Disclaimer! I do not own Frozen/Disney

Yaho! another update after long time XD. Thank you for the continuous support and new subscribers of this fic. I'll do my best to improve the story.

I didn't mean for it to be slow burn- this much. I had no idea I was going to that direction because I wanted some healing on both parties before the romance to come, but don't worry we're almost there. Even I was getting impatient and excited while writing XD.

Please let me know your thoughts on the review section.

ENJOY!

A coat was haphazardly tossed on the Queen's desk, followed by black cravat. Elsa was currently sitting on the carpeted floor with piles of parchments and leather bound folders all over the place. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips because the sun was already setting and she managed to turned the place upside down for the second time but still the document was not yet found.

"Where could it be?"

"Your Majesty, Lord Harold is here requesting for an audience." Marshall's voice was heard.

"One moment!" Elsa stood up and opened the door to let the Lord come in.

"Your Majesty, thank you for-" Lord Harold halted. Elsa saw his gaze landed on the mess she created.

"Ah I've been sorting the state papers, I apologize for the mess."

"Let me help you Your Majesty." the man offered and slowly crouched down with difficulty on the floor to gather the papers.

"Oh no please, don't bother yourself. I'll just have Kai do it." she held the Lord's arm and lifted him up. "Please." she noticed his difficulty.

"As Her Majesty wishes." he stated while chuckling.

"Let me help you." Elsa said.

"No I can do it. Her Majesty shouldn't bother herself with an old man like me."

"I insist." Elsa led him to on the settee and made him sit.

"I apologize your Majesty." he said as he settled himself.

"No need to." Elsa stared at him for moment before sitting next to him. "It's the injury you sustained for protecting us years before. I should be the one apologizing."

"It is my duty to protect you. My ancestors had sworn to serve House Vinter as long as we live. The blood we share only strengthens our bond." he smiled as he took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"I am eternally grateful for the services you gave to our family. Your title as a Lord is not enough to show my gratitude." Elsa look into his eyes.

"It is more than enough to be recognize by the Queen herself for a mere captain of the guards of a Duke, not to mention I came from the tainted bloodline. You and your family never treated us differently. You gave my son the highest honor to serve you as one of your trusted men and even elevated him into a captain of the elite guards. Same with my nephews, Marshall became a General while his brother is a Lieutenant General of your private guards. I couldn't ask for more."

Elsa smiled and gave Lord Harold a firm hold on his hand. She shook her head. "Your son and your nephews earned what they have now. It has nothing to do with me. It was them who toiled to reach their status. They earned it with their own merits and they deserve so much more. I owe them a lot, if it weren't for them I wouldn't be here. They saved me on more than one occasion."

"Never forget you saved them first when you decided to sacrifice yourself in order to save Marshall years ago. You saved my son from losing one of his cousins, his best friend, and you saved Olaf from grieving his brother. They are eternally grateful for what you've done, that is why they are so adamant on protecting you."

Elsa didn't see it like that. She never thought of it until now. "I did not know. I didn't realize." she muttered.

Lord Harold chuckled. "Anyway, I came here to deliver the names who supports you." he handed a sealed rolled parchment, their seals and signature were all there.

Elsa took the parchment. "Can they be trusted?"

Lord Harold was hesitant. "Some wanted you to wed Anna before fully pledging their allegiance to you."

"Our marriage is already set after the progress."

"Then you have nothing to fear." Lord Harold assured. "The Lords who opposed King Olav and had followed Runeard, they gave him enormous power over the kingdom and but his abuse didn't go unnoticed so they were forced to distanced themselves from him. The moment of rumors of your existence reached their ears, they took the opportunity to dethrone him and give the throne to the rightful heiress, to you. Shamelessly forgetting their crimes of treason against King Olav when they supported Runeard, they did that to gain favor from you."

"And they wanted the favor to be paid." Elsa continued.

"Yes. Your union with the Eldr heiress, and pardoning them for their treason and name themselves as Lords of Arendelle."

Elsa's knuckles turned white as she held in her rage. "They think they have power over me."

"Unfortunately yes. They wanted the Queen to live by their rules."

Elsa scoffed. "They can try if they want." she whispered.

"Be careful. Please. You mustn't let them know whatever you are planning."

Elsa smirked. "I executed General Fjordian without them knowing."

"You what?" Lord Harold's eyes widened and unconsciously reached for his injured leg. "You did it?"

"I did, but not before I made his legs useless as revenge for you." Elsa looked at the fireplace with a cold look.

"Thank you." that's all he could utter.

Once Lord Harold exited the Queen's study and found himself thinking how dangerous the little child he knew years ago had become. Lord Harold was surprised and impressed at the same time and yet there's this feeling of something dangerous coming off from the Queen, as he saw her eyes darkening. He saw the eyes of a vengeful daughter of the slain Duke. Her eyes alone could make anyone tremble in their place. He suddenly felt glad that he wasn't her enemy.

A gentle shook by the shoulder had woken up Anna from her peaceful slumber. She groaned and fluttered one of her eyes open and saw Wendy.

"Good morning M'lady."

Anna was confused for a moment since Wendy haven't woken her up before, the latter always let her wake up in her own.

"What is it?" her voice was thick and her body felt tired, she didn't want to get up.

"I had prepared your change of clothes and clean linen cloth for your bleeding."

Anna stared at the latter for moment before asking. "My what?" her mind was till clouded with sleepiness. Her gaze immediately landed on the empty chaise, not even the pillow and the blanket were there.

"Your bleeding started M'lady." Wendy repeated.

It took Anna few more seconds to comprehend what the latter had said.

Bleeding. . .

Bleeding. . .

Anna gasped as she sat up and checked the darkened part of the purple sheet then her nightgown. She visibly gulped.

"Blood." now that she realized it, it does smell like blood.

"I also prepared a bath for you." Wendy further informed.

Anna languidly step out of the bed then a sudden pain shoot on her abdomen. "Ah." she hissed. Her personal maid shot her a worried look. "I'm fine. Just a cramp." she proceeded to her bath and undressed before plunging on the comforting warm water.

She sat there for a while she could hear rustling of sheets from the main bedroom, as her maid was changing the stained sheets. Her thoughts then went to the glacial eyed woman.

"She's telling the truth. I wasn't spoiled and touched. . ." Anna mumbled to herself. "Just who are you really Elsa of Vinter? You kept on surprising me how much truth you are telling me." she was now convinced of Elsa's honesty, though harsh. "I don't know what would I make of you." Anna sighed.

She stayed in the bath for few more minutes before dressing up and had used the clean linen cloth prepared by Wendy. She got out of the bath and saw the bed with fresh dark blue sheets and Wendy waiting for her to sit in front of the vanity.

Once she was settled on the seat, Wendy had brushed her hair. "How are you feeling M'lady?"

"I feel better, thank you." Anna smiled a little . "Have you seen the Queen?" she hesitantly asked.

"Her Majesty was swamped with meetings the moment the sun rose. Would you like me to send a note to her?"

"Oh no. No need to." Anna declined the offer. "What time is it?" she belatedly asked.

"A quarter passed eight. Would you like to take your breakfast here or in garden?"

"Gardens? I thought I was not allowed to go out from here?" Anna asked in confusion mixed with surprise.

"As Her Majesty instructed you are only allowed inside castle grounds with me and Sir Eric as your company."

Again, she questioned Elsa's way of thinking. Before she was adamant on not letting her out in their shared bedchamber but now she suddenly changed her mind that quick? "May I ask the reason why she allowed me to go?"

Wendy smiled. "M'lady, apologies but we don't ask question of why would Her Majesty instruct things for us to do, we only do what was asked." she style Anna's hair in a braided bun.

"I see."

Elsa sighed for the nth time at the people in front of her. "I told you I have no interest on taking Eldr castle for my own selfish reasons." she was being questioned why she occupied the Eldr property, she knew sooner later they would be notified.

"Then why do it?" Lord Solskinn questioned filled with accusation.

"It came to my knowledge, one Lord wanted to take it as a one of his privileges as son of Runeard." murmur broke out in the room. "I only did what I have to do in order to secure my future wife's inheritance. I am sure many of you agree with me?" Elsa watched them critically.

"Are you perhaps pertaining to the bastards of Eldr?" Count of Isles asked.

"Yes." Elsa answered.

"Your Majesty how can you be certain that it was one of the bastards?" Lord Hofferson asked.

"He declared it himself that he would take the castle as his inheritance. One of my Uncle's Generals was there before the bastard came. He demanded to have castle for himself, of course we didn't give it." Elsa's face was calm yet hard.

"Her Majesty did the right thing. Eldr castle is one of the most impenetrable fortress ever built, only the legitimate heir of Eldr has the right to have it, and Lady Anna is the legitimate heiress." Count of Isles said, supporting her quick action and Anna's rights.

"I would like to ask one question." Elsa started, all eyes were on her. "Anna is not aware of these bastards, why is that?"

The men exchanged glances.

"Surely you all know it but refused to say anything." she pressed on as she observed their tense postures and how they refused to meet her eyes. Elsa had figured much that these men has secrets.

Lord Leigh cleared his throat and spoke. "The concealment of the bastards was for Lady Anna's own good. The late Duke didn't want to make the lady think she was not enough to be his heiress. Also to avoid conflicts on the succession, he granted his bastards lands and titles in exchange of not staking a claim for the crown."

A pathetic excuse, Elsa thought to herself. "Is there a document signed by them renouncing everything?" she questioned. "And are you aware that those lands and titles were not Runeard's to give away since he was not the rightful king?"

Lord Leigh was silenced.

"I want an answer from any of you." her patience was wearing thin with these men since she knew how much power they desired to have. No one answered.

"I'll ask again. Is there a document signed by them?"

The men exchanged glances once more.

Elsa scoffed. "Good gods." she massaged her temple. "Did you actually believe they wouldn't stake a claim on the crown which was not theirs to begin with? The eldest bastard was taking Eldr castle in the midst of the war, staking his claim on Anna's inheritance!" Elsa pounded her fist on the table. "What in Hel's name were you all thinking?!" Elsa shouted as she rose from her chair in anger. Her gaze were on the three Eldr supporters.

There was silence.

"You didn't think about Anna's well being at all. Your carelessness was quite obvious. Those people could take the throne under her if I didn't stake my claim. Yes, she could be Queen but for how long? Have you all ever considered that she could be dead by now if we take the eldest bastard's actions into account?" she gritted her teeth on who much of a fool they were. She sat back on her seat. "That man had the audacity to claim wasn't even his, if Anna had the throne, would you all think he won't take that chance to have it for himself?"

Again there was silence.

"All of you, should I worry about your competence to be part of this council?." Elsa addressed every man in the room, though there were only few she wanted to insult.

"Your Majesty calm yourself, we are well aware of your disappointment." Count of Isles broke the silence. "I am too. I will not condone such carelessness if I was member of the council before. But all we can do now is have them renounce their claim."

"Why would we have them renounce something when they have no right at all?" the Duke of Weselton reasoned.

"You may be right, but strong belief needs proof of denying it. A document that denies all their rights." King Frederic interjected.

"You leave me no choice but to take everything from them." Elsa announced. "The lands and titles belongs to the crown, not Runeard's. All of those will be seized effective immediately and I will not listen to anyone who's against it. These are my rights and the rights of the crown." Elsa exerted more of her powers. "My ancestors had given these to me and I will use them the way I see fit." they weren't aware that seizing those properties had already begun.

"I support Her Majesty." Count of Isles declared.

"Aye." Duke of Weselton said followed by Lord Hofferson, Lord Harold, Lord Oaken, Lord Solskinn, Lord Rein, and Lord Jorgen.

All eyes were on Lord Leigh.

"I will not take your disapproval against you but I advise you not to interfere regarding this matter." Elsa said.

"Moving on, the details regarding the progress are almost complete. The route was mapped and was secured. Our soldiers will be led by Captain Robert Hofferson ." Lord Solskinn stated.

"May I see the map?" Elsa asked for the map of the kingdom, there was a red line indicating their route."

"The progress will start here in the castle, out in the market square and to the village, the Turf houses, going out to the outskirt of the city. We would pass this part of the kingdom before reaching the farm lands, then we will pass through the Duchy of Eldr and several Counties, before going back to the main city docks , using the north eastern route, then set sail to the west before go back to the castle." Lord, also Vice Admiral, Hofferson explained.

"I see." Elsa stated.

"After the progress would be Her Majesty's wedding." Count of Isles reminded her. "Followed by the coronation of Lady Anna on the same day."

Elsa's blood boiled in split second. "About that, I was thinking of crowning Lady Anna after she gave birth to our first born." her cold gaze were on the Duke of Weselton.

She could see rage filled the Duke and the Count's eyes. "Your Majesty!" both of them exclaimed.

"I am still going to marry her just what you all wanted but her crown will be decided by me. I will take no objections for it."

King Frederic frowned but did not comment.

"What is this now, Your Majesty?" Lord Solskinn asked.

Elsa raised her eyebrow. "Are you questioning my authority Lord Solskinn?" her gaze were locked on him. "Am I the Queen or you?"

"Your are, Your Majesty." Lord Solskinn gritted his teeth.

"Good." Elsa condescendingly gazed at him.

"I agree with Her Majesty." Lord Harold stated. "Having Lady Anna as Queen would make her target."

"What are you implying Lord Harold?" Count of Isles asked.

Lord Harold turned to him. "She would be required to meet the people and hold courts in the name of Her Majesty and if she did that while pregnant or before she gets pregnant, she could be in grave danger. We all know how others perceived Her Majesty, we wouldn't know who could be the potential threat to Lady Anna's life while carrying the heir, we should be wary now that there are others who wanted to have the Dukedom of Eldr. It would be safe for her and for the sake of the stability of the throne she has to give birth first before exposing herself out in the open."

Elsa did her best not to let out a smirk. She had no idea Lord Harold would say that and she went along with it. "You may think I do not care for Lady Anna for specific reasons, but I do. Her safety is my top priority." she confidently said.

"I guess Her Majesty is right." Lord Jorgen agreed. "The coronation will take place after the birth of the first born. Raise your hands to those who agree." he raised his hands followed by another and another. Except for the Duke of Weselton and the Count of Isles.

Elsa didn't need their agreement. She would stand firm on her decision regardless of a vote, and it irked her that they should vote on whatever she wanted to do. It seemed they were trying to exercise their power as Lords of Arendelle.

We shall see how long you Lords can get to ridicule me like this as if my words holds no value. Elsa thought.

"Now that's out of the way. I think we should talk about the expenses of progress and the possibility of increasing the soldier's wages." Lord Rein suggested.

"What's the status of our treasury?" Elsa asked.

"Still recovering after the coronation and some nobles refused to pay for the taxes levied on them."

"I will make a royal decree stating to those nobles who refused to pay taxes will be put on the stocks for five days, and has to pay twice the tax as penalty for not following the law. As for the common folk, they would be allowed not to pay taxes for two months so could gradually recover from the poverty they are buried into."

"This might not be taken lightly by the nobles, also giving such leniency regarding taxes to the common people might be misinterpreted as favoritism."

"I am well aware. But let ask you this Lord Rein. How will the common folk be able to pay their taxes if they are not being paid properly by their employers? Most of our people work under the said nobles, who refused to give them reasonable wages. You can ask the people in the north how they live their lives. It is much different from the capital. The Duchy of Vinter pays their wages properly in return of their services. The northern common folk are not included on this exemption of not paying taxes for two months." Elsa pressed on. "There's no favoritism there, I only want to improve the lives of the Arendellians not bury them with debts. Would you want the people rely on the generosity of the crown for the rest of their lives and not make themselves productive or giving them time to get back on their feet this early so they could sustain themselves?"

"I support the latter, Your Majesty." Lord Rein answered.

The men hummed in agreement.

"If the nobles have problems about this royal decree, I will hear their complaints personally, only they have to make sure to have valid arguments." Elsa said, well more like commanded. "Now about those increase of wages for our soldiers. How many percent they will increase?"

"Five percent of their current wages." Lord Rein said. "But our treasury barely recovered from the coronation."

"What about the repairs of the Arendelle vessels? Where did you find funds for them?" Lord Hofferson asked.

Lord Rein made eye contact with her.

"I used the inheritance I received from my mother, my Uncle had given me the income of the lands my mother inherited from my maternal grandfather when she was still a princess." Elsa received a look from Lord Rein but she ignored him. "And I will use that to support the increase of wages for our soldiers until the royal treasury is ready to shoulder its weight." Elsa paused. "Is there any more concerns needed to be discuss?"

"Yes, the refurnishing of the orphanages and funds of the revive the guilds."

"Do you have a record of how much it will cost?" Elsa asked.

"Not yet, Your Majesty, but soon."

"Take them to me once done. I will look over it."

Lord Rein nodded in agreement.

"Oh yes before I forget, how about our economic stability at the moment? How is it faring?"

"The merchants slowly reviving their businesses, though with difficulty." Lord Harold stated.

Elsa pondered for a moment. "I'll see what I can do about it. Anything else?" the men shook their heads. "No? Then our meeting ends here. Good day gentlemen." Elsa dismissed the men. While the Duke of Weselton remained seated.

"What now?" Elsa tiredly asked as she sighed audibly while she leaned on the back rest.

A small smile graced his lips. "I am a bit upset about your decision of delaying Anna's coronation but I am impressed how you managed our kingdom fairly and willing to give the people a chance to stand up on their own, instead of relying to charity. You're learning but be wary, antagonizing the nobles is always not a good thing" the Duke didn't wait for the Queen to reply and bowed to her then got out of the room.

"For twenty years this has been drilled into my head, what do you expect?" she bitterly stated to herself. Elsa curled her hands into fists as the warning of the Duke echoed in her mind.

"You still can silence full grown men whenever you shout at them." she heard Marshall chuckled.

"Apparently yes, I have to show them that whatever they did or doing is not right. If I didn't show my anger they would think I was a pushover." Elsa collected her papers.

"Ah well I rather have you shout at me than beheading me in silence."

Marshall's words made her smirk. "Yes, soon enough there will be heads falling if they continue that kind of attitude. . ." she trailed off as a thought crossed her mind. "Marshall, I need you to do something for me."

"Anything, Your Majesty."

Anna was enjoying her breakfast under the shade of the willow tree. Wendy was with her and Eric was few meters from them. She inhaled the fresh cold autumn air, it felt like freedom—almost.

"Did you have your breakfast?" Anna asked as she ate poached egg.

"I did M'lady, thank you for asking. The others and I had breakfast in the castle kitchens. They were all kind to me. Especially Gerda, such a sweet woman."

"Yes she is. She's the only one who doesn't judge me for where I came from. The Eldrs."

"That's kind of her." Wendy said with a smile.

"Yes she is. I don't even know why a woman like her is willing to work under the cold hearted Queen." Anna gasped at her words. "Sorry I didn't mean to say that."

Her maid pursed her lips for moment but soon smiled. "Many misunderstood Her Majesty due to her appearance and actions but for me she's our savior. She didn't think twice for giving us a home and food on our table, even providing education for my brothers. I may not know everything but I understand how you feel about her." she was a paused. "If M'lady is given a chance to get to know her, will you take it?"

Anna drank her tea before answering. "I- I don't know. Elsa did things to me and it is unthinkable mentioning them to anyone. Though she confuses me. She has this hot and cold personality, I don't know where to put myself in, and I don't even know if I have place at all."

"I was told you are to be her wife. That's saying something isn't?" Wendy said.

Anna chuckled humorlessly. "I am to be her wife in name only." there's this tinged of sadness of her tone.

"Do you, M'lady, perhaps want something more?"

Anna looked up and saw Wendy's sincere eyes then shook her head. "No."

It was true, after everything Elsa had done to her, she doesn't think she could like her even just for a fraction. She was still upset by the deceit made by Elsa regarding her supposed child, she was only going along with the waves until she would have the strength to stand against them, but for now she was stuck on Elsa's games. What happened the night before was utterly surprising, even for her, she managed to tolerate Elsa's touch for the sake of showing those old men they were a loving couple.

After finishing her breakfast, she asked Wendy for a stroll in the castle grounds. On the way to the stables she saw her loyal knights on their way to the training grounds.

"Sir John! Sir Rider!" Anna greeted them with a smile.

"M'lady!" both men bowed at her. "Good morning."

"Good morning. How are you two?"

"We are settled and the people are nice." Rider said with a wide smile on his face. "Queen Elsa made sure we are well tended."

"That's great!"

"Are you on your way to watch her and General Marshall?" John asked.

"What?" Anna asked.

"We heard from the other guards they are having a friendly match in the training grounds." John further explained.

Anna felt a sudden tug on her chest, but she ignored it. "Oh no. I was just passing by." she smiled though her eyes went to the direction of the training ground where the guards-in-training were watching with awe.

"Would you like to watch M'lady?" Wendy asked.

Anna shook her head. "No. Let's just go, but if you want you could." she smiled.

"Maybe next time." Wendy responded with a smile. "Where would you like to go?"

"Anywhere just not inside the castle please."

Both of them turned away from the stables and bid the two men goodbye, they were about to take their step when there was an uproar from the crowd around the training grounds. Anna and Wendy turned their head into that direction, curious on what happened.

"Okay just for a bit." Anna resigned and earning a chuckle from Wendy

Elsa removed her jacket and left the waist coat and white shirt underneath, dark blue breeches and black sash around her waist, also a pair of knee high boots. She styled her hair in high ponytail leaving her fringe framing her face. While Marshall only wore his white shirt, black breeches and knee high boots. It has been a while since they last sparred against each other.

When they arrived in the training grounds there was Captain Robert Hofferson training the new recruits. Marshall requested for the use of the training grounds, which the Captain whole-heartly gave the space for their Queen to use.

It has already been quite a while now and still neither of them yield, and in the course of the sparring they gained a lot of attention.

Elsa watched Marshall wiped the sweat from his forehead using the his forearms as he pants heavily. His glacial eyes were on her, who was still elegant and poise despite the sweat and dirt sullying her clothes.

"What happened? Growing old already?" Elsa taunted.

"You wish. Ha!" Marshall sprinted towards her and swung his sword, but she blocked her for the nth time. His superior height and brute force couldn't do much against her agile moves. He noticed how she exerted more force on blocking his sword before swinging it to the side to break them apart. She then ducked to used the pommel of her sword to hit Marshall's stomach.

"Oof!" Marshall grimaced before staggering backwards. "That actually hurts."

"I know." Elsa move so quick that Marshall barely able to block the continuous attack of her sword.

Marshall could see how serious Elsa's eyes were and how much frustrations she placed at each hit he received and thankfully was able to block. He knew his Queen was just blowing off steam but it could be deadly for someone inexperience.

"Is this much better than breaking things ugh in the castle?" Marshall whispered.

"Yes." Elsa flourished her sword and nicked his clothes.

Marshall didn't have the time to chuckle when Elsa raised her sword to hit him. He backed away. "Whoah. Your Majesty." his eyes then saw a flash of strawberry blonde in the crowd.

Both of them were panting. "When did you become so slow Marshall?"

"Sorry, must be the sweet cakes they are making." he chuckled.

His Queen chuckled, then started her onslaught attacks and they were all blocked by him.

Marshall had stopped defending himself and went on offense, he moved his feet forward and parried against the Queen who was on offense as well. Loud clashing of swords reverberated in the training grounds.

Both of their swords were grating against each other.

"She's here." Marshall said in a hushed voice but his face was in grimace as he fought off Elsa's strength.

"Who?" Elsa asked.

"Anna."

His glacial eyes saw how his Queen's demeanor changed.

Marshall barely got his bearings when Elsa relentlessly attacked him but he wouldn't let himself be defeated even she's his Queen. Marshall fought with the same intensity. Both of them dodged and blocked each other's attacks. He lunged at Elsa, his Queen barely managed to ducked away, earning gasps from the crowd when he managed to slice the blue ribbon securing her hair.

Elsa's hair cascaded down on her back after her ribbon was destroyed, she backed away and took a handful of strands and used it to secure her long platinum blonde locks into a low ponytail then went back on attacking him. Both of him and Elsa had done this since they were able to pick up a sword, he knew the difference of slight changed of demeanor from her.

The knowledge of Anna being there watching, made Elsa distracted which was never happened, especially when they were wielding sharp swords. Marshall was taken by surprise when Elsa attacked relentlessly as if she was getting impatient.

She used her agility so he couldn't take his proper form. She kept on advancing and struck him hard with her sword. All the he could do was blocked her. The moment he saw Elsa's strayed from his face he knew then he made mistake, because the next thing knew Elsa had swiped him off his feet before disarming him.

Marshall landed on the ground with a loud thud while the the tip of Elsa's sword was under his chin.

"Do you yield?"

Marshall was catching his breath and said. "Yes. I yield." he smiled after that.

Applause erupted from the crowd, cheering for their Queen.

Elsa held out her arm to help him on his feet.

"It's the cakes' fault." Marshall defended.

"Right." Elsa chuckled as she took her coat from one of the crates. "Take a bath, will you."

"Of course." he laughed and took his uniform from one of the wooden railings.

"Captain, thank you for lending us the training grounds." Elsa said.

"It's always a pleasure ,Your Majesty." Captain Robert replied.

"Meet me after finishing your bath, I believe you owe me a tankard of ale." Elsa said to him.

"As Her Majesty wishes." he chuckled.

Both of them reached Anna's place with Wendy. The men's gaze followed them and watched the interaction with the Lady.

"Good morning ladies, I didn't know you were watching. If I knew I should've given you the best seats." Elsa stated.

"Good morning, Your Majesty." Wendy curtsied.

"We're fine here." Anna answered without even greeting her.

Elsa's glacial eyes hardened while she did her best not to glance at the people who were staring at them. After that she heard her Captain scolded the men for slacking off before ordering them to do their tasks.

Elsa let out a smile and caressed Anna's flowing locks. "But please kindly inform me if you would like to watch next time so you'll be comfortable." she then kissed the handful of strawberry blonde locks in her hand, making the latter gasp. "Well we would like to stay longer but I feel rather uncomfortable with my clothes. I'll just freshen up a bit. Have a good day." she did a gentle bow to the Lady and went away.

Once they were in good distance, she heard Marshall asked.

"What was that?"

"Playing nicely." Elsa responded.

They parted ways and she had instructed Gerda to fetch her some clothes from the shared room . Instead of having a bath in their shared room, she opted to use the massive bath in the castle.

She shed her dirtied clothes once she was inside the room with marble flooring and had two feet indoor pool filled with lukewarm water. The steam was fogging the room, Elsa untied her hair before plunging herself in the water slowly. She let out an audibly sigh of relief as she felt her tense muscles relaxed.

The ache on her back muscles lessen as she soaked herself in the water further. She was about to relax when the thought of her paper works flashed in her mind. She sighed as her work kept piling up, she couldn't even have a time to have a break. She always took the state papers in their shared room to continue them but it felt like there was no end to them. People thought being Queen was only living in luxury and power, they often forget the stress, assassination plots, traitors and those infinite nightmare they called state papers.

Anna was quite amazed on how Elsa defeated Marshall on their sparring match, for the entire time her eyes were on the platinum blonde. She couldn't take off her eyes on the Queen the moment they arrived at the training grounds, who could blame her when the Queen displaying her expertise using a sword.

It was quite obvious that the pair were exchanging words as they fought, but after Marshall's gaze landed on her the Queen's demeanor changed and had finished the sparring quickly. She felt like it has something to do with her.

"I think the Queen will change in your shared bedroom, now you have the chance to talk to her since you were looking for her earlier." Wendy encouraged her.

"No. I don't have anything to say to her." Anna bit her lower lip as she tried not to utter unnecessary words.

"M'lady." Wendy gave her a knowing look. "Talk to her so you can have your peace."

Anna sighed in defeat. "You're right." they both went inside the castle, ran up the stairs and opened the door, only to see Gerda carrying the Queen's clothes.

Elsa slicked her wet hair back as she rest her head on the towel she placed by the edge of the pool, while her body was submerged in the water.

Her thoughts were on how she could solve the monetary difficulty of the citizen and establish trades to different kingdoms. She was thankful that the Prince of Southern Isles and Princess of Tromso were not difficult to talk to, they negotiated through letters, also the Duke of Flam was delighted to be part of Arendelle trade since the Runeard had decline their offer and favored their rival, Kingdom of the Valley before the fall out.

The wool trade was in demand since winter was upon them, her Duchy's private income would drastically increase, giving her a chance to recover from covering the kingdom's expenses. Also another Arendelle product was ice and they were in competition with Northul in that field but Arendelle ice was the most liked by the other kingdoms.

The demand for lutefisk had increased as well, especially in Corona since it was one their favorite Arendelle delicacy, but they didn't have enough fishermen to do the job. She thought of funding the guild for them so they could meet the demands, since it was an opportunity for them to welcome foreign buyers and fill the empty coffers of the kingdom. And also the other thing she had talked with Marshall.

A knock interrupted her thoughts, it was probably Gerda with her clothes.

"Come in." she didn't even open her eyes to check the person who entered. "You can place it on the ledge over there, thank you Gerda."

Elsa waited for the door to open but it didn't. She fluttered her eyes open and saw quite slim figure and blur of strawberry blonde hair. She immediately recognized the person before her despite the steam fogging the room.

"Oh what brought you here?" Elsa asked and sat up, disturbing the water in the process. She didn't even care if she was naked.

The latter looked away and there was a visible flush on her skin, probably from the steam.

Sensing she won't receive an answer, Elsa rose from the shallow pool and got out, with water dripping from her hair and skin leaving puddles on her every step. She wore a dark colored robe and secured it with a knot. She was waiting for Anna's answer.

"My bleeding started." Anna apprehensively stated.

"Congratulations then, is that all?" her tone was cold and indifferent. She observed how the woman fidget on her place. Sensing she won't receive an answer, she proceeded behind the changing screen and wore her clothes.

"Why are you using that tone again?" Anna asked as she frowned after minutes of silence.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You speak like you don't care."

Elsa stepped out of the changing screen then fixed her hair in a single plait and sleeked her hair back. "This is how I usually sound like, also do I suppose to care? Ah yes you thought I would be affectionate to you when we're alone?" she could see how Anna's expression contorted into irritation.

"I thought you'll try to get along with me?"

"I did say that, but were you? You couldn't even do a simple greeting and embarrassed me for acting haughtily in front of my men. I don't mind if we're alone but doing that in public when we're supposed to be besotted with each other, and now you had the audacity to ask me that? I've done my part of our agreement and you failed to do yours, so don't expect me to treat you nicely." she got passed Anna and went for the door.

"You are horrible!" she heard Anna growled as she went after her.

Elsa halted and looked around. She then pinned Anna on the alcove in the hallway. "I am, anything else?" she asked, more like growled, in return.

"I-" Anna visibly gulped.

"What?" Elsa leaned closer to the latter's personal space.

Anna could feel Elsa's breath fanning her face and she couldn't move her limbs as if she was petrified on her spot.

"Tell me." Elsa tilted her head and parted her lips.

Elsa felt Anna's hands on her shoulders, keeping her away. She watched Anna's conflicted expression.

Elsa could feel the Anna's warm breath against her lips, she was angry and getting impatient so she leaned a bit more, just few centimeters from Anna's lips.

"No." Anna whispered but she did nothing to push her away.

"Stay still." Elsa whispered as she waited for the faint footsteps to come closer to where they were.

The latter closed her eyes and she felt Anna pushing away when a cough was heard, Anna missed her lips formed a smirk.

"I deeply apologize for interrupting. You two carry on."

Elsa extricated herself from Anna, satisfied with the show she displayed to the unsuspecting Count of Isles.

"You didn't interrupt anything. We were just talking." Elsa stated.

"Of course." the Count was giving them a knowing look. "If Her Majesty doesn't mind, may I have a word with Lady Anna?"

Elsa looked at him with suspicion but mask it with her typical subdued smile. "Not at all. I have a previous engagement to attend anyway. I'll see you later M'lady." she took Anna's hand and gave the back of her hand a kiss before leaving the two.

Anna was barely recovered with Elsa's stunt when she faced the Count of Isles.

"Using your attractive appearance to enthrall the Queen is your advantage and I am impressed you know how to use it."

"Excuse me?" Anna was offended by his choice of words.

"Why don't we talk about it over tea?" the Count offered.

Anna was curious about what he said so she agreed.

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