"

Still panting, Freya wanted to protest, but her excitement to show Gideon her finished works and tell him of her plans quickly overthrew that notion.

"Alright, come with me..." Freya said, smiling gracefully as she locked her hand with his and led him to her finished works.

"When did you come to like doing pottery?" Gideon asked as he touched one of her finished works.

"While I was at Mount Sorel, I saw Master Lucrezia doing it. From there, I got interested and offered my assistance," Freya explained. She let me do it, and one thing came to another, and I started doing pottery whenever I missed home..."

She was sure that Gideon knew Master Lucrezia, especially since he also studied at the famous and prestigious University of Mount Sorel.

"Ah, Master Lucrezia is indeed a great Master in all kinds of arts," Gideon nodded in praise. "These are beautiful, Freya. I mean, you have all these different designs for male and female gender preferences. My future wife is very talented!"

Freya turned deep red even as she replied, "I plan to sell them and do business..."

"No! I want them all!" Gideon suddenly burst out, his eyes blinking rapidly at her.

"But I want to enter the market with them. I'm planning to have my own space in the Capital City Market, and if things go well, I also want to enter trading," Freya chuckled. "Don't worry though... I'll make better ones with exclusive designs for you alone."

"Hmm, that sounds good then," Gideon nodded in seeming relief. "I'll wait for it then. Also, have you told our King and Queen Mother about your intentions?"

Seeing Freya shake her head, Gideon quickly told her, "I'll handle everything for you then; all the things that you'll need for your business, I'll take care of them, my future wife!" he excitedly declared. He then once again looked around and murmured, "Though, why do I feel like buying them all for myself... knowing that they're all created by my wonderful wife?!"

Freya couldn't help but inwardly squeal whenever Gideon would refer to her as his future wife, and now, wife. Oh, how she wanted to make the days go faster and finally make it all reality already just so that there would be no need for the two of them to hold back anymore.