The sting of betrayal | Closed.

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya watched him with wide eyes, nodding a little as she moved to her nightstand, pulling the blade he had given her out. "I just have yours.." she murmured as she moved back over to him, looking up at him nervously. "I-I don't want anyone to die.."

Rowan looked at her, reaching for the blade. "It's a good blade, a gift from a suiter," he said looking at her. He stood up and looked at her kissing her gently, "You don't have a choice here, it's her or me," he said softly. He pulled back, "look away," he suggested gently.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya blushed brightly as he called himself her suitor, nodding a little as she turned to look away, fiddling nervously with her nightgown. She waited until he was finished before she slowly turned back to look at him, biting her lip.

Rowan quickly stabbed Alesha, killing her. He left the blade in her, before standing back up. He moved over to her and kissed her, "I should get out of here, and you should scream," he said softly. He smiled weakly at her, "she came in and tried to stab you, but you stabbed her with the blade, I was never here," he said softly.

@ katahdin
[Going out for the night]

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya nodded a little at his instructions, pressing one last kiss to his lips before ushering him out of her room through the secret passage, screaming at the top of her lungs shortly after.

His plan had worked, guards rushing to her room, listening as she explained what happened before taking care of the body and tidying up the room. Her father was also notified, returning to the palace early to see his daughter.

Rowan sighed a sigh of relief, as he successfully made his way out of the castle, and back to his place. It seemed that nothing was amiss, and no one knew of his involvement, yet.

He stripped down and had a cold shower, needing to clear his head after everything that had happened today so far.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya ate dinner with her father gladly, happy to spend some time with him as he discussed her predicament. Eventually he informed her that he'd arranged her marriage with the prince of their closest ally, who happened to be the son of the king who wanted her dead. She attempted to protest, but he wouldn't hear it, informing her she'd be leaving in three days to marry her new husband.

After dinner Freya locked herself in her room, not happy with the news at all, wondering how she'd tell Rowan.

Rowan spent the rest of the day training, and cleaning his home. It was a small hovel, in the bad part of town, but it was his. He sighed softly his mind occupied by worry for the Princess. He was still trying to figure out why the ally king would put a hit on Freya.

He found himself wandering towards the castle, dressed as a vagrant. He was hoping to pick up some information from the guards, who often gossiped in the presence of the down trodden.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

A pair of guards standing outside of the palace gates were sharing a couple bottles of ale, discussing the Princess's recent engagement. "Can you believe it? That Prince is one lucky fellow, what I would give to lay with her for a night." One of them said, the other laughing before responding. "It's a shame she's leaving for their kingdom so soon, I'll miss the view of her changing by her window in the mornings when I'm on patrol."

Freya had prepared herself for bed early that night, already curled up in bed and sound asleep by the time Rowan made his way toward the castle.

Rowan cursed under his breath as he overheard the guards conversation. He kept walking through the castle grounds. He wondered softly who she'd been engaged too, and why she didn't tell him.

In his anger, he made his way into her chamber through the secret passage.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya was sound asleep when he came in, curled up under her blankets peacefully. She looked beautiful, even in her sleep, her hair fanned out on the pillow behind her, chest rising and falling steadily with each breath.

Rowan moved over to her, watching her for a moment. He kissed her forehead gently, "Freya wake up," he whispered.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya whined a little as she stirred, eyes fluttering awake as she looked up at him. She frowned a little, sitting up as she rubbed at her eyes. "Rowan.. Wh-What are you doing here? It's so late.."

Rowan frowned softly, "why didn't you tell me you were engaged this morning?" he asked. He was feeling betrayed and angry, a dangerous combination for a man of his skill set.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya frowned as she looked up at him, heart falling as she realized he knew. "I.. I-I didn't know about it until after you left.. I swear, Rowan..." She bit her lip, tears threatening to well up in her eyes. "It doesn't change anything..." She whispered softly, reaching for his hand.

Rowan pulled away from her, "who is he?" he asked. He moved to the chair sitting down, trying to stay calm. He was worried that she had just used him, and was playing him

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

Freya frowned, lip trembling as she watched him. "The son of the king who wants me dead.... Rowan, I've never even met him before. A-And if an assassin doesn't kill me before I reach their kingdom, the king will have me killed there." She explained, beginning to weep softly.

"I don't love him.. I love you."

Rowan paused for a moment, he stood up and moved towards her. 'Wait," he said softly. He looked at her, "when's the wedding?" he asked. He was beginning to picture why the other King would have made the threat on her life. It was such a devious plan. As the only child of the King, she was set to inherit the throne.

@ katahdin

@ A Drop On the Window

"I leave for their kingdom in three days.. The wedding will be the next day.." Freya frowned, staring up at him sadly, reaching out to grab at his shirt. "I don't want to marry him, I swear it, Rowan."

Rowan nodded, and pulled her into his arms. "I think this is his plan, once you marry the Prince, he'll be the one to inherit the throne when you father passes," he said lightly. He kissed her cheek lightly. "You won't be killed until after your father dies," he said.

He was trying to think of a plan.

@ katahdin