The Ice Behind Bars

Chapter XXXVIII: Beauty & The Beast

Aphrodite winced and hissed in pain when Brandon gently placed a cold wet piece of cloth on the bruise at the corner of her forehead.

"Does it hurt?" He asked apologetically, retreating his hand a bit.

"What do you think?" She replied flatly.

The two sat at the edge of the bed while Brandon held Aphrodite's chin up with one hand and with the other hand tried to sooth the pain of the bruises that had been caused by the fight she had with Diana.

"No one forced you to get into a fight with her." Brandon said with a smirk as he moved the piece of cloth to wipe away the blood from the split she had at the corner of her lip.

"She hit me first!" Aphrodite defended with a glare.

Brandon gave her a 'Really, now?' Look so she sighed and rolled her eyes.

"You know she did that out of anger. She blamed you for Robin's death. She's just confused. Instead of understanding her pain and accepting it, you punched her back!" He said as he chuckled.

"So you're saying that I just should have been a punching bag for her?" She asked, feeling a bit irritated. "I should have used that knife when I had the chance… She's such a bi- Ouch!" Aphrodite yelped when Brandon pressed purposely harder on her bruise.

"Sorry." Brandon apologized with a sly smile.

She raised an amused eyebrow at him, "You did that on purpose."

"Nope." Brandon lied and shook his head as he gave her an innocent look that didn't look so innocent at all on his hard face.

"Yes… You did." Aphrodite said and batted her eyelashes at him, mocking his failed attempt at putting an innocent face.

"No… I didn't." He lied again with a smirk and batted his eyelashes back, making Aphrodite chuckle a bit.

Brandon suddenly found himself lost in those piercing green eyes that shone like precious emeralds.

A moment of silence passed before Aphrodite noticed his gaze and she made a confused face, "What?" She asked, clearly oblivious to what he was thinking and snapped him out from his trance.

Brandon's eyes widened and he started to stutter, "I-I uh… There's a scratch here." He awkwardly said and moved to wipe her cheek that honestly had no scratch at all, trying to avoid eye contact as his cheeks turned red. "S-So where's Diana?" He asked, trying to hide his nervousness.

Aphrodite sighed, "She went to take a walk around, trying to comprehend the lies she have been living. Give her time. I know she'll understand." She replied and luckily to him she didn't notice his blush.

"And you trust enough to leave her to roam free in the fort?" Brandon asked.

"She's my brother's wife, Brandon. She might be angry at me but she's loyal to her husband."

Brandon nodded understandably.

A moment of silent passed as the two sat together, one helping the other ease her pain, before Brandon's mind started to roll in curiosity.

"Aphrodite?" He called nervously.

"Hm?"

Brandon took a deep breath before he spoke again, "How… How did you meet him?"

Aphrodite's eyebrows furrowed since she didn't understand the question, "Who?"

Brandon bit his lip, "You know… Jamie." He said uncertainly.

Aphrodite's eyes widened a bit at the sudden question. "W-Why do you wanna know?"

Brandon placed the wet piece of cloth on the nightstand, "J-Just curious… Since you know, you and Robin were-"

"Peasants?" She finished for him, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"W-Well… Yeah." He said and lowered his head a bit, feeling shameful and hoping that he didn't offend her.

"And I wish I'm still one." She said a bit sadly. "It's annoying when people think that a life of royalty is an amazing life of glamour." She scoffed, "Look how amazing and glamorous mine is." She said with sarcasm spilling from her mouth while pointing at herself and rolling her eyes. "But to answer your suspicions… I didn't whore myself through—"

"I didn't mean—!" Brandon tried to tell her that he didn't mean to say it in a bad way at all but she cut him off.

"The point is…!" She lifted a hand to his face to stop him, "We somehow… F-Fell in love." She turned away from Brandon and looked at the ground feeling regretful, "A blind love, I tell."

"But how did you meet?" He asked, feeling more curious.

Aphrodite sighed and lowered her head. "Well…"

Aphrodite's Flashback

Nineteen year old Aphrodite walked in the streets of Arendelle between the citizens, keeping her head down and her face covered with a hood. I need to do this for my mother… I need to do this for my mother. She repeated in her head, trying to ease her feeling of guilt.

She knew it. They had nothing in their small farm. Nothing to feed them or nothing to sell to provide gold. Her mother was sick and she needed to do the only thing that would keep her mother alive at least. And that was to steal food. Robin had tried his best to work in this new guild he joined so he could feed his mother and sister, but it wasn't enough. Aphrodite then decided that if she was going to count on a mysterious guild, they would never eat or live properly.

She lifted her head a bit and tried to find a busy stand where she could steal bread from. She got sight of one and a satisfied smile was drawn on her face. She lowered her head again and walked towards it, making sure her moves would be swift and sneaky. When she approached the stand, she could already see that the merchant was busy with other customers and she took that to her advantage. She kept walking fast, and without stopping, she snatched a loaf of bread.

When she didn't hear the merchant's shout or yell, she knew she was successful. She quickly hid the loaf under her cloak and started hurrying her way out of sight and into a dark alleyway between the houses.

Aphrodite had her heart thrumming inside her chest since it was her first time stealing ever! She was panting and feeling completely nervous since she was still feeling guilty. But what could she do? She needed the bread. Not for herself but for her mother. She removed her hood and took a peek from behind the corner to see if anyone had followed her, and luckily to her, there was no one. She exhaled in relief and revealed the bread from behind her cloak as she smiled down at it widely in relief. That wasn't hard now, wasn't it?... Don't worry Mother… I'm coming.

She hid the loaf back under her cloak, put her hood back on and turned to leave before she heard threats from men. She turned back at the alleyway and tried to listen more. She heard a yelp and her curiosity and worry got the best of her. She bit her lip and her head darted from the alleyway and the loaf. She groaned in frustration and cursed herself since she knew she couldn't just leave whoever needed help. She frowned and carefully and sneakily continued further along the alleyway to see what was happening. She slowly poked her head to try and see.

Her eyes widened when she saw two men cornering a hooded person.

"You do know that it's not safe for a royal to come out like this alone now, don't you, your highness? I bet your father and mother are looking for you." One of the men intimidated as he chuckled.

Highness?! Aphrodite thought as she stared at the scene in shock. The hooded person didn't wear any royal garments. Instead he was wearing dirty pants and a vest like any peasant. But that damn hood didn't allow her to see the person's face.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk… Sneaking out from your own castle?" The other man said.

"You'll help us get rich too. I think your Mama and Papa would gladly pay for having their precious child in one piece." The man said before he pulled out a dagger from his belt and pinned the figure to the wall. "Now… Which part you want me to cut off first?... Your tongue perhaps?"

Aphrodite watched horrified as the hooded figure tried to struggle. Not knowing what else to do and in her panic, Aphrodite-without thinking- jumped from behind the corner and shouted, "Leave him alone!"

The two men turned at her with shocked wide eyes.

Aphrodite's eyes widened and she wanted to strangle herself for what she just did! Oh crap. Nice move smarty pants! "U-Uh…" She made a goofy smile, "Yup!" She stomped her feet on the ground and tried to puff her chest, trying to look intimidating. "You heard me… Leave him alone." Her voice was calm and confident.

The two men laughed at the young nineteen year old girl. "Aggressive one, aren't you?" The one who was pinning the royal said.

Aphrodite gulped and tried to be brave, "I-If you don't let him go I'll—"

"You'll what?" The other man started advancing towards her slowly with a smirk.

Aphrodite had an idea and she smirked at him slyly, "I'm off to call for the guard… Ba-Bye!" She said and quickly dashed, making sure to see if they were following since that what she wanted.

The two men's eyes widened in fear and they quickly chased after her, "Get her!" They let go of the royal and started sprinting after her.

Aphrodite ran as fast as she could, pushing and dodging-nearly tackling- people on her way.

"Come back here!" One of the men shouted.

"S-She's a thief!" The other man randomly accused, honestly not knowing that she really was one.

Damn! Aphrodite cursed and ran faster but she started to feel extremely exhausted and she knew she was going to get caught. They're going to catch me!

Citizens gave her weird looks as she ran and luckily to her, she had her hood on and no one was able to see her face.

Aphrodite knew they were going to catch up to her and she felt desperate. She shoved vegetables and barrels behind her from the merchants' stands to try and create obstacles for her chasers.

Luckily to her, the men stumbled and slipped, causing chaos around them.

Aphrodite looked one last time behind her and smirked, feeling her heart race in joy and relief.

She quickly turned on a corner, behind a house, and entered yet another dim alley. She had her back to the wall and she was panting heavily from all that running. "Oh god…" She sighed in relief. Her eyes widened in surprise when she heard the men's voice again.

"Search somewhere here! She could be anywhere!"

Aphrodite quickly darted her head around, trying to find a way or a place to hide. Luckily, her eyes landed on a huge pile of hay and she knew that it was her savior. Without wasting a moment, Aphrodite ran to the pile of hay and hid inside, trying to stay silent. 'Just get a piece of bread', I said… 'Nothing will happen!', I said! She thought mockingly and felt frustrated at herself, wanting to slap her forehead. Her eyes widened when she heard the men's voices close and she quickly shut her mouth with her hands, trying to keep her breath steady.

"She got away." One of the men growled and cursed under his breath.

"So be it. We scared the hell out of her. She won't dare do anything." The other man said.

Try me. Aphrodite thought and frowned, feeling irritated that those brute men thought that she was a coward.

"Come on." The first one patted the other on the back, "That taught her not to mess with us." He said and they both finally left.

Aphrodite sighed in relief. "That was close…" She said to herself before she got out of the hay. She brushed straw from her clothes and picked out the ones stuck in her hair. She smiled victoriously before she heard footsteps of someone running, and they were getting closer but she couldn't make from which way they were coming from since the sound echoed around her. She quickly turned and started to run, looking behind to try and make sure that no one was following her but- "OOF!" She bumped into someone and they both fell backwards to the ground.

Aphrodite was thrown back hard to the ground and she grunted in pain. She lifted herself on her elbows and rubbed her forehead in pain. Her eyes then suddenly widened when she saw the one she collided with.

The figure lifted himself on his elbows too and didn't realize that his own hood was down.

Aphrodite had her jaw slack as she watched the person in front of her. "YOU'RE A GIRL!" She shouted before she could stop herself.

A girl, not older than she was, lifted herself on her elbows to stare right back in shock at Aphrodite. The girl had strawberry-blonde hair wrapped up in a messy bun and leaving a few clusters of hair to dangle above her blue-grey eyes. The girl's eyes widened, "Oh my god sorrysorrysorry! I'm just a bit… C-Clumsy and I uh… wasn't looking where I was going, and I had those brutes following me annnnnd—you're staring at me like I'm some sort of lunatic- my name is Catherine. Nice to meet you. What's your name?"

Aphrodite stared dumbfounded at the teenage in front of her. She found herself staring jaw-slacked and stuttering words, "Uh…" Was her only reply.

"Oh wait a sec..." Catherine squinted her eyes, taking a better look at the young woman in front of her, before she suddenly gasped and even made Aphrodite flinch a bit in surprise, "You were the one who saved meeee!" The girl shouted happily, while pointing straight at Aphrodite.

"Wait." Aphrodite's eyes widened in realization, "That was YOU!?... With those men?!" She asked in shock and her voice started to quiver, realizing she was caught and busted not only by a girl… but by THE royal herself, "So t-that makes you a—"

"Princess." The princess flatly said and rolled her eyes, brushing the dust from her shoulder while still sitting on the ground. "I know." She finished with a not-so-happy voice.

"B-But you're a kid!" Aphrodite said irritated, "What were you doing outside the castle!?"

"Hey! I'm sixteen by the way!" The girl defended and glared at Aphrodite while crossing her arms in a childish manner and pouted.

A Pause. Silence. Curiosity.

"My name's Princess Catherine of Arendelle… And you are?" The princess asked curiously.

"Why do you wanna know?" Aphrodite asked grumpily with a frown, trying her best to hide the bread.

"May I know the name of my savior?" Catherine asked with a mischievous smirk while pointing dramatically with her palm at the young nervous woman.

Hesitation. "M-My name's… Aphrodite." Aphrodite said nervously. But that nervousness suddenly changed into a self-mocking frown, "Aphrodite of A wooden shack in the woods." She said flatly as if she hated life itself, avoiding eye contact and looking somewhere next to the princess.

Catherine laughed at Aphrodite's blunt reply. "Well it is a pleasure to meet you, Princess Aphrodite of a wooden shack in the woods… What a long name for a kingdom!" Catherine said playfully and dramatically, trying to curtsey while still sitting, before she got into a fits of laughter.

Aphrodite tried to suppress a giggle at the Princess's playful and unladylike behavior. She tucked a stray strand of brunette hair behind her ear nervously, thinking cautiously about her next words. She doesn't look like she noticed that I stole… Aphrodite thought in relief. "So… A Runaway Princess, huh?" Aphrodite asked with a smirk.

The princess was caught off guard by the question since she suddenly stopped laughing.

Aphrodite felt that her words were a bit harsh and she felt a tint of guilt, so she decided to go more sympathetic, "What drove you to run away from your own castle, your highness?" She asked softly.

"Ugh please don't call me that… Just call me Catherine." The Princess rolled her eyes and strangely… Avoided eye contact.

"Catherine." Aphrodite tried the name on her tongue.

"Yup." Catherine confirmed with a cheerful voice, yet the hint of hidden sadness didn't go unnoticed by Aphrodite.

An awkward moment passed between the two before Aphrodite finally spoke, "Uhm… So why did you leave?" She repeated the question since Catherine avoided it a few moments ago.

Catherine winced a bit and sighed, "Well…" Catherine made a circle with her finger in the dirt, "I just wanted some time alone to… Think." Cheerful voice was gone.

"About…?" Aphrodite's curiosity grew.

Catherine looked around nervously a bit. Those damn blue-grey orbs not staying still and only hovering around in Catherine's eyes. She brought her legs to her chest and rested her arms on her knees with her chin on top. "I'm…"

A pause. Two. Three. Maybe even four…

"Betrothed to a stupid prince in a faraway kingdom." Catherine said sadly.

A tiny translation from Catherine's mind: Betrothed = Doomed

"Father and Mother want to send me there and…" Catherine groaned in frustration and buried her face between her arms, "I just don't want to get married now!" She shook her head, hiding her face between her knees.

"What?!" Aphrodite exclaimed, "But you're sixteen!"

"And a half!" Catherine shot her head up and defended. "Mother said that I don't need to get married right away but that I should live with my own… 'Future husband'" Catherine made invisible quotations with her fingers in a mocking way, "And build a bond until I'm old enough to get married." She groaned again and threw her hands up in exasperation. "I never even met him!" She shouted and buried her face back in her arms and between her knees.

"You are to be betrothed to the son and heir of The Kingdom of Lothaelin."

"Father… Mother! PLEASE! I don't want this! I never asked for it!" Catherine tried to reason while pleading for the king and queen of Arendelle, who had come to her room a few moments ago, only to greet her with such horrible news.

"It's not up to you to decide, Catherine." Her father scolded while folding his hands neatly behind his straight back.

The queen approached her and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder while smiling soothingly, yet Catherine flinched a bit. The queen's soothing smile turned into a sad one, "Catherine… You are destined for great things. Your marriage will save your kingdom!... Your people! Arendelle and Loathelin will join together and become great allies." The Queen tried to cheer.

Catherine's glossy blue-grey eyes were now filled with tears as her lip quivered, "B-But it so far away!" She tried to argue again.

"I know, love… But you're a princess. You have duties and responsibilities that you have to think of for your kingdom—"

"On my account!?" Catherine exclaimed desperately. "Can't… HE be the one to come and live with us?!"

"It doesn't work that way, Princess." Her father reminded with a warning tone.

"CATHERINE!" Catherine exclaimed in anger, "My name is Catherine! Stop calling me 'Princess'"

The queen was taken aback by her daughter's tone, "A princess doesn't raise her voice." She scolded and that made Catherine groan loudly in irritation.

The queen continued, "Sacrifices must be made, love. You just ha—"

"It's not FAIR!" The distraught princess cried out, her tears spilling freely now.

"You're talking as if Marriage is a bad thing!" The king said.

"Sweety, you shouldn't be afraid of marriage… Look at us for a moment. We turned out pretty good!" The queen tried to encourage her daughter.

"You fight every night!" Catherine blurted angrily, her fists clenched tight and trembling.

The king and queen rolled their eyes. "That doesn't matter now." The queen said.

Catherine felt completely desperate, "J-Jamie won't accept this!" Her voice shook.

At the mention of their son and heir, the king and queen sighed. "Your brother is quite upset. Yes." Angry even. The king thought, "But he agreed that you are to be betrothed, because he is wise and mature enough to understand our duty for the kingdom!... Unlike someone else I know." The king said and clearly hinted at his daughter.

No… he wouldn't! Catherine thought, feeling betrayed by her brother.

"You're lying!" Catherine dared exclaim.

The king's face turned red in fury, "How DARE you!" He yelled, his majestic voice shaking the entire castle.

"I don't want to be sent away! I want to stay here with my brother! My mother an—"

"Stop it, right now!" The king howled.

"But—"

"NOW!" The king roared his final word echoed in the entire castle and sent shivers down his wife and daughter's back.

Catherine froze while her face was stained with tears. She tried to keep herself straight and with a head held high, trying to hide her heartbreak. Her sorrows. Her eyes were wet with tears, her lip quivered as well as her breath. She slowly took a step back… then another, before her entire posture broke after letting out a loud sob of despair. Catherine quickly turned and left the room, ignoring her parents' calls, and the servants' she passed by.

Aphrodite was flabbergasted.

"So you ran away from your castle," Aphrodite started counting on her fingers, "And you decided to abandon your luxurious life… And live in the streets with no food or water?!" She asked in disbelief, thinking about how her own life was comparing to Catherine's.

"When you say it like that, you make it sound bad." Catherine deadpanned while fiddling with her hands nervously and wincing a bit.

"It IS bad!" Aphrodite exclaimed with a punch to the ground, still not believing that a princess might leave her own castle… But—

Why?

Princess Catherine grimaced under Aphrodite's loud voice, "Well…" She started as she took in Aphrodite's words. "I just don't want to leave my brother." Catherine said and distractingly brushed her gloved hand with her bare one that Aphrodite just actually noticed.

She wondered why was the princess wearing one glove instead of two. She didn't dwell about the idea though. It might have slipped off when those two douchebags had their grip on her.

"Uhm… A-Aphrodite?" Catherine suddenly and nervously called, snapping Aphrodite out from her trance.

Aphrodite turned her head to the princess and gulped, "Y-Yes?" She's going to arrest you! She knows you're a damn thief!

Catherine bit her lip and smiled awkwardly, "I… wanted to tell you…"

Aphrodite's heartbeat quickened.

"I wanted to say 'Thank you.'" Catherine gently said with a generous smile.

"What?... For what?!" Aphrodite's confusion got the better of her and she forgot about the thievery thing.

"For saving my life, of course!" Catherine said happily and then smirked, "Even though…" She crossed her arms, "You know…" She winked and pointed at the bump under Aphrodite's cloak, referring to the stolen piece of bread.

Aphrodite's eyes widened and her first instincts were to run since she was totally caught red-handed. "T-This is not what you think it is! I-I just needed this," She held the loaf up for the princess to see, "T-T-To give it to my—" She suddenly stopped as her eyes shot even wider when the girl in front of her burst out in loud fits of laughter, clutching her stomach. What? Aphrodite watched her in total bewilderment.

Catherine laughed at the poor older, freaked-out girl.

Aphrodite frowned and felt mocked, "What's so funny?"

Catherine tried to stop her laughter but failed. "Y-You stole a loaf of bread!" She managed to say, pointing at Aphrodite before bursting into laughter again.

"Shhh! Keep your voice down!" Aphrodite whispered urgently, still not understanding why the princess was laughing, "For all I know, you should be arresting me!"

Catherine shook her head, still giggling a bit, "If you want me to arrest you for stealing a loaf of bread," She trailed off and tucked her hand behind her cloak then out again.

Aphrodite's eyes widened when she saw what the princess revealed behind her own cloak.

"Then it means I should arrest myself too!" Catherine said and revealed a loaf of bread in her hand.

"You stole that!?" Aphrodite exclaimed, feeling utterly confused.

Catherine gave her an innocent shrug and a wide smirk.

"Why would you even steal that?! You're the princess for god's sake!" Aphrodite was now irritated. It took every bit of willpower for her to ignore her guilt or even dare to steal! And the only reason she did it was to give her hungry ill mother the food she needed. "Your castle is probably full of everything you ever wish for! And definitely even better food than just a loaf of bread!"

Catherine threw the loaf of bread up and down on her hand, marveling at her accomplishment. "Well we do, but I wanted to try something that isn't so fancy! Father said…" She changed her voice into a deep manly one so she could try and mimic her father's, "Royals don't eat peasant food. It's too inferior for us royals. We deserve the best and healthiest nourishment." She changed her voice back into her normal one, "I had to try something from the peasant's market!" She brought the bread to her mouth and took a bite, emitting crunching sounds that actually made Aphrodite's empty stomach growl.

Aphrodite had vowed not to eat a thing, not before her mother did or not before giving her the needs first.

"You seem hungry." Catherine said with a mouth full.

Aphrodite quickly clutched her stomach to try and make it stop from growling or screaming for food, but it was already too late and Catherine had heard it already.

"You have the loaf… Eat it then." Catherine said as she munched on another bite.

Aphrodite lowered her head and looked at the bread, "That's not for me." She said calmly, with a hint of sadness.

"Why did you steal it then?" Catherine asked.

Aphrodite's eyes got teary and blurry and she quickly wiped them away before the tears could fall. "It's for my mother…" A pause. "She's ill."

Catherine stopped eating as her hand froze and her eyes widened. "Oh…" She lowered the bread to her lap and looked at Aphrodite with remorse and sympathy, feeling stupid and guilty. "I'm sorry…" She said softly, with a voice no longer so loud and squeaky. Catherine's eyes widened when she had an idea and her face lit up. "Maybe I can ask my father to give you g—"

"No!" Aphrodite cut her off, holding her hand up and knowing what the princess was about to say. "I don't need help. I can handle myself and I'll find a way on my own to help my mother. But thank you for the offer."

"Just a bit of gold—"

"No!... Your highness!" Aphrodite cut her off again with a yell.

Catherine's face fell. She turned her face away and crossed her arms. "I have a name you know." She said and pouted angrily.

What's up with her and names!? Aphrodite thought. "Sorry," Aphrodite lowered her eyes. "Catherine." She sighed in regret. "I'm sorry. I know you mean well. But I just don't want anything from anyone."

Catherine lowered her head, not knowing what to say to a woeful young woman. Her bare hand distractingly went back to brush her gloved hand as if out of habit.

Aphrodite noticed this, "I think you lost your glove." She said, pointing at Catherine's bare hand.

Catherine's eyes widened and she quickly hid her gloved hand instead behind her back. "No-no!... I uh… I always wear one g-glove. It's uhm… I-It's nothing really." Catherine stuttered and bit her lip as her body tensed.

Aphrodite was surprised how Catherine suddenly seemed uneasy and actually alarmed, looking around nervously and avoiding eye contact.

"Okay…?" Aphrodite didn't even ponder about the subject. It was just a glove.

After a moment, Catherine let her guard down and finally turned to look at Aphrodite and smiled, "You know, you shouldn't be afraid to ask for help from a friend."

Aphrodite smiled at that. The princess of Arendelle calling her 'A friend'? "Now I'm your friend?" She asked with a smirk.

"But of course!" Catherine exclaimed happily. "You saved my life!"

"She did?!" A voice suddenly asked.

Both startled young women turned to see a young man standing in between two guards in the shadows.

Brandon's eyes widened, "Elsa and Anna have an aunt?!"

Aphrodite nodded silently, keeping her eyes on her lap.

"Well… Where is she?" Brandon asked as he scratched his head.

Aphrodite looked at Brandon and was taken aback by the question for some reason. She sighed and turned her face away again, wondering herself how to answer the question she had no answer for.

"I don't know."

Aphrodite's Flashback

"Jamie!" Catherine exclaimed happily and ran to hug her brother.

The young man was nearly knocked out of balance by his little sister as he tried to steady himself while she squeezed the life out of him. He laughed nervously and hugged back.

Aphrodite watched the two royals hug in astonishment.

Catherine suddenly opened her eyes, broke the hug by pushing him away and glared at her big brother, "You stupid boorish man! How dare you agree to send me away like this!?" Her voice was furious yet it had a great hint of hurt and a feeling of betrayal underneath. "I thought you were with me! NOT against me!"

"I'm never against you, Catherine." The Prince said calmly and a bit ashamed.

"Oh so you're NOT against me but you clearly said that it's good to send me away?" She said, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at him with sarcasm spilling from her mouth like a waterfalls.

"It's not good that you're going away from here… But it's great that you're doing your duty for your kingdom." The Prince simply replied.

"The kingdom!" Catherine sneered, "That's all you care about!" She snapped at him, "You, Papa, Mama… You don't care about family at all! You only care about your kingdom!"

"Your Highness… Shall we call off the search party?" One of the guards asked with a stoic face.

Jamie turned for a brief moment just to give the man a very stiff simple nod. He turned back to his furious sister and smiled, "Your kingdom is your family."

Catherine frowned. "How about I marry the entire kingdom, wouldn't that help it too?" She said mockingly.

Jamie sighed, "It doesn't work that way."

"I know marriage doesn't work that way! What do you think I'm stupid?! Why don't YOU go marry a princess?! Why should I be the one to marry a—" Catherine stopped mid-sentence when she finally noticed the frozen Aphrodite who was staring at the two with a jaw slacked, anxiety all over her face, trying to hide the loaf of bread as much as she could. Catherine suddenly smirked. "Oh brotherrrr…" She sing-songed. "Iwantyoutomeetsomeone!" She quickly said.

Catherine's perspective about the idea of Love went like this: Royal or peasant, as long as there's love, ranks don't matter.

Before Jamie could reply or react, Catherine dragged him out, out of the shadows, to stand right in front of Aphrodite.

"Meet Aphrodite!" She went behind Aphrodite and gave her an encouraging- not so gentle- push towards The Prince that their chest nearly collided if Aphrodite hadn't steadied herself in time. "Of a wooden shack in the woods." Catherine added and winked at Aphrodite who wanted to just strangle the young girl.

When the Prince had emerged from the shadows, Aphrodite's eyes had grown wide as she beheld the greatest creations of God. His silvery eyes were like glimmering steel that shone to light an entire land with its beautiful appearance. They were the color of the sea in the dim moon light. His skin was tan, but fair nonetheless. It just went perfectly with his eyes. His small growing mustache was decorating his face. He was tall and handsome alright. He didn't have a huge built frame, but instead he was actually thin…A good kind of thin that had muscles enough to make him look very much presentable for a prince. Not too huge, not to skinny. Just… Perfect. Poor Aphrodite still didn't realize that she was staring, mouth agape, with wide eyes.

The Young prince was more than astonished. Since WHEN did peasants have such a gorgeous appearance?! He couldn't, in no way what so ever, keep his eyes off of hers! Her eyes were the glimmering color of emerald, sparkling in the light of the morning sun like a fresh sheen of morning dew. When she turned her head, this way and that, they caught the light and played tricks with anything and everything that screamed 'Spring'. And when she lifted her beautiful face to the sky, emerald shifted into the color of deep ocean shimmering in the moonlight. He never liked green, but the color sure as hell suited her, and he found himself loving it. The color was so beautiful to him now, that it made stinky green swamps look lovely. Her skin fair and a bit pale. Was she pale because she was sickly? Or was it just her skin color? Neverthless, she was gorgeous. Period.

"Uhhh…" Both The prince and peasant managed to say.

Catherine watched the two with the widest goofy, yet excited smile on her face. She snickered with herself at the two, her naïve mind simply seeing their future together as husband and wife.

What was Catherine seeing?... A beautiful future.

If only she wasn't blind.

"Hellooo! Earth to you two! Can anyone hear me?" Catherine said teasingly, snapping both of them out of their trance.

It was only then did the two realize that they were close… too close to each other.

Aphrodite quickly backed away and nervously coughed and looked around. "Uhm… Y-Your Highness." She moved to curtesy but—

The Prince quickly stopped her and held her hand, shooting a shiver down her spine as he did, "Please…" He said gently and a bit desperate. He brought her hand smoothly to his lips and planted a soft and modest kiss on her knuckle. "Jamie… Prince Jamie of Arendelle… But you can call me by my name if you please." He said with the most tender voice. "Aphrodite… A name after the goddess of Love and Beauty… I see your parents weren't mistaken in choosing such a name."

Catherine snorted and stifled a laugh, watching the speechless Aphrodite's red face. She decided then to relieve the poor girl from her frozen state. "You know…" She leaned with her elbow on her brother's shoulder. "Aphrodite here saved my life."

"Than that makes her even more than just a beautiful young lady. It makes her Arendelle's brave hero."

Aphrodite swallowed nervously and stuttered, "I-I was just doing what is m-moral and right."

The Prince straightened his back and smiled widely, folding his hands behind his back, "And I know very well what moral means, Lady Aphrodite."

"Oh n-nonono! I'm… I'm no Lady, Your highness."

"Jamie." He corrected her. "Just Jamie."

"She also had to steal." Catherine proudly blurted.

OH MY GOD! Aphrodite gasped. Her eyes grew huge and knew that she was totally doomed. She just wanted to dig her grave right where she stood and just burry herself in shame and embarrassment. She gave Catherine a shocked and a 'Seriously?!' look.

"Is that so?" Jamie asked as he raised one eyebrow at the now-scared young Aphrodite.

"I-I can explain! Please!" Aphrodite pleaded holding her hands up and taking a step back. God damn it! Why did she do that!? I knew it! She was waiting for the right moment!

"I'll do that for you!" Catherine announced happily as if everything was just casual and normal. She stood between Aphrodite and her brother, "Brother…" She started sadly, which just shocked Aphrodite. How could the princess flip from one mood to another just like that? She didn't know.

"Aphrodite here has a mother—Uh… well of course she has a mother, where would she come from anyway haha!" She rambled but quickly straightened her posture, cleared her throat and returned to her sad face. She sighed, "Aphrodite's mother is sick, Jamie." Catherine announced sadly, and turned to smile sympathetically at the frightened Aphrodite. "She only stole a simple loaf of bread so she can give her ill mother something to eat."

Aphrodite had tears in her eyes now. "Please… I just want my mother to be nourished!" She said sadly with a voice that quivered in desperation. "Our farm… I-It's just not enough at all to give us our needs." She said, wrapping her arms around herself and lowering her head. You're going to be locked away! He will never let you go! You'll never see your mother again! Aphrodite slightly gasped as she took in her own words that were said inside her mind, "Please, please!" She was begging now, "You can't lock me away! I can't leave my mother alone! She has very short time! She'll die!" Tears started rushing down her face.

"I beg of you! I'll do anything! I'll try to find a way to repay the merchant! Please! Just don't force me to leave my mother like this! She will not survive!" Aphrodite started to sob. Why did I do this?! WHY! I should have just worked as a—… No, no! I can never… I can never! What am I gonna do now?! What came next shocked her. Her eyes went wide as she looked at herself being hugged by the princess.

"It's alright, Aphrodite… Really." Catherine said soothingly as she hugged the poor distressed young woman, a sympathetic and sad smile on her face. Catherine broke the hug and looked at Aphrodite's tear-stained face. "Don't worry… I won't let them lock you up like that just for a piece of bread."

Aphrodite sniffled and quickly brushed her tears away in shame, feeling pathetic. "R-Really?" Her voice came out like a whisper.

Catherine nodded and crossed her heart, before giving Aphrodite a wink.

The prince came in next. He approached the two with his stoic and blank face, and Aphrodite feared the worst. "Catherine… Let Captain Edward escort you back to the castle. Mother and Father are very worried." He turned to the captain and gave him a stiff nod.

The captain approached and waited for the princess to move.

Catherine sighed, "Alright, alright, fine." She said, defeated. She turned back at Aphrodite and gave her a smile. "Don't worry. Jamie will fix this and take care of it. You'll be fine. I promise."

Aphrodite sighed, wrapped her arms around herself and lowered her head as she allowed silent tears to fall.

Catherine gave Aphrodite one last reassuring hug before she turned to follow the captain, but not before she stopped next to her brother and mouthed 'Please.'

'Please' was more like... Don't lock her up and keep her away from her mother for a piece of bread.

The prince kept his serious face and didn't look moved at all. But he nodded anyway.

Catherine sighed and followed the captain and guards.

Aphrodite's heart beat faster than a train on a railroad! She knew it. She was going to be punished for her crime. She just waited helplessly for the inevitable.

When everyone went out of view, Aphrodite and Jamie stood awkwardly in silence. One scared out of her… dress, and the other just watching.

The prince approached her and Aphrodite took in a sharp breath and waited.

Three… two… one.

"What did you say!?" Aphrodite asked in shock as she stared with wide eyes at the young prince. Was he even talking? Or she probably was too clouded with thoughts of doom that she went deaf.

"I said…" Jamie repeated gently, "That certain circumstances in a harsh and poor life can make us behave in a bad way and we make bad choices if we're mad, scared or stressed. What you did is wrong… but I can turn a blind eye just this once. Especially since you didn't do it for yourself, but for your ailing mother."

Wow.

He smirked and winked, "Besides… My sister might have hit her head and for all I know she might be just imagining things." He pretended to be oblivious… obviously.

He found it funny. She found it… strange.

"You won't lock me away?" She asked in disbelieve with a voice barely a whisper.

The prince nodded. "Of course not!"

Aphrodite breathed out a laugh of relief, "Thank you! Thank you thank you so much! I don't know how to repay you!"

"Please… I don't need any payment." He smiled honestly, "What would people call me if I deprive the world from such Beauty?"

Aphrodite laughed. "Well thank you, your handsome highness." She curtsied playfully and they laughed together for a moment before Aphrodite remembered that she should scurry off to her mother to give her the food she needed. "I uh… I-I have to go now. Thank you very much for your help, Prince Jamie." She put her hood on and quickly turned to leave but The prince held her hand.

"No wait! Please…" He pleaded. "I… I want you to take this." He handed her a leather pouch that made clinking and jingle noises when it landed in her palm.

Aphrodite understood where the clinking sound was coming from and she realized what's inside. "No please! I can't take this! No way!" She refused the gold and tried to give him the pouch back.

The prince pushed the pouch back towards Aphrodite gently. "Please… I insist." He said with a sincere voice, "Besides, you saved the princess of Arendelle… Or more likely… My sister. And for that I am truly grateful. You don't always find Beauty and Courage in the same person."

"I…" Aphrodite was speechless, "I don't know what to say." This man was so kind, modest and… NICE. She once thought all royalty were spoiled brats and their lives were just perfect in every way. "This is too kind of you! I-It's too much. Please!"

"I already insisted. I will not take that back." He said again and crossed his arms.

Aphrodite was just speechless and… utterly happy! This was one of her best days of her life! Her mother finally had a chance of survival! The more this man did her kindness, the more her heart felt lighter.

"if I may ask…" Jamie suddenly started, stroking his chin, "Where do you live?"

Aphrodite felt a bit ashamed at the low-ranked state of her life. "W-We live in a shack, east of Arendelle next to the riverbank. It's a very small farm but it at least keeps us sheltered."

"A young lady like you doesn't deserve to live in the woods. She deserves a glamorous castle that would reflect her loveliness."

Aphrodite laughed a bit. "Thank you so much, Jamie… I know you'll be a great king one day."

Jamie smirked, "And a great king needs a great and beautiful queen." He teased yet Aphrodite only laughed and didn't actually get the hint.

"Your mother needs proper care. I will send a doctor your way, Lady Aphrodite." He said with a small bow.

Aphrodite shook her head in amusement and chuckled a bit since the prince was clearly stubborn and insisting on calling her a Lady. If only there were more people like you… "Why are you so kind?" She asked with a smile.

"Oh but do not be deceived!" He said playfully. "I might be an evil lurking BEAST!" He pretended to have claws and deepened his voice. "He me roar!"

Aphrodite laughed gleefully and shyly while the prince entertained her.

Beauty and The beast laughed with each other for a moment before the time finally came for them to part ways. The beast straightened his back and smiled widely. "We shall meet again, Aphrodite." He said and stared at her with those damn silvery eyes!

Aphrodite smiled fondly back, "We shall, Jamie…"

The beast bowed. Beauty curtsied. Each one of them turned and walked away, feeling their heart my burst out at any moment from excitement and happiness.

A thief today stole a loaf of bread. Beauty didn't know what lied in The Beast's head. Aphrodite had no idea what was ahead. For she just doomed her life with Dread. She accepted his hand and shared a bed. And she gave him her heart, when she should have fled.