Malec Tales Series 2: Frozen AU: Chapter Four- Love is an Open Door.

Magnus Pov- The church was filled to the brink with royal delegates, princes, princesses, dukes and duchesses. Just looking at them all was making me panic again.

"Are you going to be okay," Alec asked, handing me a cup of tea. I took it, not able to stop myself from smiling at him.

"You aren't supposed to be serving me anything Alexander."

He shrugged. "I didn't make you tea as your servant. I made it as your friend. Now be quiet and drink it."

When he noticed how easygoing he was being toward me he quickly looked down, flushing in embarrassment.

"I-I mean… please drink some tea my Lord. It will help you calm down."

I laughed slightly, shaking my head at him. "Thank you, Alexander."

"I can tell you are worried but you have no reason to be. You will be the best king Alicante has ever had."

"That's nice of you to say Alexander, but we both know it's not true. No one could ever take the place of my father."

Alec frowned, wiping some lint off my uniform. "You're father was an amazing ruler but I think you will be too. You just got to believe in yourself."

I nodded, thinking about what he said. He was right. My father was a great king but surely there are things I can offer our kingdom that father could not.

Silence spread out between us before he looked up at me, meeting my eyes.

"Magnus… why did you-"

"Come on Magnus. It's time to begin the coronation," Michael cut off, smiling excitedly.

Alec looked at him before looking back at me frowning.

I watched him for a moment before turning away from him, facing the door that led inside the church.

"You need to walk in first Alec."

He nodded frowning before making his way into the church, putting a smile on his face.

I waited for him to get to the front of the chapel before I made my way down the long isle. Everyone in the stands stood up as I walked passed and I couldn't help but compare this to a wedding.

Imagine, Alexander and I getting married. That would be absolutely amazing. Sadly, that's nothing but a dream. There is no way Alec and I could ever get married. Not while I can't control this power.

When I got to the front, everyone sat down again and the music stopped playing. A man now stood before me, holding a pillow with the scepters sitting on top of it. He was a really old guy. They say he has sworn in the last three generations of Kings. I wouldn't be surprised if I was his last.

Alec moved over to the side so he wasn't standing directly next to me. My guess was he didn't feel like that was his place to be, even though it was where he was supposed to stand.

Another man walked up, taking the pillow and scepters away from the old man before handing him the kings crown. I haven't seen it since the last time my father had an important royal party.

"Please bow prince Magnus," the old man asked. I nodded, bowing my head forward. He placed the crown on my head with shaky hands. The poor guy was too old for this job, but I allowed him to continue.

He grabbed the pillow once again, holding the scepters out to me. I reached out to grab them but stopped at the sound of Ragnor coughing from the crowd, obviously trying to tell me to take off the gloves.

Sighing, I hesitantly took off my gloves before placing them on the pillow. The old man nodded in approval, happy that I chose to do so.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the long golden scepter with an angelic rune engraved on top, along with a small round golden sphere covered in gems, in my other hand.

I turned toward the crowd and they once again all stood up, smiling happily at me. I wanted to smile back at them but I was too nervous. What if something went wrong? All these people would turn on me in an instant if they knew the truth about me. Alexander would turn against me.

I glanced down at the scepters and my eyes widened, seeing that they were starting to frost over.

The old man was reciting the vows but he was going so slow. It made me panic even more. Why was he taking so long? I need to put these down. I need my gloves! Everyone will know the truth if I don't get my gloves back on now!

The words 'King Magnus of Alicante,' hit my ears and I immediately put the scepters back on the pillow and grabbed my gloves, putting them back on.

Everyone clapped for me, happy for me and my new title. Alec clapped as well, smiling brightly and looking over the moon for me.

I smiled slightly at him before making my way down the isle and back toward the castle, to prepare for the party that would be held later that night.

Alec Pov- "You did great out there Alec. Very princely indeed," Isabelle laughed, putting her arm around my neck playfully.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Sure, make fun of me all you want. Where is Max?"

My nine year old brother walked up frowning, messing with the buttons of his suit.

"Alec, I can't get this to work!"

Smiled slightly at him, I got to his level and did up all the buttons for him. "There, all better now. You look so handsome."

"Doesn't he? I bet he will be the most handsome prince at the party," Isabelle bragged, making me nod in agreement.

Max blushed, embarrassed by his doting siblings.

"Are you ready Alec? You will be announced into the room after Magnus. You are to go stand by him next to the throne," Michael informed, making me frown.

"I don't have any right to stand next to Magnus. I'm not anything special."

Isabelle shook her head. "You are next in line to be king if something happens to Magnus. By royal standards, that makes you pretty important."

I hugged myself frowning. "What if Magnus ignores me the entire night? I can't stand next to him and get the cold shoulder. It will break me."

"He talked to you earlier didn't he," Michael asked. "Surely he will talk to you now."

He was right. Magnus did talk to me a little bit earlier. He even accepted my gift, though we ended up switching.

I almost asked him why he stopped talking to me all those years ago. No matter what happens tonight, I need to know why. I won't let him avoid the question any longer.

"Announcing, king Magnus of Alicante," the squire called, as Magnus made his way into the ballroom. He walked over to the throne before standing in front of it with his gloved hands folded in front of him.

"Announcing, Prince Alexander of Alicante."

I swallowed hard before making my way into the ballroom, avoiding meeting people's eyes as they bowed to me. It was weird seeing people treat me like a prince. I have mostly lived as a servant.

I stopped a few feet away from Magnus but the squire grabbed me by the arm and pulled me over to stand next to Magnus.

"Let the celebration begin" Magnus called out, making everyone cheer and music start playing. The people around us started to dance making me smile. It was so great seeing the ballroom so full of laughter and life.

"Amazing isn't it," Magnus's voice hit my ears.

I quickly looked at him, shocked to see that he was indeed talking to me. He was looking at me with a sweet smile on his face. The sight of it made me flush slightly.

"Yes… I'm used to this ballroom being so empty and cold. It's actually very warm in here."

Magnus nodded. "The food smells amazing as well. Did you help make any of it?"

I nodded, moving a strand of hair behind my ear nervously. "I made a few of the meals."

He nodded. "I wouldn't doubt it. The breakfast you make me every morning is always delicious."

I didn't know I needed to hear him say that until now. The compliment made me feel all fuzzy and warm inside. It was like the feeling I used to get when we were children and he would smile at me.

As if reading my mind, Magnus asked: "Do you remember the first time we ever played together?"

I nodded smiling, thinking about it. "We we're five years old. It was snowing outside and our parents pushed us out to the garden to get out of their hair."

Magnus frowned slightly but it was only for a second. It was long enough for me to notice though.

"What? Was that not right? Wait, it was summer when we met right? No… I swear we played in the snow."

Magnus frowned a moment longer, glancing at the white streak in my hair before looking back at my face.

"No… you were right. It was snowing. We made snow angels before trying to build a snowman."

I laughed at that. "You built a snowman. I couldn't roll up the snow good enough. Didn't you steal your dad's reading glasses and put them on your snowman?"

He nodded smiling. "I think I was mad at him for putting his royal paper work before me, so I stole his glasses so he wouldn't be able to read the papers. Actually-,"

He pulled a pair of thick rimmed black glasses out of his pocket. "I grabbed them on the way to the church. I guess I just wanted a part of my dad with me today."

I smiled, thinking that was really sweet.

"I think the glasses gave our snowman some character."

Magnus nodded, putting the glasses back in his pocket. "Didn't we name him Sheldon?"

"Simon. We named him Simon, Magnus."

"Oh that's right. I forgot."

Silence spread between us and it started to make me feel panicked. I needed to think of something to say fast or we won't make any progress.

To my surprise, Magnus turned to me, holding out his gloved hand. "Michael told me I need to dance with at least one person tonight. Would you like to dance with me?"

My heart was pounding in my chest. "You want to dance with me?"

He nodded, "unless you don't want to…"

"No! I mean yes! I mean… yes… I would like to dance with you. I would like it very much."

He laughed slightly before grabbing my hand and leading me to the middle of the dance floor. People moved aside as they watched us make our way through the crowd.

Once we were in the middle, Magnus put his right hand in mine before laying his left hand on my waist. I blushed at the fact that I was technically the girl. It made sense though. The king shouldn't be the girl when it comes to dancing. Magnus has always been better at dancing anyway so it only makes sense that he should lead. He was the one who taught me after all.

Memories of us as children twirling around the ballroom laughing, filled my head. Those were such simple times. I wish we could be like that again.

I placed my free hand on his shoulder and he smiled at me before we started to waltz around the room. The world and everyone around us disappeared. It was just the music, Magnus and I.

He looked deep into my eyes, like he could find all the answer to life's problems in them. I looked back into his, hoping I could find the same. I wanted the answers to all my questions. I want to know what I did wrong all those years ago.

"Magnus… what happened? Why did you stop talking to me," I whispered low enough for only us to hear.

Magnus's shoulders tensed up but he didn't answer, he just kept twirling us around the room.

"Please Magnus, I need to know what I did wrong. Did I offend you somehow? Whatever I did, I'm really sorry."

Magnus stopped suddenly, looking at me with shock and pain in his eyes.

"You… you think it's your fault?"

"It has to be. Please tell me what I did and I will fix it. I miss the way we used to be. I want to be like that again."

Magnus searched my eyes, as if he was fighting himself on something. He wouldn't answer me. He just stared at me with that same look of pain in his eyes.

He looked at the white streak in my hair again and his hands shook against my skin. His eyes dimmed, like he was looking back in time, seeing something that I couldn't.

Suddenly, his hands were off of me and he stepped a few feet away. Confused, I went to reach out to grab his hand but he moved it away from me, just like he did the day he stopped talking to me.

"We can't do this Alec."

"Do what? Be friends? Talk to each other? Why not? What did I do that was so terrible?"

"You didn't do anything. I did."

I stared at him in confusion, wanting an explanation but didn't get one. Magnus just shook his head and turned his back to me.

"Give up on us being like before Alexander. It can't happen."

With that he walked away, going to talk to other people. I watched him go in shock, feeling devastated. He rejected me again. I thought we were making progress but it seems we will never be like we were before.

Feeling tears sting at my eyes, I turned to run out of the room but my hand was grabbed and I was pulled back into someone's arms.

My heart soared thinking it was Magnus, but as I looked into Jonathan's green eyes, the pounding turned to a light flutter.

Noticing the tears in my eyes, he frowned, taking his index finger and brushing them off the corners of my eyes.

"You were crying? What happened?"

I just shook my head, faking a smile. "It's nothing, just drama you wouldn't want to get involved in."

"You'd be surprised. I have a lot of experience with family drama. Want to grab some food and talk somewhere quiet?"

I thought about that for a moment. It would be nice to get all of this off my chest with someone. Jonathan doesn't know Magnus, so he will have an outsiders view on everything that's going on. That could help me.

"Yes. I would like that very much."

He smiled and led me over to the food table. He piled on a few finger foods and sandwiches onto a plate before having me lead the way out of the ballroom.

We went to the throne room where a bed of pillows were sitting on the floor. The room was empty so it was a good place to talk in private.

We both sat on the pillows before Jonathan handed me a sandwich. I took it smiling slightly before silently biting into it.

"So, tell me about all your problems."

I chewed on the sandwich, wondering if I should really confide in him with all my problems. I barely know him after all.

Sensing my hesitation, he laughed slightly and popped a piece of chocolate into his mouth.

"How about I start with one of my problems and then we can move on to yours? As a sign that we can trust each other."

I nodded liking the idea and he nodded before leaning back more into the pillows.

"How much do you know about my family?"

I shrugged, hugging my knees to my chest. "I know your sister is next in line for the throne."

He nodded. "That's right. My little sister."

That made me frown. "If you are older, shouldn't you be the next one to rule Edom?"

He nodded, rolling his eyes but it didn't seem to be at me. "I went through a bit of a rebellious streak for awhile. I'm over it now but the damage has been done. My father didn't see me as fit to run a kingdom so he appointed my sister as his heir. She was to be married to a prince of our neighboring kingdom of Idris, but fell in love with a peasant boy in Edom. I thought that would make her get her title taken away but it seems my father likes the guy, so a peasant is going to take my place as king."

I looked ahead thinking about that. "I consider myself more of a peasant than a prince. I was born a servant and I'm sure I'll die a servant. I love my job so it's okay with me."

Jonathan laid on his side, resting on his elbow and laying his head in his hand.

"I doubt that is the problem that made you cry."

I shook my head no, sighing. "That's a whole other can of worms."

He waved his free hand in a I'm listening motion. I took a deep breath before barring my soul to him.

"Magnus and I used to be best friends. We would spend every moment we could together. One day though he just suddenly stopped wanting to talk to me and to this day I don't know why. Whenever I ask, he doesn't give me an answer."

Jonathan listened before nodding slowly. "That does seem like a problem. Especially since you are so obviously in love with him."

"Yeah… wait, what?!"

He looked at me with a I'm not stupid face making me blush and look away, hiding my face behind my hand.

"You must think I'm mental."

"Only slightly," he chuckled, shaking his head. He then reached out and gently grabbed my chin, making me look back at him.

"Magnus doesn't deserve your affections if he treats you so coldly. Ever think of trying to be with someone else?"

My face felt hot in his grasp. "Well… I thought about it but… it's easier said than done."

"That's only because you haven't had the chance to try forgetting him."

He stood up, brushing food off of his suit before holding his hand out to me. "Let me help you forget him."

I swallowed hard, not knowing if this was a good idea or not. Jonathan seemed like a good guy, and he did make my heart flutter when he smiles. Maybe I could love him.

Smiling slightly, I put my hand in his, letting him pull me up to my feet. I thanked him before letting him lead me out of the throne room.

I didn't know where we were going until we got to the castle doors.

"Are we going outside?"

He nodded. "You don't go out much right?"

"Yeah, the king made it a rule that I can't leave the castle. I don't really know the reason why."

He shrugged. "Well the gates are still open. That means anyone is allowed to come and go as they please. Let's explore Alicante together."

I nodded smiling as he entwined our fingers and led me out of the castle. We made our way passed the seller stalls and to the docks.

"Ever been on a ship Alec?"

I shook my head no. "No… I rather keep it that way. My parents died on a ship."

Jonathan frowned at that. "Of course. Sorry that was inconsiderate of me."

I quickly shook my head no. "You don't have to apologize. I just don't want to set foot on the water."

He nodded, leading me towards the woods instead. "I completely understand. I hear there is a waterfall not far from here. Would you want to maybe check that out?"

I nodded, relaxing slightly. "I would."

He nodded and we kept our hands joined as we made our way through the woods. It was night so it would have been dark if it wasn't for the lanterns lighting the way to the waterfall. Guess the villagers thought the visitors would want to see it.

When the waterfall was in sight my mouth fell open in awe. It was so beautiful, the sound of the running water like music to my ears. It was all so peaceful.

"Care for a dance," Jonathan asked, pulling me close, putting his other hand on my waist. I blushed, placing my free hand on his shoulder. We moved around in the grass, the sounds of the water the only music accompanying us.

It didn't feel like it did when dancing with Magnus. When Magnus and I danced together, the whole world around us vanished. With Jonathan, it felt like we were dancing in some kind of fairytale land. Even the fireflies we're floating around us.

"Do you really want to spend the rest of your life in the shadow of Magnus Bane," Jonathan asked, pulling me out of my fantasy.

"Pardon me?"

He twirled me before pulling me close and dipping me.

"As long as you hold onto your feelings for Magnus, he will always have power over you. Don't you want to be free from the stress of loving him?"

I nodded, not knowing what to say. It was true that being in love with Magnus was only dragging me down. The pain of him rejecting me all the time was becoming too much to take.

"You deserve someone who would really love you. Someone who will spend every day showing you how special you are. I could be that for you. I could be everything you ever need."

I stared up at him wide eyed, shocked at all these things he was saying.

"Why would you do that for me?"

He smiled sweetly, making my bones feel like butter.

"Because, I'm falling in love with you Alec."

My face burned at his words. Love? He thinks he's in love with me? Am I in love with him? What even is love really?

He pulled me up so I was standing up straight but he didn't look away from my eyes.

"Alec, I'm eighteen. My father wants me to be married in as little as a few months. I was planning on rejecting his demand but… meeting you has changed my mind. I want to marry you Alec."

All I could do was stare at him in shock. I didn't know how to respond. He really wanted to marry me? Why would he want to do that?

"I… I can't leave Alicante. I'm a servant before a prince. If you married me, you would become a servant as well. Surely your father wouldn't approve of that."

"I would proudly become a servant if it meant I could spend the rest of my life with you. You are special Alec, and you should be treated as if you are special. I can give that to you."

"You're serious? You really want to marry me?"

He nodded smiling. "I've never been so serious in all my life. I want to be with you Alec. Maybe you want to be with me too. I swear I can give you everything you could ever want out of life and love."

I bit my lip thinking it over. His offer sounded nice but could I really marry someone I just met? That sounds more like something Isabelle would do.

I've never been reckless before. Maybe this could be my chance to be a new person. To break away from Magnus and learn to love someone new.

"Yes… yes Jonathan. I'll marry you."

The words felt heavy coming out of my mouth but the moment they were out, I felt the butterflies fluttering in my chest and stomach again.

Jonathan smiled, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close, hugging me. I laid my head on his chest, smiling at the warmness of it. It feels nice to be held.

Suddenly something occurred to me. "I'm not allowed to get married without the kings permission. We would have to ask Magnus first."

He smiled grabbing my hand again. "Lets go ask him right now. We could be married by this weekend."

"That's pretty quick" I said following him back to the castle.

He smiled pulling my hand to his mouth and kissing my knuckles. "The sooner we are married, the sooner we can start being happy together."

I nodded, thinking that made sense. Asking Magnus was the part I was worried about. If he said no, then everything could go wrong.