"Finally done for today. Kristoff, take me home."
"At your command, Ma'am."

'I'm not in love. Of course I'm not in love! That would be complete stupidity of me. But, if I was, and only if I was… it would be with him.

It's been a few months since this boy was hired as a coachman. Apparently, he was an ice harvester before, but it seems that it is a business in decline, so he had to find an alternative. No doubt, he's got the body of someone who has worked hard. In fact, the coachman outfit almost looks like a costume put on him. However, his professionalism is overwhelming. He always does impeccable service; he is infinitely more punctual than me (although that doesn't have much merit either, let it be said); and, serious as he seems, he always has a kind smile for me. I suppose it's part of his job, but in any case, it's no wonder he got such a job at such a young age. How old will he be? I would say that he is older than me, but not too much. I think we could get along pretty well.

Get along? Who's said that? What kind of getting along am I thinking of? Well, as friends, of course. Maybe talk about this and that, go for a walk together… Nothing improper. Improper? Again, what am I thinking about?

To be honest, there is something about him that attracts me. I don't know what it is. Okay, he is obviously handsome, although in a more rude than elegant way, but that's not the point. There is something else. There is something in how he holds my hand to help me get out of the carriage, in how he treats the horses with the utmost respect as if he didn't like to make them work, in how he rearranges things that are out of its place when he thinks no one is seeing him. Spy on him? Absolutely not! It is always a coincidence. But, when he catches me, he energetically rubs the back of his neck and shrugs his shoulders without knowing what to say and I can only contain the laugh that my body asks of me. He is natural and modest, attentive and detailed, he is… he is not mine. Nevertheless, there is something about how his smile crooks slightly to one side; there is something in the soft melody of his voice, and there is something in his eyes: in the way he looks at me, in how they sparkle, in how they smile, in how I feel that they pierce my soul from the first time we exchanged glances, as if, somehow, he was a little bit mine.

But none of this makes sense. It is something that simply can never be. A princess is not allowed to choose a commoner as a life partner. I wonder what is the point of having so much power over others if, in the end, you have no power over your own life. So, every night I go to bed convincing myself not to daydream about that man, not to complicate my life in such a way, not to get into losing battles. And, in the end, regardless of reasons, every night, it is the memory of his touch that takes me to the world of dreams.'

"Anna."

'A soft whisper and a sweet caress on the cheek take me back to the world of the awakened. It is curious that it is the same touch that sleeps me as that that wakes me up. I could get used to this.'

"Wait, what?"

I opened my eyes and there he was. With an expression of surprise, almost of fright, and, at the same time, an obvious smile contained between his lips.

"K… Kristoff?"
"I am sorry! I have tried by all means to wake you up, but you were not reacting to anything."
"Wake me up? Why? Where is Kai?"
"Unfortunately, Kai suffered a mishap on the stairs last night and one of his legs has been temporarily disabled."
"Oh, my God! Is he okay?!" I asked as I sat up in horror.
"Oh, yes, you do not need to worry. He is fine. Just something… crippled."
"So… are you going to do his work?"
"No way! That man alone does the work of three people! We have divided his tasks. Gerda says it would be futile to try to find a replacement. So, after talking to your sister, they decided it this way."
"And… are you going to be the one to always wake me up?"
"Gerda has entrusted your awakening to me, Ma'am. Every day at the same time until Kai is recovered."
"Well… good luck with that. I'm not easy to wake up, you know."
"It has become quite clear to me, Ma'am," he replied with a chuckle.

So, was that his laugh? A good way to wake up, I must say.

"I'll do what I can."

'Did he just wink at me? Someone hold me…'

"It was fine before."
"What was?"
"Anna. Anna's okay. Call me Anna."
"As you wish, Anna."

A sudden tingle ran through my gut as I heard him say my name again.

"Thanks for waking me up, Kristoff. You can go meet your duties."

Kristoff nodded slightly and left my room.

"Have a nice day, Anna."
"The best one."