The Crown's Entrapment

At Cordon Castle

It was another morning for Freya, but she couldn’t help but anticipate yet another morning of what Lord Gideon had in store for her.

She had intentionally challenged him by saying that he should make sure that she saw no other man but only him, and she could only imagine what he had in mind to keep his end of the bargain. Looking out, she smiled upon seeing the freesias in her chamberlain’s hand as she approached her on the balcony of her chamber.

“From Lord Gideon, milady,” the chamberlain relayed, handing Freya the flowers. “Also, he’s outside waiting for you to get ready. He wants to walk you to the dining hall.”

Freya could tell that her chamberlain was inwardly squealing for her, what with that teasing smile of hers.

Grabbing the freesia foliage, she took a small whiff while curling her lips into a beautiful smile.

“Did he intend to pluck all the freesia out from our garden this often?” Freya amusingly murmured.

“I don’t think so, milady,” her chamberlain informed. “I hear that Lord Gideon has his own garden of freesia at Everett Manor.”

Arching an eyebrow at her chamberlain, Freya asked, “Hmm, is that so? And where did you get that information?”

“Oh, it’s well known to everyone, milady,” her chamberlain responded. “Lord Gideon was always the one who would help the Queen Mother in her gardening whenever he has free time. Everyone knows how he loves gardening, and he would always brag about how he filled his Manor with flowers, mostly freesias.”

She then added, “And thinking about it now makes me realize that he started filling his manor with freesias when you left, milady. I guess it’s his way of tending to his longing for you? Knowing that freesias are your favorite flower.”

Freya blushed, but she remained quiet. With her curiosity sated, she dismissed her chamberlain and said, “Tell him I’ll be out shortly.”

Seeing her chamberlain leave, Freya first arranged the freesia on another vase that she put on the table on her balcony. She then walked towards the door to meet Lord Gideon.

Making her way outside her bedchamber, she saw him leaning on the wall, his eyes slowly darting toward her with a smile. From that alone, Freya found herself holding her breath. Lord Gideon was definitely the only person she had seen who loved to smile. He always had this bright aura around him, and maybe it was because he loved smiling that he had his pearly white and perfect teeth showing. Truly, the man had a beautiful smile, and he was probably aware that it was one of his charms.

“Good morning, milady…” he greeted with a slight bow.

“Just address me as Freya, Lord Gideon. I’m not used to you politely addressing me since I returned,” she waved him off with a small smile. “Still, aren’t you used to calling me stick Freya? Bamboo stick Freya?”

Gideon timidly smiled as he scratched his head. He then looked at her intently, his hoarse voice firmly saying, “But you’re no longer a bamboo stick. You’re a beautiful and alluring lady. A very tempting and enticing-“

“Okay, that’s enough,” Freya cut him off with a frown. “Let’s just go. My mother’s probably waiting already.”

With that, she promptly walked past Gideon, doing her best to hide her reddening cheeks. She felt so weird. Her heartbeat kept on pumping erratically just from his gaze and words alone.

、 ‘It’s probably the Mate Pull,’ she assumed with a pout.

Some time after, she felt Lord Gideon’s skin brushing against her, walking beside her as their arms made contact every so often.

The silence felt awkward while they were walking, so Freya commented, “I heard you have a beautiful garden in your manor mostly filled with freesias? How do you manage it, especially now in this early winter?”

“Oh, that? I have a particular place for it,” he replied. “I’ve done some experiments, and some changes, especially near my balcony, had to be done so that it can become a nice place for them to grow. There, they’re safe from freezing while I also have a better view of their beauty. I also have a variety of their colors. Would you like to see them, milady?”

Not even waiting for her answer, Gideon halted midstep, making her do the same as she turned to look at him.

“Well, I would love to show it to you. I mean, I honestly wanted to show it to you knowing that you’ll love it…” he added with a smile.

She raised an eyebrow. Freya didn’t expect that sudden invitation, but it was something that she would delightly accept.

“Sure, why not?” Freya shrugged with a smile, the glint in Gideon’s eyes failing to escape her sharp observational skills. “I’ll be honored to see it.”

With his eyes still sparkling and gleaming, Gideon beamed, “That’s great. Just tell me when you’re free, and I’ll arrange your journey to Everett Manor.”

Freya unknowingly smiled, seeing how giddy and excited he looked. “I will be free after the wedding of our King, Lord Gideon,” she responded.

“I understand,” he nodded with a smile. “Also, can I ask you to please just call me Gideon? If that’s alright with you, of course.”

Freya simply nodded, letting that be her answer as she began slowly walking towards the dining hall again.

“I plan to show myself to you every time I’m free, Freya, so please tell me if you’re getting tired of my face,” Gideon commented in a jest.

He then added, “I’ve also asked the Queen Mother if I can join you and her in every meal whenever I could so that you’ll get used to seeing me more. I’ll be there during breakfast, lunch and dinner, unless I have some important work outside the castle, of course.”

Freya remained silent, and she soon heard Gideon continue, “Just tell me if my presence is starting to get annoying.”

“Hmm, alright then,” she chuckled with a teasing tone. “I understand what you mean though. And don’t worry, your presence being like this is still good as of this time. Besides, expect me to be vocal if you’re starting to make me uncomfortable anyway.”

“That’s good then,” Gideon firmly stated. “I’m serious. I’m determined to do everything just so you’d see no other man but me, Freya.”

Freya didn’t know why his words were making her stomach churn. Nevertheless, she managed to reply, “I’ll look forward to it then.”

‘I would rather see it in action. Not hear it in words,’ Freya wanted to add, but she cautiously held it in knowing how it would sound like she was giving him the signal to push his advances towards her. She didn’t want to just give her body away easily to the Mate Pull, knowing how strong the tension was whenever he was near her.

***********************

August 16, 2022 AN: We’ll have five chapters today to be released in random hours. Yehey! Thank you so much for another hundred GTs (300+). Please don’t get tired of voting. Happy weekdays and Godbless. Also, kindly write a review on the book cover page for those who haven’t shared their book Reviews yet. *kisses and hugs*