Summer turned to fall and the citizens of Arendelle put the events of the summer behind them. It would be easy to say that things had gone back to normal, but they hadn't. In fact, things were far better. The gates around the castle were now open and Queen Elsa had taken her new responsibilities to heart and the citizens were pleased to find that Elsa was a fair and benevolent queen. Elsa and her sister's relationship had been strengthened in the months that had passed and it was rare to see either of them without the other. Things were good in Arendelle and everyone was happy.
Things were so good in fact, that Elsa announced that she was hosting a ball and was inviting royals from all over, except the Southern Isles and Weselton, for obvious reasons. Elsa was pleased that many responded favorably to her invitation and Anna was thrilled to meet all of the new people coming to the castle.
The ball was underway and the room was decked out with ice sculptures that Elsa had created. In the past few months, she had gotten more comfortable with her abilities. Elsa watched the partygoers and made polite conversation with those who came up to her. A handsome prince from Italy asked her to dance, but she declined, telling him that she didn't dance. He seemed like a nice guy, but she just wasn't interested in him in that way.
She watched as her sister and Kristoff awkwardly danced in the middle of the dance floor. Anna kept trying to lead, but he kept stepping all over her feet. Elsa couldn't help but giggle at the pair. Still, she was happy that Anna was happy and she approved of Kristoff for the simple reason that he made her happy.
Soon, Anna and Kristoff grew tired of dancing and made their way over to the queen. Elsa smiled as they came over. "Having fun?"
Anna grinned back at her sister, "You know it!"
Kristoff excused himself to check on Sven and Anna led Elsa over to the table loaded with different types of chocolate. The sisters took some chocolate and began to devour it, watching the guests of the ball. Elsa looked through the crowd and her eyes fell on a beautiful princess with dark skin, twinkling brown eyes, and an alluring red dress. Her black hair was neatly tied up in a bun. Elsa's heart started racing, she seriously thought for a moment that she was having a heart attack. The mysterious girl looked up at her and their eyes met. The girl smiled at her and Elsa awkwardly waved her hand.
She turned to Anna who was oblivious to what had just happened. "Do you know who that princess over there is?" She gestured in the girl's direction. "The one in the red dress?"
Anna turned to look at the girl. She simply shrugged, "No idea."
At that moment, Kristoff came back over and Anna went with him to mingle in the crowd. Anna and Elsa's cousin Rapunzel and her husband Eugene came over to talk to them. Elsa finished the last of her chocolate and made her way to the mysterious girl. She was determined to find out who she was.
