A/N: Hello, everyone, and welcome back! It's been far too long since I've posted anything Frozen-related, but now I felt like I have enough creativity to give you a little something. It feels really good to be back, and I've missed all of you. For anyone wondering, I passed all my exams more than successfully, and I'm definitely gonna get accepted to my university of choice. I was probably too anxious and a little busy. That's why I struggled with writing. I had some very low points, and I still can't promise you anything, but I might occasionally post a chapter or two. Just be patient with me. Hopefully, one day, we'll get to the end of this story. Until then, please enjoy this very short chapter and tell me what you think about it!

Dear Queen Elsa of Arendelle,

To honor your new title as Queen and to establish a relationship between the Kingdom of Arendelle and Ovrilon, my family and I would love to travel to your beautiful nation. With your royal permission, we would only stay for a short period of time.
I hope that you will consider my request and reply to my letter as soon as possible.

With kindest regards,
Zara Reeve
Queen of Ovrilon

A trembling hand touched Elsa's lips as she gasped in surprise. She wondered what the great Queen of Ovrilon would want from her. It's only been a few months since her coronation, and since then, everything has been running smoothly. Ovrilon is a big, powerful country, and she wouldn't even dare to upset its powerful ruler. Elsa has heard about Queen Zara before. The older woman seems peaceful and wise, someone who demands respect.

Elsa also knows that Queen Zara has two children, a daughter and a son, but the blonde's knowledge ends here. Zara mentioned visiting with her family, which makes Elsa think that the princess and the prince will also come. But what's the reason behind all of this? Arendelle is small and peaceful, an easy target for such a grand nation. If they wanted to cause trouble or look for a fight, they would have chosen another kingdom. Could this be a trap?

Either way, Elsa has no choice but to reply. Leaving Queen Zara without a response would likely upset her. And with that, Elsa placed a piece of paper in front of herself and reached for her quill.

It was all different now. Cassandra was in the doorway of her mother's room and just stood there, motionless, confused by all kinds of emotions. In her memory, it didn't look like this. Everything was covered in dust and was left untouched for years. Cassandra couldn't bring herself to go inside and make the Queen's room presentable. But in this world, Queen Zara is alive and still in her rightful place, on the throne of the Ovrilonian Empire. Or maybe it's not even an empire because the princess never conquered those lands. Regardless, the country should still be big enough to terrify any possible enemies.

As the Crown Princess searched the room with her eyes, she studied every small detail and the things that she never got to see. For example, the bed is dressed in the most elegant colors to fit a queen's royal taste. Zara's desk appeared quite disorganized, which made Cassandra wonder if her mother had been spending her free time working until late at night. One of her closet doors was left open, probably because she was late for a very important meeting. And these are only the little things that Cassandra barely got to experience in the single decade that she spent with her mother. Ohh, how she has missed her.

And yet, she couldn't quite understand her feeling. A part of her was overjoyed, glad that her mother is still alive. For years, she dreamed of the Queen coming back alive and making everything right. Cass missed the way Zara held her in her arms, kissed her goodnight, or read her bedtime stories despite how busy and tired she was. But the princess is an adult now, and while she knows that her wishes now would be considered inappropriate, she can't help but feel robbed of her childhood. Her other part tells a sorrowful story. Years ago, her mother was murdered with cold blood, and now she's suddenly back as if nothing happened, ripping her old wounds open. Cassandra never got the chance to mourn her properly.

"Cassandra, darling, what are you doing here?" The young woman jumped in surprise and had to hold herself back from letting out a startled scream. It was Queen Zara who sneaked behind her and caught Cassandra invading her bedroom.

Embarrassed by her actions, a blush appeared on Cassandra's face, and she turned around to face her mother. Zara didn't seem pleased, but she wasn't angry either. It's not like the princess did anything wrong. "J-just thinking," Cassandra told her, stuttering.

"About what?" Her mother asked as she crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked into the princess's eyes that looked just like hers. They could never deny that they're related to each other.

Cassandra wasn't even close to being ready for a conversation about her thoughts. Admitting the painful truth would only hurt her mother, and at this point, Cass is still too stunned by the fact that she's alive. But there is one thing that she can tell her. Something that she thought she might never be able to do again, not after her death. Suddenly, she stepped closer to the Queen and pulled her into a tight, loving embrace. She closed her eyes and finally said it. "About how much I love you."

For a moment, Zara didn't react, and Cassandra thought that she might have overstepped. But before she could retreat, her mother hugged her back just as tightly, if not tighter.

A/N: I've been thinking about how much my writing style has changed throughout this story. Hopefully, for the best.

This chapter was so much like the prologue and yet so different. Zara is way friendlier than Wulfacar. I'm excited to see her interact with Elsa.