Elsa and Kristoff turned in alarm at the new voice that intruded on their conversation from the other side of the bars. Looking for its origin with their eyes, they found Olaf, the kind governor of Portugal, with a smile from ear to ear and followed by me who exuded hope and impatience.

Elsa opened the bars and I desperately threw myself into Kristoff's arms, hanging from his neck and hiding my face in his chest. God… I thought the next time I saw him would be on a gallows. I stroked his neck grateful for how healthy it looked in my hands and enjoyed how he clung to me with the same enthusiasm and I would say with some anticipation.

"What is this, Olaf?"
"Do you know, Queen Elsa? There is a desert island in my territories that is in need of a strong and heroic Count to guard it."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I am not trying to say anything, I am granting Sir Kristoff Bjorgman Portuguese nationality, the position of Count, and the island which, as soon as he signs a few documents, will become his."
"Are you kidding?" Kristoff asked in utter disbelief at that surreal news.
"Do you think an island that nobody wants and a pact of friendship and cooperation between our nations will be enough contribution for your council to bless this relationship?" Olaf asked with a self-satisfied smile and totally ignoring his question.
"Why are you doing this?" Elsa and Kristoff asked in chorus.
"I'm just in love with love. And a good deal with a prosperous kingdom in exchange for an empty piece of land lost in the middle of the sea does not seem like a bad deal to me, actually."

Somewhat scared by his response, I slid off Kristoff's neck and looked into his eyes while biting hard my lip. As easy to convince Olaf had been… there were still things that could go wrong.

"Will you accept?" I asked holding my breath.
"You doubt it?!" he answered finally letting shine the grin that I had longed for so much.
"Yeah! I mean, no, I don't doubt it, I meant yuppie and stuff, no that I do doubt it, that is…"

Despite the narrowness of the place, Kristoff stopped my babbling by lifting me up in his arms and spinning with me, laughing with pure joy until he made me collide with my sister. Afterward, he apologized in embarrassment while Elsa laughed discreetly; then he gave me a discreet kiss on the cheek, and deeply revered the two monarchs who were offering us life.

"I deeply appreciate your favor. Hopefully, I will be able to pay it back one day."
"I consider myself paid with our pact. I am counting on you to take care of my island."
"I promise I will do my best."
"Kristoff," Elsa added with a smile. "make her happy. That is all I ask of you."
"That is all I wish."
"So be it then. You are free. I am going to organize a meeting with the council. The moment I have their approval, I will let you know. Until then, I beg you, be patient and cautious."

Elsa left followed by Olaf, who said goodbye to us with a wink, and Kristoff turned back to me and plunged me into a big hug.

"It's real this time, isn't it?" he asked his voice muffled on my shoulder.
"And, if it isn't, I refuse to wake up."