Hi, sorry about the lack of updates for this story. I've been busy thinking, writing, and running around like a chicken without its' head. So ya'll are in luck. I had chapter three all written out already so I've decided to break the ice - so to speak - and post this one.

Ya'll know the drill. Recognize the characters? Means they belong to someone else.

Chapter 3

The Draconem prince couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at what she said. But nonetheless decided to reassure her, "I, Crown Prince Kai Dalca Lupei, swear upon my title that I will not do anything that will harm your sister or the kingdom of Arendelle." He makes to stop there but something nags at him to continue so he does, "If for any reason I break this vow, I willingly surrender myself to Queen Elsa's judgment and punishment."

Anna's eyes widen in shock at Kai's words - further cementing the fact that this man before her is a perfect match for her sister. He sees beauty in her sister's powers, despite never seeing the blonde ever use them in person, and made such an important declaration just to reassure hers. She could even see the sincerity in his eyes - something she never really saw in Hans'.

She smiles at him and upon seeing the genuine look on her face he sighs in relief. "Now, I don't suppose you know the way around this place?" he teases, a friendly smile appearing as he relaxes.

"Did you get lost? Is that why you're in the North wing?" she questions the prince, amused when she gets a blush that all but announces that she's right. "You didn't find any servants in your explorations?" she inquires as he offers her his arm.

"Strangely enough, I didn't," he remarks as he lets her guide him out of the North Wing - which is apparently where Elsa and her sleeps. Though how he manage to find his way over to this part of the castle he has no idea.

"Odd…" Anna mutters softly to herself, thinking that there should be a servant in every wing and floor. Especially in cases like so, when a guest gets lost in the palace. "I wonder what they could be doing."

"It doesn't bother me," Kai reassures her with a light pat on her hand. "I got to see plenty of amazing things. Of course, I have learned my lesson. No more traveling until I get the official tour."

"I can give you that tour right now," Anna suggests before Kai and Anna's stomachs rumble in protest. "Er… after we eat then?"

"I believe that is the best idea I have heard all day," Kai tells her.

"The day is still early," Anna giggles before she gestures to the open double doors where they can see Elsa already seated for breakfast. Her expression perfectly neutral but both of them could see the boredom in her eyes. Anna releases Kai's arm and flounces into the dining room, "Look who I found!" she announces cheerfully before she pauses to give Elsa a hug. Her smile widening when she sees that Sofia is already at the table with a plate before her yet seemed to be more focused on her drink, swirling the glass. "Good morning Sofia," she greets her fellow princess.

"Good morning, Anna," Sofia smiles at her before noting that Kai has finally arrived. "Did you get lost like I thought you would?" she teases him, getting a peeved look from him. "You're so hopeless brother of mine."

"At least I didn't spend the rest of the day lost in the castle," Kai retorts with a casual shrug. Sofia nods her head slightly as if to indicate that she agrees with him. It was a good day for him if he manages to avoid being lost for more than a few hours.

"You get lost frequently?" Elsa inquires, taking an interest now. Kai couldn't quite fight off the blush from appearing on his face.

"Oh yes," Sofia chirps up, intending on seeing how red her brother can turn. It was rare for her to actually be able to tease him so she wanted to milk it as much as possible. "One time father gave Kai and I permission to go into the Diamond quarters to acquire a specially commissioned sword. To this day I am yet to understand how Kai was able to get us so lost that we found ourselves in the Ruby Quarters."

"Diamond Quarters?" Elsa asks in confusion while Anna was saying, "Ruby Quarters?" Sofia was amused that they managed to speak in union like that while Kai had a hand up to his forehead in exasperation. Of course Sofia would pick that story to regal them with.

"The capital of Draconem is divided into several different Quarters. In the center sits the castle then it's the Diamond Quarters, the Crystal Quarters, Sapphire Quarters, and then the Ruby Quarters."

"Okay but what do the quarters represent?" Anna inquires.

"To put it simply," Kai intervenes, knowing that Sofia has always ignored the lessons in favor of other things. "Each of the quarters represents the four social classes in the city and the kingdom itself. In the Diamond quarters reside the nobles with the knights and the kingdom's vassals in the Crystal quarters. Merchants and craftsmen are the ones that reside in the Sapphire quarters but they share the same social class with the farmers. In the Ruby Quarter are the working class and the serfs who serve under the vassals. Just outside the capital walls sit the slums or grottos as some would call it."

Elsa and Anna looks stunned by the information Kai just shared with them - they knew that some kingdom puts an emphasis on the divisions between the classes but to find that the Draconem has different quarters for each class and the slums?

Kai sighs, understanding the reason behind the look, and tries to explain. "Draconem has a history of relying on exports, constantly creating things that cannot be used by the people within our borders," he explains carefully. "As a result we have people who can't support themselves because what they need isn't readily available until the next shipment."

"But, Arendelle isn't that different and we don't -," Anna starts to say before Elsa waves at her to stop.

"That's not the only reason," Elsa tells her with Kai agreeing. "If my guess is correct, the reason for the division is that the upper classes are refusing to let go of their status." Kai nods causing Elsa to sigh. "If the upper classes are unwilling to disallow the barriers between classes then…"

"There's no change," Anna concludes with a look of disgust. It was clear to Kai that Anna couldn't understand or stand the differences between the classes. "Why is it so hard for people to change for the better?"

Kai sighs as he rubs length of his jawline, thinking - not for an answer but how to best reassure the princess. There was a quiet tugging within that urges him to make the ginger princess feel better. "Well, Princess Anna, I can only say that many people despise changing. Even if it means changing for the better," he finally manages to sort out from his thoughts. "As time go by there will come a day when the commoners decide that they have enough of the noble ad ruling class. When that day come… well, it will not be pretty," he predicts.

Anna frowns, not out of concern for herself or her sister, but because she couldn't imagine the lengths people would go. "What do you think would happen?"

Kai laces his fingers together and props his chin on them. "As I said, it will not be pretty," he reiterates, reluctant to go into details. But fully aware of what would occur in the occasion of a revolt. "It is also not a topic meant for meals," he adds in before Anna can press for details.

Elsa nods her head in agreement, partially aware of what Kai is saying. It was a fact she had lived in constant fear of growing up. The fact that she still sits on her throne after the Summer Winter was something that still amazes her.

"But… I want to know…" Anna mutters with Sofia sighing, considering the conversation.

"My brother is right, Anna," Sofia intervenes, snaring the Princess' attention and keeping her from further questioning Kai. "This topic is not one for meals. Father brought it up once and it turned mother and I from our meal for the rest of the day." Kai nods his head in agreement, recalling that night as well.

The King had brought up one of Kai's lessons and, in essence, he interrogated his son on the details of one of biggest and bloodiest revolts in history. In addition of having to recall details for the King, Kai also had to list the many punishments enacted upon the rebels and their families.

The end result was the Queen's quiet disgust with her husband as she excuses herself from the table. With the twins shooting each other apologetic looks before Sofia left with their mother. Of course, the King saw no fault in what he had done and simply interrogated his son even more on the proper way to handle a revolt.

"Then may we discuss it afterwards?" Anna inquires, looking rather hopeful.

Kai did not want to share the details to the innocent princess and as he tries to think of a way out of this it was Elsa who came to his rescue. "Anna, I think it is best we table this for now. I understand that you are curious but there are some things people are better off not knowing about."

Anna pouts before returning to her food, seemingly dropping the subject for now. However, it did nothing to ease Kai - instead it made him tense with the thought of being cornered by the Princess and questioned until he caved. The thought did not appeal to him and he made note to himself to avoid being alone with the curious young woman.

After that the breakfast went by rather by quickly and the four were excusing themselves. Kai was still determined to explore the castle but was reluctant to do so in fear of getting lost once again. Sofia, bless her, had grabbed Anna's attention and the two girls were off already - possibly for some scheme the Draconem Princess cooked up.

With the two Princesses off doing their own thing it left Kai with Elsa, not that he minded that. "So… do you have anything planned for today, your majesty?" he inquires, wondering if he can steal her away for the day.

"Other than a pile of paperwork waiting for me, I believe not," Elsa remarks before noting a smile on the prince's face. She couldn't help the rise of her eyebrow at this look. "Dare I ask why?"

Kai merely smiles at her, his hands safely tucked away in his pants, "I was wondering if I can convince you to go out on a ride with me." If it was possible Elsa's other brow rose as well and Kai could see that looked unsure. "Unless, you do not know how to…?"

"I… I never really had a chance to," she confesses to the prince.

Kai hummed in thought of that, he had wanted to go out riding but if she didn't know how to ride a horse then perhaps something else then. "Then do you have something else for us to do?" he asks.

Elsa thought this one over and found that she really didn't have an answer for him. "I don't really know," she finally confesses, she had never really done a lot of things growing up. Her hobbies have never truly involved a second person.

Kai sighs, wondering what on earth they can do together. As they were pondering this question they have been walking. Well, Kai was following Elsa as she follows the routine in her mind. "Well, your majesty, if it pleases you I can show you how to ride a horse."

Elsa looks at the prince besides her, thinking about the various horses they have in the royal stables. "I suppose it wouldn't harm anyone if I learned how," she agrees, feeling herself smile back to the broadly smiling auburn prince.

"Then may I suggest we change attires?" Kai prompts, glancing up and down Elsa's beautiful blue dress. "As beautiful you look in that dress, your majesty, it is not meant for horse riding."

Elsa gives the prince a look that warns him that he is about to be teased and less than second later he found out why. "Why, Prince Kai, are you trying to get me in bed?"

At the teasing Kai's face goes red and he stammers protests to such thoughts before he forces himself to quiet, his face turned away to reveal that even his neck is flushed. Amused by his reaction Elsa could not hold back her laughter. Neither of them knew how long it took for them to calm but it was enough for Kai's flush to disappear and Elsa to have stitches in her sides.

Kai was still looking up and away from the blonde Queen - there was not a blush to be seen on his tanned face but he was still refusing to look at her. Elsa couldn't conceal the smile tugging on her lips as a result - she didn't know why but she loves how responsive Kai is to her.

"You," Kai finally starts, his voice low and husky that has Elsa staring at him, her throat slightly dry. "You are…" He couldn't find the right words for what he wanted to say.

"I am…?" Elsa tries to encourage, tilting her head ever so slightly to the right, trying to meet Kai's eyes, her bangs falling ever so slightly onto her face. Kai saw this and found himself memorized and reaches over to brush her hair back.

"Words can't… express how beautiful you are," Kai mumbles before realizing what he has just done. With another vivid blush on his face he drops his hand as he averts his gaze. "I, uh, I have riding clothes for you to borrow if you wish," he quickly gets out before he can say or do something idiotic.

"I'd like that," Elsa giggles before leading Kai to his room. Especially after he admits that he has not the slightest bit of idea of how to return to the room. Silence falls over them as they walk through the halls but despite only knowing each other for roughly a day, both of them could not deny - to themselves - that they are comfortable with the other royal.

Yet their nature prevents them from sharing this fact to anyone except those closest to their hearts.

Soon enough they arrived at Kai's room and the prince holds the door for Elsa, bowing as he allows her to enter first - hearing her giggle as she passes him. He follows her into the room, shutting the door behind them. Unaware of the fact that a servant had been watching upon them and could only gasp in shock at the sight of the Queen entering the bed chambers of Prince Kai.

Fueled with this gossip the young woman runs off to inform her dearest and closest friend.

Before nightfall the whole castle will be buzzing about the Queen's affair with Prince Kai.

It took some time for Prince Kai to locate the riding clothes he had packed for the trip - his personal motto has always been 'be prepared' - but once he has found both his favorite outfit and his spare set he changes into his riding clothes quickly. Before returning to the sitting room to find that Elsa has taken the liberty to taking a seat on one of the few furniture set up in the room.

"My apologies for the wait, Elsa," he says as he readjusts the leather vest over the white laced shirt. As much as he loves his outfit there is also the fact that it is consistently tight on him, molding to his body. In addition to the shirt and vest he was also wearing a pair of leather pants that has been softened due to frequent uses.

Kai presents the leathers to Elsa who raises an eyebrow at them. "They're not as well used as the ones I have on but they will still be comfortable." His face reddening slightly under the surveying look before the blonde Queen accepts the clothes. "Um, let me know if you need help with anything."

Elsa nods in acknowledgement before disappearing into the bedchamber to change. While waiting for her to change Kai takes out a scroll from home - a scroll containing the history of Draconem or rather the relationship between the monarchy and the country's religion. Kai's father had always insisted that he learn the history of Draconem and its relationship with the fading Eldur Trú.

He thought the worship of some god called Eldur was something close to idiotic. Yet, despite the fact that he personally disbelieves that Eldur exists he can't deny that everything he has seen in the old ruins points to the fact that something must have existed to be the base of Eldur Guð, the central piece of Eldur Trú.

"Prince Kai?" he suddenly hears and he looks up from the scroll - distracted from the mention of how Eldur Trú came into power - to find that Elsa had returned to the sitting room. Surprised that he had not heard her return he took in the sight of the blonde standing there in his clothes.

Elsa stands shyly in front of the closed door to the bedchambers, clad in Kai's spare riding clothes. The clothes on Elsa was far too big, the sleeves - while of perfect length for Kai's arms - covered Elsa's hands and it was clear to the prince that his pants were much too loose on the Queen as she holds onto them. He could barely see Elsa's toes since the pants were longer than her legs. Over the shirt was the vest, the straps cinching the material so that it was secured against her chest.

"I think your clothes are too big for me," Elsa admits as she tries to readjust the materials.

"I didn't realize that they would be," Kai comments with a slight frown, rolling the scroll up to place it onto the coffee table. He then walks over to her and undoes the straps for the vest to have better access to the shirt beneath.

Without the vest securing the shirt it was plain to see that the loose fitting shirt for Kai was more like a nightshirt for the Queen. "My apologies, Elsa," he mutters before he lifts the shirt enough to have access to the leather pants. "Do I have your permission?" he asks, hesitating so that she can reject or grant him access.

If he had been looking up he would have seen the vivid blush on Elsa's face. "I… you can," Elsa mutters, getting a quick glance from the prince in front of her.

When he sees the blush on her face he realizes that the situation they are in is not exactly innocent. His hands trembling somewhat as he undo the strings, the pants opening slightly to reveal pale delicate skin that left his mouth suddenly dry. Struck by a desire to press his lips against that expanse of skin he gnaws on his lower lip to force himself from doing something rash.

With this view he can see that while the lengths of the pants are too long the waistband was roughly just right for the blonde Queen. So he simply redid the lace of the pants so that the pants don't slide off like they were threatening to do earlier. Regarding the excess length he grabbed a roll of bandage he keeps in case of emergencies and secures the cuffs of the pants against her ankles. Smoothing the material so that it wasn't quite obvious that the pants she is wear is too large for her.

Once the pants situation has been taken care of for now, Kai then sets his attention on the shirt, readjusting it so that it sits better on her shoulders. But after adjusting the material he was suddenly aware of the fact that the shirt - with the lace undone as it was - was showing a bit more skin he thought would be possible.

With no other way to make this less awkward Kai tries to quickly redo the lace, hiding the expense of skin that was teasing the prince. "My apologies," he mutters as he redo the straps so that the vest cinches the shirt to her chest again.

He steps back to take in her appearance, golden rod eyes taking in her appearance. "This looks a bit better," he admits before he goes to grab his bracers. Adding this final detail to the outfit meant that the sleeves would no longer get over her hands. "Now we are ready," he concludes as he retrieves his boots, sliding them on.

It was, however, while he was doing this that he realizes that he has nothing for Elsa to wear. No boots for her to borrow - after all, if his clothes were that much bigger than her then the boots would be as well. "Mm, I do believe we have a problem," he comments with a frown. "If my clothes are that much bigger on you then…"

Elsa sighs, realizing the very same thing, "I wonder if there some other boots I can borrow. Or perhaps I can create my own?"

Kai thinks this one over as he readjusts his clothing, "I wonder…" he mutters softly to himself before he locates one of his sister's bags. Specifically the one that contains many of her shoes - thankfully not all of them - and goes through them in search of her riding boots.

While Fia has never developed a love for riding like him she would occasionally join him. However her riding clothes, while more likely to fit the Queen, was something not quite suited for winter. Though why his sister brought it in the first place was something he couldn't quite figure out.

"Ah-ha!" he exclaims as he produces a pair of boots. "Try these on and let me know how they feel." It doesn't take long for her to get the boots on and wiggles her feet, testing the feel of the material.

"They feel… good," Elsa comments, thinking of no other word to best explain.

"Great, then let the lessons begin."

Kai hums softly as he brushes the stallion's white mane, glad to have found a good match for himself - his fingers stroking the fine black coat. He couldn't believe that a distant cousin of the Arabian horse would be here in Arendelle. And from the looks of it, it was a purebred as well.

It had a slender body that stands at 16 hands, resembled one of the dogs bred for racing and despite its refined appearance Kai was well aware of the fact that its' breed was one of the toughest horses thus far. The long graceful neck, sloping shoulders and quarters giving way to a long back, their abdomen tucked-up.

It had an appearance that suggested that the stable hands hasn't been feeding him properly but Kai's past experience with this particular breed told him that it was just simply how it was bred. Kai hums to himself as he inspects the hooves to make sure that there is no damage or rocks embedded in the shoes.

"Uh, Kai?" he suddenly hears, causing him to look up from his task and drop the hoof. He gets a disgruntled look from the stallion as he backs away from the horse. When he gets to the door of the stall he turns around to find that Elsa is standing there.

"Oh, Elsa, are you ready?" he inquires with an easy smile, trying to keep the disgruntled stallion in sight. Past experience has taught him to never give the horse your back after you upset it and this one has already shown a tendency to bite.

"I- uh," Elsa mutters as she glances into the stall with the seventeen hands tall white/grey stallion. Kai follows her gaze and smiles at the well groomed stallion. Then he notices that he hasn't been saddled yet - granted, he hasn't put a saddle on yet for his own horse…

"Hey, do you need help with the saddling?" he asks as he unlatches the door to the stall and ease it shut behind him. He then grabs the tack and saddle, slipping into the stallion's stall. He first lays the blanket over the back and heaved the saddle onto the back and cinching the strap so that it's tight but not so much that the stallion would be uncomfortable.

He was about to turn away to get the next tack when he notices something the stallion was doing. "Why you're a little stinker," he laughs as he crosses his arms at the horse.

"Kai…?" Elsa calls from her corner of the stall, unsure if she should go anywhere close to the stallion.

"Sorry," Kai replies as he returns to the belt so that he can work on tightening the strap as the horse exhales. "He was bloating," he explains as he slowly tightens the saddle, "My best guess is that his previous owner always cinched his saddle too tightly."

Elsa frowns, not quite understanding the importance of this matter, "There is such a thing as too tight?"

Kai looks up from what he was doing. "To put it simply, if the saddle is cinched too tightly it becomes uncomfortable for the horse," he explains as he pats the stallion's side. He tests the strap before concluding that it was good enough. Putting the breast strap on was the next step, making sure that the saddle wouldn't slide back and it gives the rider a chance to dismount should the girth break.

He then placed the bridle on, putting the bit in first so that he can ease the crown of the headpiece over the ears. Of course, the stallion - despite being a warm blooded breed - was insisting on giving Kai problems.

"Now you listen here," Kai scolds the horse, "you are being mean spirited now." The horse snorts at him. "Don't give me that attitude -," he starts to scold but then stops when he realizes that he has not a faintest idea what the horse's name is. "Hey, Elsa, do you know his name?" he questions, just barely keeping himself from taking his eyes off him.

Elsa didn't say anything at first, taken back by the sudden question, before she looks at the name plate. "Alaster," she answers the second the name registered to her mind.

Now armed with the name, Kai begins to scold Alaster - his eyes narrowed at the purebred in warning. The stallion, from ground to wither, was roughly sixty-eight inches tall to use the more familiar terminology and was pure muscle.

It has an attractive head lacking in the convex profile he has sometimes seen in its particular breed. Its neck arched and muscular giving way to long sloping shoulders. The horse's body boasting of a deep but not overly broad chest combined with a short compact back, a muscular croup that told him that the horse is meant for hard physical labor, and finally powerful hindquarters that attest to his assessment.

All together everything told him that the stallion would be a dangerous horse to cross. But he also couldn't just let Alaster think he has the right or freedom to do what he wants. So he lectured the horse and to Elsa's complete and utter amazement the horse looked like he was ashamed!

"Uh… Kai, you're scolding a horse…" Elsa starts, unsure of what to make of this situation.

Kai turns to look at her and supports himself against the wall of the stall with his hand while Alaster just looks shamed still. "What, have you never spoken with your pets before?" he inquires as he pats the repentant stallion, though he does get an indignant snort from him as a result. "I meant no insult, you silly horse."

Elsa frowns, "I… I never had a pet before."

Kai blinks and looks at her, amazed. Why would the rulers deny their children a pet? Nothing was making any sense to him - is this how it normally is in other royal families? Alaster, sensing that Kai's attention was not on him anymore, butts his back that sends him stumbling into Elsa.

Shocked they stare at each other, Kai unintentionally boxing her in with the undersides of his arms tingling from the contact between them. Elsa, just barely managing to react, had put her hands up to try and soften the impact that was sure to happen. The end result was that she had her hands on his chest. One over his heart and the other one against the bottommost rib, a fact Kai is well aware of.

"I…" Kai stammers with a slight flush on his cheeks, mentally torn between turning around to scold the spirited horse and just staying like this - to bring his entire body against her. He couldn't remember a time when he wanted someone so close to him - couldn't remember if he ever enjoyed having someone this close.

Elsa couldn't say anything either, captivated by his golden eyes. How it seemed like the color of gold when melted, her mind distinctly remembering how bright they had seemed before compared to now.

But when she feels Kai breathe in deeply she looks at her own hands before gasping in shock, in realization. Alarmed by what had happened she forces the stall door open before running away before Kai can even grasp what even happened.