A&SQ 2: Reckoning

by PheonixFrost

Sequel to 'Aaron and the Snow Queen'. The endless winter may have passed but another one could be coming as the world converges on Arendelle. Within its walls Elsa must contend with her growing powers and her role as queen as Aaron learns to live in a new world. All while their pasts demand answers.

19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

The man's hands visibly shook as he came before Elsa, his complexion pale and his lips tight. He was clearly terrified to stand alone at the heart of the throne room as he clutched his hat, but he didn't run. He wouldn't have come if it wasn't important and given how plain his clothes were he probably didn't have many other places to turn to, much like everyone else in the line behind him. A line that stretched all the way to the door at the far side of the room. Even so, he obviously didn't want to be there as he stooped into a bow.

"Y-your majesty. Thank y-you for seeing me," the man managed to stutter out before straightening back up.

Seated upon her throne, Elsa did her best to sympathize with him as she looked down at the man. She might have been used to roaming the halls of a castle but for a commoner like him it must have been intimidating just to come here, much less speaking with the queen directly. Among whatever else might have been scaring him…

In any event, she was doing her very best to present herself as friendly and welcoming when she smiled softly and gestured for him to continue. "Of course. How might the crown be of service?"

In spite of her best efforts, it still looked like it was all the man could do not to flee as he forced himself to speak. "W-well, it's this spring thaw, your majesty. Somethin' must have triggered an avalanche. I don't know what but now my grainry's been crushed under all this snow. We won't h-have anywhere to store the harvest when autumn comes and I don't have the funds to build another."

"That's horrible." Anna might have moved to comfort him but Elsa knew to keep her distance as she nodded solemnly while speaking loud enough for all to hear. "Each and every one of us, myself included, depend on hard working farmers such as yourself to see the kingdom through the long winters. As such, I will have an official sent to your farm to assess the damage and see to it that you are given the funds necessary to build a suitable if not superior replacement."

As she spoke she glanced meaningfully over at Lord Kai, who was waiting dutifully by her side. Not that she needed to. She'd said it and he would make it so. It was more for show as the man quickly bowed again while saying, "Thank you, your majesty. A thousand thanks."

With that he respectfully retreated with his eyes low before exiting the room. At least this man knew his manners as Elsa took a steadying breath before forcing out another smile for the next person who stepped forward. She'd been at it all morning and yet no matter how many people she saw, there were always more waiting to take their place. Each with their own problem for her to fix. Still, it might have been tiresome work but it was only once a week and at least it was a way for her to connect with her citizens. To show them that she really did care and that perhaps she wasn't quite as bad as all the rumors made her out to be.

The next person in line was a hunched, elderly woman. She also shook as she stepped forward, although in her case it was more likely due to age than fear. Before either of them could speak, however, Lord Kai stepped forward with a hand raised to interrupt. When Elsa shot him a questioning look she found he wasn't looking at her but rather over at the side entrance beside them. Following his gaze, she saw a guard marching towards her, only that wasn't what made her frown.

Rather, it was the sight of Cyrus lingering by the door. He'd opted for a more casual look today, forgoing his golden crown or expensive suit in favor of a more modest one, despite being completely alabaster. Still, just seeing him made her jaw clench as frustration bloomed within. He'd had the sense not to bother her again after his and Kresta's confrontation but even though a week had passed her agitation still felt fresh. It didn't help that over the course of that week Elsa had mostly been on her own. Kresta had apparently taken a keen interest in pouring over old texts while Aaron was spending more and more time with his sister. He didn't talk about where they went or what they did but she hadn't seen him much anyway. She wasn't about to dare another late night rendezvous, after all.

That said, she could have used an outlet as she impatiently waited for the guard to approach as he stopped to give a bow. "Your majesty. King Cyrus wishes to have a word."

Eyeing the other monarch coolly, she simply replied, "About?"

"He wouldn't say, your majesty."

"Very well," Elsa replied while repressing a sigh. In spite of her reservations, it wouldn't do to dismiss a king in front of so many people as she glanced at Lord Kai. "That's all for now."

"Yes, your majesty." He nodded before addressing the room at large. "Thank you all for coming. We appreciate the fact that some of you have traveled great distances to be here today but unfortunately there will be no more hearings at this time. If you are in dire need of assistance then let a member of the castle's staff know and you will be seen to. Otherwise we look forward to helping you soon."

A number of grumbles and complaints could be heard as the line dispersed back towards the entrance but Elsa was no longer paying attention to them, although she did give the elderly woman a pitying look. That pity vanished when she returned her gaze to Cyrus, reluctantly gesturing for him to approach.

Of course he had that obnoxious smirk stuck to his face as he patiently closed the distance, remaining silent until he had climbed the dais to stand beside her and gave a respectful nod. "Queen Elsa."

Even so, she wasn't in the mood for games as she cut straight to the point, curtly asking, "Can I help you, King Cyrus?"

Rather than answering, he looked up to watch the crowd filing out at the far side of the room, saying, "I must admit, I've never seen an actual audience for the lower class. How quaint."

"Is there something wrong with that?" Elsa asked, continuing to fix him with a cool stare.

"Certainly not. One of the advantages of Arendelle being a smaller kingdom, I suppose. Such a thing would never work in Ildonen. Too many subjects with even more problems."

"Then how do you hear the needs of your people?"

"I have others who do that for me, enabling me to focus on the more pressing issues of the state. Although, of course, if a particularly urgent problem should arise then it will be brought to my attention."

Her eyes narrowed as she rebutted, "From their perspective I'm sure each of their problems is urgent."

Cyrus's smile was almost tired when his eyes reverted back to her, saying, "I suppose that's true but unfortunately there's one thing all rulers have in common. We rarely have the luxury of time. Why, if you sat on that throne for every minute of every day I highly doubt you'd be able to tend to all of them."

"Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean I won't do them the courtesy of trying." Enough of this. Her patience with him was already thin enough as it was, so best not waste it. "Now, something tells me you haven't come to discuss domestic policies."

Nodding, he replied, "I'm afraid not," but declined to elaborate.

After a brittle pause, she asked, "Then why are you here, King Cyrus?"

"I wish to speak with you about something of the utmost importance." His smile faded as he spoke, suggesting at least some gravity to whatever he had in mind. However, Cyrus glanced at the attendants around her before quietly continuing, "Privately, if you wouldn't mind."

A private chat with Cyrus was the last thing that Elsa felt like doing, yet her station demanded she give him that at the very least as she wearily stood. "Very well. Lord Kai, should anyone have need of me I'll be in my quarters." After the man nodded in response, she fixed Cyrus with another look before striding from the dais, saying, "Come."

She didn't wait or look back to see if he was following as she made for the door, keeping her gaze firmly ahead. Either way, he'd managed to catch up with her after she'd stepped out into the hallway and headed towards the grand spiral stairs. Falling into step beside her, he matched her stride but remained silent as they walked along. But silence wasn't going to rid her of him as she gave him a glance.

"So what's so urgent that you need to talk privately, King Cyrus?"

"Not just yet, your majesty," he replied, not returning the look. "I'd rather speak away from prying ears."

There were some other people along the corridor who could have overheard them, all taking care to bow reverently to the pair as they passed, but she didn't care. All her suspicions were being raised as she asked, "Is there a reason why you're being so secretive?"

"You'll know why soon enough."

With that he fell silent again. Almost like he was nervous as they climbed the stairs in the direction of her chambers. In that silence Elsa found herself considering why he was there. What demanded a private audience? There were a few plausible explanations, although there really was only one that she actually cared about. Of course, whether or not that was it entirely depended on if she actually could trust Aaron's sister like he said she could. While she knew she probably shouldn't she found herself hoping that she could.

Still, in spite of her foreboding she wasn't about to let Cyrus relax around her as she prodded, "Princess Kresta didn't seem sure if it's wise for me to trust you."

There was a long pause before he answered, calmly asking, "And do you believe her?"

"I think that entirely depends on what you do next."

"Well, thank you for at least giving me a chance to prove myself rather than just condemning me based on hearsay. Particularly hearsay from such an… unfavorable source."

Given his lack of a response, she pressed harder. "Why does she hate you so much?"

That got his attention as he glanced over. "Oh, she said hate, did she?" His lips may have been smirking as always but his eyes were not. If anything they looked angry.

Not that Elsa was someone who could be intimidated as they approached her door. "No, but I'd say that's a safe assumption."

"Then perhaps that's all it is, an assumption." As they stopped by the entrance, Cyrus finally faced her. His jaw was set and his face firm as he said, "But I'm not here to relive the past, Queen Elsa. I'm here to discuss the future."

Once again she felt the urge to dismiss him, to take his self assuredness down a peg or two, but it was far too late for that as she motioned towards the door. "Very well. After you, King Cyrus."

Shaking his head, he reached over to turn the handle and swing it open. "Oh, I insist, your majesty. Always ladies first."

He probably meant it to sound dashing yet to Elsa it just came across as sleezy as she reluctantly turned her back on him and led him into the room. Her quarters were broken up into multiple rooms but she wasn't about to let him past the foyer as she gestured towards a pair of chairs beneath the windows lining the northern wall. "Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable."

That was the last thing she wanted to do as she took a seat herself while he opted not to. "If it's all the same to you, your majesty, I'd prefer to remain standing for this." As Cyrus spoke his eyes wandered about the room, taking it all in before saying, "Lovely quarters you have here. I particularly enjoy the view."

"Thank you." As she sat there, though, alone with him of all people, Elsa found she just couldn't wait for him to get to the point as she gave voice to what she was dreading. "Did Helena tell you?"

That got her a quizzical look as his focus settled back onto her, asking, "Did Lady Helena tell me what?"

In spite of his obvious confusion she kept going. "What she saw a week ago?"

Cyrus merely looked at her in silence as the seconds ticked by before something clicked and nodded. "Ah, yes. She mentioned about her brother showing her some mementos or some other. However, as heartwarming as it is to watch those two reconnect, that's not what I wished to discuss with you."

As much as Elsa wanted to, she wasn't sure if she could believe him as she scrutinized the king. She didn't tell him? It seemed like such an obvious thing to do yet no matter how hard she looked he appeared to remain completely oblivious. Perhaps Aaron had been right after all.

A sense of relief flowed in where her dread had been as she actually felt herself relaxing. If that was true then how bad could this really be? "Forgive me, your grace. What did you want to discuss?"

Puffing out his chest, Cyrus stood even taller as he smiled. Any nerves he'd been showing earlier had vanished as he boldly proclaimed, "Why, our impending engagement of course."

The words rolled over Elsa like a thunderclap, leaving her deafened and stunned. Any feeling of solace was eviscerated in an instant as she stared at him in disbelief. Did he… just say that? As daring as he was, she never would have expected even Cyrus to do something so insane. As ludicrous as it was, he continued to grin at her as the room steadily filled with an endless rush of silence until she eventually found enough footing to utter something.

"Excuse me?"

In spite of her lacking response his smile only grew as he instantly flowed into a soliloquy, ignoring her dumbfoundedness as he began pacing back and forth excitedly. "I was thinking of a fall wedding back in Ildonen. You should see it when the leaves start to turn, the hills and vales coming alive with color. It's simply divine. And of course we'll then have to decide upon living arrangements. We'd probably live in my palace and give your sister stewardship over Arendelle in your absence. That is, until our first son comes of age of course."

By then Elsa's senses were beginning to come back to her and that last comment was enough to jab her into action as she stood. Her expression was growing harsher by the second while her indignation grew, compelling her to grate, "Excuse me. Correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe a proposal is necessary before someone can be considered betrothed."

Her words managed to pop the balloon swelling around him and yet Cyrus remained willfully ignorant of her massing wrath as he nodded. "Ah, of course. Getting ahead of myself, how silly." With that, he actually had the audacity to close the distance between them and take her hand while dropping to one knee. He was still grinning as he proclaimed, "Queen Elsa of Arendelle, I, King Cyrus of Ildonen, humbly beseech you for your hand in marriage."

"No." The answer was immediate, a gut response before the absurdity of the situation could set in and she yanked her hand from his. Meanwhile, as agitated as Elsa was becoming on the outside, she was rallying against the rising storm emitting from deep within as she took an afronted step back. "No! I admit you've been bold in the past, King Cyrus, but you go too far this time."

He, however, remained completely unabashed as he rose to his feet, giving her a puzzled look. "Why?"

"Why?!" The answer was so obvious that it only infuriated Elsa further that he had to ask as she spat back, "Because I don't even know you!"

"So? Arranged marriages are common practice among royalty. As if I need to remind you of that."

"And why would I ever agree to such an arrangement with you?"

That may have been an obvious answer but it certainly wasn't an acceptable one, and yet he continued to soldier forward, clearly aware of just how aggravated he was making her. "Well I can think of a few compelling reasons, most notable of which being the fact that I'm a king. I'm probably the wealthiest, most powerful man you'll ever meet. A marriage with me means you can have anything you ever want."

Elsa wasn't sure why, but that was the final straw. Maybe it was because he thought her hand could be bought with wealth, or maybe it was just the last insult in a string of disappointments. Either way, she'd had enough as she waved him towards the door. "As compelling as that may be I'm afraid my answer must still be no. Now, if you don't mind I have more important matters to attend to so I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

With that she turned away so he couldn't see as she screwed her eyes shut and turned her attention inward. Calm. Calm. It's over, she thought grimly while wrestling with the writhing force struggling to escape from her. Ever since Cyrus had first arrived it had only gotten harder to control but she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of causing another outburst. She was better than that as she forced it back down to where it came boiling up from. There would be no winter today.

And yet, in spite of her roiling discomfort or the absolutely ridiculous thing he'd just done, Cyrus still managed to surprise her further. He didn't leave the room like she asked, nor was he foolish enough to approach her. Instead the room fell silent again for a while before she heard something unexpected. He was laughing.

Opening her eyes and slowly turning in disbelief, Elsa saw that he hadn't moved from where she'd left him, only something was different. His head had fallen back as he chuckled while the rest of him was no longer held up so proudly. Instead his shoulders were slumped, his entire body relaxed and when he was eventually able to look at her she saw that he was still smiling. Only, it wasn't that moronic smirk he always wore. For once this one actually seemed genuine and his eyes appeared sincere as his chortles gradually faded.

The abrupt transformation left her feeling even more uncertain than his pride had as she eyed him warily, asking, "Why are you laughing?"

Even Cyrus's voice sounded different when he responded. Softer, less arrogant. Poised. "Apologies, your majesty. I'm not laughing at you, I swear. Let's just call it a… odd sense of relief."

Elsa wasn't even sure if she should have felt insulted as she instinctively wrapped her arms tight and she echoed, "Relief?"

After a moment's consideration, he gently asked, "May I speak candidly with you? From one ruler to another." Unsure of anything to say, she merely stared at him in silence until he eventually gave a hapless shrug. "I'll take that as a yes. I hope you don't take this in the wrong way but part of me is happy to hear your rejection."

By that point Elsa didn't know what to believe. "You don't want to marry me?"

"Not as such, no. Meaning no offense of course. You're a captivating woman and I'm sure you would make for a fine bride. It's just…" Tapering off, he struggled with what to say before giving her weak grin. "Who would want to marry someone they hardly know?"

"I can think of someone," she found herself muttering before shaking her head. None of this was making sense. "But if that's how you truly feel then why bother proposing at all?"

Cyrus's smile faded at that and his face grew grim. His chest puffed out again, only this time it was with authority, not pride as he replied, "Because it's my duty. For Ildonen."

"How noble of you."

Her response was dry as she studied him cautiously. By then the dual shocks of his proposal followed by his supposed metamorphosis had begun to wear off as her suspicions began to seep back in. After all, Cyrus had already proven multiple times how conniving he could be as Elsa relaxed her arms while drawing herself upright. All the while she kept him firmly in place with a hard look.

"Don't think that I'm going to fall for this sudden change of heart," she eventually warned, slowly shifting around him. Did he really think he could play her again? "Just because you're acting polite and respectful now doesn't mean I'll suddenly forget about you acting like a scoundrel leading up to now."

Cyrus, meanwhile, remained utterly stoic as he stated, "With all due respect, Elsa, everything before now was the act."

"And I'm supposed to believe that because…?"

"Because it's the truth." Glancing out the window, he looked at the city beyond. His expression was stern, even tired as he said, "Out there in the eyes of the world I have a reputation to uphold. I'm the Lion of Ildonen. An uncompromising bulwark standing in the defense of my people as well as a dashing rogue who can get whatever he wants with just a flash of my smile." His gaze then flicked back to her. "But the reality is I'm just a man like everyone else, struggling to do what I think is best."

As sincere as he sounded, Elsa still refused to buy it, questioning, "Then why bother with the act at all?"

Unable to resist smirking, Cyrus gave a shrug. "You'd be surprised how much having a cocksure attitude about everything helps you get your way. Why, when I was still a prince, strutting about without a care in the world, I found that all I needed to get my way was a generous helping of charm."

"Did it ever occur to you that you were only getting your way because you were a prince?"

The question was meant to deflate him yet he took it in stride, openly admitting, "Oh, undoubtedly. But just being a prince doesn't necessarily open all doors, especially when it comes to women. In those instances an alluring grin and a few honeyed words go a long way."

That managed to stoke some of her lingering ire as she growled, "So, what? You thought I was just another inn keeper's daughter who could be won over with a wink by the handsome prince?"

"It couldn't hurt to try," he replied, remaining completely shameless in the face of her anger before growing grim. "Besides, it was easier than the truth."

"The truth?"

Now he was the one looking annoyed as he said, "I already told you, Elsa. I don't want to marry you. And yet, I must."

His answer remained just as insufficient as the first time he said it as she shook her head. "Why, though. Why must you marry me?"

Hesitating, Cyrus's eyes left hers for a moment before returning to reveal his iron resolve as he stated, "Because that's what kings do. They sacrifice."

Whatever that means. Brushing past the remark, she drove to the sticking point while shaking her head incredulously. "But why me? Arendelle isn't rich or mighty. Why not pursue someone else?" Then a thought occurred to her and she added, "Such as Kresta, since you seem so smitten with her."

Once again the comment deflected off harmlessly as he candidly replied, "That's simple. Kresta's not a queen."

"So you're just after my title."

"What I'm after, as you put it, is dependability," he replied brusquely, allowing his frustration to show again for a second. "Whilst Kresta does wield immense influence in Maneva what she doesn't hold is power. Her brother, Charles, does, so marrying her wouldn't guarantee me anything. To say nothing about how either of them feel about me. Whereas you, Elsa, you are the power in Arendelle. I can't think of a better partner than that."

Cyrus probably meant something different when he said that but to her it rang loud and clear as it all came together. Why he proposed to her even after having shown that he was afraid of her, why he'd even come here in the first place. It had never been for her. "So that's why," she said quietly, marveling at how simple it all was in hindsight. "You're not interested in me or Arendelle at all, are you?"

Growing wary at her sudden shift, he eyed her cautiously while asking, "Pardon?"

After some more thought Elsa speared him with a cold stare. "You're after my powers. That's why you want to marry me."

At first Cyrus's mouth opened like he was going to say otherwise, only he didn't. He just stood there with his mouth hanging open before surrendering with another shrug. "I would be lying if I said that wasn't a consideration."

"So you don't deny it?" she chided triumphantly, folding her arms while daring him to refuse.

And yet his newfound expression remained as sincere as ever as he replied, "Why would I?"

His blatant transparency managed to undermine some of Elsa's smugness, but that didn't make any of this less distasteful as she fought back a sneer. "Then it's true. You're just looking to use me."

Now it was his turn to look insulted as Cyrus barked, "Who said anything about use? As if I could even if I wanted to. No, I'm just looking to protect my own."

"And how would marrying me do that?"

"Really?" For the first time since Elsa had met him, he gave her a look of pure derision as he pointed a finger at her. "Do I honestly have to remind you, of all people, of what you did? You froze away half the world on a whim, and the world knows it. No one in their right mind would ever dare to threaten you. Or Arendelle, for that matter. So, in effect you've essentially become the world's greatest deterrent and if what I want is peace then who better to marry than you?"

Elsa wasn't entirely sure what to say to that as they looked at one another. He was right, after all. She highly doubted anyone would have the courage to oppose her openly, although they weren't exactly rushing to be by her side either. It was as though everyone was just watching to see what she did next, and perhaps Cyrus was here in an effort to get ahead of the rest. That only made his argument all the more plausible, which was decidedly worse for her than when he'd just been a bumbling buffoon.

Not waiting for her to respond, he continued his pitch. "Besides, you're acting like this would only be a one sided affair. That I would be the only one with something to gain. But I'm offering you an equal partnership here. The reality is what you said earlier about Arendelle being a smaller, poorer nation is absolutely true. And yet whilst you all may not have much to offer Ildonen, we both know that's not true the other way around."

She didn't like how he was making more and more sense as she replied, "Maybe, but we're doing just fine on our own."

"I can see that. But no one wants 'fine', Elsa. Do this, and you'll be extraordinary. Just think about it. Under my stewardship, Ildoni influence has stretched to every corner of the globe. With our colonies to the west and our lands in the east we have unmitigated access to all the world's bounties and all that wealth flows through my hands. All of it can be Arendelle's as well, I swear it. All you have to do is say yes."

As Cyrus spoke he became more and more keen while he drove his argument deeper, to the point that he was watching her avidly as he waited for her response. She, on the other hand, had accepted that he was a more competent adversary than she'd ever given him credit for. Not only could he charm his way through a crowd, but he also knew how to leverage his position. However, he must have assumed that Elsa was ignorant to what Ildonen had been up to in recent years if he was trying to flaunt that sprawling empire of his.

"That is tempting, I'll admit. After all, how could I say no to something that puts more food on my citizens' tables?" she eventually said before offering her rebuttal. "Although I do find it rich, hearing you say all you want is peace considering how Ildonen got all that wealth of yours. Just how many ships do you have at your command, anyway? Hundreds? Thousands?"

Rather than looking surprised or annoyed by her knowledge, though, instead what she got was respect as Cyrus gave her an approving nod. "I see someone's been paying attention to worldly affairs."

Crossing her arms, Elsa retorted, "We were isolated, not blind."

Even when the gates were closed and the world was locked away she'd still kept a weather eye out. As such, she knew. Everyone knew what Ildonen had done. How, over the course of decades, it had used its naval dominance to sweep up nation after nation at all corners of the globe, even going so far as to snatch some overseas land from their neighbor Maneva as well. That being said, ever since Cyrus had ascended to the throne the conquering had slowed considerably. Although not entirely.

Not that he seemed ashamed of any of this as he said, "Good. A wise ruler looks beyond their borders, not just within. With regards to the Grand Armada, a wide web requires careful tending. Without our fleets, what would there be to stop a horde of miscreants from trying to consume the harvest my people work so hard to reap? As for the other…"

Cyrus's voice fell away as he shifted his gaze to the far wall. If Elsa didn't know better she would have said he looked angry as he rigidly clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes boring into the woodwork. When he eventually spoke again his voice was harsh yet measured. "I can't help what my father did before my time, nor can I just revert all of his actions. What I can do is ensure that some of that collective wealth flows back to where it came from, so that all of Ildonen prospers. Not just the homeland."

Once again she found herself pausing as he made a good point. It wasn't fair to blame him for the tyranny of those who came before him, nor could he just uproot everything to start over. That being said, she so badly wanted to blame him something as he continuously weaseled past her arguments. "And so, what? Say we were to get married. Would you then expect Arendelle to come rushing to your every beck and call?"

Coming back from his bitter ruminations, he shook his head. "Not at all. All I would ask is that you be there for us in our times of need as we would be for you."

"This still leaves us with the problem of me having to marry you," Elsa uttered sourly, inwardly gagging at the notion.

Chuckling in response, Cyrus's smile returned as he laughed. "Oof. Very cutting, your majesty. Very cutting indeed. May I ask what it is about me that you find so disagreeable?"

That was a good question as she paused before saying, "I'll admit there's nothing in particular. You seem to be at least capable of decency. Assuming, of course, that you can refrain from any more antics."

"I take it you still haven't forgiven me for my little stunt?" he replied as his grin turned sly, if a little sheepish as well.

"Not even remotely, no," Elsa growled, bristling at the mere memory of it. "But I'm not talking about that."

"Then why? What reason could you possibly have for denying you and your people such an opportunity?"

Yet more queries she didn't have answers for. At least, not answers she was willing to share, not with him. There was no way that she was ever going to tell Cyrus, of all people, about her secret tryst with Aaron. That being said, she didn't have to admit the full truth. Just part of it. "Because… this may sound silly, but I want what my sister has. I'd rather not be wed for politics or diplomacy. I'd like it to be for love."

There. She'd said it. It felt so childish to admit it like that and it may have been a little selfish to say such a thing but it was true, and surely anyone could sympathize with that.

Although Elsa did not expect him to more than sympathize as his smile waned and he nodded. "Ah. Of course. Well, believe it or not, Elsa, we're in complete agreement in that respect."

"We are?"

"Who wouldn't want to marry for love? To get to spend each and every day with someone you cherish?" Cyrus asked, his eyes brightening at the very notion only to dim once more as he frowned at the floor. "But love is for the masses. Not for monarchs like you or I."

A small part of her, tucked far away, knew that was probably true but she refused to accept it. She had to, for the sake of her relationship as she refuted, "How so? How come they may pursue romance and yet we can't?"

His gaze remained low as he slowly, even reluctantly stated, "Because as beautiful as it may be, love is also blinding. It clouds our judgment and distracts us from our duty. So how, in good conscience, could we allow ourselves to fall for such a thing when there are so many depending on us to make the hard decisions?"

The truer his statement rang, the more it stung as Elsa tried in vain to deny it. Was it selfish of her, the queen, to be with Aaron and not someone who could benefit the kingdom? Maybe. But she couldn't help who she loved. More importantly, she had to remember who she was talking to and the vast hypocrisy strung through his entire statement. "Is that what you told Kresta?"

Instantly Cyrus's face hardened into stone as he slowly returned his attention to her. Despite his best efforts his voice was still tense as he asked, "What about Kresta?"

"She's the one, isn't she?" she replied, ignoring his discomfort as she voiced the obvious. The way they'd spoken, how defeated he'd been at the end. It didn't take much to guess. "The one you used to love."

Seconds dragged by in a strained silence as they looked at one another before he eventually answered, "Yes. But that all ended."

"So it would seem. Although she's not the one who caused it to end."

"No. She wasn't."

"Then what did you do? Or are you too ashamed to say?"

Things must have ended poorly for Kresta to despise him the way she did and yet Cyrus now looked offended, even outraged as he cautioned her. "Careful, your majesty. You're wandering into things you don't understand."

"Then make me understand," Elsa snapped back. "Because you want me to marry you and yet I have a clear example of what happens to someone when they're in a relationship with you. Someone, I might add, whom you claim to have loved whilst also saying that you can't afford to love."

Cyrus continued to stew as he held her with a long, steely stare. Under normal circumstances he probably would have refused to continue, but he must have really wanted that yes because he wasn't willing to give up just yet. Instead he closed his eyes long enough to take a long breath before they reopened and he conceded. "Fair enough. What do you know about my relationship with Kresta?"

"Not much," she admitted, watching him for any deception.

"Then it might surprise you to know that we were engaged."

Just like that he landed another blow as Elsa stood there mute before asking, "You were what?"

He, meanwhile, looked like he was discussing the news of the day rather than something deeply personal as he simply replied, "Engaged. Betrothed. I was to be hers and she mine."

Once again she was at a loss for words as she tried in vain to fit this new piece into place. If they really were that close at some point that would explain Kresta's emotional reaction to him, although it didn't explain why she didn't just tell Elsa herself. Perhaps she could get some answers from him as she asked, "But I thought Ildonen and Maneva hated one another? How did that ever happen?"

"Oh, we do," Cyrus answered with a nod. "There are literally centuries of bad blood between our realms. Which is why Kresta's mother the queen put forth the proposal. As a way to begin mending old wounds."

"And your father accepted."

"How could he not? As much as he despised Maneva no one could argue with such a match. Binding the two strongest kingdoms in the world behind one throne? Even for him that was too good to refuse. I myself didn't think much of the arrangement and I know Kresta thought even less of it but it's not like we had much of a say in the matter. And do you know what happened?"

Elsa didn't have to wonder for long to guess the answer. "You fell in love?"

"We fell in love," he said, his lips smiling at the memory of it. He wasn't even looking at her anymore as he continued. "Granted, things weren't perfect at the beginning, considering I was still a bit of a rogue at the time. Not that that ever stopped her from teaching me a lesson or two, always keen to crack me back into place if I ever placed so much as a toe out of line. But she was also fair, giving credit where it was due. And then… I don't know. Things just happened and next I knew I couldn't wait to marry her."

He said it with such sincerity that even she couldn't bring herself to doubt him as she listened. Besides, Elsa could always ask her if any of this was true later. "So what happened? Clearly you're not married so something must have come between you."

Instantly Cyrus's face fell as his eyes dropped and he achingly replied, "Tragedy, I'm afraid. Both of Kresta's parents died in a horrible accident and just like that our engagement was nullified."

Elsa still remembered when the news had come, how awful she'd felt as she commiserated from afar. Of course, she still felt some regret with regards to that yet she wasn't sure how their deaths were relevant. "Just like that? How so? I realize how tragic that must have been but it had nothing to do with your impending marriage."

"Let's just say the new king had never been terribly fond of me or my people. The moment he was crowned Charles ended the engagement and my father, always willing to trade an eye for an eye, agreed. In an instant we were severed from one another and our relationship was over."

His voice had a note of finality in it as he finished, allowing himself brood over the past silently while Elsa nearly found herself pitying him. Once again she had to remind herself why he was there as she shook off his story. "That sounds incredibly unfair to both of you and if it's true then I'm sorry it happened. But you forgot to include a critical detail in your story."

"Which is?"

"The reason why I asked for it in the first place. Why does Kresta loath you so much? Just what did you do to her?"

She expected his anger to return at the accusation only it didn't. All he did was continue to look away solemnly while quietly saying, "Honestly? I'm afraid you'll have to ask her because I don't know. I'll even go so far as to admit that that question has kept me up through some long, lonesome nights." A long silence followed his words before he added, "But I didn't tell you all of that to wallow in my own self pity or to gain your sympathy. I told it to serve a point."

"And what point would that be?"

"That as glorious as our love may have been, it ended. Whatever we may have been, it's over and it's never coming back. So my love may have died, but my duty…" With that Cyrus stood taller as his hardening gaze found her again. The memories of the past sloughed off him while his jaw ground with determination as he uttered sternly, "My duty is everlasting. No matter how my heart might break or my world might change, my people will always be there depending on me. So how could anyone ask me to do something so selfish as to marry for love when I could instead marry for them?"

The truth of his words dragged at Elsa again, but that wasn't what was really pulling her down. Rather it was a second truth that came with them, a truth that only she knew which she'd been unable to escape for months. Cyrus didn't need to know that truth, though, as she replied heavily, "They can't. But that doesn't mean I have to marry you."

Nodding thoughtfully, he said, "You're right. It doesn't. But even so, we both know you'll never find a match more suitable than me. Now, I've said my piece so I'll go. I know you're a very busy woman and I'd hate to take up any more of your time." She preferred when he was a bumbling oaf, rather than trying to crush her reluctance with pure honesty over and over, except he wasn't done as he glanced at the door only to hesitate. "However. Before I do I fear that I must persist. I know that you've already given me an answer, Elsa, but out of deference to my home I have to ask one more time."

With that Cyrus closed the distance between them once more as he sank down onto one knee. This time he was smart enough not to touch her, only everything about him was different. Whereas earlier he'd been cocky, now he was hesitant as he looked up at her. Before he was relaxed, now he was completely serious as he spoke. "Queen Elsa of Arendelle. Will you marry me?"

The question hung between them a second time, except that he wasn't the only one who was different. This time the no caught in Elsa's throat as she looked down at him, her gut response dying as she considered not only him but everything he represented. What a marriage to him would mean not only to her but everyone around her.

When she failed to answer Cryus nodded before rising to his feet, saying, "You don't have to answer now. All that I ask is that you consider everything that I'm offering to you and Arendelle."

His voice conveyed how badly he wanted her to say yes yet she couldn't say that either. All Elsa could say was, "Very well, Cyrus. I'll think about it."

It obviously wasn't everything he was hoping for but he took the answer graciously as he retreated. "Thank you. I can't ask for more than that. In the meantime, though, I've clearly just laid a great deal upon you so I'll leave you in peace. Until next we speak." By then Cyrus had made it to the door, turning away to open it while taking another deep breath. When he looked back at her his smirk was back, only something about it was off. It lacked the confidence he was always carrying around with him as he reverently added, "Your majesty," before stepping into the hall.

Just like that, Elsa was alone as the door closed behind him. Completely and utterly alone, with nothing to distract her as the weight of their conversation began to close in, only feeding the doubts she'd been wrestling with for so long. Instantly the stillness of the room was more than she could handle as the silence echoed in her ears, her eyes drifting towards the windows and the world beyond. Her breathing was already beginning to tighten as she wished to be anywhere else. To be anyone else.