The next morning, Elise got out of bed eagerly and began dressing. She thought of Lovino and her heart felt full. Only as she was brushing her hair did she remember, today was the day she would be headed to Norway to meet her betrothed. She sighed at the thought as she brushed out her bangs. Suddenly, a harsh knock startled her. She looked to the door as her uncle Ludwig walked in.
"Elise, are you prepared for the trip?" He demanded, seeming agitated.
Elise looked down at her feet. "I haven't packed yet."
Ludwig sighed and walked further into the room, away from the door. He walked to the closet as Elise watched on, confused. To her surprise, Ludwig began packing for her. She quickly ran over to help him pack her bags. Together they packed in silence for a minute or two before Ludwig cleared his throat and began to speak.
"I know you don't want to get married, but I'm sure you will eventually grow to love Erikur. And I tried to make a good choice for you. I picked the one that was your age, rather than the next in line, who is seven. Just, please don't hate me, Elise."
Elise took a deep breath and looked over to her uncle. It took her a moment to get out what she wanted to say.
"I don't hate you, Uncle Ludwig. I just don't think I'm ready for marriage. I'm only sixteen." She insisted, hanging on to the last hope that she may change his mind.
Ludwig smiled awkwardly and nodded. "Don't worry. Your father was only sixteen when he got married the first time."
Elise thought back to all of her fathers failed marriages and didn't like the look of her future. She set down the pair of pants she was folding and took a deep breath. She just had to pretend to go along with the plan and Lovino would rescue her. She ran a hand through her hair and plastered a bright fake smile on her face. She returned to her task and finished folding her pants, placing them inside the suitcase.
"You're right Uncle Ludwig, I'm sure it will be fine" she lied.
He smiled down at her and patted her head. "That's the spirit." They continued packing in silence for a short time and when they were all done Ludwig checked his watch. "You have another hour until we're off to the airport. Have some fun," he said, walking out of the room.
Elise flopped back on her bed and grabbed her phone. Her fingers fell into the now familiar pattern of Lovino's phone number. She smiled when he answered with a friendly "ciao?"
"Good morning," she said eagerly.
"Oh, hello amore," He said. Elise could hear the smile in his voice. Being called amore made her blush and she hid her face despite nobody being present to see it.
She quickly regained her composure and told him "I go to Norway today."
He sighed, "I know, but don't worry. I'll save you from your family's plans."
Elise laughed, "My knight in shining armor."
Lovino chuckled slightly at her comment, "Anyways, I've been talking with your uncle Sebastian. We've discussed reparation each family should make, and our plan should be settled within the month."
Elise choked, "Month..? Lovino, my family is already planning my wedding."
"I know, I know," he said quickly, "If we haven't finished planning before the wedding, I'll come kidnap you. Romantic, si?"
Elise calmed down and almost laughed, "Okay, I trust you. I'll call you back when I get to Norway. I love you."
"I love you too," Lovino said before hanging up the phone.
Elise put her phone into her pocket and left her room. She quickly found a servant and requested he take her luggage to the car. She ran downstairs and into her father's office, where Roderich sat shuffling through paperwork.
"Good morning vatti, are you ready for the flight?" She asked with fake cheerfulness.
Roderich looked at Elise confusedly before his face lit up with realization. "Elise, I'm staying in Berlin. You will go to Oslo with Ludwig."
Elise couldn't hide her disappointment. "Oh…"
"But do not worry my darling. I will call you every night!" Roderich said quickly to repair the damage he had caused. "Someone must stay home and guard the house from the ruthless Vargas family, you know?"
Elise nodded and left the room. She sat in the living room for the next twenty minutes, watching the clock and waiting for time to leave. After a few minutes she had fallen asleep, when she woke up, she was on the plane. She looked around frightened until she found her uncle Ludwig.
"Uncle, how did I get on the plane?" She asked.
Ludwig looked at her for a moment before turning away, "I carried you."
Elise laughed at her big strong uncle being so awkward and shy, "danke, uncle."
She stood up to stretch her legs and took a short walk through the family's spacious private jet, before returning to her seat and going back to sleep for the remainder of the short flight.