The Crown's Entrapment

Seeing as the couple already left the dining hall, with Clara soon following, Freya stood up and pull her mother up with her. "Mother, let's take a walk. It's good for digestion."

Her mother chuckled, letting her lead her outside the dining hall. As they walked, Freya hugged her mother's arm and whispered, "I missed you so much, Mother. I even thought I wouldn't last long without seeing you."

She sighed, "Ah... I really had a hard time living at Mount Sorel, but I think it's all worth it. Brother is right that I will truly learn a lot from that place."

Mount Sorel was a sanctuary sandwiched between the Cordon and Valcrez territories. It was a sacred place protected by both kingdoms, which also served as an exclusive academy to enhance one's combat skills in all aspects. Independent Masters that didn't involve themselves in any political strife in the kingdom were in charge of managing it, they were very strict in terms of who they accepted. They didn't simply accept disciples that hadn't passed their particular tests.

"You were lucky to be accepted into such a great academy like your brother," Savannah commented with a gentle smile. "I am at ease in knowing that you were in safe hands all these years."

A comfortable silence settled between them as they walked. Before long, Freya broke the peace with a question.

"What do you think of Xenia, Mother? Last time I left, you were so invested in Clara becoming Brother's wife..."

Freya couldn't help but ask such a question. It was no secret to her, after all. Growing up, she always had Clara by her side. Like a big sister, she was practically family that she thought that the fact would soon become official.

There was a deep and frustrated sigh from her mother before she spoke, "It seems like the Almighty has different plans for your brother. If I am honest, I would rather have Clara as his partner, but we both know that your brother will refuse to listen and simply do whatever he wanted."

Her mother sighed once more. "I honestly planned on talking to him when he came back home, but the smiles on his face, while constantly mentioning his mate... They hindered me."

"Yeah, it's been a while since I last saw my brother genuinely smile like that," Freya let out a smile. "Not since Father died, at least."

"It scares me, just thinking about the past..." Savannah couldn't help but voice out. "What are the odds that your brother can sacrifice that much just to secure this throne..."

"Hmm... I do think that him meeting his mate like this will somehow help him loosen up a bit," Freya pondered.

"Do you see how he even asked us to take care of court matters? He's no longer someone who's too married with court affairs, constantly making sure that the opposition won't even have the slightest inch against him. He's enjoying his life now, and he isn't burying himself in the guilt of Father's death. Isn't that a good thing?"

"Yes, it is," her mother reluctantly nodded. "It's just that I'm worried about him. He's showing weakness to everyone, and I'm afraid that they will use his newfound mate against him."

"Hmm... I always believe in Brother, Mother. He can be reckless at times, but he never failed us no matter what his ways usually are," Freya stated with a reassuring smile. "Let's just continue to trust and support him. Although, I honestly feel bad for Clara, and I'm sure you're feeling the same since she's like a daughter to you already."

"Yes, indeed," Savannah matched her sigh. "My heart is aching for her. I've known her since childhood, and I still wish that she'd truly become a part of our family. However, we cannot disregard your brother's true feelings on whoever it is that will make him happy."

She let off a small sigh, one filled with hopes and dreams. "That is why I chose not to get in his way, seeing how happy he is right now. I can only hope that Clara can overcome this heartache; that she too can find her own happiness soon."

Another comfortable silence soon followed. A few steps through the halls, the two women simply enjoyed each other's company.

Once more, Freya was the one to break the silence.

"Mother?" Freya suddenly whispered.

"Yes, dear?"

"I found my mate."

Savannah halted midstep. Facing her daughter, she let Freya pull her down to sit on one of the nearby benches found within the castle.

"Who is it?" Savannah asked as soon as they were situated. "When did you-?"

"Last night, here in the castle," Freya confessed. "I followed the scent and found him somehow."

"Oh, that's great!" her mother excitedly burst out. "Ah, I can't believe my children have been blessed by the Almighty, granting them their destined mates so closely together!" She was about to congratulate her daughter further, but her eyebrows knitted as soon as she saw Freya's obvious anxiety.

Freya was reluctant.

"Why? What's wrong?"

Freya bit her lower lip and whispered, "It's Lord Gideon. Please don't tell my brother about it yet."

"If it's Gideon, then I will be at ease!" Savannah chuckled, her prior worries somewhat abating. "He's a good man, Daughter. And you know how loyal he is to your brother, right? He's also handsome and powerful, so why do you look sad?"

"Hmm... You know that I like Lord Gilas, and I really thought that when I came back, I'll recognize his scent as my mate since I'm already twenty now," Freya answered with a pout.

Savannah chuckled at her daughter's plight. "The Mate Pull doesn't work like that, dear. So you met Gideon last night then. Did he also recognize you as his mate?"

Freya nodded with a sour face as she complained, "He was too drunk last night!"

Savannah chuckled, "Well, that's to be expected. They held a celebration for when your brother formally introduced Princess Xenia to everyone last night. Trust me, Gideon is a good man. Definitely not a drunkard, if that's what you're thinking."

Savannah held in her chuckles as she watched her daughter complain. She had almost forgotten that her daughter was closer to Gilas than Gideon since the former was always inside the castle being involved mostly in court matters.

Meanwhile, Gideon was always out on the field, constantly outside the castle grounds as the head commander of the Moonlight Knights.

"I don't know, Mother. I honestly feel confused right now," Freya sighed. "Please don't tell Brother yet. Can we keep this a secret for now? I want to know Lord Gideon more and see if things can even work out between us."

"That won't work like that. You should make it work between you two, Freya!" Savannah encouraged. "You're both full-blooded werewolves unlike in your brother's case, so don't ever consider rejecting the Mate Pull just because you don't think it'll work out. Doing so will bring you and Gideon misfortune, you know."

She then added, "Look, I know you like a handsome man, and Gideon is one of them. Plus, he's someone your brother and I can easily trust with your security."

Freya let out a sigh at her mother's words. Her mother was right. Last night, she asked a knight to help her bring Lord Gideon to his chamber. It was there that she had the opportunity to stare at his face while he was still unconscious.

True enough, he too was just as handsome as Gilas. However, she and Lord Gideon were far from being on good terms. She could still remember how the man would often bully her when she was in her teens. He would always mess with her hair and even call her Skinny Freya from time to time, so unlike her Gilas who would always praise her for how good she was especially with her paintings...

Freya bit her inner cheek as she murmured, "Fine. I'll try my best, Mother."