The Crown's Entrapment

The next day, Clara woke up and got ready to start the day. But while she was pretty sure that she had slept straight through the night, she couldn't help but feel like she was still tired somehow. It felt... normal, but it was nothing compared to the last few nights of sleep she had. Those were... They only started when Gilas began hugging her through the night...

[Something you want to admit there?] Sheba teased.

[Not now,] Clara sighed. [It's just... Nevermind...]

Shaking off the observation, Clara went ahead with the rest of her day. With Gilas busy with his own work as usual, it fell to her to do some of her work in the meantime. But after everything was over and done with, she found herself with a surprising amount of free time to herself.

"Huh... That's a surprise..."

"What is?" Gilas asked her as they walked through the manor hallways.

"I'm actually done with work for now," Clara remarked with surprise. "I didn't think this can even happen."

"I'm happy that you can get some rest then," Gilas chuckled. "Why not go ahead and do so?"

Clara hummed to herself. A bit of an early rest was a rarity, and it did sound very appealing to her. However...

"Hmm... I think I'm going to go to the market square," she decided.

"Planning on buying something?"

"Something like that," Clara vaguely replied with a smile. "Want me to buy something for you then?"

"Only if you want to," Gilas scoffed. "Anyway, I still have to meet with some of our officials. I'll see you later, alright?"

"Of course."

With a wave of his hand, Clara watched as she and her mate went on their separate ways. Left alone, she was now saddled with a bunch of free time that she had no idea how to use. Well, she did say that she was going to the market square, but that was mostly because she wanted to walk around.

'Wait... Doesn't Freya have a store in the market square?'

Her eyes widened as an idea formed itself in her mind. With a goal now in place, Clara went ahead with her plan and made her way to the market square. Casually, she passed every stall and store that passingly glanced her eye, her mind already made up as she eventually reached her destination.

"This is the place," Clara smiled as she looked up at the building in front of her. "It's... kind of big, actually."

Shrugging, Clara went inside, only to be quickly amazed at all of the pottery and merchandise neatly arranged on their own little shelves. The craftsmanship on display was nothing short of amazing, and she quickly showed her appreciation to their maker as Freya appeared from behind the counter.

"Welcome to my- Clara?" Freya cut herself off as soon as she spotted her. "What are you doing here?"

Clara scoffed, "You don't even think that I'm here to shop? I'm kind of offended now."

"Apologies then," Freya giggled. "But anyway, what brings you here? Love troubles?"

Clara almost let out a sputter and a cough as Freya's words hit her right where she didn't want to get hit. It wasn't exactly that though... In fact, why did she even get affected in the first place?

"Ah, I see," Freya chuckled as she leaned into the counter. "You and Gilas haven't done it yet, right? You two haven't completed the Mate Bond?"

Once more, Clara found herself coughing as the mad blush on her face went into full bloom. She could only be thankful that there were only two of them in that store at the moment. Who knows what she would've done if she was embarrassed like that publicly?

"N-No, we haven't," Clara meekly replied.

"Now there's your problem," Freya jokingly clicked her tongue. "That's just the main problem, isn't it."

Clara weakly shook her head. "No, it's- What the-"

"Here, use these," Freya giggled.

Before Clara could even ask what was happening, Freya had gone ahead and pulled out book after book from below the counter and shoved them into her hands. With each book, the more her confusion grew more until she managed to see one of the titles in them.

They were all lewd!

"F-Freya!" she scandalously yelped. "Where in the world did you-"

"These are actually on loan to me by Lady Jayra, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind me lending them to you as well," Freya winked at her with a smile. "And if you need more, you can grab the rest in my bedchamber inside the castle."

Clara's eyes widened. "You mean there's more?!"

"Frankly, it might not be enough if you're having trouble sealing the deal with Gilas," Freya hummed to herself. "But I'm sure you'll be able to do it eventually. Even Queen Xenia used these books herself, you know."

Clara didn't know what to say as Freya then gave her a thumbs up of approval. Cocking her head to the side, she could only let off an awkward smile as she nodded. "T-Thank you, I guess?"

"Anytime," the princess giggled. "But seriously, you're falling in love with him now, aren't you."

"W-What brought this on?" Clara couldn't help but complain. "I just wanted to check on you, and here you are constantly teasing me..."

To her surprise, Freya actually backed off, her eyes quickly flashing a look of concern. "O-Oh... I guess I got carried away..."

Shaking her head, Clara sighed as she put the books that Freya shoved her way back down onto the counter. "It's fine... And yeah, maybe I am catching feelings for him, but I'm in no rush to complete the Mate Bond with him. If it happens, then it happens."

"But wouldn't that be kind of... you know, weird?"

"He's respecting my decision at least," Clara shrugged with a smile. "Still, thank you for worrying for me."

"H-Heh, someone has to do it to you, and both Lady Jayra and the Queen isn't here to do it," Freya chuckled. "What's a little teasing between friends, right?"

"Right," she chuckled. "Just be grateful you're already Bonded. I'll get you back for this someday for sure."

******

AN: Do you think Jayra's lewd books will reach Aurelia's hands as well? lols