Tonights The Night

Later that night, as the celebration continued, Freya was surrounded by eager villagers, mostly her age, asking her how she managed to defeat a SudderClaw.

Meanwhile, Frank stood a little apart from the crowd, looking on from a distance. He had always preferred solitude and didn't feel comfortable amid large gatherings.

"You know, Freya, we were all surprised when you rejected Gusko," one of her close friends remarked.

Another chimed in, "Yeah, he's like the dream boy of most girls in this village."

Freya gave an awkward smile in response. "I just don't like how arrogant he is," she explained.

The circle of girls nodded in understanding. They had all witnessed Gusko's prideful demeanour, which could be quite off-putting.

"The slave you brought along isn't half bad, though. I wish I had a slave like yours," said one of Freya's friends, her gaze glancing over at Frank.

In the tribe, owning a slave for assisting in hunts, etc... Some also used slaves for stress relief but it required capturing the slave oneself.

"We didn't think you would be interested in a slave." One of the girls with huge boobaas said.

Freya's cheeks turned red as she shouted, "How many times do I have to tell you that he isn't my slave!"

Freya's friends, noticing her flushed cheeks and smile, couldn't help but tease her about the upcoming ritual and who she might choose as her partner.

They asked her playfully, "So, Freya, have you decided on your partner for the ritual?"

"Hmm..."

Freya's cheeks turned even redder. She couldn't help but glance at Frank, who was still seated at a distance, observing the festivities.

Her heart skipped a beat as memories flooded her mind.

She remembered the time when Frank's gentle touch had detoxified her after a poisonous encounter.

She recalled the day when she had lost her virginity to him during an intimate moment that had brought them closer together.

Freya's friends noticed her flushed cheeks and the dreamy look in her eyes, and they couldn't resist teasing her further. "Oh, look at her blushing! She must have someone special in mind!" one of the girls giggled.

"Come on, Freya, tell us! Who's the lucky guy?" another friend chimed in, clearly enjoying the teasing.

Freya hesitated for a moment, feeling a mix of excitement and embarrassment. Then, with a shy smile, she finally admitted, "Well, it's... It's Frank."

Her friends gasped, delighted and surprised by her choice. "Frank?! The slave boy?" one of them exclaimed.

Freya nodded, her cheeks still flushed, but she pouted as she spoke, "He isn't a slave boy!"

Her friends exchanged knowing glances, "Ok, ok but does he know about it?"

"Ahnh?" This question caught her off guard. Even though in her mind she had accepted him as her ritual partner, her husband.

But she still hadn't told him about the ritual as she was too shy to even be close to him.

"Umm... N-no."

"Then what are you waiting for? The ritual is just in two days. Now's the time Freya!"

Encouraged by her friends' acceptance, Freya mustered the courage to approach Frank.

With the meat stick in hand, she walked towards him, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

As she reached him, she gently moved her hands, extending the meat stick. "Frank," she said softly, "why are you alone here?"

Frank looked up, surprised by her approach. He smiled warmly at her and replied, "I'm not really good with crowds. I prefer being in quieter places."

Freya nodded, understanding his feelings. "I feel the same way sometimes," she admitted. "But I'm glad you're here."

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "You are?"

"I-I was here to—"

She was interrupted by Gusko and Gromm eavesdropping.

"Freya, you took a long time to come back from the hunt this time. Did something happen?" Gromm worriedly asked, with his professional acting skills.

For a second she glanced at Gusko, her eyes filled with rage.

She remembered how she went out for a hunt and Gusko followed her stealthily and drugged her.

She wanted to just kill Gusko, however, her respect and love for her uncle restrained her from acting upon her emotions.

"I-I just got delayed during the hunt," Freya replied, trying to maintain composure. "But everything is fine now."

Gusko, with a sly smirk on his face, added, "Yeah, you should be more careful, Freya. The forest can be a dangerous place, especially when facing powerful beasts."

"Yeah, but one should also be alerted of those who are bitch that can't even handle rejection." Frank couldn't keep quiet.

He had never seen such a shameless guy like Gusko. His words were a silent but firm support for Freya, and she was both surprised and touched by his defense.

Meanwhile, Gromm tried to remain composed, but Gusko couldn't hold back his anger.

His face turned beet red as he exclaimed, "Dare a slave to interrupt us!"

Before anyone could react, Freya's hand shot out like lightning, slapping Gusko hard across the face, making him fall to the ground.

For once, she could tolerate her friends saying Franks a slave, letting them slide for the sake of peace.

However, when a bastard like insulted the man she had come to love, she could no longer suppress her emotions.

Her eyes blazed with fury, and her voice trembled with a mix of rage, "Don't you dare call him a slave again! He's my husband so better mind your word next time.

"Huh...?"

The bold declaration made both Frank and Gromm widen their eyes in shock.

"Umm... Freya, are you sure?" Gromm asked, he didn't expect a girl like Freya to fall in love with someone as weak as Frank.

Diverting her gaze from Gusko to Gromm, she said, "Yes Uncle, he's the one that I chose to be with me for eternity."

"Ahem! If that makes you happy."

With that said, Freya bid her bye to Gromm and left with the still puzzled Frank.

Gusko's anger simmered. "That bitch!" he muttered, gritting his teeth in frustration.

"Don't worry, son. You can take your revenge tonight," Gromm said, tapping Gusko on the shoulder, his own anger hidden beneath a mask of calmness.

Gusko nodded, but he still couldn't cool down. "Just you wait, Freya."

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