Kristian Bjorgman had been sitting in the chocolate shop for at least three hours.
Where is Summer? She never misses a chocolate date!
He shifted in his chair again and glanced around. There were posters advertising the latest concoctions and new flavors, small tables and chairs spread evenly across the room, and several customers browsing the counters. Most everything was pink and spirally, and if Kristian was honest, it was much too girly for his taste. But Summer liked it, and claimed they had the best chocolate, so that's where they went every market day.
Where is she?
Impatient, he glanced at his watch. It had been a special gift from his papa on his ninth birthday. When he had opened the box and pulled out the watch, his papa had said, 'Its important to always know the time while on adventures son, that way you can make it home to spend time with the people you love.' His papa had winked at his mama then, who had giggled as a blush bloomed across her freckled cheeks. They really loved each other.
Kristian's papa had given up his life of freedom and living wild in the mountains, to be with Princess Anna, Kristian's mama. He hadn't completely given it up since he occasionally took trips into the mountains with his trusty reindeer Sven. They would spend a few days up there harvesting ice, and living like they used to. But they were never gone for more than a day or two and always returned sooner than they said they would. Papa always said it was because he was worried that Aunt Elsa and mama would have ruined the economy by purchasing so much chocolate, but Kristian and Summer knew better. On the nights papa and Sven would return, and Summer and Kristian had been put to bed, the two would get up quietly and sneak down to the library and peek inside. There siting in front of a bright fire, would be mama and papa. They would be drinking hot chocolate and papa would have his arms wrapped around mama, and she would be leaning against his chest. They would talk quietly, and sometimes they would kiss. Kristian used to think it was gross, but Summer always had to cover her mouth so no giggles escaped.
"May I help you, sir?" The blonde waitress, who had been coming to his table every fifteen minutes, asked. Kristian blinked hard to bring himself back to the present.
"Uh, no. I'm still waiting for someone." He smiled politely then turned back to watch the door. The blonde waitress didn't leave. Instead, she sat down across from him, in the seat that should have held Summer.
"I think you should find someone else." She shrugged.
"What?" Kristian looked at her, confused.
"She is not coming. That girl that you are waiting for? She stood you up."
"Stood me up? But she doesn't have any reason to."
"Maybe she does not like you any longer? Or maybe she found another man?" The blonde girl stated.
"Another guy? To what, be her brother?" He laughed at the absurdity.
"What?" Now it was the waitress' turn to be confused.
"The girl I'm waiting for is my sister." Kristian looked at the girl.
What did she think? That Summer and I were dating?
"Oh." The blonde girl's whole demeanor changed and she leaned a little closer. "Hello. I'm Eline Bentsen. My father is the chocolatier who owns this shop." She gestured to the place around them.
"I'm Kristian. Kristian Bjorgman. My father helps run the country." He blushed a little.
The girl was really pretty actually. Now that she wasn't trying to explain that the girl he had been waiting for wasn't coming.
"You and your sister come here a lot, yah?"
"Yeah, she likes the chocolate." He internally cringed and wished he could take the words back.
Duh. This is a chocolate shop.
"Good." Eline giggled. She looped a piece of blonde hair that had come loose from her bun around her finger and smiled at him with her glittering green eyes.
So maybe she's a little more than pretty.
"Yeah, me too." He laughed, feeling his cheeks heat up.
"You are the prince, correct?"
"Yep. That's me."
Glad I'm not the only one saying dumb things. Not that that was dumb. I mean maybe she really didn't know.
"Wow." She smiled.
"What?"
"The prince and princess of Arendelle, like my chocolate!" She blushed and looked at her hands.
"Wait. You make it?" His eyes widened.
"Yes. Well, my father makes most of it, but I help."
"Still. You make it."
"Would you like to see how we make the chocolate?" She bit her lip and looked at him through her lashes. Kristian was a goner.
"I'd love to." He got up from his table and followed her behind the counter, through a back door, and into a neat and clean kitchen. It smelled amazing. There was plate after plate stacked high with all different varieties of chocolate.
"Wow. This is incredible!"
"Thank you! You have a favorite kind, yah?"
"Well, I really like carrots, but there isn't a carrot flavored chocolate." He laughed.
"No, we have not made that flavor yet." She giggled with him.
Wow. Summer would love this.
Wait.
Summer.
"Oh no. No, no, no." Kristian closed his eyes and rubbed a hand down his face.
"What's wrong?" Eline reached out and touched his arm. He turned to her.
"Eline, it's been great getting to talk to you, but I really need to find my sister. She was supposed to meet me here, but she hasn't shown up, and it's been," he checked his watch, "four hours since she was supposed to meet me."
"Oh. I understand. I would offer to go with you, but I need to stay and run the shop." Eline smiled apologetically.
"It's fine. I'm sure I'll be able to find Summer in no time." He started walking out the way he had come, and Eline followed him. She stopped at the counter and he continued to the door.
"Kristian, your highness, wait!" She called. He turned back to meet her gaze.
"You'll come back, yah?" Eline smiled.
"Of course. I'll make sure to bring Summer for your double dipped, triple chocolate truffles."
"Or you could just come, you know, just you." She blushed profusely and studied the marble counter beneath her fingers.
"I'd love to." He grinned and she looked up to meet his eyes, her cheeks still tinged pink. She waved as he left the shop. His steps were light as he strolled down the sidewalk. Summer was probably just caught up in the excitement of market day. She did love it. Kristian smiled as he pictured her twirling somewhere.
"Summer!" He called down the street.
No answer.
Maybe she went back home. It's possible she just forgot.
He started the walk home. Reaching the gates, he waved to the gatekeeper and walked through the side door. Kristian took the steps two at a time and pushed the wide oak door open.
"Summer!" He called and heard his voice echo through the palace.
No answer.
Maybe she's in her room?
He climbed the wide spiral staircase that led to the second floor where the bedrooms were located.
"Summer?" He whispered as he opened her bedroom door, fearful of what he might find.
No answer.