"Your Majesty…"
Elsa looks up with a questioning look. What now?
"Your gloves." Oh.
Elsa glance at Anna and then Delsa. The dark woman flexes out her hand and views her perfectly black manicured nails. On the tip of her finger forms a snowflake. It becomes deadly looking, Elsa figures that she is trying to test her. See if she can snap under pressure. She glares at her friend. Delsa pretends to finally notice the soon-to-be-queen's gaze is upon her. She fakes a chuckle, casts away the snowflake, and says a pathetic apology. She points to the bishop who softly calls out for her again.
Elsa sighs and slowly removes the gloves, place them on the pillow. There is nothing to be afraid of. With years of practice and motivation of Delsa, Elsa has gained better control of her abilities. She takes the objects with confidence. She faces the people before her. These will be her people. They are her duty. The bishop's words are drawn out by Delsa's.
"Lovely isn't it. All these people, who are your responsibility. They love you and yet this is their first time seeing you." She folds her arms and "humph". "They'll be subjected to you. Even your sister! And then soon, they'll discover your secret. Oh, look— it's showing now. Get it together."
Elsa glance down at the scepter and orb. The object is beginning to frost— No! She will the frost to disappear and proudly lift her head up.
"I'm impressed, Elsa— "
"Queen of Arendelle!" the bishop declare in sync with Delsa words.
"Queen of Arendelle!" the crowd shouts.
For the first time in many years, Elsa allows someone— everyone, other than her invisible friend, her smile—
(no— it's not a smile. it's a smirk. by most, it's mistaken to a genuine smile)
"Dear Odin, there are so many people!" Delsa exclaims, frowning, yet smiling, showing her perfect white teeth. Elsa mentally scolds her friend about reminding her about the population. Yes, she has never been under the gaze of so many people. And yes she feels a bit exposed. "You won't last," Delsa states, standing in front of the queen. "You'll be overwhelmed."
"Is this your way to push me?" Elsa asks, frowning. Delsa smiles darkly. Before she can respond, someone announced:
"Princess of Arendelle!"
From the corner of her vision, she can see her sister running in the room. Anna awkwardly waves to the waiting people.
"Pathetic," Delsa mutters with a scoff and a shake of her head. Elsa contains her laughter. She doesn't pay any mind to the fact Anna questions about being near her. Elsa keeps her chin up, staring into the purple eyes of her doppelganger. From the peripheral vision, she can see her sister stealing glances at her. Anna mentions something about getting cold all of a sudden and rubs her arms.
"Maybe you should say something," the darker woman suggests, moving out of her the queen's eyesight. Then next to her ear, "First time speaking to your sister in years, what will you say?"
Absentmindedly, Elsa answers, "Hi?"
"Hi me…?" Oh, um… hi." Anna says.
"You look beautiful," comments Elsa. The next thing Delsa say causes Elsa to flush with anger.
"More than you." Delsa points out. "So full of life and happiness, so pure and simple-minded… she'll find herself married before you."
The queen chews the inside of her cheek and twindle with her fingers. Despite the fact of how true it is, it was quite uncalled for. If there was a dark corner somewhere, she would send her dark friend away. Unfortunately, the room is brightly lit, and she does need Delsa's presence for familiarity.
"Thank you… you look beautifuller…"
They exchange a few more words. Elsa could tell that Anna wants to say more but a duke, Duke Weselton, introduces himself. He asks for her first dance of the night. Elsa tries every strength of the muscles in her face to not make a repulsive expression. "No. I don't dance. I wouldn't dance with you if I could."
"Norse! That sounded so cold. I almost felt that!" says Delsa with a smirk, pretending to shiver. "Make it even colder."
The words come out with ease. "But my sister would."
"What?"
"Lucky you!" the duke says, dragging her away. Elsa smirks. She steps a few feet away, where there are not many people who are dancing. Delsa appears next to her. "People are so… lively! You should end it."
She should. She is out of her comfort zone. Allowing this party and then being here herself, when she could be in her solitude, reading. But she needs to be the queen. The queen that the kingdom needs and have been waiting for years. "Go away, Delsa." Elsa murmurs. "I'm feeding off you."
Her response is almost inaudible but Elsa catches it. "I am you."
"Your majesty." A couple bows. Elsa replies with a smile, holding her chin high. "It is a pleasure to see you. You are beautiful."
"Thank you…" Elsa thinks about what else to say. "Enjoy the party." She moves on, Delsa floating in front of her with a sly smile.
"Permission to speak of a frank opinion, my Highness?"
Elsa rolls her eyes. "All right."
"You need to work on your social skills," she says with laughter between her words.
"I do not." No one would want to talk to a queen about something that isn't commending her or of an important matter.
"You wouldn't know that."
"Get out of my thoughts." Elsa undertones. She walks to the table of food. The closer she gets, the more mouthwatering the chocolate becomes. When was the last time she had chocolate? Oh, this morning— in her coffee. But seeing the chocolate now (oh there's so many different kinds displayed on the table!) make it seem like she last had chocolate years ago. She plucks one chocolate cube from its stack and eats it. Oh! She just might have to take the entire tray for tonight as a midnight snack. Elsa grabs another cube and returns to the stand to watch the dancing people.
These are the lucky selected few. The wealthier ones managed to get an invitation letter. The rest of the less-wealthy ones (who are the most excited) are outside, waiting in the warm weather for Elsa to make a public appearance— for the first time— and a small speech. Something she is not completely prepared for. Too many people. All eyes are on her. All trust is given to her. Simply because she is the new Queen.
Anna pathetically limps back to her side. The duke bows, displaying the baldness of his head. Elsa refrains herself from making a repulsive face. "Let me know when your ready for another round, M'lady."
"Hopefully, that won't be necessary," Elsa says in a low voice, but intentionally for the man to hear. He doesn't say anything, but bow again and hurry away. "He was sprightly!"
"Especially a man in heels." Anna pouts, shifting on her sore feet.
Delsa squints. "How peculiar that man is. He has on a wig too. He's disturbing. And disgusting."
Elsa giggles. "Are you okay?"
"I've never been better!" Anna says brightly. "This is so nice! I wish it can be like this all the time."
Delsa pretends gags as if she trying to throw up something vile. The dark woman doubles over holding her tummy. "Oh, god, that's the stupidest thing I've heard tonight."
Elsa twists her mouth to control her laughter. Indeed that it is a stupid wish. "It can't."
"Why not?" Anna asks, her face hesitant to keep her smile.
"Because… I don't like being around so many people." Elsa answer, truthfully.
There's a hurt expression on Anna's face. Why? Elsa answered honestly. Unlike her sister, who has the experience to socialize with others, Elsa doesn't. Too many people can make her nervous. "Oh, excuse me for a minute," Anna says, leaving the stand.
The Queen waits until her sister is out of earshot to question her friend. "Did I say something hurtful?"
"No." Delsa beams happily. "Something selfish."
Elsa frowns. "But... selfish is what makes us strong." Perhaps she should tell Anna this. Sometimes being selfish is looking out for ourselves. There's nothing wrong with being selfish. Maybe she'll understand.
"I seriously doubt you should." Delsa points out. "She wouldn't understand. Your sister is incredibly naive."
Elsa shakes her head. Anna isn't just naive. She's... full of life too. So eager for and to the world. Everyone would easily like her than Elsa. They would love Anna because of her lovable character. And they would love Elsa simply because of her title.
This makes the Queen a little envious of the princess.