Chapter 1- I Want More
In the faraway kingdom of Arendelle, in an estate at the foot of the great North Mountain, there lived a wealthy nobleman named Lord Adgar. He was a respected member of the nobility, a true civil servant. He lived at the estate with his only child, a young girl whom he named Elsa.
Elsa was a bright and cheery girl, with platinum blonde hair and shining blue eyes. She reminded Adgar so much of his late wife, who had died a few years after Elsa was born. When she passed, he had sworn to raise Elsa with the love and care she deserved.
As the years went on and Elsa grew older, her father eventually married again. Their family was doing poorly financially and the union was only to help their struggle. The woman whom Elsa called stepmother was Lady Jennifer Westerguard, a vile and disgusting woman who often scolded and beat Elsa when her father wasn't looking.
The lady also had a son, a bratty young boy named Hans. He wasn't much better, always bullying and picking on Elsa, calling her weak, even if he was a few months younger than her.
However, after a fateful accident at sea, both Elsa's father and Hans's mother passed away, their ship having been caught in a storm. When it came for time for someone to inherit the house, Hans was chosen, for being the only male heir.
In those times, only men could become true nobles. The only noble ladies in the world were either only children or had exclusively female siblings.
This angered Elsa more. Now that Hans was running the place, she was like every other peasant girl, not a human being, but just property to be owned. Her life became a living hell. Every day, she was forced to do chores she could not bear, tasks that Hans should have been doing himself, but found it fitting to punish Elsa with it.
One morning, Elsa awoke in her room, the light of the sun pouring in through the curtains, stirring her from her slumber. As she weakly opened her eyes, heavy from exhaustion the night before, she felt something small and softly crawling over her.
She giggled, feeling the small presence wriggle close to her face. Finally, she opened her eyes, smiling as she saw a little white mouse.
"Hello, Olaf," she said, in her kind sweet voice. "Are you here for some cheese?"
The little mouse squeaked in response. Olaf was a mouse that lived in Elsa's room and had been her faithful companion for all these years. He and a little-knitted penguin that Elsa called Jorgenbjorgen were the ones that Elsa often went to in quiet moments, when she needed to vent her deep, strong feelings.
Elsa sighed, stroking the small rodent's head. "I'm sorry, little guy. I wasn't able to sneak any from the kitchen last night."
Olaf made a noise that sounded like a little sigh, before crawling off the bed to his hidey hole in the wall, gently skipping along on his little pink feet.
Elsa yawned, climbing out of her duvet and stretching her arms, looking out of her bedroom window. She could see the entire kingdom of Arendelle from her home on the mountain slopes, where the grass was still green, yet the arctic cold could still be felt.
She always wanted to visit the grand capital city to the north, where the royalty and nobility lived. Her father told her that they were distantly related to the royal family, although not enough that Elsa would be becoming a princess or queen anytime soon.
That was a regret. A royal life would be better than this misery.
Elsa walked to her wardrobe, putting on her maid's outfit, a small black dress with a little white apron on the front. Her hair was now in a regal looking bun rather than the braid she preferred. Hans hated her having her hair down. He said she looked too pretty, and since she was supposed to be a disgusting monster, she'd might as well look like what he thought was a witch.
The blonde sighed, looking in the mirror. "I hope today isn't too stressful," she prayed. "Papa, if you're hearing me, please let me have a good day."
Elsa hadn't been very religious, but she did believe that there was a place all souls went to when they died, often wishing Hans would one day kick the bucket and go straight to hell.
She then walked out of her room, heading down the long corridors of the great manor house. As she turned the corner, she saw a familiar sight of a man with scruffy long hair, wearing servants clothes like herself. His name was Kristoff, a local boy who was employed at the house and one of the few friends she had around here.
As they passed each other, Kristoff looked at her. "Elsa, good to see you up. We've got a problem."
Elsa groaned, knowing that problem would most likely involve her awful brother. "What is it, Kristoff?"
"That bastard you call your step-brother wants his breakfast bringing to him," Kristoff told her. "And he wants you to bring it, personally."
The maid sighed. "Goddamnit, Kristoff, can't you do it?"
"No way. I've already got my own duties for the day," Kristoff remarked. "He wants me to go and wash those stinky socks of his." He then made a motion that looked like he was going to puke. "God, even my dog doesn't do stuff that smells half as bad as that."
"I know, I've had to wash his underwear," Elsa reminded him. She sighed. "Alright, where's his damn breakfast? I'll take it up to him."
"In the kitchen, on a tray, and Elsa?" Kristoff then patted her on the shoulder. "Good luck and remember, conceal, don't feel."
"I know," Elsa said with a nod. That was a little phrase her and Kristoff made up together. Both of them knew that if they ever tried to confront Hans about their feelings about him, they'd be in a whole heap of trouble, so they agreed to conceal their negative emotions, letting them out in private.
Elsa headed to the Kitchen, taking the plate of food in her arms and heading up the stairs to Hans's bedroom. She wondered how her life had come to this, rather than being the proud daughter of a noble family, she was nothing more than a maid and she hated it.
She arrived at the door, holding out her hand and tapping upon it gently. "Breakfast is here, sir!" She called out, faking a polite tone in her voice. She hated having to pretend to be sweet. How could she when the walking pile of scum who ruined her life was in the room in front of her, the room her father once claimed.
Keep it together, Elsa, her thoughts spoke. You've done this many times before. There is nothing that man can do to hurt you any more than he has done.
As Elsa thought, the familiar, upper class, snobbish voice of Hans sounded through the walls. "It's about damn time! I'm starving!"
Elsa gritted her teeth, growling for a moment before entering the room. She would try her best not to strangle him with her bare hands.
Hans was in the room, lying on the bed that was once Elsa's fathers. He was reading a book, currently dressed in his red nightgown. Every part of his face made Elsa feel sick inside. From his misshapen nose to his big chin to those stupid sideburns on the side of his head. How any woman found him attractive, she didn't know.
Hans then looked at Elsa. "The tea better not be cold this time, maid," he chastised. "You know I like a warm brew in the morning. "
"The tea is fine, sir," Elsa said, feeling anger rise up within her chest. "I tasted it myself before I brought it up here."
"Good, now run along," Hans stated. "I'm going hunting on Citron later on, so go and be a dear and get him ready for me."
"Isn't that Mr Bjorgman's job, sir?" Elsa talked back.
"Yes, but because you're here I'm asking you to do it," he said, before his face contorted into a disgusting, smug grin.
Elsa sighed. "As you wish, sir," she replied, in a rather exasperated tone.
Hans chuckled. "Now, Elsa, don't go around with a face like that," he mocked her. "No one will ever want to be your friend."
Elsa merely ignored him, storming out of the room before she did something she would regret.
As Elsa left in disgust, Hans smirked, returning to his book. "Wretched girl. Why Mother married her father, I'll never know."
xXx
After walking across the house, venting her frustration in silence, Elsa eventually arrived outside of the house, out in the massive gardens that were at the rear of the estate. When she was a small child, Elsa loved to run and play here. If only her father hadn't passed away, maybe she would have enjoyed them again, but her life was work and nothing else now.
She sighed, feeling the warm summer breeze blow through her hair. The summer solstice would be in a few weeks, being very close to Elsa's birthday. She knew that it would be likely only she would be the only one to celebrate it, but it did bring her a little joy every year.
She soon arrived outside the large stables on the other side of the gardens, where she found Hans's prized stallion, Citron, resting on the floor. He was basically like a big puppy a lot of the time, always happy to see Elsa. Elsa knew the horse despised his owner.
Elsa stood beside the horse, stroking the side of his beige coloured mane. "Hey boy, guess who's here?"
The mare stood on his hooves, neighing softly at her, as Elsa continued to pet his neck and snout.
Elsa smiled. Citron was, like all the animals on the estate, someone she considered to be a close friend. She stroked the end of his snout. "I've got to put your harness on, boy. That big meanie Hans wants to take you for a ride later on."
The horse neighed in displeasure.
Elsa chuckled. "Don't worry, I know you'll give him a bumpy ride on purpose. Made that bony ass of his hurt like hell."
Citron nodded, laughing along with her,
Elsa then reached beside into a small bucket to her side, taking out a carrot and feeding it to the horse. "You eat up now, boy," she said. "You need your vitamins."
As the horse ate his snack, Elsa found the saddle to her left on a nearby peg, taking it off and putting it onto the horse's back.
Citron groaned as Elsa put the straps over him, finding the saddle very uncomfortable.
"Look, I'm sorry, but I don't do this, I'll get in trouble," Elsa informed him. "So, please don't kick it off this time."
Citron sighed, nodding in acceptance. The horse didn't want to do this as much as Elsa, but he could tell she was having it worse than he was.
As Elsa tightened up the straps, suddenly she heard a faint noise from outside of the stables. It almost sounded like a voice, but it could have just been the wind.
"Citron... did you hear that?" Elsa asked, and the horse shook his head in response. "But I could've sworn I heard some sort of-"
"Help!"
Elsa's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh!" She looked at Citron. "Wait here, boy, I'll be back soon." Elsa then ran out of the stables and into the gardens, hearing the cries for help grow louder and louder.
"Help! Help! Help, for god's sake! Help meeeee!"
The voice was coming from the woods behind the estate, a long path that led all the way to the capitol. She followed the repeating cries for help to the path, surrounded by large oak trees.
Elsa looked around for a moment, still confused. There didn't seem to be anyone in need of her assistance. Could she have imagined it?
"Hello?!" Elsa called out at the top of her lungs. "Is there anyone there?!" No response. "Is there anyone there?!" she repeated.
As Elsa called out the second time, she heard the voice again coming from a nearby tree. "Yes! Up here!"
Elsa looked up, her eyes fixing on what seemed to be a young woman, presumably younger than her, resting on top of one of the many branches of the tree. She seemed to be struggling, clearly hanging on for dear life."
Elsa gave the woman a confusing look. "Excuse me, are you alright up there?!"
"Just peachy!" the woman called back, her legs wriggling in the air. "It's like gumdrops and ice cream!"
Elsa found this situation slightly amusing. "Um, how exactly did you get up there?!"
"Blame my horse!" the stranger replied, still dangling from the branch. "I was out for my Sunday ride when suddenly he decided to start bucking up in the air... and I ended up on this damned branch."
Elsa stifled a giggle, then said, "Give me a second; I'll climb up there and help you down." How she was going to get the woman down, however, was another matter entirely.
"No, no, no wait!" the woman refused. "I think I'll be alright, just be sure to catch me?!"
"Catch you?!" Elsa exclaimed, very confused. "Wait what?!"
"Yeah, hang on!" The woman let go of the branch she was on, gracefully falling out of the air, gravity pulling her towards the ground.
Elsa nervously held out her arms, darting from side to side to try and best guess where the stranger would fall, before she finally landed into Elsa's arms, smiling at her.
She then looked at the woman, finally seeing her in the flesh. The woman was not much younger than her, with strawberry blonde hair done up in a bun. She was wearing a green riding jacket and cream leggings, with white gloves on her hands. She had bright blue eyes, peach coloured skin and freckled cheeks.
Elsa blushed softly, before letting the woman out of her arms. Whoever she was she was wealthy... and cute.
"Whoo!" the woman said, relieved to be out of her predicament. "Man, that was like one crazy trust exercise wasn't it?" She smiled and looked at Elsa. "Thank you, for that."
"You're welcome," Elsa replied, gratefully. "Miss um..."
"Oh! I'm not a miss," The woman stated. "I'm not a Mrs either. I'm actually a Princess. Princess Anna Of Arendelle."
Elsa's eyes widened. She was in the presence of a princess. Without hesitation, she quickly bowed in front of the princess, widening her skirt in curtsey to her. "Your Highness."
Princess Anna giggled. "Oh please, there's no need to do that. Honestly, I'm no different than you; the only thing I have that you don't is a tiara."
"But you don't have a tiara," Elsa then pointed out.
"It messes up my hair," Anna remarked. "Seriously, I have to comb it like nine times after I put it on. It's crazy, it's like it has this desire to ruin my hair, like it's some evil parasite."
Elsa laughed. "My apologies, I didn't know."
"It's fine," Anna responded, sitting by a nearby fence. "So tell me about yourself, my dear. What's a fine young maiden like you doing all the way out here in this barren woods? You could get taken out here you know? What with all the highwaymen about."
"There isn't much to tell, Princess," Elsa admitted. "I was fixing up my master's horse for him, and I heard you calling for help."
Anna sighed. "So you're a mere maid, then? A pity seeing such beautiful young girls forced to suffer under the thumb of some pig-headed nobleman."
Elsa nodded, regretfully. "I wasn't always a maid. My father was a nobleman, but when he died, my step-brother inherited the estate."
"And because he is a man, they all respect him instead of you," Anna said. "I feel your pain, my dear. When I'm queen, I'm gonna change the law so girls like yourself don't suffer this way, and give you the chance to be the strong, independent women you truly are."
"I appreciate that, Princess."
Anna looked at Elsa. "Anna; just call me Anna. Please, I insist."
"Okay, Anna," Elsa replied, looking back. As Elsa looked into Anna's eyes, the sun shining on that freckled face, she began to realise that Anna was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She felt her eyes closing and her lips puckering, a faint feeling in her heart telling her that Anna was doing the same. They started to lean close to one another, their lips about to touch.
At that moment the sound of hooves galloping towards them was heard, no doubt a group of prized stallions in the service of the crown.
Anna sighed, opening her eyes and pulling away from Elsa. "Oh dear, it's my guards. They must be looking for me." She looked at Elsa dead in the eyes. "I'm afraid I'll have to go, my dear."
Elsa looked down, feeling a hole open up in her heart. She had never been moved so much in all her life, and now this beautiful princess, whom she had nearly kissed, was going to leave her.
"Do you have to go?" She asked, knowing the answer already.
"I'm afraid so, my dear," Anna responded, regret in her voice. "But I shall not forget this little encounter. I hope we will see each other soon." Suddenly, she walked up to Elsa, kissing her on the cheek.
Elsa blushed softly, taken back by the warm feeling of Anna's lips.
The princess smiled. "Goodbye for now." And with that, she started to walk down the path to a waiting carriage.
Elsa held her hand close to her heart, now filled with the emotion called love. She had a new resolve now, a drive to escape her hell of a life... And to be with the beautiful woman who had just stolen her heart.
xXx
After Elsa walked back towards the house, she felt herself literally spinning around like a dancer. To think she had just met a princess, one who she was madly in love with her. Her heart was literally soaring. She didn't care what would happen next, the only thing she knew was she had to be with Anna again.
As Elsa cheerfully skipped down the cobbled path to the back door of the estate, she noticed Kristoff sat on the porch, petting his puppy, named Sven. He was a small retriever pup who he had found in the woods one day and had been caring for him ever since.
Kristoff then paused his stroking of Sven's fur, looking up at Elsa as she returned. "Elsa, where have you been all morning?" he asked her. "You've been gone for hours. I got worried sick."
The maid thought for a moment. She didn't know how best to deal with this situation. She knew that it would be best she kept her infatuation to herself, but her blushing cheeks weren't helping much.
Kristoff raised his eyebrow. "Uh, Elsa? You okay? You look like you've got a fever. Do you need a lie-down?"
"Who me?" Elsa inquired. "No, no, I'm the perfect definition of healthy, Kristoff."
"Uh huh, and I'm the Scarlet Pimpernel," Kristoff remarked. "Seriously, what is up with you right now?"
Elsa sighed, trying her best to make an excuse. "I... had to run an errand for Hans. His horse had run out of carrots and I had to quickly run to town."
"Town is miles away, Elsa, even you can't run that far," Kristoff said. "Look, I know you're fibbing so just come clean."
Elsa groaned, giving in. "Fine... but you don't speak a word of this to anyone, okay?"
"My lips are sealed," Kristoff informed her.
Elsa took a deep breath, before finally divulging her tale. "Okay... I met someone today. Out in the woods."
"Okay," Kristoff said. "And you like this someone, yes?"
"How did you-" Elsa shook her head. "Okay, fine, I like them, no, I love them." She blushed slightly. "It was a girl actually."
"Was she cute?" Kristoff inquired.
"Kristoff!" Elsa shouted. "Not helping!"
The blonde man laughed heartily. "Come on, Elsa. It's no secret to me you like girls."
Elsa sighed. "She wasn't just cute, Kristoff. She was sweet, understanding, she had these beautiful eyes and her hair was this beautiful shade of red... god, Kristoff she was just divine."
"Wait," Kristoff paused her for a second. "What colour of red was her hair?"
"I think it was a browny sort, strawberry blonde," Elsa stated. "It was so radiant and soft. I wish I could have touched it."
"Okay, what exactly was this girl's name?" Kristoff then asked her. "If it's who I think it is."
"Her name was Anna," Elsa informed him. "Princess Anna."
"P-Princess Anna!" Kristoff spluttered. "Elsa, what the heck?! You fell for a princess?!"
"I didn't know she was a princess when I met her!" Elsa argued. "But she was so kind and sweet... she wasn't like any princess I've read about. Plus... I nearly kissed her."
"Oh brother," Kristoff groaned. "Elsa... you do realise that you wouldn't be able to get with her in a million years, right? She's a princess, and you're... well, you."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Elsa pouted, her arms at her sides.
"Well, for one, Princesses don't really date commoners," Kristoff stated. "They usually get paired off with another Prince or Princess and go off and make royal babies... or something like that."
"So? I have royal blood in my veins," Elsa stated. "Okay, it's not much, but it would be enough to count me as a royal."
Kristoff groaned, finally giving in. "Okay, okay, fine. I guess if this really means a lot to you... then I'll help you in any way I can. I mean that's what friends are for, right?"
Elsa's face beamed. She ran over and hugged Kristoff tight, her heart filled with happiness. "Thank you, Kristoff!"
"Easy," Kristoff croaked. "I may be a big fella, but you're way stronger than me."
Elsa pulled away, sitting beside him. "Sorry," she said, slightly embarrassed.
Kristoff looked at her, smiling. "So... does Princess Anna know how to find you?" he asked her.
Elsa's heart then sank. She realised she had never told Anna her name, her one source of identity. "No…she doesn't, because she doesn't know my name." She sighed. "I'm an idiot."
"Damn," Kristoff swore. "And she'd have to know your name to look for you."
"Exactly," Elsa said. "There's bound to be a dozen girls with my hair in Arendelle. She'd have a hard time looking for me." She looked down. "It's hopeless."
"No, it isn't," Kristoff told her. "I'll make sure you get a chance to see her again. I promise you that."
Elsa smiled. "Thanks, Kristoff."
Her best friend patted her shoulder. "You wanna go grab some chocolate? You know it's your favourite."
The blonde nodded, smiling softly, her sadness somewhat fading. "Yes, I would like that." Maybe a delicious snack would ease her heart for a while. She and Kristoff then got up, before heading back into the house together, with little Sven following them.
xXx
Meanwhile, on the other side of the kingdom, in a chamber in the large castle that dominated the centre of the mighty capital of Arendelle, Princess Anna was pacing along the floor. Her mind was racing with the thought of the woman she had met earlier that day, the image of her face and warm smile etched into the fibres of her thought.
As she strode across the length of her room, Anna was greeted by the familiar sight of her loyal butler, Kai, entering the room.
"Princess?" He inquired, in his polite British accent. "Is something the matter? I've never seen you this deep in thought before."
"Yes, something is the matter, Kai," Anna responded, pausing her movements. "There is someone on my mind, someone who I met today. She was a beautiful young maiden... god, I've never met anyone like her."
"Ah, true love," Kai remarked. "and you cannot stop thinking about her?"
"No, I cannot," Anna admitted. "She is there at every quiet moment I have. I love her, Kai. I really do."
Kai chuckled. "I am very happy for you, Princess. If you wish to invite this young lady to the castle, I'm more than welcome to help arrange it."
Anna shook her head. "No, Kai, don't do that, please."
"Why not, Princess?" the old butler asked, slightly confused.
"Because... I don't even know her name." Anna sighed. "You cannot invite someone here without knowing you are inviting."
"I see," Kai remarked. "It seems you have a dilemma on your hands, Princess."
"I know... I'm so desperate to see her again, Kai," Anna told him. "I've never felt this way for anyone before, no one has ever made me so..."
"Happy?"
Anna smiled. "Yes... I am so happy, and I want to be happy with her." She stood up. "I'm going to find that woman, one way or another. Because today, I just met someone who was the most beautiful creature on Earth, and I won't let the fact that I have a tiara get in the way of seeing her again."
Kai nodded at her. "Very bold, Princess. Very bold indeed."
Anna looked at her butler. "Kai, where is papa right now?"
"He was in his study some time ago, I believe," Kai told her. "But I suppose he will be in his bedchamber, resting. You know he is, what with how ill he has gotten."
Anna sighed. Her father, the king of Arendelle, had become rather sick and frail of late. She knew it wouldn't be long before he would eventually pass on. It made her sad to think her father, who had once been a strong, powerful man, had fallen to such a low grace.
"I shall go and see him now then," Anna stated.
Kai gestured to the door and Anna headed through it, to the bedroom where her father would be resting.
Anna left the room and headed upstairs to her father's study. As she arrived outside of the room, she saw one of the maids standing by the door. Seeing her outfit reminded her of the girl she had met, which made her all the more determined to see her again.
"Princess," the maid greeted her, curtsying. The maid in question had long red hair and eyes as blue as the ocean itself.
Anna smiled, recognising the maid as her friend Ariel. She was a young girl whom Anna had met when she was younger and now that she was older, had gotten a job at the palace as her personal servant. "Good evening, Ari. Is my papa in there?"
Ariel nodded. "Yes, he's just reading in bed now. I'd be a little easy with him. He was coughing a lot earlier."
Anna sighed. "Poor papa."
"He's a strong man, Anna," Ariel said. "What are you here to see him about?"
"Well..." Anna spoke, turning her eyes to the side. "I might have a girlfriend."
"Oooooh," Airel cooed, rather intrigued. "You're finally calling in that single card."
"Maybe, but I want to get Papa's advice first," Anna replied.
"Well," Ariel admitted. "I shouldn't keep you waiting."
"Thanks, Ari," Anna replied. She walked up to the door, opening the knob and walking into the room.
The room itself was large, with a large bed by the window. Lying in bed, sitting upright, was Anna's father. He was a man in his mid-fifties, although he looked older, with white receding hair and a moustache. "Ah, Anna," he greeted her, a warm smile on his face. "What brings you here this evening?"
"Hello, Papa," Anna replied. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing alright," he said to her, trying to assure her. "My chest may be hurting, but my spirit is still as strong as ever. But surely, you haven't just come to say hello. I mean, you're a young woman now, Anna. You really don't need your dear old dad anymore."
Anna chuckled at her father's sense of humour. "You're still as funny as ever, Papa, but I've come on a rather serious matter... it's very important to me."
"Oh?" the king wondered. "And what pray tell, might that be?"
"Well... I've met someone, Papa. Someone who means a great deal to me," Anna confessed.
"And where did you meet this someone?" Her father asked, very curious to know.
"While I was out riding this morning," Anna explained. "I got stuck in a tree and she... sort of came to my rescue."
"A girl?" The king assumed. "Well, I always did feel women were more to your liking than men."
Anna nodded. "Yes, she's a girl... and the most beautiful girl I've ever met. "
"Do you know this girl's name?" the king asked.
Anna sighed, shaking her head. "No Papa, I don't. She didn't really give me a chance to tell me her name before my guards arrived and picked me up."
"Ah, the mystery girl who steals your heart," the king remarked. "That's how I met your mother, Anna. She was a beautiful commoner who worked at a shop in the town... and one day I just fell hopelessly in love with her."
"I'm the same," Anna replied. "I love her so much, Papa. I want to be with her forever."
The king then held Anna's hand, giving her a reassuring smile. "Anna, if that is the case, then I will do whatever I can to help you find her."
"No, Papa," Anna denied, pulling her hand away. "You need your rest. You shouldn't be taking matters into your own hands, not with your health in such a state."
"On the contrary, my daughter," he responded. "I must help you with this... because I believe you have just found your future wife."
"W-wife?!" Anna exclaimed. "Papa, please... I only met her today. Love is something that shouldn't be rushed like that."
"Anna," the king spoke gravely. "You and I both know that I probably don't have long left. If I die, Arendelle will look you as its queen and a queen needs someone at her side, to ensure her reign is strong."
"But Papa," Anna argued. "If I meet this girl, I might want to get to know her a little better before I wed her. I mean, what if I find she's not right for me."
"Anna, I can already tell she's the right one for you and she would love to be your wife," The king stated. "Please, do it for me, for yourself and for her."
Anna sighed, realising that marriage between her and her true love wouldn't be as bad as she was fearing. "You're right. If I want to be with her forever, then she being my wife will be perfect. I will marry her, Papa, and I'll make you proud."
"I already am proud of you, Anna, I always have been," the king told her. "Now, I think you should go around the kingdom, going to every door and every nook and cranny until you find the girl you're looking for."
"Papa, that might be a bit silly," Anna pointed out. "Not to mention it would take days."
The king sighed. "You always did have your mother's sense of logic."
A light bulb then turned on in Anna's head, an idea forming, one that would be the perfect way for her to see this mystery girl again. "I've got it, Papa!" she exclaimed. "We should hold a royal ball, and all the kingdom is invited. If the girl I met hears of this, I know she'll be there."
The king grinned. "Why, that's a splendid idea! I suppose you'll need a new gown."
"That is true," Anna admitted. "I will want to look my best for her. I mean, dress to impress, right?"
"I'll have Kai send out the invitations by morning," The king stated, sitting up. "With luck one of them will have reached- aghh!" The king then began to cough and splutter, clutching his chest.
"Papa!" Anna exclaimed.
The king stopped coughing and breathed slowly, wheezing as he regained his strength. "It's alright, Anna. I'm fine. I'm just… a little weak that's all."
"Let me handle the ball, Papa; you need your rest." Anna insisted, wiping the sweat from her father's brow.
The king nodded. "I suppose you are right, my child."
Anna smiled. "I'll see you soon, Papa," she said. "I've got a lot of work to do."
"Good luck, Anna," the king said.
Anna nodded before leaving the room. She was firmly believing that her true love would attend this grand ball, and would gladly accept in becoming her wife.
xXx
Author's note: And here is the second of my Elsanna fairytale multi-chaps! This one is based on Cinderella! Hope you love it a lot!
