To Elsa's surprise, Erik has asked her to visit his place. Elsa had never been to anyone's home except for the Paternosters.
She had wondered what other people's houses look like, the Paternosters owned a large apartment. Mr. and Mrs. Paternoster often had to travel around and thus the apartment was rented and subsidized. They were government officials, but what would the house be if the parents were not government officials?
The house was larger than Elsa had expected, it was exactly like those doll houses she had seen in cartoons and dramas. The house consisted of two parts, the smaller part on the right Elsa supposed it was the kitchen. The main entrance was grand and quaint, the canopy roof at the entrance reminded Elsa of the castle. The blue casement windows were just the ones her college had. The house was in pure white, so white that one could wonder if they painted the walls every day.
As Elsa and Erik entered, they were warmly welcomed by Erik's parents.
"Welcome, Your Majesty," said Mrs. Hansen and she knelt beside her husband.
"Oh, please get up," said Elsa immediately and she propped Mrs. Hansen up.
"Please take a seat, I will go and get you some tea," said Mrs. Hansen and she quickly went to the kitchen.
Elsa sat nervously beside Erik and she rubbed her hands, Erik noticed her discomfort and he held her hands tightly, trying to provide her the best comfort.
"Tea and biscuits," said Mrs. Hansen.
"Thank you," said Elsa.
"Mom, Dad, there is something that I think you need to know," said Erik.
Mr. and Mrs. Hansen looked startled and they stared at their son intently.
"Elsa is my girlfriend," said Erik.
"Oh," said Mrs. Hansen. "So this is the reason you are sometimes coming home late during weekends. Your father and I have been worrying if there's anything happens to you."
"I am sorry to bother your son," said Elsa apologetically.
"No, it's okay," said Mr. Hansen. "We have been waiting for this for so long. It's rare to see my son having so much interest on a girl."
Elsa blushed and she did not know what to say.
"So when are you two going to get married?" asked Mrs. Andersen suddenly.
Elsa was taken aback a little and eyed on Erik, wondering what his answered would be. Erik avoided her eyes and he cleared his throat,
"I guess the television broadcast would show it to you when the time has come."
"Oh yes, surprise heart attack, isn't it?" chuckled Mr. Andersen. "Okay, I will just watch the news frequently."
Erik nodded and he looked at Elsa, whose face had turned completely scarlet and frost started creeping out of her gloves.
"So, shall we have a nice chat at the backyard, Elsa?" suggested Erik. "I am sure you will love it."
Elsa couldn't help nodding, she was desperate to get out of the awkwardness in the living room.
The backyard was like the garden in the castle, only it was much smaller. The border were all trees and bushes that could covered almost the whole view of the backyard, there was the pool and the barbeque place. Everyone looked so idealistic and relaxing.
"If you want to, we can have barbeque here at weekends," said Erik.
"Oh really, can I?"
"You can invite Anna and Kristoff to come over too. After all, more people, more fun."
"This is nice," whispered Elsa, examining the tulips and violets at the bushes. "Your parents are good gardeners."
"I am too, a perfect love gardener."
"What?"
"Here's your souvenir, of visiting my humble dwelling."
Erik handed over a flora basket to Elsa, she was surprised and she received it with hesistance, putting it on the table and examined it.
"Crocus, roses…oh…forget-me-not," whispered Elsa.
"Do you like it?"
"Of course I do, it's so beautiful…"
"Look inside."
Elsa's fingers ran pass the flowers and reached for the box in the centre of the basket.
"Chocolate?" asked Elsa, examining the box in her hands.
"Open it."
As she opened the box, she gasped at the gleaming stone. The ring lay perfectly on the soft black cushion. Erik then said,
"It was originally me grandma's, now it becomes yours."
"Mine?"
"Elsa," said Erik and suddenly he knelt down. "I know I am just a commoner, I am not from any royalty and I don't have as much as money as you have in your castle. From other people's view, I am nothing in front of you and certainly not fit to be their King. But, you have bewitched my soul and body, and I can never imagine life without you. You are my first, last and only lover in my life. If you don't want to answer me, I will wait, wait, and wait, until the day when you finally say yes. My affections and wishes never change. I will offer my soul, my heart and all my time, even though I know this is not enough."
Elsa bit her lips and Erik stood up, singing,
"S'il suffisait qu'on s'aime, s'il suffisait d'aimer
Si l'on changeait les choses un peu, rien qu'en aimant donner
S'il suffisait qu'on s'aime, s'il suffisait d'aimer
Je ferais de ce monde un rêve, une eternité, avec toi."
Tears ran down to Elsa's cheeks and Erik's fingers dried them.
"Will you be my wife?"
Elsa frowned.
"But…are you sure about that? You don't have to marry me just because of my throne," said Elsa. "I don't want you to suffer."
"Suffer is just a little obstacle in my life, and nothing can stop me from being with you. Will you marry me?"
Elsa nodded dully, not knowing what to say at this moment. He held her hand and pulled away the glove, Elsa gasped and she tried to withdraw her hand.
"No, don't—"
"Elsa, you don't have to live in fear, I am always right here."
The ring slowly slid onto her finger and Elsa could only gaze at its gleaming diamond.
"It fits," whispered Elsa.
"From now on, you are Erik Hansen's wife, my lovely wife."
Erik lifted her up and spun around, making her laugh. Then he put her down and kissed her lips. There was a scream at the bushes and they stared at the bushes. Elsa squinted her eyes and she could see camera flashes and people hiding behind the bushes. Elsa looked at Erik and quickly she pushed him away, tucking her stray lock of hair.
"Feeling embarrassed? My lovely wife?"
"I didn't say I will marry you," said Elsa and she bit her lips while walking away.
Erik clutched her wrist and locked her in an embrace. Elsa hesitated and slowly, her arms wrapped around his back. The sun slowly went back to the horizon and night gradually fell…
Next chapter-What's next after engagement?
Sigh...the favourites and follows dropped a little, perhaps I will have to shut myself in my room and have introspection for a couple of hours.
(If you don't like my story, before leaving, I wish you can tell me why... T_T)