Disclaimer! I do not own Frozen/Disney.

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I thought this would be a good way to start the month of December for all of you guys who keep on making time to read this, following this story and leaving inspirational reviews. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH.

I truly hope you'll like this chapter.

Thank you and enjoy.

"May I have this dance, M'lady?" Elsa smiled as she offered her hand.
"It will be my pleasure, Your Majesty." Anna removed herself from the Count and took Elsa's hand with a smile.

Anna accepted Elsa's offer and her led them to the dance floor. She shyly placed her hand on Elsa's shoulder as the other held the latter's gloved hand, but despite the shyness she felt she was well aware of the hand on her just below her shoulder blade.

None of them were speaking, but they never broke their eye contact. Waltz had become Anna's favorite since she first heard of it. They danced gracefully as they moved from place to place. Anna was grateful that her dance instructor was so persistent on teaching her or else she wouldn't be able to know anything and embarrassed herself.

It seemed so far away when she last shared a dance with Elsa, the time when they had to bear each other's presence, touches and snarky remarks.

All the suffocating glances the people threw at her were nothing compared to what she felt the last time, because this time she knew there were people in her corner. She was not alone; she had Elsa to protect her, the Count to support her, and the friends she made along the way like Wendy, Lady Aurora, and even Lady LaBouff. Even though she couldn't see them, she knew she had people to turn to.

"Remember when we last danced together?" Elsa asked.

"The time when you are incredibly insufferable?"

Elsa's brow rose at that. "Me? I believe it was you. Just like what you are doing now."

"Oh Your Majesty, I doubt it." Anna grinned.

"Here you are talking to me, though more like talking back to me, a complete turnaround from, I rather not waste my strength on conversing to someone I despise huh."

Anna internally cringed. "That's not fair."

"Is it?" Elsa chuckled as she did twirl her around. Anna spread her other hand wide as she turned.

"Yes." Anna answered as she returned to her original position.

"Alright then, but how do you feel now?" Elsa asked.

"I lot. I don't know which feeling I supposed to feel. Nervousness? Excitement? Dread?"

"Dread?"

"I have no idea why you kept me in the dark about this ball."

"It's a surprise."

Anna was about to argue but snapped her mouth close since she knew Elsa wouldn't give her the answer she sought. Elsa abruptly slid her hand down to her waist and pulled her closer.

"I assure you, it's nothing to be afraid of." Elsa whispered in her ear, then pulled away, only to turned her once again.

Anna felt a shiver right down to her spine.

"Family heirloom?" Elsa asked, pertaining to the circlet.

"Ah yes, the Count was kind enough to lend me my grandmother's circlet."

Elsa's eyes were on her. "It's exquisite." Anna could sense Elsa wanted to say more but the latter stayed silent, then Anna heard. "You are . . exquisite."

Anna couldn't be more redder than the drapes hanging on her pillars.

"Thank you."

They danced their night away, same with the nobles and commoners alike in the ballroom. Some of the commoners stayed away and stood on the sidelines, apprehensive about how the nobles would perceived them. However, the Queen's knights, dressed in their uniform, had invited the ladies of a common background to dance and ease them to the festivities.

Most of them thought the Queen would ravage Eldr Duchy due to the late Duke's sins against her, fear had gripped the Duchy, but seeing her dancing with the former heiress in such light and friendly manner had released all the fear they had in her. They were hoping to prolong the Queen's magnanimity despite all the offenses made against her personally.

The music stopped and applause erupted in the room. Many witnessed how the Queen kissed the back of the former heiress' hand and talked with the high-ranking nobles present, taking Lady Anna with her.

"You've danced so wonderfully." the Queen said softly, making Lady Anna blush.

"Likewise."

They were approached by Marquis Maurice and his daughter, Belle. The Queen had introduced Lady Anna to the pair. Lady Belle was wearing a wonderful yellow ballgown and she suited her name well because she was beautiful. After talking for quite sometime, the Queen and Lady Anna were approached by a dark curly-haired woman, wearing a maroon dress, with a knowing smile on her face.

"Your Majesty." the older woman curtsied then she turned her attention to Lady Anna. "Lady Anna." she barely nodded in acknowledgment.

"Ah, Baroness Gothel, correct?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Please to meet you too Your Majesty."

"Likewise." the Queen stated with a hint of coldness, which only Lady Anna noticed.

" If I may, can Her Majesty spare me some time to discuss-"

"I'm afraid I can't entertain any matters at the moment. If you'll excuse us." the Queen had placed her hand on the small of Lady Anna's back and stirred her away from the older woman.

However, the woman looked terribly pissed at the dismissal and shared a look with one of the servers across the room. The server nodded and disappeared in the shadows.

Meanwhile, the Captain of the Queen's guards was standing by the buffet table when a dark brown-haired woman with violet eyes approached him.

"Well aren't you eye catching." Captain looked the lady in confusion. "Blue eyes. Lovely." the woman continued.

"May I help you Miss?"

"Lady Vanessa, but you can call me whatever you want." Lady Vanessa's deep red lip paint highlighted her predatory smile.

The Captain's usual soft expression hardened by a fraction. "M'lady, I am in no position to address a Lady, such as yourself, anything than your proper title."

Lady Vanessa chuckled. "I like you." she raised her hand to touch his face but the Captain dodged it. "Oh come on. Don't play hard to get." her violet eyes raked on the Captain's form.

"I have no idea what you mean, M'lady." the Captain respectfully bowed. "If you'll excuse me." he immediately fled the scene.

"Fascinating." Lady Violet's eyes didn't leave the Captain's form as she drank her wine.

"Thirsty, are we?" a deep voice reached her ears.

"You have no idea." Lady Vanessa chuckled. "At least I have someone who I can feast my eyes on tonight, unlike you." she jabbed at the man.

"That little minx had slipped my grasp!" the man growled and glared at one of the ladies in the room, Lady Marina of House Rey specifically.

"You'll get your minx when the time comes, Gaston." Lady Vanessa patted the man's arms. "For the being, why don't you just court another daughter of his? Like Lady Giselle or Anastasia?"

The Lord Hunter grunted. "Lady Giselle is beautiful but too strong willed for my taste."

"I thought you wanted them feisty?"

"Yes but not this one. And I don't think I can't stand Lady Anastasia's-"

Lady Vanessa snorted. "What? Her face?" she full on laughed when Lord Hunter made a face, earning curious looks from the crowd. "Why don't we dance so you can forget her face?"

The Queen was talking to Lord LaBouff and Lady Anna was approached by a blonde lady wearing a puffy pink ballgown and hugged Lady Anna.

"M'lady! It's great to see you again!" the blonde woman squealed. "You and Her Majesty were so beautiful to watch when you danced."

Anna blushed. "Likewise and thank you. I'm glad you and your father could attend."

"Yes, he already made his way to the Queen as you can see." Lady Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Come!" Lady Anna was pulled towards one of the tables filled with different kinds of food.

Lady Anna smiled and took a champagne flute from one of the servers, who came forward once they arrived at the area, she tipped it onto her lips but a hand held her wrist. Anna almost poured the drink on her dress if it weren't from the owner of the hand's fast reflex.

"Olaf!" Lady Anna called out.

"Apologies M'lady." Olaf leaned back and laughed but he watched the server innocently backing away at the corner of his eyes. "I believe that's my drink M'lady, may I?" he held his hand out, not wanting to roused any suspicions. He looked around for his brother and once he saw him, by one of the balcony doors, he gave him a look then raised his eyebrow as a way of communicating. Marshall quickly made his way towards where Olaf had pointed him to, without causing a scene.

Lady Anna frowned at him but still gave her glass to him. Both ladies watched him sniffed the drink before a smiling goofily at them. Olaf signaled one of the servers who had a full champagne flute and a bottle beside it.

"I recommend this drink ladies." Olaf poured one glass for Lady LaBouff as well. "And this is Peter, he'll cater to whatever you need tonight."

"Oh a personal server!" Lady LaBouff winked at Lady Anna. "It seems Her Majesty is favoring you."

"Maybe." Lady Anna played along but she's sure something was up. "We'll see you around Olaf." Anna said before taking the new champagne flute and walked away from him, with Lady LaBouff in tow.

What Lady Anna didn't see was how Olaf blended himself in the crowd to slip away from sight. Olaf sniffed the champagne once again and dipped a silver pointy pin in it. The drink turned dark at the contact, before spilling it into one of the potted plants near him.

"Bastards." he muttered darkly and quickly followed his brother.

Unknown to most of the attendees, other than the few uniformed men dancing in the ballroom, there were some dressed in their finest suits to blend in with the guests as security detail for the Queen and Lady Anna.

Earlier they received a missive from one of the lost boys of an attempt to either the Queen or Lady Anna's life. They have no idea who was paying the assassins but they need to find out soon when and how they managed to poison the drink intended for Lady Anna. And most importantly, who had ordered them to do it.

After dragging Lady LaBouff from the table, they chatted about anything under the sun until series of men had invited her for a dance. She danced with the Duke of Weselton, the Count and the other men from the Queen's privy council. She was once again invited by Elsa for a dance but she rejected it.

"I think I should rest for a while." Anna said with a smile while nursing her re-filled glass of champagne, trying not to winced at her aching feet,

"Oh of course. Would you like to sit?" Elsa asked

"No, I think I need some air." Anna said.

"I'll accompany you-"

"Your Majesty." Duke Wester bowed in front of her and to Anna as well.

"Your Grace, a pleasure to see you." Elsa responded and she turned to Anna, with a slight frown on her face as if she was worried.

"I'm wondering if Her Majesty could spare me a moment?" the Duke asked.

Elsa looked at Anna and weighing her answer.

"Am I interrupting something?" the Duke carefully asked.

"No." Anna answered. "I'll just be out in that balcony." she said to Elsa. "Your Grace." she curtsied to the Duke before she left.

Anna had decided to stay clear from the ballroom and went back to find Lady LaBouff to accompany her at the balcony but apparently her friend was currently dancing with a dashing officer. Their eyes met and raised her glass at her friend who winked at her in return. Anna then went to one of the balconies. She sighed heavily.

"Tired?" she whipped her head towards the direction of the voice. Anna saw a woman under the shadows but half of her dress was visible in the light. She was dressed in a beige dress with a sheer shawl covering bare arms.

The woman stepped out from the shadow and, by the gods, she was beautiful. She had a long honey-blonde colored hair, adorned with a delicate silver circlet, and had gorgeous blue-green eyes.

"Yeah." Anna awkwardly answered. "You?"

The woman shook her head. "I escaped here as soon as we came in."

"Not fond of festivities?"

"You could say that." the woman shrugged. "You have such beautiful dress."

Anna smiled. "Her Majesty had it made for me."

"How is she? The Queen, I mean." the woman inquired.

Anna wasn't sure what the other woman was trying to ask so she went for the safer path. "She's kind." sort of, at least now we're on good terms.

"That's all?" the woman asked in disbelief.

What else Anna could say? She couldn't just tell a stranger that the Queen was a short-tempered and easily angered woman when things were seen as an inconvenience and had a tendency to threaten anyone who angered her with execution. Well that was before.

Anna chuckled. "If you insist then, she's soft spoken and charming."

"By the looks of her she's indeed charming." the woman chuckled.

Anna emptied her glass. "This kind of thing is indeed tiring, I wish I could go and sleep already." she almost wanted to remove her shoes but that would be inappropriate.

Before the woman could say anything, there was another woman came to the balcony, who has this air of arrogance emanating from her. The newcomer had fiery red hair and was pinned by a sparkling diamond headpiece. She wore a pink French styled ball gown and was carrying a feathered fan.

"Oh look, what do we have here?" the redhead smirked. "Lady Eldr."

Anna frowned at the way she was addressed, it was filled with mockery.

"Apologies, but do I know you?" Anna asked in the most polite way she could think of.

"I'm sure an ignorant child like you wouldn't know me." the redhead laughed.

Child? She called me a child?! Anna was about to throttle whoever the Hel this woman was when-

-"Never let your emotion control you"

Elsa's words rang in her head, so instead of getting angry she forced herself to politely smile. A cold polite smile. "I wouldn't ask if I did know a woman, who seemed to forget her manners at home and getting into my face and tell me I'm an ignorant child."

The redhead's face turned red on either because of embarrassment or anger, either way it was satisfying to watch.

"Why you! Don't you know who I am?!" the woman growled at them.

"I thought we already established that I don't know you. Now I am not sure who's the ignorant child between the two of us." Anna smiled, though in satisfaction. "And am I suppose to know you?"

"You insolent little-" the woman tried to grab her but the honey blonde woman acted quickly and got in between them.

"Anastasia that's enough!" the honey blonde said, surprising Anna.

They know each other.

"You! I always knew you are such a mouse and doesn't even try to take what's rightfully ours."

"Rightfully ours? Rightfully yours you mean?" the honey blonde woman scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Little Anastasia wants to have her father's lands, after the first born went missing." she mocked the redhead.

"And you don't? I doubt it."

The honey-blonde haired woman shook her head with a mocking smile on her face. "Ha! I forfeited all that ties me in that cursed name as soon as I learned what your lecherous father had done to my mother."

"Don't you dare speak of our father that way!"

Meanwhile Anna doesn't have a clue what they were talking about until—.

"I don't give a single damn about that old dirty and vile father of yours, it's probably—no— it's definitely a good thing that the Queen had killed him. Good riddance."

"Then what are you even doing here?!" Anastasia asked in anger.

"The Queen had invited me and my mother to attend, do you even think that we can refuse it? Damn, your gracious father wasted money on your education because you don't even have common sense."

Anna's eyes widened in recognition of who were they talking about, it was her grandfather and these two women were her grandfather's daughters. Anna was told about them but it was totally different seeing them in person, she could still deny their existence until this very moment. She has to leave.

"Excuse me." Anna said and was about to go when she was pulled back by the wrist towards the balcony. She winced at the vice like grip.

"We're not done here!" Anastasia all but shove Anna back to her previous place. She almost hit herself from the stone railing if it weren't for this honey-blonde haired woman's help, who still hadn't introduced herself.

-"Be calm, if you are calm and had not let your enemies get into you, you'll be able to counter them."

"How dare you." Anna stated in a steady voice. "Who gave you a right to manhandle me?"

"I'm a daughter of King Runeard. That alone gives me authority over you, my little niece."

The honey-blonde haired woman shielded her from Anastasia, but she held the latter and shook her head and stepped forward. The honey blonde woman nodded and moved aside.

"As far as I know my father was the only child, I would've known if he has a sister, whom I would definitely call my Aunt, not some person who claimed to be the late Duke's daughter."

"How dare you!"

Anna glared at redhead. "No. How dare you." she moved towards the redhead. "How dare you act as if you have every right to say and do whatever you want in here, in my family's home?"

Anastasia laughed incredulously. "From what I gathered you are not a princess anymore and was stripped off of all of your titles and rights, even this place."

Anna's jaw clenched in anger.

-"Be calm"

Anna mirthlessly chuckled and shook her head but in truth she wanted this woman removed from her sight.

"That may be true, yes, titles and lands can be strip away if the Queen so desired. However, you are forgetting something, something very important."

"And what is that?" Anastasia's tone was taunting.

"It doesn't matter whether or not I hold a title because I am—or was—, whatever makes you feel better you choose, the legitimate heiress, the true blood. And this blood running through my veins is pure and valuable, the blood you will never ever have." Anna smirked but she wasn't done yet.

"Did it ever occur to you why I am staying in the castle with Queen? If not then. . . I'll tell you a little secret." Anna leaned closer to Anastasia's ear and whispered. "This legitimate blood in my veins is keeping me in the Queen's bed." Anna giggled for good measure. ". . .to be worshipped by the most powerful woman in the land is something you'll never ever have the pleasure to experience " Anna leaned back and gave Anastasia a wicked smile. " You think you have power over me just because you claimed to be my father's half-sister, but you'll never know sooner or later you'll be groveling at my feet." Anna raised her left brow. "You ought to careful, excuse me." she purposely bumped on Anastasia's frozen form but halted and turned towards the honey-blonde haired woman. "May I ask for your name please?"

The woman replied. "Giselle."

"Giselle." Anna genuinely smiled. "I hope we'll meet again in a. . . much pleasant circumstances." as loudly stated while giving Anastasia an icy look.

Anna took a deep shuddering breath when she made sure she's in a safe distance from the balcony. She leaned on one of the pillars and closed her eyes to keep calm her pounding heart. She was angry that she blindsided about the presence of her grandfather's children, it took a confrontation to know they were in attendance. Anna opened her eyes and looked for the others and it didn't take her long because there were two almost identical men who were looking at her with such animosity like that woman Anastasia. Was this the surprise Elsa was talking about?

She steeled herself and refused to look away. Anna knew she had to look brave and hold her head high when it came to these people, she shouldn't show any sign of weakness. The twins then looked away and minded their own business. Anna sighed.

She really needed to leave the ballroom and have a little chat with the person who had set these all up. On her way to where Elsa and the Duke were standing, a man bumped into her side.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!" the burly blonde man was wearing a fine yellowish coat tails and white waistcoat and cravat. He wore gray breeches and black knee high boots.

"It's fine." Anna dismissed and fixed her golden circlet and smiled a little.

"You have." the man pointed at her hair.

"Have what?" Anna asked and tried to remove whatever the man was pointing at.

"Here, let me." before Anna could give her consent, the man was already fixing her hair. "You have stray hairs." the man frozed the moment he realized what he had done. "Oh my gods, I am so sorry M'lady, I didn't even ask for permission."

Anna laughed a little. "I was surprised and it's fine."

"M'Lady, may I borrow for a moment?" Anna turned and saw Elsa with an unreadable expression on her face.

"Your Majesty!" the man bowed at her. Elsa merely looked down at him before tearing eyes away.

"Of course, I need to say something to you anyway, please excuse us." Anna said before Elsa possessively wrapped her arm around Anna's waist, making her gasped.

Few minutes ago.

"I hope I was not interrupting anything."

"No you didn't. Lady Anna just wanted to have a break from enthusiastic dance partners."

Duke Wester chuckled. "The Count of Isles was so eager to dance with her grandniece."

Elsa saw how smiley the man had become whenever Anna was nearby. "She was the only remaining descendant of his beloved sister, and I think he wanted to let Lady Anna know more about her grandmother coming from a person who truly knew her."

"Indeed."

Elsa's gaze was roaming around the crowd looking for the Harolds but she only saw Eric, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "By the way, I don't think I saw your son tonight." she looked at the Duke.

Duke Wester smiled apologetically. "I apologize for my son's absence, he was currently managing a trade agreement into the north." the Duke offered the Queen a flute of champagne, which she accepted.

"North? You mean Northul?" Elsa's interest piqued but kept a neutral face.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. He insisted that I should attend and he'll handle the business there." Duke Wester said those words with pride in his voice.

"What an excellent son you have." Elsa smiled at him.

"Indeed he is." he trailed off. "Your Majesty, about the thing we previously discussed."

"Princess Riella's manor house? Yes I remember. I am still working on that." Elsa said but she couldn't say that she had no intention of taking the manor house by force from the family who currently occupied it, with her the current unstable relationship she had with the nobility "I intend to keep my promise."

Duke Wester nodded and bowed in understanding. "Thank you for the assurance, Your Majesty."

Elsa strayed her eyes from the Duke towards general direction of the balcony and saw Anna, already inside the room, talking with a blonde man, who touched Anna's hair.

Crack

"Are you alright, Your Majesty?!" Duke Wester was eyeing the broken champagne flute and blooming red spots on the white glove.

"What?" Elsa asked as she turned her eyes to the Duke, then down to her hand. "Don't worry, it always happens. I have a very firm grip." she smiled through her lie and passed the broken glass to the page, who follow her around, and removed her drenched and bloodied glove.

"Your Majesty." Duke of Weselton rushed to her side. "What happened?"

Elsa dismissed it. "Don't fuss please. It's just a scratch." the page produced clean linen to wrap around her wound before wearing the pair of black gloves, offered to her.

"Then we won't disturb you any further." both Dukes bowed and made themselves scarce.

Elsa's facial feature changed from neutral into a stone cold one as she watched Anna laughed on whatever that man said to her. Anna was smiling and talking so amicably towards the interloper.

Elsa was still watching the scene before her, she gritted her teeth at the sight of the man, who touched Anna with his grubby hands. With an angry huff, Elsa went to them.

"M'lady, may I borrow you for a moment?" Elsa said, surprising them both.

"Your Majesty!" the man bowed at her and she merely looked down at him using her cold stare before completely ignoring his presence.

"Of course, I need to say something to you anyway, please excuse us."

Elsa's could feel the green-eyed-monster trying to devour her, prompting her to wrap her arm possessively around Anna's waist.

Quick in their strides, they reached the east drawing room fast and closed the door behind her. Elsa started to pace and was about to reach her hair in frustration only to bump her fingers on her crown.

"So you what do you want?" Anna started.

"How are you feeling?" Elsa gently asked, trying to quash whatever uncomfortable burning feeling in her chest earlier.

Anna gave her an incredulous look.

"How am I feeling? You had the gall to ask me that when you didn't even tell me my half-relatives were in attendance!"

"I see you've met them." Elsa offhandedly stated, ignoring how Anna's tone was getting on her already sensitive nerves.

"Is that all you had to say?!" Anna shouted.

"Is there anything more you wanted me to say?"

"You- Ugh!" Anna took deep breaths. "Why you didn't tell me?" she asked calmly as possible.

"To have them witness that I favor you over any other Eldrs out there."

Anna scoffed. "What the- are you being serious right now? You invited them just for them to witness you favor me? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!"

Elsa gritted her teeth. "Look Anna-"

"Is this the surprise you're talking about? If it is then you've succeeded! Imagine my surprise when one of them got into my face and humiliated in front of the other!" Anna raised her hand as gestured towards the door and upon hearing that, Elsa eyes got murderous.

"Who did that to you?" Elsa's tone dark.

"What?" Anna stopped her ramblings.

Elsa carefully took her hand and said softly as she could. "Tell me who humiliated you."

"Some woman who claimed to be my grandfather's daughter. Anastasia."

"Anastasia you say?" Elsa moved towards the door but Anna blocked her path.

"Why? What are you gonna do?" Anna asked in panic, since she might have an idea what Elsa might do to Anastasia. "Please don't hurt anyone."

"Why? She humiliated you, my wife." Elsa growled.

A burst of warmth spread in her chest at those words using that protective tone. Elsa was ready to do anything just because she was slighted. However she shouldn't let it turn into violence in front of those people

"But they don't know that. Not yet at least. Please just let it slide okay?" Anna pleaded because it this might caused much bigger problem. Anna was aware how Elsa was perceived by the nobles and commoners alike, making her every move calculated but right now it seemed her emotions were controlling her, it was unusual.

"Let it slide?" Elsa scoffed. "Don't be too soft Anna." she tried to get passed Anna.

"No! How about you calm yourself and think about it thoroughly. What's going on with you?" and with that Elsa froze on her spot and Anna doesn't understand what was happening with Elsa at the moment.

"Are you okay?" she asked with hint of worry in her tone. Elsa seemed incredibly emotional

"I think so." Elsa glanced away and sighed. "I'm sorry, I should've told you."

"Then why didn't you?" Anna gently asked.

"Because I wanted you to enjoy this night without the thought of them ruining it for you." Elsa pressed her hand on her face in exasperation, but when she removed it Anna saw something on her face.

"Wait, is that. . . blood?" Anna quickly brushed it with her gloved hand, staining it in the process. "What did you do?!" Anna asked in total panic because the last time she saw a speck of blood on Elsa's clothes, she had killed someone.

Elsa looked so offended at the implication and glared at Anna.

"Do you seriously think I'd have time to kill anyone tonight when I haven't left your side in the entire evening?"

Yes, that was true and come to think of it Elsa wasn't wearing black gloves when she went to the balcony.

"Sorry?" Anna sheepishly said, earning her an unamused look. "So what did happen?"

"I broke a champagne glass." Elsa said in indifference.

Anna held her hand and led her to a velvet chaise. She asked Elsa to sit before sitting next to her.

"Let me see." Anna carefully peeled Elsa's glove off only to see a blood soaked linen. "Did you even make sure there's no shards remained?"

"The shards weren't that small I think, my hand just got lacerations." Elsa willed herself not to wince. "What are you doing?" she asked.

Anna remove her satin gloves, ripping the other in half and wrapped Elsa's hand with it after removing the soiled linen.

"You should be careful next time." she focused on properly tying the ripped glove and tied it with a small knot on her palm so Elsa could still wear her gloves. "There." Anna smiled and looked up, only to come face to face with Elsa. Anna's heart then skipped a beat.

Her cheeks suddenly went flushed as her heart picked up a pace.

Oh no.

Anna knew this feeling, this warm feeling in her chest was pushing her to do what she wanted since that day in the library.

"I—" Elsa couldn't say what she wanted to say so she caressed Anna's hair instead, without breaking their eye contact. "Anna can I—" she faltered.

Anna gulped and bit her lower lip, thinking Elsa might turn away again. Instead of leaning in she kept still, waiting for Elsa to make her move.

Is she going to?. . .

Elsa gulped and slightly pulled away. "May I ask what she did to you?"

Again, Anna was disappointed.

"Oh. It's—uhm she insulted me, humiliated me for having my titles taken away. And oh she shoved me back out of the balcony because I was trying to leave."

Elsa glared in at the general direction of the ballroom.

"Hey, it's okay." Anna cradled Elsa's face with her hands. Making them both blush at the contact. Anna ignored the fluttering she felt in her belly. "I managed to shut her blabbering mouth." she chuckled.

"How?" Elsa asked and fists her own hands tightly on her lap, not trusting them to keep still if she made a slight contact to Anna.

"I told her that—" heat rushed to Anna's face much intensely than before. "Nevermind." she waved her hands in front of her.

"Now I'm intrigued." Elsa's perfect eyebrow rose.

"It's nothing!"

"Anyone told you you're bad at lying?" Elsa asked in amusement.

Anna glared at her. "Okay fine! I said that even if I am no longer a princess, my bloodline is keeping me in—uh your bed." Anna whispered the last two words. She looked away.

After a beat, a gloved hand held her chin and turned her face. "I'm sorry, it was because I stripped you off of your titles you had to experience that."

Anna stayed silent and didn't rebuke because it was true. She stared at those now soulful glacial blue eyes. "I understand why you did it. You had to secure your position as Queen. I would've done the same, also my family took a gamble and lost. What's the point of having titles anyway if I died in the war that old man started?"

"But you didn't." Elsa retracted her hand before leaning her back on the back rest of the chaise. "You know it crossed my mind to set you free, ship you out of the kingdom and live your life in peace somewhere away from here."

Anna was startled at that but said nothing.

"But I am sure the council won't allow it." Elsa scoffed. "Even if I was almost mad with rage at that time, I think I knew what you must've felt. You just lost the only family you had, you were surrounded by strangers, and was solely relying on yourself despite the odds." she paused as if contemplating her next words.

"Some of the servants were reluctant to served you, you know? That's why I assigned my old nanny to you and banished those servants who refused to serve the fallen princess."

Anna now realized why Gerda was so soft spoken and had provided her clues on who Elsa truly was. The women had much deeper connection than she thought.

"I know the feeling of being rejected by people who were supposed to be there for you. When I gained consciousness, the maids didn't want to attend to me because I was a foreigner and came from a ruined house. Those servants left me alone most of the times and often scolded me because I was unresponsive, but they were caught by my Aunt so she assigned Gerda to me instead.

"I'm sorry." Anna said softly.

"It's alright. It's all in the past." Elsa smiled a bit. "Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I didn't want you to experience what I had before, but that didn't change the fact I am also the caused of your misery."

"Why are you speaking in that manner?" Anna asked. "You're talking like it's all your fault."

"But it is, Anna." Elsa said. "I caused you so much pain."

"Elsa-"

"I would like to change that if you'll let me." Elsa looked at Anna with such determination.

Anna smiled. "Okay." she leaned in and kissed Elsa's cheek, close to corner of her lips.

Elsa's body stiffened at the contact, her eyes were wide in astonishment and she's sporting healthy shades of red.

"What? Why do you look so surprise as if we haven't shared a kiss before?" Anna offhandedly stated but the red tinge on her cheeks was betraying her confidence.

"That's different." Elsa whispered to herself.

"How different?" Anna asked softly as she leaned closer.

Elsa couldn't help but to turned her body, facing Anna. She steeled herself. "Because you are willing to touch me." leaned closer Anna's face. "Anna, I—" Elsa said in a whisper. "May I—" frustration was evident in her voice.

Anna was on the already on the edge but still waiting for the question to be asked.

"What is it?" Anna responded, willed herself not to stutter as she felt Elsa's warm breath fanning her lips.

Instead of words, Elsa's lips hesitantly brushed against Anna's for split second, both of their breath hitched at the contact, only to be followed by another brush before pressing them firmly on Anna's own. Elsa felt a warm rushed in her body when Anna's lips moved against her own. She couldn't help but to respond with the same fervor. Both had their eyes close to savor the sensation they both feel. Elsa pulled away to apologize for not asking permission but Anna's lips chased after hers and kissed her with so much passion before she could say a word. Elsa leaned towards Anna to prevent her from losing her balance and wrapped her arms around Anna's waist.

Anna found purchased on Elsa's shoulder and arm. Anna's grip on Elsa's clothes tightened as their kiss deepened. Both pulled away only to breathe before connecting their lips again.

Elsa once told Anna that she had ruined her to other women, despite not having anyone to compare to and because it was the truth. The first time she kissed Anna, she almost lost her control and had always wanted to kiss her again ever since. She pulled Anna closer to her and deepened their kiss.

"Elsa." Anna mumbled into their kiss.

Elsa's response was gently biting Anna's lower lip, earning a shuddering breath from the latter.

They pulled away and pressed their forehead together as they panted. A smile broke out of Anna's lips.

"Hi." Anna said as she catch her breath.

"Hi." Elsa panted. Both leaned away slightly from each other and look into each other's eyes. "Was that okay?" she whispered.

"It was more than okay." Anna gave her a chaste kiss. "It is indeed different." Anna remarked.

Elsa smiled and caressed her face. "You are so beautiful." her smile widened at blush appearing on Anna's cheek.

"Likewise, darling." Both were taken aback on what Anna said but Anna didn't correct herself, instead she pressed her lips against Elsa's once more and said. "And charming."

"Thank you."

"That was . . ." Anna grinned.

"Yeah." Elsa blushed and pulled a slightly squished flower from the inside of her military uniform and gave it to Anna.

Ranunculus flower.

"I received one of these when I woke up." Anna smelled the flower.

"I thought I should change the flowers I give you."

"I like them." Anna kissed Elsa's cheek then leaned her head on Elsa's shoulder. "I like you." she whispered.

"You do?" Elsa asked in a hushed voice.

"I do. I think I have been liking you for quite some time. I just didn't know it."

There was silence.

Anna straightened up and look into Elsa's eyes, waiting for her response.

"Do you know what's this flower mean?" Elsa asked.

Anna shook her head.

"It means that the person who gave this kind flower is attracted to you, and it also mean the receiver is attractive, beautiful." Elsa explained. "I am attracted to you Anna." she took a handful of Anna's loose hair and kissed it. "I started to care for you and I didn't know how or when I just do." it was true, the unfamiliar warm budding emotion she felt for Anna had droved her into an agonizing confusion, and that emotion bloomed despite her resistance.

Elsa felt Anna kissed her jaw.

"Can we just talk all night and never go back there?" Anna asked.

"I wish we could but I still have something to do tonight."

"Can you do that tomorrow?" Anna pleaded.

"I'm afraid I can't, I am the host and I should bid them goodbye as is appropriate. How about we go out there and let me finish it so we can talk after."

Anna groaned but agreed. "Alright. But I think we should fix ourselves first. I am sure you wouldn't be thrilled for those people to see you having my lip paint smudged all over your lips."

Elsa chuckled. "No, definitely not."

Both of them had wiped the smudged lip paint on their lips using the silk handkerchief, Anna just now remembered she had, given by the Count.

"Will they ask why the Queen has the same shade of lip paint as mine?"

"Probably not." Elsa shrugged as they made their way to the doors.

"Good." Anna stated before pulling Elsa towards her and gave her a chaste kiss. "Shall we?" she grinned.

"We shall." Elsa did her best not to smile so wide because it might make other people question her what made her smile like that, especially those two old men who were so invested on her and Anna's relationship.

So... uhm they kissed. FINALLY! It took 30 chapters in between for them to kiss again.

OH MY GODS! ANNA COULDN'T STOP HERSELF. Haha

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