In the minutes following Elsa's meeting with Jack Frost she returned to the castle. As she proceeded through the front doors she met her Captain of the Guard again and stopped after pressing the doors shut.
"Who did you meet with and how did it go, your Majesty?"
"He's a new perspective citizen looking for a place to move to and it went well thank you," she fibbed.
"Who is this person?"
"Captain you must forgive me. I'm horrible with names on the first meeting."
"I understand. What did you talk about with this fellow?"
"The important usual things. Our history, heritage, laws. Things like that. Has anyone been wanting to see me in the meantime?"
"Not yet, your Majesty."
"I shall mind the throne room in the meantime."
Elsa continued her way into the throne room. After she walked in she looked at her pile of political letters and petitions. Among the most recent of them was a letter from a Duke from the far South wanting to negotiate better trade terms. Elsa read over the letter several times however, it wasn't easy trying with her limited knowledge on trade. To make matters more complicated she had to keep her thoughts from shifting to her recent meeting. She sometimes wondered whether others around her would buy her story. Despite all this, Elsa kept a straight face like nothing was happening. Come on, Elsa get a grip, she thought.
After a long moment, one of Elsa's advisors entered the room. "Your Majesty, the royal tutor wants to help you go in depth on international trade in the next ten minutes."
"Why not, the sooner I grasp the concept the sooner I can do my job more effectively," Elsa replied as she stood up from her throne. She turned to her Captain. "Captain keep on the lookout for any subjects who want to visit me. If anyone comes in notify me immediately."
"Yes, your Majesty."
Elsa walked up the staircase to the east wing of the palace and walked into a nearby study where she met her tutor. "You ready for today's lesson, your Majesty?" asked the tutor.
"I'm ready as I'll ever be." Elsa replied as she grabbed her economics book. Elsa walked to her table and took her seat as the tutor wrote economic and financial formulas on the blackboard.
"Now for review, your Grace…," the tutor began as he revisited recent concepts. Elsa diligently took notes as the lecture progressed. It was long and hard work memorizing the various economic theories and applying them to the real world. But, her wish to do right by her people and knowing it would make a difference helped her to stay motivated.
The tutoring session lasted for about two hours and just as Elsa and her tutor concluded their lesson her Captain walked into the room. "Your Grace, The Captain of Corona arrived requesting permission to visit Maximus. He even has Eugene and Rapunzel with him."
"Fantastic, I'll be right down." Elsa turned around thanked the tutor and shook his hand before turning to leave. Before long Elsa returned to the throne room at the bottom of the staircase. The Captain was waiting for her. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting, Captain."
"Not too long, your Excellency," he replied. "I'm just requesting permission to visit Maximus."
"Please go on ahead. I'll even walk out to the stables with you."
"As you wish, your Grace."
When Elsa and the Captain walked to the stables they met Eugene and Rapunzel who had Pascal perched on her shoulder. The two queens hugged each other. "How are you doing?" asked Elsa.
"Very well, thank you," Rapunzel paused and smiled for a short time. "Yourself?"
"I'm good. How's your little one coming along?"
"Good I think, it hasn't been long though, barely over a month."
"You nervous?"
"Excited."
Before Elsa could respond Eugene joined in on the conversation. "Easy enough for you to say, I mean I'm rather nervous."
Rapunzel blushed and resumed chatting with Elsa with Eugene taking part. "You know how men are. He's been overprotective of me from the day he knew I was pregnant."
Eugene nodded. "You have no idea. Besides, preparing for a child is serious business."
Elsa chuckled. "I imagine."
While the monarchs were talking the Captain was visiting Max at his stable. Before long, Elsa walked into the stables with Eugene and Rapunzel following her. While Eugene and Rapunzel greeted Maximus Elsa went to the next stable on the right to check on Agnes. As she tried to pet her mare's snout Agnes suddenly pulled away with a start whinnied wildly and pranced about the stable. Is it what I think it is? Elsa thought. After Rapunzel allowed Pascal and Max to greet each other she approached Elsa.
"Is Agnes okay, Elsa?"
"She appeared to be jumpy just now. It's not like her."
"Is that what I think it does?"
"It's possible." Elsa paused for a moment. "Rapunzel I have something I want to confide in you about. Can I talk to you alone for a moment?"
"Of course, what is it, Elsa?"
Elsa secretly pulled Rapunzel aside around the corner of the stables. "You remember what I said earlier about Jack Frost protecting me from wolves the day of our recent conference?"
"Yes, why?"
"Well, he paid me a visit this morning. I feel like I'm the only one among us who can even see him though."
"You know? I recently picked up a childhood book about this character and I thought I saw him once last Winter."
"Really? You mean you believe me for real?"
"Of course, Elsa."
"That's a relief. I'm not positive my family and subjects will buy this story except maybe my sister."
Just as Elsa and Rapunzel barely finished their conversation Eugene appeared around the corner. "Am I interrupting anything?" asked Eugene.
"It's okay, Eugene we just finished our conversation," Elsa replied. "I guess you have to go home now Rapunzel?"
"Yeah we better, it's approaching sunset." Rapunzel walked through the stables and back to the carriage with Eugene and the Captain following.
"Take care, Rapunzel."
"You too, Elsa."
After they boarded the carriage Elsa waved as it pulled away. After the carriage retreated into the horizon Elsa walked back into the palace she was only inches away from her throne when Anna approached her. "How did it go Elsa?" Anna asked.
"My day was okay."
"Just okay?"
"It just seemed longer than usual."
"I imagine between minding the throne room and the additional training. Does your head hurt?"
"A little. More than anything I'm just tired."
"I'm sure you'll sleep well tonight."
"I hope so. How about you Anna? Did you have a good day?"
"It went well Kristoff and I just got back from reindeer back riding a minute ago."
"I'm glad you two are still getting along well."
"Thank you, sister."
Elsa paused for a short moment. "It's getting close to our dinner time. I'll wait for you and the others in the royal dining room."
While Anna went upstairs, Elsa walked into the dining room just east of the throne room and down the great hall. The dining hall was decorated with fancy and expensive crystal chandeliers and velvet tables and atop each table were sets of silver utensils. One of Elsa's butlers appeared after she sat down at a table in the center of the room. "Can I help you, your Majesty?" asked the butler.
"Not yet, I'm still waiting for the rest of the royal family to show. Report back in a few minutes."
"Yes, your Majesty." the butler bowed and left.
Meanwhile, Anna found Kristoff in the royal master bedroom with Sven and Olaf. Kristoff was feeding Sven carrots. "Hello Honey," Kristoff said as Anna pressed the door partially closed.
"Good evening, Kristoff. I just wanted to let you and Olaf know that Elsa wants us to meet her in the dining hall."
"Okay I'm coming," Kristoff patted Sven as he turned to leave.
"Right behind you," said Olaf.
They took a confusing spiral-like turn down the stairs, passed through the throne room, turned east into the great hall and continued straight until they entered the dining hall. As they entered the room they saw Elsa seated at the center table. Her face was buried in her hands.
"Are you okay, Elsa?" Anna asked.
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure."
"I'll be fine Anna."
Anna turned to Kristoff, "Is it just me or something's eating her?"
"Honey, you don't even know the half of the nature of her job. I'm sure it's the business making her tired to say the least."
Before long everyone took their seat, and the butler arrived back to take their orders. The Arendelle royal family usually had lively conversations at the dinner table. However, that night was not the case. Everyone just sat around silently and chewed.
Anna decided to break the silence when it felt too awkward. "You're quiet this evening, Elsa. Is there something on your mind?"
Elsa took a deep breath. "I'll tell you later. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to get ready for bed. Meet me in the master bedroom."
"Wow," Anna gasped, "If she insists on having this just between us she must have trouble talking about it."
"About what?" asked Kristoff.
"I don't know."
Before long, Anna went through the great hall, past the throne room and upstairs after Elsa. Kristoff followed Anna about a moment later. Meanwhile, Elsa had just prepared for bed when Anna entered the room. "Okay what's up Elsa?"
"About this spirit who saved from wolves awhile back. In case, you wondered he paid me a visit this morning."
"Who? Jack Frost? Why didn't you say so?"
"I feel that none of my subjects will buy this story."
"Well, I believe you Elsa."
"Thank you Anna, this really means a lot to me right now."
"Don't worry about it, sister. By the way what is he like?"
"Well, he had a side to him I didn't know to begin with. He seemed so perceptive, giving, fun and he was sometimes quick with a joke."
"Sounds like someone who completes you well," Anna laughed.
Elsa barely stifled a chuckle, "Anna stop it, it's not even close to what you think."
"Are you hiding something?"
"I'm not hiding anything."
"Elsa it's okay if you secretly have a thing for him and you can tell me, I promise I won't tell anyone."
In the meantime, Kristoff heard everything and then stepped into the room. "Really Anna? Don't encourage her."
"How dare you make an insensitive remark," Anna said irritably. "This is exactly what she was afraid of." She turned back to Elsa. "I am so sorry Elsa."
Elsa took a deep breath, "It's okay Anna, I'll take it from here." Elsa stepped toward Kristoff. "I swear Kristoff, he's real!" Elsa protested.
"Then how come I never saw this Jack Frost for myself?"
Elsa sighed and changed her tone. "Kristoff can I explain something to you? You remember any of the stories you heard and read during childhood? Stories of the Sandman, the Tooth-Fairy, Santa Claus and not to mention pixie fairy communities galore?"
"Yes, why?"
"You know how in pixie fairy stories the fairies don't show for just anyone and that one had to believe in them in order to see them?"
"I think so why?"
"It's the case with Jack Frost."
"I just don't see how this is possible."
"Think about it Kristoff, you remember seeing the magic I pulled on the North Mountain, right?"
"How could I forget."
"Anything is possible if I could do that and more. Think of it as seeing is believing except backwards." Elsa got up, walked away and met Anna.
"I'm sorry about that," said Anna.
"Don't worry about it."
"You look like you had a rough day, I hope you sleep well tonight."
"Thank you. Good night, Anna."
Soon the whole royal family crawled into their beds. Before long everyone was fast asleep, except for Elsa. She lay awake for sometime debating in her mind whether it was wrong or right to have anything to do with Jack. What's the matter with me? You'd think I wouldn't show weakness no matter what, she thought.