As they drew very near to the door into the castle grounds, the faint sound of singing came to Rapunzel's ears. She turned her head, and a young woman wearing a green dress with two strawberry blonde pigtail braids came running through the doors, singing out in a beautiful voice,
"For the first time in forever, I'm getting what I'm dreaming of..."
Rapunzel and Eugene turned their heads as she passed, both chuckling. Eugene looked at Rapunzel with raised eyebrows after the girl was out of sight.
"I'd bet anything that was Anna."
"How do you know?"
He began counting on his fingers. "She was wearing the colors of Arendelle and coming out of the castle, she didn't exactly scream 'ice magic' to me and the Queen is probably still getting ready anyway, she looked like you, and she was singing. She's got to be related to you."
"Lots of people sing," Rapunzel said, nudging his shoulder as they entered into the castle's courtyard, though he did have a good point. Considering everything, it probably had been Anna.
"Not in the middle of a bunch of people and out of nowhere like you do."
He nudged her back, pushing her a little further.
Rapunzel regained her balance and charged at Eugene's shoulder, but he suddenly stopped walking and her momentum caused her tumble sideways right in front of him, falling toward the ground. She let out a squeal, but before she could fall, Eugene caught her in his arms with a sly grin.
"Fine, you win," she grumbled as he settled her on her feet again. Rapunzel let her gaze sweep over the courtyard, marveling at the two big fountains and light gray brick that dominated the scene. People were milling about and talking excitedly, heading into the castle. From what she could hear, the coronation was to start in a few minutes.
A bell tolled from somewhere nearby. The crowd doubled, squeezing through the doorway into the castle.
"Excuse me! Please, excuse me!"
Murmurs of "Princess Anna" abounded, and Rapunzel turned to see the singing girl pushing through the crowds, her cheeks flushed and a wide smile on her face. Everyone parted to make a way for her, and she bowed her head in thanks as she rushed on through the castle.
"Told you," Eugene murmured.
"Never said I doubted you."
"But you did." He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently, chuckling quietly. "I can tell she's your cousin."
They finally got into the castle, where the space widened. Everyone was herded into the chapel, and while it was much smaller than Corona's, it was decorated with deep greens and yellows with splashes of brighter colors, giving off a tranquil feeling.
Rapunzel and Eugene found seats in the middle of a pew in between an elderly village couple and an extravagantly dressed young man, probably a prince or some other important figure. With their hands clasped between them, Eugene and Rapunzel waited with everyone else, the chatter in the chapel being quieter than it had been outside.
A choir began singing, and everyone went stiff and silent. Rapunzel sat up straight and put on her best princess posture which had taken so long to practice that it had become habit at events like these.
Everyone's head turned to get a glimpse of the new Queen. Rapunzel couldn't help but let a quiet gasp escape her lips. Elsa was beautiful. Her hair was snow white, done up in a neat bun. A royal purple mantle flowed over her shoulders and trailed out behind her, clasped together by a turquoise brooch.
A bodice that matched, though outlined in gold, overlapped a black top with long sleeves. Her delicate purple-colored lips were in a straight line, no hint of a smile visible. Timid blue eyes stood amidst a backdrop of flawless pale skin.
A chill came over the room, and Rapunzel shivered. The open doors must have let in a draft. Eugene pressed her hand, as if he had felt it too.
Elsa began her procession down the center aisle, her gloved hands clasped in front of her. Her jaw clenched and unclenched as she continued her slow march, and her chest rose and fell with every deep breath. Rapunzel wished so badly that she could comfort her somehow. But instead, the room grew colder, even after they shut the doors, and Elsa continued until she was at the front of the chapel, facing a red-robed priest. The choir began a new song, more solemn and yet still very beautiful.
As Rapunzel looked on the stage, she realized Anna stood off to the side as the priest held up Elsa's crown. With a big smile the Princess tried to inconspicuously wave to someone, though it was still very obvious. She looked at Anna's eyes and tried to trace her gaze. It landed her at a man with short, red hair.
Eugene stiffened next to her and let out a long breath through his nose. Rapunzel looked over at him with a furrowed brow, but his eyes weren't for her. He stared ahead, his gaze narrowing. Judging by the direction of his look, he could have been staring at the red-headed man.
"Queen Elsa of Arendelle!"
Rapunzel was shaken out of her thoughts and Eugene's odd reaction by the chapel erupting in cheers. Elsa faced the crowd for only a few seconds before spinning around and quickly setting down the scepter and globus cruciger on the pillow held by the priest. She pulled her gloves on and then turned back around, forcing a smile. Anna watched with interest from the side.
Rapunzel glanced sideways at Eugene. He looked back at her with a curious expression in his eyes, though the malice he had held in his expression a few moments earlier still lingered. Rapunzel raised her eyebrows at him, but he just shook his head, indicating that he would tell her later. For now, it would have to remain a mystery.