Dear Readers,

This is the first time that I have actually addressed y'all author to reader. Thank you so much for reading this small fanfic that I have going. I really love all of your reviews, and please review more. I'm sorry that all the chapters are really erratic. I have had little time to write and (I must admit) writer's block. I hope to get past this. Thank you so much for your support. I would love ideas on how to pursue this story further. Do you think I should begin doing some chapters in Elsa's point of view? Should Anna and Kristoff take a larger part in the story? Are you team Iris or Elsa? I don't even know which on I'm on. Who's your favorite character? Should I try and bring Axel back? I will honestly take your reviews into consideration. Thanks for everything.

I march up to the top floor of the castle flinging open the door to the uppermost room. Inside the room, a large canopied bed shrouded in scarlet curtains stands like a sentinel. A large wardrobe sits in a corner as if ready to swallow its surroundings. An ebony desk looks out over a window above the courtyard of the palace. I push Elsa into the middle of the room, and she stares up at me with frightened eyes. My voice echoes around the room, "This is yours. Be ready for dinner promptly after the sun sets below the horizon."

With a sweep of my hand, I turn slamming the door behind me. As soon as the door closes, I can hear an anguished cry which tears me heart in two. I know its horrible, but I spy on her from my enchanted mirror. She is huddled on the floor grasping her head as if attempting to hold herself together. Suddenly, an idea springs within my mind. I twirl my finger in a circle conjuring sparks which begin to dance and glow beside me. After a minute, the sparks begin to take the shape of a man and woman. They both have long obsidian hair that flows like lava, dark skin like the burning wood of logs, embers for eyes, and charcoal uniforms. The man bows, and the woman curtsies. I order, "Go help Queen Elsa with all that she needs. The palace is at your disposal."

The two depart in a whirlwind of sparks. Through the mirror, I can see the pair appear before Elsa. Elsa looks up at them clearly startled. The two introduce themselves as Gabriel and Gabriella. They bow and appear to offer their surfaces. Elsa shakes her head, and the two servants implore her to request their services should the need arise. With that, the two swirl out of the room to rest beside me. I turn to them and request that they begin dinner.

I then begin the journey to my own quarters. My bedroom is in the center of the castle with a simple bed made entirely of obsidian. A fluffy mattress lays atop it, and right now, I wish to simply throw myself on top of it. I end up collapsing on it.

Dark images surround me, and every time I try and grasp one, the figure dissipates like smoke. A looming figure rises cloaked entirely in white. I scream, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

The figure only glances at me and turns it's back in disapproval. My heart seems to rip, and I cannot breathe. I cry out begging for mercy, but I receive only an icy silence. A dark force suddenly pushes me backwards into a void, and I gasp in desperation. Suddenly, I'm upright in bed with tears running down my face.

I glance at myself in the ordinary mirror, and I am surprised by how exhausted I appear. I run my hands through my hair attempting to put it in place, but I only seem to increase the problem. After a minute, I throw my hands up in defeat. At least, my clothes have managed to maintain an ounce of respectability. I glance out the window and realize that only half of the sun is visible. I rush to the dining room as I intend to be the first one seated.

After the sun sets, Elsa appears in the doorway lead by a path of smoking embers. I grin, and she grimaces. I stand motioning, "Please be seated."

Elsa sits on the far side of the table, as far as possible from me. My upbringing forces me to begin the conversation with, "I hope your room is to your liking."

She stares at me blankly as if I never said I single word. I stand up clapping my hands, and Gabriel appears with two plates of food which he sets in front of Elsa and me. I reseat myself and begin sawing at the large piece of meat in front of me. An awkward silence descends upon the table. After about fifteen minutes, the conversation begins with me politely asking, "How are you?"

Elsa sarcastically replies with her eyes rolling "I'm sorry. I don't communicate well with the man who is holding me against my will."

I grin and reply, "Technically, you agreed of you own free will."

Elsa sneers, "Is that how you sleep at night?"

Taken by surprise, I blurt out, "I can't sleep."

Elsa aloofly asks, "Why is that?"

I turn my head away and shame. I don't want to say it, but I can't seem to stop myself. My mind screams, "Because of you. Because of the way you stare into my soul plucking out everything wrong with me. Because of the hatred in your eyes when you learned that I was the man behind the mask. Because of the one waltz when I held you in my arms. Because you make me want to be a better man."

Finally, I blurt out a single word, "You."

Elsa is taken aback, but she whispers, "Then why did you do it?"

As I gain control of myself once again, I begin, "I was thirteenth in line to the throne. Clearly, I would have to marry into royalty to become king. You were preferable, but Anna was so willing for love. I was willing to give her what she wanted, and all I needed to do was dispose of you. I wanted to be the man who brought Arendelle out of obscurity and into prosperity. I love Arendelle with all my heart, and Anna was pleasant until she knocked me off a ship."

Elsa looks confused for a second but quickly hides her emotion behind a well-practiced mask. After a moment, she sharply replies, "You're so selfish. How could you love anything or anyone besides yourself?"

At that moment, her words punch into my stomach, and I bile rises in my throat. I look her straight in the eye and respond, "This coming from the snow queen with the frozen heart."

Elsa stunned face hardens, "At least I have a heart."

How dare she say that. This woman has no right to accuse me of being heartless after freezing her own kingdom and pushing away her sister for years. The little witch can't see that she is no better than me. I quickly stand and in a clipped tone order, "I will see you in the morning at breakfast. Change into something more respectable. Ball gowns have no place in this palace."

I leave and make it to my room before the uncontrollable guilty sobs rack my body. Darkness soon overwhelms me, and the ghosts of my past rise to haunt me.