The Crown's Entrapment

Back at Cordon Palace, Gideon had a frown as he continued overseeing the knights undergoing their usual activities on the training grounds. He was currently with Leon, walking around every station to see if everything was up to standard.

“Looks like you will be very busy with His Majesty and Commander Bartos being gone, Commander,” Leon commented with a grin. “And that’s not to mention how you also have to double-check how Commander Adah is doing as a replacement for Alpha Clara’s former post.”

Gideon scowled, “Tsk. And you really want to add more fuel to my burning fury, is it? How is Commander Zandro’s recovery? Have you checked on when he plans to return?” He sighed, “I can’t believe that Bartos left me here just so he can have some fun with his mate.”

How unfortunate… And here he was thinking that he had a great morning ahead of him upon seeing his mate in the stables again this morning. He even had had the opportunity to ride with her, but this Leon just had to pop out of nowhere and call him for duty.

Halting in his steps, Gideon turned to Leon and asked, “If a woman tells you to make sure that she has no other man but you… does that mean she likes you? Or is it nothing more but a simple challenge? Or is she just curious about whether or not you’ll do it?”

Shuffling on his feet, Gideon felt like he was being too awkward even if he needed the advice. It was a dilemma for him, and it was way hard for him to read Freya’s actions or even interpret her words._.

Once more, he let out a loud sigh as he frowned, his eyebrows drawn together as he stared at the ground as if it could give him the answers he needed. What a joke. He really thought that he was the best when it comes to reading women. Was he just that overconfident when it came to other people’s affairs?

“Woah! Looks like our flower alpha’s finally found his mate,” Leon beamed, his eyes sparkling as he stared back at him. “Hmm, who could it be?!”

Needling his superior, Leon was keeping up his advance when the answer suddenly dawned on him. His eyes rounding out, he questioned, “No way… Is Princess Freya your mate?!”

Gideon refused to comment, resorting to answering his beta officer with a noncommittal shrug. There was no point in hiding it anymore anyway. Plus, it was better for him that the fact was spread far and wide throughout the kingdom, just so that everyone would know that Princess Freya was already off-limits.

Well, it was one of his ways of marking his territory while still somehow playing innocent about it in front of his mate.

“That’s so awesome!” Leon beamed. His junior looked rather excited, and from there, Gideon was already sure that this piece of information would now quickly spread throughout the kingdom like a plague.

“Princess Freya just came back, and it’s been four long years so everyone here might look like a stranger to her, including you, Commander,” Leon muttered in contemplation. “She’s a Princess, so it’s only natural for her to play hard to get, I feel. She has an image to uphold too, you know.”

Gideon held the urge to roll his eyes. He already knew such things, yet no one actually knew how Freya looked towards Gilas ever since… Well, except for him. Even yesterday, back when he directly asked Freya if she loved Gilas, she wasn’t able to answer the question with a firm ‘NO’. That only meant that she still had lingering feelings towards the man despite knowing the truth about Nasser and his actions.

“Truly, the heart is the most stubborn part of the body,” he subconsciously puffed out.

“What’s with that look, Commander? Don’t tell me you’re having a hard time when you’re the best among us when it comes to approaching women us?!” Leon incredulously questioned with one eyebrow raised at him.

Gideon couldn’t help but chuckle at Leon’s expression. Truly, everyone praised him for how good he was at approaching any woman regardless of age. Still, it was different with Freya… He always felt like he was always walking on thin ice whenever he tried interacting with her…

Clicking his tongue, he patted Leon’s shoulders as he instructed, “Look, this is what you need to do, Leon. Make sure that Commander Zandro will be able to get back to his post as soon as possible. That way, I can at least spend some free time courting my mate while Bartos is gone…”

“And also, have someone send word to Bartos that he shouldn’t extend his vacation while His Majesty is away,” he added with a tut. “He said he was only planning on formally introducing Jayra to his family, so why did he need to extend his absence by five days? How can he not be content with the three days he first asked of me?”

Leon chuckled at his words, and Gideon could do nothing but glare at him before finally dismissing the officer out of his sight.

With nothing else better to do, his eyes darted towards a particular direction as he pondered on Freya’s words. He must make sure that he’s the only one that she sees …

Stroking his chin, Gideon’s eyes squinted as he remarked, “Hmm, I shouldn’t disappoint her then. I’ll make sure that she will see no one else but me…”

********

Meanwhile, Freya rode Speedy through Cordon Mountain all the way down its north coast. She smiled as she pulled on the reigns, making her horse move at a slower pace by the time she reached the coastline of the Moonlight Sea. It had been a while since she had been there, and the view was still as beautiful as always.

“The view here during dusk and dawn has always been very beautiful,” Freya wistfully sighed. “I wonder if Lord Gideon ever rode you all the way here while I was gone… I’ve heard he’s been attentive and nice to you.” She smiled, “I’m glad then. I guess I was worried about you for nothing, huh?”

Tilting her head back, Freya cherished the gentle cool breeze from the sea as she rambled on.

“Do you think Lord Gideon feels bad? I was unable to fully answer his question about Lord Gilas last time he asked, and I don’t really know why,” she absently talked to herself. “To be honest, I can’t find it in my heart to hate Lord Gilas despite the things I found out about his father. He’s been so nice to me…”

She has always felt comfortable around Lord Gilas, and to be honest, she missed those old times. She used to ride with him together with Speedy, and he was honestly the one who always kept her entertained during the times when her father and mother were busy running the kingdom. Her brother had tried, but he too had been busy ever since he took on the role of being the Alpha of their Moonlight pack.

“Right…” Freya smiled, recalling how Gideon was always there for her too… Well, to mess with her and tease her most of the time, at least. “Surely, no one would suspect him with his actions. It was just his way of having his young mate notice his presence. Thinking about it now, it would indeed be awkward if he just randomly approached me romantically, or even as a sister during those times.”

Gently caressing Speedy’s mane, she mumbled, “Let’s just observe things a little bit more, shall we? It’s not like I’m in a hurry… I want to know more about Lord Gideon. Besides, I still need to somehow also sort out my feelings regarding Lord Gilas…”