AN: Hi! Hello! I have't abandoned this story! Sorry for updating so late, oh my gosh. I was just finishing up my finals and finishing up some last week of school projects before the school year officially closed. And now I am finally free! I'm sure you guys have been waiting for a long time and I sincerely apologize for that! It also doesn't help that I'm constantly having writer's block and having no motivation to write, but please know that I will definitely finish this story~ After all! We are just getting started! Well actually, maybe the next chapter is getting started, but you all get my point. Also, I may or may not be able to update the 20th chapter tomorrow, because uh- reasons. But I will eventually publish it! Maybe two days from now... maybe! Anyway~ I'm glad to be back hohoho! Also it's summer, so you'll see me quite often! I hope you all don't get sick of me hehehe

Lovepeachy: Hehehe~ I know this is an awfully late response but I'm sorry~ If i'm feeling generous I might let you know in the coming chapters. But chances are, that's just a maybe for now! I'd love to know what you think he said tho :

wintersgrace: Hmmm...I'll leave it to you to think about what he said hehe~ Also thank you so much for reading this! And it makes me really happy to know that you are enjoying it!

Guest: Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked the previous chapter! About the update schedule, I don't think I will ever have an update schedule, I'm sorry. I don't want to disappoint you guys if I can't publish a chapter at said schedule. Mainly I just drop things randomly. Maybe two or three chapters if I feel generous~

fyakka: How was your exams? I'm sure you aced it! Haha! I really love reading your reviews every time! And by the way, Tatiana wasn't supposed to be that kind of character. Just a little background though, she was supposed to be supportive about Jack finding someone he likes, but it kinda makes me feel like she's a pushover when she's clearly not. And who would like it if your fiancé who you were promised to from a very young age suddenly takes interest in some other girl. *cough* you'll be seeing more Tatiana soon~ Yes! I just had to add in some Merida, she's one of my favorites as well and I couldn't not add her... I'm glad you really like it to the point you'd read it ten times hahaha! Just that alone makes me motivated to write more! Also yaay~ A fellow stay! And you better watch out because TWICE is coming back with a new album~ And it's totally alright to ask! My biases would be Jisung (i'm so sorry Hyunjin but...Han Jisung just sobsobs) and Nayeon, literally since sixteen. I know this response is getting awfully long so~ I'll have to see you some other time hoho in the mean time, please enjoy this new chapter!

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NINTEENTH CHAPTER
"Half the Truth"

Capital of Viele
Moonrose Mansion
Letter to " "

We have assigned a spy to look over the princess while she stays in her younger sister's mansion. Don't worry, the man we have assigned is said to be highly skilled in this field of work and is the organization's ace. Rest assured, all of the information regarding the princess will be kept top secret and only a small group of people will know about our involvement.

Lastly, about the problem you have asked me about, we are going to see to it that once she will be in our grasp, she wont be able to escape like she did before. We will also make sure that the princess stays pure until the right time you need her. I will be writing back to you about how she is doing soon. Please respond immediately and burn this letter once you are finished.

Patiently waiting,
W

The air was heavy and thunder shook the windows of the Marquis' mansion. Four people sat with tension rising in the air as they looked at each other in seriousness. The weather outside was something the priests in the Holy Church would frown upon, believing that God abandoned them. The words that Merida uttered sent chills down Anna's spine.

"What do you mean?" Kristoff was the first to break the heavy silence, his eyes trailed carefully on the redhead, looking at her with doubt. The Marquis has been aware of his sister-in-law's circumstances for a long time now. He had known about the abuse she was going through in that hell of a house through countless investigations. It was something he did for his wife who worried about her sister's experiences.

"Hans Westergard is not dead. He's seeking refuge in a place King Pitchiner provided for him." Merida paused and clenched her fists. "The reason why there had been no word about him is because the King is doing his best to keep his existence hidden so they could move secretly."

"But what does he want with Lady Elsa?" Jackson asked after a long silence.

Kristoff observed the expression of his wife that gotten darker all of a sudden. His attention shifted to the Red Knight sitting across of him wearing the same expression on her face.

Anna sighed and her hands trembled. "Arendelians refuse to follow the new king without pure royalty. Unless he marries someone with the Arendelle royal blood, he will have complete reign over the kingdom," Anna paused as she sifted in her seat. "And the only living royals of Arendelle are me and my sister. But he can't do anything to me since I am officially married to a man of the Empire—"

"—Which means Lady Elsa is the only one who can give him absolute power…" Jack finished.

Anna nodded with terror. "Yes, that is exactly why. They might be laying low as of now, but they'll eventually make their move."

"Does her highness know?" Merida asked.

"No, ever since we recovered her from that wretched mansion, my sister stopped speaking altogether. It was only until recently that she started interacting with us."

Merida looked down. "I should've protected her better," she mumbled to herself. "Is it alright if I go see her?"

"I think my sister would like it if you went to seek to her for a moment," Anna gave her the permission before standing up to escort Merida toward her sister's room.

"I'm going to bring you to her. Honey, Jack, you both stay behind. We'll be at my sister's quarters." Anna smiled before walking out the door with Merida following her closely. Kristoff and Jack stayed behind; both men are deep in thought.

Jack wondered about what the red head just said. He wondered about the conversation that just transpired earlier with the female knight. His thoughts reeled him back to Elsa's serene figure, sitting silently on a chair in her favorite gazebo at the rose garden, her eyes staring lifelessly at something far away and her back facing him.

"There is still something I'm suspicious about…" Kristoff said. Jack was pulled out form his thoughts and his attention shifted to the Marquis.

"If the King needed my sister-in-law so much, why did he decide to give her to the Viscount? And if she was someone who should be treated preciously, why did they treat her that way?"

Jack has thought of that way too much even when Merida was talking about everything she knew about Elsa's circumstance. Of course, when the new reached his ears, his whole body trembled in anger and resentment.

How could someone harm someone like her? He wondered that all the time.

Merida walked into Elsa's chambers where she saw her master anxiously sitting down on her bed. The sight of the royal princess biting her nails in nervousness and worry made Merida's heart feel guilty. She didn't mean to leave the princess behind in that mansion. In fact, she genuinely thought she was dead and swore that she would repent for her sins as long as she lived. But the moment the knight heard that the princess may be alive somewhere, she was already on her feet and running to make sure that her master was alive and well.

And now here she was. Princess Elsa, in the flesh, was sitting on her bed with her blue eyes full of tears locked onto Merida's. The Princess stood up and walked toward her with teary eyes and Merida stood there, her feet glued to the ground.

"Your highness," she said as she looked down. There was no way she could possibly face the princess nor could she look her in the eye. She was too embarrassed and angry with herself for believing that the person she had recognized as her lord died alongside the servants of the Westergard Mansion.

"I'm sorry…" Merida paused, biting back her own tears. She went on her knees and hung her head low. "I'm sorry for not protecting you well…"

"Nonsense!" Elsa said, her voice soft and her touch was forgiving. "The important thing is that you came back—alive!" The princess' voice trembled as she pulled Merida up from her kneeling state.

Merida couldn't forgive herself. "Don't you resent me?" She asked.

"Why would I?" Elsa responded with a smile. "You were not the cause of the fire, Merida."

"But I left you there…"

"I understand that you had to cherish your own life and the life of the others that escaped with you. I am not angry."

"Your majesty, I do not deserve your forgiveness."

"I hold no grudge because you left me there for your own survival. If I were you, I would've made the same choice as well…"

Anna stood behind the door as she listened to the knight and her sister's conversation. It rather came as a shock to the younger woman as this was the first time Elsa spoke a lot, and it was to someone who had been with her during her most difficult time.

She was grateful that her sister was slowly getting better and that she was starting to talk more toward other people, but she was slightly bitter over the fact that it took for Elsa a strangely long time to talk to her. The Marchioness closed her eyes and smiled bitterly as she leaned on the door to Elsa's room.

She hoped that one day, her sister might tell her everything. And she hoped that she would be the first one she'll tell.

But all Anna could do was wait patiently until Elsa is able to do so. For now, she was just more than happy that she is able to communicate and embrace her older sister.