Serephina
I never thought it was possible to see that much in one day. After the extremely awkward period of first introductions, I was tossed into the flurry of her sister Anna who was put in charge of our tour. Happily the girl agreed to her sister's request. Of course meeting Elsa's younger sibling was an experience all on its own. She nearly ripped my arm from its socket once Elsa whispered "She's like me," into her ear. Although, I still ponder what exactly was meant by those words.
But Anna and her fiancé, Kristoff I believe, lead us through the grounds and the castle. I held up the tail of the group with Elsa nearby, speaking to two men, one older and the other around our age. The older man spoke animatedly to Elsa, but she only replied calmly and quietly. The younger man, Antoine, continuously glanced back at me with a suspicious gaze. Most of the time though, he focused on Elsa and sent her charming smiles that made my skin crawl. Eventually the queen had enough of Nikolas's conversation and held up a hand to his face and spoke sharply, "Enough, we aren't discussing this anymore Nikki."
She was back at my side soon enough. "What was that about?"
"Nothing for you to worry about, honest. Nikolas is just upset that I've been hard to find lately." She whispered into my ear. The brush of her breath made me shiver in the best way. Making sure everyone was looking straight ahead and focusing on the babbling Anna leading the tour, I quickly squeezed Elsa's cool hand. She squeezed back, and a smile touched her troubled expression.
Anna brought us throughout the gardens, which I already knew well, before taking us inside the castle. The impressive front doors opened to reveal the threshold of the castle. Green and red walls with wood paneling greeted up. Large windows let in unlimited amounts of sunlight from outside with heavy magenta curtains parted around each one. Grand twin spiral staircases mirrored each other on either side of the main hallway stretching before us. Two identical wings lead to either far side of the castle on either side of us. The building was gorgeous, I will say that.
"Come on, right this way!" Anna yelped with happiness before rushing forward.
In the few hours we had left to the afternoon, Anna made sure I was going to see everything. The six of us rushed around each corridor and hall. They showed me the dining room, kitchen, ballroom, and study as well as the many extra sitting rooms scattered around the wings. The ladies informed me that all the bedrooms and most of the bathrooms were on the second floor, and that I would see them later.
We were moved with little time to stop anywhere, except for one place. Right before we visited the chapel where Elsa's coronation was held, we entered the hall of portraits. The long hall was decorated with at least a dozen portraits on either side. As soon as we entered the space, Anna was ready to move on, "Alright, the chapel is this way and—"
Elsa saw though that my interest had been peaked by the room and she grabbed her sister's arm, "You can lead the boys over to the chapel. We will catch up with you soon. Serephina wanted very much to see this hall."
"Oh, okay. We'll meet you there," Anna quickly replied unfazed by the request. Antoine glared my way and opened his mouth as if he would protest. However, Anna was already grabbing his elbow and leading him along, squawking about how she couldn't believe her sister had failed to show him all of these places in the castle. Kristoff winked towards Elsa and shrugged before following his future wife.
My gaze spun back to the portraits. Coating the walls, all of them pictured a man and a woman posed perfectly. Stern gazes glared down at me as if disapproving of my presence. My eyes bounced back and forth between the walls finding the chronological order based on the style of the image. Elsa followed me close behind, watching me study her ancestors. Near the end of the hall, a portrait stood with no picture across from it. A man in a suit decorated with gold and medals held the arm of a dark haired woman in a light purple and black gown. A large crown was set in his hair and a smaller tiara in hers. Their faces were captured in a much more sympathetic expression.
"Your parents," I said standing before the portrait.
"How could you tell?" She said stepping up right behind me.
"Hmm… well darken your hair and you're the spitting image of your mother." I smiled down at her. She beamed back up to me and suddenly wrapped both arms around my waist. I was surprised by the sudden hug, but laughed lightly and placed my arm around her. Elsa's face leaned into my shoulder with her hairline under my chin.
"Thank you… I miss her and my father so much."
"I know, but you have your sister, and uh… what's his face."
"Nikolas?"
"Yes, thank you," I laughed at my sudden lapse in memory and Elsa laughed lightly to, "and you've got me now."
Elsa raised her face lightly to look back at me. Little tears had formed in her eyes, but none had fallen yet. I turned slightly in her arms to face her with both arms now behind her shoulders. My heart spoke over my mind and I kissed her right then in the empty hall. Just one kiss and I broke the connection. I then just stared at her enjoying her beauty and the bliss of not being lonely anymore. Elsa was different than any of the other women I had ever been with before, and I wanted this to last. I hoped it would.
I pulled back a bit and so did she. Her arms loosened and slid so one hand rested on my stomach while the other sat on the small of my back. I turned us so I could look all the way at the end of the hall where I knew the current ruler's portrait would hang. Sure enough, a large canvas was painted with the image of Elsa standing tall. The portrait's face though appeared to be lost and sad, even more so than the occasional glance my Elsa gave.
"Oh you don't want to look at that. I hate it, I'm hideous." She tried to push me back but with no luck. I held my ground.
"Not at all, you look beautiful, just… very sad."
"They said they would redo a portrait for me, as soon as I choose a—get married," she caught herself and hurried to fix her words. This just made me smile more. I knew how this world worked and knew that she was expected to choose a husband.
The reality check hurt, but I wasn't going to allow it to spoil this one day. "I get it, it's alright. For the record though, any image of you is going to be wonderful, but it will never compare to the original."
She blushed before yanking on my sleeve, a professional demeanor returning, "Come on, let's catch up with the others."
We wandered over to the chapel, brushing shoulders occasionally, making her smile more and more. Finally we reached the room and pushed the oak doors apart. Anna, Kristoff, Nikolas, and Antoine stood near the front chatting amongst themselves. I marched up the aisle next to Elsa, gawking the entire way at the elaborate stained glass of the room. Elsa made a point of giggling at me, and I shot her a look. Soon we were back among the others. "This place is incredible. I've seen many castles all over the world, and this is impressive."
"Well I'm glad you like it," Anna glowed with the complement about her home.
"All over you say? Where exactly are you from traveler?" Antoine asked in his heavy French accent.
"Places I'm sure you'll never see," I challenged staring him down through narrow eyes.
"Okay then, whose hungry? I bet the chef has something ready for us right?" Kristoff cut in, clearly sensing the tension between us. I liked Kristoff, he seemed like a good man. So I relaxed and looked to Elsa.
"That sounds lovely, please my friend." I bowed slightly to her, like anyone else would.
"Yes of course. You can all follow me," she replied, clearly shaken from what just happened. I kicked myself for that, but I knew I had to stand my ground when it came to Antoine. He worried me.
This time Elsa lead us, back to the large elegant dining room where a three course meal was served to us by the staff of the house. I sat silently eating, watching Elsa constantly through the corner of my eye. She sat at the head of the table with Anna on her right and myself on her left. Kristoff sat happily next to Anna holding her hand and whispering to her. Nikolas sat beside me and a brooding Antoine next to him. I guess I had been given the spot he had taken the last few evenings. Oops.
I listened to stories being shared and jokes being told, engaging only when necessary. Soon enough, the meal was over and the evening was drawing to a close. "Oh my," Nikolas chuckled next to me in regards to the grandfather clock at the end of the room, "is it that late already?"
"Yes, I can't believe it either," Anna giggled. She and Kristoff stood at the same time. The woman took his waiting arm happily.
"I do believe Anna and Kristoff have the right idea. I think it is time we all say good night." Nikolas stood. Antoine who had been silent nearly all evening followed his lead and stood. Each bowed towards Elsa before quietly leaving.
"I'll show you to your room tonight, my friend," Elsa smiled at me.
"Thank you, Queen Elsa. I am feeling rather exhausted myself from today's excitement."
"Well, we're heading to bed. Good night sister and great to meet you Serephina," Anna curtseyed slower than how I'd seen her all evening. The two headed back off to the spiral stair cases that would get them to their own bedrooms. At the same time, the two of us stood to be the last to leave the table. Without any words I went to her side and together we walked back through the quiet halls.
When we finally reached the foot of the stairs, we both hadn't spoken. We didn't need to. On the way up the stairs however, she asked me a question, "Will you stay here longer?"
I looked to her as we climbed the steps, "I don't know Elsa. Your home and family are lovely, but I don't know if I should chance it. Things may get difficult still."
"Please, consider it. Please?" She pleaded beside me.
"I'll think about it," I whispered into those charming blue eyes.
Too soon, we stood before a single wood door of many. "Well, my room is right down the hall if you need anything. Just four doors down."
I looked all around to be sure the hall was empty. As I passed through the door she held open for me, I paused momentarily and caught her face in my hand. I backed her against the doorway and kissed her passionately. "Good night, my queen."
"Good night," she giggled lightly, touching her lips from the kiss.
Unwillingly, I shut the door between us, making the good night official. And so, all I could do then was get ready for bed. I dropped the bag I had been carrying all day with a thud on the hardwood floor. Looking around, the room was actually rather simple. Green wallpaper stuck cleanly to the walls. A large king side bed sat adjacent to the far wall, covered in a dark bed spread with about a dozen matching pillows. An armor and dresser made from the same wood as the headboard also sat in the room. Two tall arched windows were shaded with dark blue curtains.
The bed did look comfortable. I hadn't slept in one in nearly six months. I pulled off my gloves and kicked off my boots. My hip scarf came off easily. Folded neatly, I set it on the dresser. Next I undid my vest and shimmied from my fitted trousers. Those also were placed onto the dresser.
I stood now in only my white shirt, the top buttons undone and sleeves rolled up and my pair of underwear that fit like very short shorts. Falling back dramatically onto my bed, I sighed deeply. I bent my left leg and gawked at the tattoo that covered the majority of my thigh. This was my first time in a bed in six months. And it was too big.
I threw pillows to the floor, shifted around quilts and blankets, but nothing helped make me more comfortable. I needed something else in the bed. More like someone else.
I banished the thought and shut my eyes. It was worth a shot at least. All my thoughts though went to Elsa. I could imagine her in her own room, probably styled with blues and purples. Her white blonde hair would be let down over a nightgown that would nearly match. She would lay back into her own bed, smiling and drifting to sleep. Her dreams would bring smiles to her lips, and she would look so stunning.
I laid there thinking, but no sleep would come. "What I would give for you to be here, right now."
As if on cue, a knock sounded at my door.