The Crown's Entrapment

Darius held his breath as soon as he saw his mate entering the dining hall. If he was being honest, he still felt like he wasn't himself even if it's been a while since he walked out of Xen's chamber.

Truly, just the mere sight of her messy hair and loose dress hanging onto her like that when he entered her chamber was more than enough for him to go crazy. He was supposed to wait for her and walk with her to the dining hall, but he wasn't confident enough that he'd be able to control himself if he stayed any longer inside her chambers.

So instead, he decided that it would be better that he left as soon as she asked for some privacy.

Seeing her approach, he smiled as he quickly pulled up a chair for her beside him, not minding the curious look his mother was giving him for his actions.

"Good morning, Queen Mother," Xen politely greeted with a bow.

At his mate's polite greeting, the Queen Mother smiled and signaled for her to walk to her seat.

At the door, there was yet another knock before it swung open once more. This time, it was Clara who entered the hall.

"Clara is like a family to us, Princess Xenia, so she often eats with me whenever she's around the castle," the Queen Mother quickly explained.

"Your Majesty, Queen Mother, Princess Xenia... A pleasant morning to everyone," Clara greeted, and Darius signaled her to sit on her usual chair.

Once seeing that everyone was settled, Darius held a satisfied smile as he turned to his mother. He was glad that his mother was particularly attentive to Xen, explaining to her why Clara had just joined them. He really didn't want any misunderstandings about him to form in Xen's mind. The headache that would ensue in clearing them up was simply astronomical.

"I've heard you all got drunk last night, so I asked the cook to prepare this herbal soup to help you all feel better," Queen Mother suddenly spoke aloud as she signaled for everyone to partake in the soup placed on their table by the servants.

The breakfast began at a slow pace. Darius watched as Xen take the bowl of soup in front of her, a green complexion still on her face so he curiously asked, "You didn't eat the hangover soup I brought you earlier?"

Xen opened her mouth to reply, only coughed as she rubbed her chest. Darius was quick to move as he rubbed her back and whispered, "Careful."

It was a rather attention-drawing sight. All eyes were on Darius that everyone present failed to notice that yet another person had just entered the dining hall.

"My... my... my... I didn't know that our King could be this gentle!" a woman's voice roared inside the hall.

"Freya?!" the Queen Mother burst out.

With a wide smile, Freya immediately ran to their mother for a warm hug. Meanwhile, Darius frowned at her younger sister as he questioned, "Why are you here, Freya? Aren't you supposed to come back in a few more days?"

Freya had a pout as she replied, "Is that how you will welcome your sister after four long years of not seeing me, Brother? I asked for permission to leave early so I can surprise you and Mother. I just arrived last night."

"But you know how dangerous the journey can be," Darius scolded. "You should've told us you were coming so I could've sent envoys to pick you up and protect you."

"Your brother is right," the Queen Mother quickly agreed. "It's fortunate that your journey had been a safe one, but you can't always be this lucky, Freya. Don't do this again, alright? You have to promise me that you won't make such a rash decision like this without asking me or your brother for advice."

"I'm sorry," Freya whispered out with a slight nod. "I just wanted to surprise you two, is all. I wanted to show you two how capable I am of taking care of myself now."

Hearing her sister's apologetic tone, Darius let out a long breath as he said, "What's done is done. We can only learn. I hope this won't happen again, Freya."

Freya nodded once more in apology before her eyes quickly darted towards Xen. Seeing her sister's attention, Darius's face suddenly lit up as he proudly introduced, "Freya, meet Princess Xenia of Ebodia, my mate and future Queen."

"Yeah, I can see that brother," Freya waved him off with a teasing grin. "Your eyes are practically shining right now, and I bet all you can even see right now is this fair Princess."

Freya was a warm person. And as Darius expected, she also gave Xen her warmest welcome with her usual charm and smile.

"Welcome to Cordon, Sister-in-law."

Seeing the two exchange pleasantries, Darius couldn't help but admire how Xen's face blushed brightly as she gave his sister her usual beautiful sweet smile.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Darius commented, not minding all the eyes around him landing on him once again.

"Of course, she is, my brother," Freya readily agreed before letting off yet another teasing grin. "Oh my! Are you really my brother?" She then turned to face their mother, her grin still present. "Mother, Big Brother Darius became cringey all of a sudden! Is this the effect of the Mate Pull?"

The Queen Mother chuckled, "That's enough, Daughter. Everyone must already be starving by now, so please go get a seat and let's all start eating, shall we?"

At their mother's word, Freya took to her usual seat. Darius could still sense some of the suspicious glances his sister was throwing at him, but he simply ignored them as he focused all of his attention on Xen.

Keeping an eye on her, he sensed that she was acting a bit awkward around him. For some reason, it seemed as if she was avoiding his gaze. Was she mad because of last night?

"Hmm, aren't you a bit too covered?" Freya asked as she casually pointed out Xen's current dress. "I mean, the weather's still hot, and that outfit looks so good on you, but isn't that kind of uncomfortable with this kind of weather?"

Darius couldn't help but agree with his sister. He had also noticed how Xen wore a dress that covered every inch of bare skin she could show . It looked good on her, of course, especially with how perfectly it fit her curves. Red also suited her as well.

At the question, Xen's face reddened as she explained, "I, err... Some horrible skin rashes suddenly broke out on my skin earlier, so I'm trying to hide it. I'll feel awkward if anyone sees it. It's probably from all the alcohol though, so I'll do my best to avoid drinking again by all means. I guess it's just not for me."

Darius almost choked on his own saliva...

'Horrible? Are my love marks that horrible to her?' he inwardly scoffed.

He couldn't help but feel a bit out of sorts with how Xen described her so-called rashes now, especially since he was perfectly aware that it was the marks he left on her skin.

[Well, she definitely enjoyed them, so don't mind her words,] Zeus comforted him. [I'm pretty sure you're not expecting her to vocally announce to everyone here that you put those marks on her skin though, right?]

[I won't mind it,] Darius shamelessly scoffed.

He shook his head, a mischievous smile forming on his face as he turned at Xen. After a beat, he suddenly commented, "Starting today, you'll be training with me, Xen. I will personally make sure that you will pass the Five Trials to become my Queen."

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A/N: The image reference for Xen's outfit is in the comment section in case you're curious.