Only Mine?

Inside the dimly lit hut made out of wood and mud, were Frank and Freya, seated on a wooden bed.

It wasn't the softest bed Frank had ever experienced, but it was far better than the hard ground he was accustomed to during their travels.

The bed consisted of thick animal furs and blankets, offering some comfort and warmth in the cool night air.

The flickering flame of a small oil lamp cast dancing shadows across the tent's walls, creating an intimate and cozy ambiance.

Frank's heart was beating a bit faster than normal, and his mind was putting up many questions, but Freya's scent with a mixture of muddy textures made him calm down.

But he still could not help but wonder about her bold declaration. It was not that he didn't like it. The thing that bothered him was something else.

He had expected her to confess, but not this fast, as it's only been two weeks, and the sudden declaration was putting off the question.

'Maybe something happened between us, but I don't remember it?'

Meanwhile, Freya's heart was racing, and she felt a mix of nervousness and excitement.

Her bold declaration still echoed in her mind, wondering if she had been too forward.

But the feelings in her heart were genuine, and she couldn't contain them any longer.

–Sweyah!

As they sat there together in the dimly lit tent, the wind gently brushed against Freya's silver hair, causing it to sway like a shimmering waterfall.

Frank couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, and his cheeks flushed with a hint of embarrassment.

They exchanged shy glances. Freya looked as if she would cry at any moment.

Even though, she still mustered up the courage to move her hand towards Frank's, grabbing it tightly.

"I am sorry, Frank. I should have told you earlier about the ritual."

"Are you sure you want me to be your partner?" Frank had already known what the ritual was.

"Ever since I lost my virginity to you, I had fallen in love with you."

"Huh....?"

"W-w-w-what?!"

Her reply made Frank utterly confused. When did he do that with her? This was the question that rang in his mind.

She was a little startled seeing his expression, "Um, An, when you detoxified me. I know it's unreasonable for you to become my partner, and I am not forcing you, but I would still love it if you considered taking responsibility."

Freya's words hung in the air, and she anxiously awaited Frank's response.

The confession of her feelings and the invitation to be her partner in the ritual weighed heavily on her heart.

She knew it was a lot to ask, especially given their recent journey together, but she couldn't help but hope that he felt the same way.

Frank's mind was racing, trying to process everything Freya had just shared.

"Ah, about the detoxifying thingy... I never did anything to you...."

Frank continued his explanation, telling her about the method he used to detoxify her instead of doing the deed.

After the explanation, a tinge of embarrassment and disappointment hung in her eyes. Over the course of two weeks with Frank, she had fallen for him.

Seeing the tinge of embarrassment and disappointment in Freya's eyes, Frank's heart softened.

He didn't want to hurt her or make her feel awkward, especially after her brave confession of love.

He gently cupped her cheek with his free hand, making her look into his eyes. "You know, I won't mind being your partner."

Freya's eyes instantly lit up, a surge of happiness filling her.

She looked at Frank's golden eyes with a mix of excitement and relief. "I love you, Frank," she said, leaning in to kiss him, but Frank stopped her.

"Even though I have told you this before, I will tell you again, You don't have a problem with me making a harem, right?" Frank said with a serious tone.

Freya looked puzzled but nodded, giving him her full attention.

"Even though I care for you deeply, I have a dream of having a harem," Frank explained. "I don't want to betray the feelings of the others and myself. It's something I've always wanted."

Freya's expression saddened, and her voice turned low as she spoke, "But Frank, can't you forget about that dream? Why can't you just be mine and mine alone? After two days, I'll become the head of the village. If you agree to be with me, you won't have to work. I'll take care of everything, and you can have all the fun you want with me. And I promise to protect you always."

Frank could see the earnestness in Freya's eyes and the sincerity in her words. He knew she meant every word she said, and it touched his heart.

"I understand how much this means to you, Freya," Frank replied, his voice soft and gentle. "And I truly care for you. But this dream of mine has been a part of me for a long time. I can't just forget about it. It's something I want to pursue, even if it means we can't be together in the way you desire."

Freya's eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded, trying to hold back her emotions. "I can't ask you to give up on your dreams for me," she said, her voice trembling. "But it hurts to know that we can't be together as I hoped."

Freya managed a small smile, her tears still glistening. "Thank you for understanding, Frank. And thank you for being honest with me."

Frank stood up without replying and walked outside the hut.

He didn't reply, or he couldn't. Even though it had only been two weeks since he met Freya, in those two weeks, he had made a deep connection with her.

As he walked out, all the memories with Freya resurfaced—all the teasing, sharing stories with each other.

Frank's footsteps froze a few meters away from the hut as he heard Freya's cries.

His heart was telling him to turn around and go to Freya, to hug her and comfort her, to tell her that everything is okay.

But he couldn't ignore the weight of his dreams and desires.

He couldn't deny the passion that burned inside him for creating a harem, a dream he had held for so long.

It was a part of who he was, and he couldn't just let it go.

The conflicting emotions battled within him, tearing him apart.

He wanted to be with Freya, to hold her in his arms, but he also knew that staying would mean giving up on his dream.

The sound of Freya's cries rang in his ears, tugging at his heartstrings, and he hesitated.

Should he follow his dreams and ambitions, or should he listen to his heart and be with the person who had come to mean so much to him in such a short time?

Standing there like a statue for a few seconds, he turned around and walked back towards the hut.

He stood in front of the wooden door with a puzzled expression, his heart racing with uncertainty.

Meanwhile, inside the dimly lit hut, Freya's tears continued to fall, her heart heavy with sorrow.

She couldn't help but remember how

she had met Frank and how they had interacted over the past two weeks.

The memories of their time together flooded her mind, making the pain of his potential departure even more unbearable.

She felt like her heart was an endless grassland of emotions, and she didn't know how to navigate it.

Knock!

She instantly lifted her head, her heart leaping with hope. "Is it Frank?" she thought, a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes.

Her heart wavered, caught between longing and uncertainty.

The knock came again, a little louder this time, and she couldn't contain her excitement. "Frank!" she called out, her voice trembling with emotion.

.

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(A/N: Drop a comment and few power stones if you liked the chapter.

Anyways, have a good day.)