DISCLAIMER! I DO NOT OWN FROZEN/DISNEY.
I would like to say HUGE thank you to all the people who followed and favorited this story. And of course a SUPER HUGE thank you to those who shared their thoughts on the previous chapter, they are much appreciated! I love reading them! They are giving me the inspiration to write more!
Golly, thank you for patiently waiting for kiss. Most of the times I forget that it wasn't their first kiss but darn it, it felt like it.
Anyway! Here's another chapter, which I originally gonna post days ago but got sidetracked lol XD.
ENJOY!
The Count of Isles was standing by the dais, looking for the Queen and his grandniece, he couldn't locate them. He then asked one of the guards assigned by the east door and was told the Queen and Lady Anna had gone out of the ballroom and hadn't come back yet. Count of Isles eyebrow rose at the thought of the pair sneaking out, only the gods knew what they were doing. Not that he didn't want them to be alone, in fact he encouraged it but not tonight because there was still something important to do.
The Duke of Weselton went to him and asked where the pair were, the Duke had the same reaction as him when he told that the pair had sneaked out somewhere.
"It's not the time for childishness." the Duke grumbled. "What do you think they are doing?"
"Making heirs, hopefully." the Count said, as if it was the most obvious answer.
"I don't think you two should discuss private matters here." The men turned and saw the pair.
"Your Majesty, where have you been?" the Duke asked.
"Lady Anna needed a break and I accompanied her."
"How sweet." the Count quipped. The two men gave her expectant looks.
"Later." Elsa simply said.
Elsa almost rolled her eyes at their behavior. She scanned the room and saw a particular redhead woman wearing a foreign looking dress, making herself stand out among the guests. This particular person was looking at her with disdain, but soon enough Elsa realized it wasn't her she was looking at, that dirty look was directed to the woman beside her.
The glaring woman, Elsa concluded, was Anastasia.
Elsa's lips curled into a smirk slightly and leaned closer to Anna.
"A certain redhead was giving you such a nasty look, any idea why?" Elsa asked.
Anna looked around and saw whom Elsa was referring to.
"Anastasia. She's probably pissed at what I told her earlier."
"The thing about you in my bed?" Elsa grinned at the sudden rush of blood on Anna's cheeks.
Anna turned to her and hissed. "No!"
Elsa couldn't help but to find Anna adorable with her current flustered state.
"Maybe she couldn't help but to feel green with envy since you've had the Queen's ear at all times." Elsa's face turned serious. "The Duchy and title were absorbed by the crown, and have yet to be awarded to anyone, your half-relatives are scrambling to get it."
"That's probably the reason."
Elsa offered her hand towards Anna, her eyes were filled with warmth as she stared into teal orbs. "Dance with me?"
A beautiful smile presented itself on Anna's lips. "I would be delighted to dance with you." She answered
Elsa had led them to the dance floor, she placed her hand on Anna's waist instead of her shoulder blade. "Is this okay?" she asked.
"Yes," Anna then snaked her hand on Elsa's shoulder and brushed her bare thumb on Elsa's nape, leaning in closer to whisper. "If Her Majesty doesn't mind where I put my hand to."
Elsa's brow rose in interest. "I wonder where your confidence came from?"
The music started and some of the guests joined with their own respective partners, while the others were watching them in awe.
"I have always been confident." Anna grinned. "Did you just notice?"
Elsa slowly spun Anna in place before placing her hand back to her waist, and pulled her closer.
"Few days ago, library, you tried to kiss me." Elsa said and she smirked at how Anna's eyes widened.
"Well that's mortifying." Anna blushed, earning chuckles from Elsa.
"It was pretty brave."
Anna almost huffed but soon she smirked. "Would that mean you're pretty brave too since. . ." she trailed off.
"Since what? That I kissed you moments ago at the drawing room?" Elsa supplied haughtily as if she guessed what Anna was trying to say, but soon she saw Anna smirked.
"No, not that."
Elsa's brow furrowed. "What is it then?"
"First dinner with the council, you came to my room and tried to kiss me." Anna was sporting a smug face.
Elsa remembered that night. That particular night when she was blown away by Anna's beauty. She looked into Anna's eyes.
"What? Are you going to deny it?" Anna was clearly taunting her.
Elsa smiled softly and shook her head. "No. I will not deny it. It's true, I tried to kiss you."
"Why did you deny it back then?" Anna asked.
Elsa lied that night, she said she was testing Anna's reflexes when it came to unwanted attention from men. She couldn't help but to feel things that immediately gravitated her into Anna's personal space. She wouldn't admit to anyone that she was physically attracted to Anna, she was exquisite in every way. But now there's something more, it was not just physical attraction, which had confused her , because it was the first time she felt it. The warmth spread in her chest whenever Anna smiled at her or every time their hands would touch. Elsa told herself to pretend to be gentle and caring with Anna but she found herself genuinely caring for her, that alone had brought her into a spiral of emotions she couldn't even manage to control. Elsa wanted to answer Anna's question but it was not the time nor place for it, so she only smiled and diverted their conversation into another subject.
"You told me Anastasia humiliated you in front of the other, may I ask who you were referring to?"
Anna blinked owlishly at her at the sudden change of subject but still answered it.
"Giselle, her supposed half-sister."
"This Giselle, was she mean to you too?"
"No, in fact she defended me and shielded me when that mean woman tried to harm me."
Harm? Elsa could feel rage bubbling inside her. "What prompted her to do that?"
Anna then told Elsa how the confrontation started and ended, like how Anastasia called Anna an ignorant child and had tried to harm her when she talked back and had put her in her place.
"I see," Elsa scanned the room and saw the annoying woman glaring at them, particularly at Anna, as if the woman wanted to pounce at her. "She stopped babbling when you told her we're sleeping together and bragged about me worshiping you." she chuckled. "I like the way you think."
"Do you really?" Anna chuckled as well.
Elsa leaned down and whispered to Anna's ear. "Yes." she made eye contact with Anastasia, startling the woman in the process. "Now I'm going to do something, the surprise I told you about." she smiled, she wanted to brush her lips on Anna's cheek but held herself back. Elsa turned to the Count of Isles and the Duke.
The Count had signaled the conductor to halt the music, earning everyone's attention.
"Please stay here." Elsa kissed the back of Anna's hand and went towards the dais.
Anna was honestly confused about whatever was happening. Elsa had left her at the dance floor and went to the dais, she wasn't sure what Elsa had in store for her.
A woman suddenly made her way behind her. Anna quickly turned only to see Lady LaBouff sipping her champagne.
"Lady LaBouff!" Anna sighed in relief.
"M'Lady! I was looking for you!" Lady LaBouff almost pouted but she held Anna's arm and grinned at her. "You and Her Majesty are so perfect." a dreamy sigh escaped her lips.
Anna could only chuckle at her antics.
"And you and that dashing officer are quite a pair."
"I know! Gods I like him."
"Give me his name and I'll arrange something for you." Anna offered. "Being close to high ranking people has its advantages, like helping a friend to find a date?" she winked at Lady LaBouff.
"Would you really?! Thank you!" Lady LaBouff squealed and immediately silenced herself when the Queen started to speak.
"Ladies, Lords and Gentlemen. I thank you for accepting my invitation tonight. It was a great pleasure to have you all here this evening. Most of you know I had started my royal progress in the realm to get to know my people and be of service to all of you. The people of this Duchy had welcomed me with open arms and I was so delighted that I held this ball to express my gratitude for having such warm people." Elsa smiled to the crowd then her eyes landed on Anna, making the teal eyed woman's heart race. "And I would take this opportunity to have you all witness how grateful I am to have such wonderful people in my kingdom." Elsa then eyes drifted from her, Anna was sure Elsa was looking at the people behind her.
"It has been quite some time when the Duchy of Eldr had a figurehead, so I had decided to grant the title and its vast lands to a person, whom I know, would do right by it."
Murmurs erupted in the room, but there's on particular voice that caught Anna's attention. It was the voice of a woman.
"Finally, it's time to settle this succession so we can go and have them leave us alone."
Anna clearly heard Giselle's voice.
Was this the reason the half-relatives were invited? Were they chosen as possible candidates? Also there's a possibility that the lands and title would be given to someone else, there was no guarantee the bastards would have it, neither was she. It wouldn't make sense for Elsa to give a title and holdings to her because she was stripped of her titles for a reason. Anna listed about few possible candidates for the title which weren't of Eldr blood. There were the Harolds, they were loyal men of the Queen and they didn't receive any titles yet. Now that she thought of it, it wasn't uncommon for a new monarch to grant lands and titles to those who were loyal to them and to those who had helped them to secure power. The three Harolds were the most viable candidate for the title.
Anna again heard a voice, this time it was different.
"If you would become the Duke, I do hope you'll fulfill the alliance we made." It was Anastasia.
Alliance? Anna asked herself.
"If you were chosen then, you should too." said one of the twins.
"Enough both of you." another woman stated. "It's not the time and place to discuss such a delicate matter." she hissed.
Anna wanted to look behind her but if she did, they would know she heard them.
The people kept on murmuring, discussing among themselves who should be the next ruler of the Duchy, some said it should be her, and some said it should be one of the twins or the eldest of them if he was here. The opinions favored her over the other male descendants but would she be able to have it? It was for Elsa to decide.
Eldest? There's one more? Anna was told they were few acknowledged bastards. It seemed the four of them were the only ones present.
"SILENCE!" shouted by one of the guards.
The crowd had stopped talking.
"I know all of you have a candidate in mind but I can only grant this title to the person who is worthy, who will serve and defend the Duchy and its people." Elsa stated and she was now looking into Anna's eyes.
The moment their eyes met Anna's heart fluttered and her hands shook for some reason.
A servant had placed a red velvet cushion lined with gold embroidery and tassels at each corner on the step just below where Elsa was standing.
The Duke and the Count moved forward, surprising Lady Anna, because Count of Isles was suddenly holding the ancient ducal circlet with four pointed crocus and a single ruby at the front, atop of a red velvet cushion, while the scepter was carried by the Duke. On the other side of the room was Captain Eric holding a cushion with the Eldr gold livery collar studded with rubies. On either side of the Queen were Admiral Hofferson and General Mattias, carrying a scroll and a familiar sword being held upwards.
Regalias for a ducal investiture were out.
"Now may I call upon the person worthy of this title." the Queen kept looking at Lady Anna and held out her hand. "Lady Annalise Arianne Claire, descendant of the noble house Eldr."
The crowd gasped, they wanted it but didn't expect to hear Lady Anna's name since her titles were taken from her.
Lady Anna stood still. She was in shock but a gentle shove put her out of her reverie.
"Go on, M'lady." Lady LaBouff winked at her with a smile.
Lady Anna fists her hands to keep them trembling at her sides as she strode forward. She never broke eye contact with the Queen as she was asked to kneel on the cushion, Lady Anna then bowed her head and placed her right palm against her heart while her other hand was at her side.
General Mattias had unrolled the scroll, and the Queen started to read it.
"Annalise Arianne Claire of House Eldr, daughter of Baron Andrew of Gielo, granddaughter of Duke Runeard, great-granddaughter of Duke Rozen, and great-great-granddaughter of Prince Einrik, the First Duke of Eldr. Do you solemnly swear to serve and acknowledge me, Queen Elsa First of my name, as your true and lawful liege?"
"I do so swear." Anna's voice trembled a bit.
"Do you swear to serve the realm as Duchess of Eldr in your own right?"
"I do so swear."
"Do you swear to serve, protect the poor and the needy of your territory?"
"I do so swear."
The Duke gestured for the Lady LaBoufff and, surprisingly, Wendy to move and draped the velvet red ermine lined long cloak, embroidered with the crest of House Eldr, upon her and tied it using silk ribbons onto her dress, which was oddly equipped to accommodate such cloak as if it was made for the occasion.
Lady Anna resisted the urge to look up and speak, because it all made sense now. The dress, the jewels brought by the Count as if dressing her up for this very occasion. Elsa's odd question about knowing the vows on investitures and lastly showing her the Duchy's ledgers, in the guise of asking for help.
The Queen took the Eldr livery collar placed upon her after the cloak.
"I grant thee, the Eldr scepter as the symbol of your authority upon the Duchy." the Queen placed the scepter on her right arm. The Queen then gently removed Lady Anna's grandmother's circlet and passed it to one of the people assisting her. The Queen then retrieved the ducal crown and raised it and carefully hovering it over Lady Anna's head.
"And the ancient ducal crown to represent your high rank and nobility."
Lady Anastasia moved forward and was about to speak when her mother had placed a hand over her mouth.
"Anastasia don't!" Lady Tremaine got a hold of her daughter's arm. "Not now."
Everyone turned to the red haired woman, who growled at them in return.
The Queen raised the ducal crown, ignoring the slight commotion. She carefully placed the golden crocus circlet then she took the sword, the sword of Prince Eleazar. The Queen unsheathed the sword and raised it.
She placed the flat end of the sword on Anna's right shoulder. "I, Queen Elsa, First of my name grant thee Annalise Arianne Claire of House Eldr the title of Duchess of Eldr and Baroness of Gielo.'' She moved the sword on Lady Anna's left shoulder. The sword was returned back to Admiral Hofferson and Queen Elsa rolled the scroll back and gave it to Lady Anna as proof of her elevation into the ranks of the nobility.
"Please say your vows."
"I, Annalise Arianne Claire, solemnly promise to loyally serve Her Majesty, Queen Elsa, as one of her vassals and will come to her aid whenever need arises. I, the Duchess of Eldr swear to serve the kingdom, the Duchy and its people, to protect them from injustice, threats and provide to for them with the gods' blessings."
"Rise." Queen Elsa said.
The new Duchess of Eldr rose and faced her people. A round of applause reverberated in the ballroom. They were so delighted at their new Duchess and immediately forgot the outburst of the Tremaine woman.
"Your Grace," Queen Elsa led her to the ducal throne.
The Duchess of Eldr sat on the Duchess' throne and while the Queen sat beside her on the Duke's throne. For the first time in Eldr's history to have the reigning monarch sitting on the Duke's throne when the heiress sat on the Duchess' throne, as if they were sending a message to the people around them.
"Congratulations, Your Grace." Queen Elsa smiled while she looked at the crowd before them.
The new Duchess shakily smiled to the crowd, her heart was still pounding in her chest so loud that it drowned the clamor in the room. Duchess of Eldr found her half relatives, who gave her cold looks and a certain redhead was giving the scariest glare she could muster.
Instead of getting scared or anything relative to that feeling, the Duchess let out an unladylike snort. She found it hilarious, the absurdity of how they reacted as if they had a right to have what was supposed to have belonged to her father if he was alive.
"Something amuses you?" Queen Elsa asked. "Did it have something to do with a certain person who looks like she's constipated?"
Duchess Eldr let out a laugh, it helped to calm herself down. "That is so mean of you, Your Majesty. But then again you're not wrong." She didn't want to be mean by laughing but she thought it was justified since they were hoping to covet the title and had already discussed with themselves what they were going to do if they got it.
Duchess Eldr decided to taunt Lady Anastasia further by raising her brow at her and gave her a sly smile, hinting that she indeed outrank her now just like how she implied in their unpleasant conversation.
Lady Anastasia stormed out of the room and soon the Stabbingtons followed suit in anger and humiliation. However, there's one particular Eldr who curtsied to her and smiled before they got out of the ballroom.
Once the festivity was over, two men continued to celebrate in one of the drawing rooms.
Both men raised their glasses.
"To the Duchess of Eldr, the Future Queen." the Count of Isles said proudly.
"To the Duchess of Eldr, the Future Queen." the Duke repeated.
Both of them were satisfied with how the night ended.
Anna was escorted by Eric to her room after the ball, her velvet cloak and other regalia were removed from her aside from the ducal circlet atop of her head. She looked at herself using the vanity mirror, and stared at the circlet her ancestors had worn for generations. Anna couldn't believe her birthright was restored to her by the Queen.
Elsa truly surprised her tonight on many things, a ball dedicated to her, choosing her over other claimants for the title, and what Anna couldn't and wouldn't ever forget was the kiss they shared and Elsa's confession of liking her, when she least expected it.
Anna subtly brought her fingers to her lips, thinking of how Elsa had taken them. The kiss was full of warmth, passion and longing, the feelings she thought they had in common at that moment. She couldn't help but to want more of her.
"Your Grace?"
She snapped out of her thoughts and quickly composed herself. "Yes?"
"Would you like to change into your night dress?" Wendy asked.
"Yes please."
Wendy then assisted her in removing her jewelries and the circlet was placed into a sleek black wooden box. Anna stood up and went behind the changing screen, waiting for Wendy to finish unlacing her dress.
Once she was done changing and dismissed Wendy for the night, she wore her thick green robe and sat on the chaise, waiting for Elsa. She wasn't sure if Elsa would come because there was a sudden urgent matter the platinum blonde had to attend, hence it was Eric who escorted her back to her room. But despite that Anna still waited.
Elsa was yet to come knocking on her door after half an hour, Anna sighed, maybe Elsa was still caught up with whatever needed her attention. She decided to go to bed and slipped under the covers. Anna turned to her side and another sigh escaped her lips. She couldn't help but want Elsa by her side most of the time, something she wanted as of late.
Before she couldn't stand Elsa's presence but now wanted it, craved for it even. Anna took the other pillow and wrapped her arms around it just like how she found herself entangled with Elsa back in Lord LaBouff's manor house.
Red tinged graced her face at the thought.
She buried her face on the pillow and tried to sleep but all she could think about was Elsa. She tossed and turned, she let out a frustrated sigh. Anna was tired with all the dancing and talking to people, not to mention the glasses of champagne she emptied but her mind was awake. The reason for that was a certain Queen.
"This is utterly ridiculous." she mumbled and sat up. "Maybe if I see her then I'll be able to fall asleep." Anna nodded to herself, and fixed her robe before going out of her room.
She walked down the hall of the estate rooms, then halted in front of Elsa's door. Anna paced for a moment before she plucked out her courage and hovered her fist on the door. She raised her hand to knock but she lost her balance when the door suddenly opened before her hand made contact with the door.
Arms were wrapped around her and held her.
"Oof!"
"Are you okay?" Elsa asked in concern.
"Yep! Totally fine!" Anna said and quickly untangled herself from Elsa. "Hi." she sheepishly said.
"Hi." Elsa smiled at her with so much warmth. "What are you doing here?"
"I-uh good question." Anna blushed.
After the ball, Elsa had escorted Anna out of the ballroom. She wanted to have a moment alone with her before countless nobles would try to take all of her time with all their bootlicking tendencies. She was satisfied with how she saw those bastards go in humiliation, and of course the angry Anastasia was a delight. The mere thought of that woman raised Elsa's ire, it's only a matter of time for all of them to fall into her hands. And Elsa had something special in store for that woman.
One of her lost boys, dressed in servant clothing, had given her a missive from Olaf, asking her to meet them at the lowest level of the dungeon. Elsa reluctantly excused herself from Anna and gave her a kiss at the back of her hand. She promised to visit her after she was done on the matter at hand. As she strode towards the direction of the dungeon, she was flanked by two of her elite guards.
Without a hitch, Elsa reached the lowest level of the dungeon and what greeted her were screams of agony and cracking of a whip. The man was stripped from her upper clothing, he was hanging from the ceiling by his chained hands.
"A filthy rodent,, I see." Elsa said as she stared at the bloodied man.
"More like a disguised staff." Olaf commented and continued whipping the man.
The man screamed in pain, but he tried to keep his mouth shut.
"What do we know?" Elsa asked and signaled Marshall to assist her to remove her upper ceremonial uniform, leaving her on a white shirt, black waistcoat.
"This man managed to slip in among the guests and a maid found an unconscious half-naked servant in one of the storage rooms. I did what you ask and served Her Grace with drinks and food provided by one of our own." Olaf correctly addressed Anna with her new title, however there was a certain pair of blue eyes widening in surprise at the way Anna was addressed.
"He intentionally followed Her Grace, I intercepted the flute of champagne and tested it for poison." Olaf continued.
"What did you find?" Elsa rolled up her sleeves and removed her crown, passing it to Marshall.
"Arsenic."
"Typical. It is scentless and tasteless. Now, what I want to know is who sent him." Elsa held out her hand for the whip.
"He refused to divulge anything. He's a tough nut to crack."
"We shall see." Elsa moved back and started to whip the man.
At first the man was just screaming and not saying anything coherent, not even begging for her to stop.
Elsa was pissed, they tried to poison Anna, whom she wanted to protect. As long as she's around, she would personally punish those who try to harm her Duchess. She didn't stop cracking the whip even if the blood had splattered on her face and clothes.
"Who sent you?" Elsa asked in a calm voice, the complete opposite of how fast and painful her strikes were. "You won't tell me anything? No?"
The man shook his head but kept on screaming. Olaf and Marshall were just watching Elsa inflict pain to the assassin.
"Very well then." Elsa dropped the whip and didn't bother to wipe the blood on face. She drew Olaf's sword and rounded the hanging man to face him. "Some people would threaten to cut off their fingers if they refuse to tattle, but I'll make you choose. Either your hands or your feet."
The man screamed as Elsa pressed the tip of the sword on the man's chest. Slowly, she dragged the sword down leaving a trail of blood. "You must be so loyal to your master and would die for them but would they risk the same for you? Of course not." Elsa placed the flat end of her sword under the man's chin.
"Y-You will never succeed! She will die!" The man screamed at her face. "They won't stop." the man laughed maniacally.
"I know, Baroness Gothel won't stop at nothing to get what she wants." Elsa casually stated. The man's eyes widened.
"H-How -" the man stuttered.
"I didn't." Elsa gave him a cold smile. "Though I did suspect it, and you gave me the confirmation." her glacial blue eyes glinted in a dangerous way. "She approached me and asked for my spare time, she would definitely put forward her son's claim to this Duchy but I dismissed her and that's when she gave you the signal, correct?"
The man was stunned at the Queen's intuition.
"I saw her nodding at someone and I couldn't just ignore it." Elsa chuckled. "I was expecting an armed assassin and yet they chose the cowardly way of killing their enemies. These people are cowards through and through."
"Make him kneel." Elsa stated without drifting her gaze from the bloodied man. Marshall had released his tethered chains from the wall, completely unlooping them from the large rings bolted on the ceiling.
"Argh!" the man groaned as he hit the flagstones, flat on his face. Olaf then pulled him up by the shoulder, making him kneel, ignoring the screams of pain.
"We usually pour salt on the wounds as a. . . motivation but you don't need that, no." Elsa raised the sword in her hand and placed it under the man's chin. "I could've easily poisoned them all tonight but I don't want to mark the occasion by having dead bodies everywhere." she shrugged. "And that's not how I do things. I prefer doing something like this." Elsa swung her sword, decapitating the assassin in one swift move.
"Is that really necessary?" Marshall asked.
"He refused to tell me anything so he's as good as dead." Elsa dropped the sword and turned to Olaf, who offered a black handkerchief to wipe the blood on her face with. "Now I believe we have enough reason to put forward whatever you have in store for them." she took the piece of cloth and wiped the disgusting blood of such low life filth.
"More than enough really." Olaf grinned.
"I'll leave you to it." Elsa left the dungeon.
For about half an hour in her room, Elsa was formulating various plans on how she would punish those bastards. She wanted it to be humiliating and painful, especially to those who were perceived as an immediate threat to her and Anna. Also She was hoping her cousin, Rapunzel, would smooth everything out in terms of Anna's ladies-in-waiting sooner than later, to ease her mind a bit.
She changed the dressing of her wound with fresh linen and changed her clothes, with her white shirt and blue waistcoat but sans the cravat. She checked her pocket watch and it was already two in the morning, Anna was probably fast asleep already. She sighed.
Elsa lost track of time again.
"Maybe I should check on her." Elsa went towards the door and opened it only to have a body falling onto hers.
"Oof!"
"Are you alright?" Elsa asked in concern.
"Yep! Totally fine!" Anna said and quickly untangled herself from Elsa. "Hi." she sheepishly said.
"Hi." Elsa smiled at her with so much warmth. "What are you doing here?"
"I-uh good question." Anna blushed.
"Don't tell me, you miss me already, Your Grace?" Elsa grinned and crossed her arms in front of her and leaned on the door frame.
"You-" Anna blush intensified. "What if I do? What are you going to do about it?" she huffed in annoyance.
Adorable.
"I could think of a lot of things." Elsa pulled Anna inside and closed the door.
"Yeah? Like what?" Anna splayed her hands on Elsa's shoulders.
Elsa leaned closer, only to stop short before her lips could touch Anna's. "Is this okay?" she whispered.
Anna tiptoed and pressed her lips against Elsa's
There was this warm feeling again rushing through her body. Elsa cupped Anna's face with her good hand and deepened the kiss. Anna let out a sound, making Elsa want to hear more.
Elsa pressed Anna's body against the door, while the strawberry blonde haired woman let out a soft grunt and wrapped her arms around Elsa's neck.
Anna pulled away before pressing her lips harder against Elsa's own, in which Elsa responded with the same intensity. The Duchess' hand had freed Elsa's hair from its confines, making her fringe fall on the side of her face. Their kiss was frantic as if both of them were satiating the insatiable thirst accumulated in a short span of time.
Elsa pulled away, breathing heavily. "Missed me that much?" she panted, earning soft giggles from Anna.
"You have no idea." Anna responded, prompting Elsa to cup Anna's face once more and give her a searing kiss, which Anna enthusiastically responded with the same fervor.
Moments later Elsa pulled away.
"I missed you too." Elsa said in a whisper as she breathed heavily.
"You are so wonderful." Anna caressed her face.
Elsa nuzzled on Anna's neck and closed her eyes. She relished on Anna's summer-like scent.
"Likewise." Elsa mumbled. "What brings you here?" she held Anna's hand and led her to the chaise to sit, then she went towards the balcony doors to let the cool air in so she could calm herself. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths.
"I couldn't sleep. And what are you doing just standing there?"
Elsa fluttered her eyes open and smirked at Anna. "And coming here will help you sleep? I'm just letting the cold air in a bit."
Anna playfully glared at her. "If you continue to be insufferable, I'll see myself out." she threatened.
"Alright I'll stop." Elsa smiled and closed the balcony doors. "Tea?"
"Please."
Elsa poured a cup of tea for Anna and for herself.
"Thank you." Anna said as she received the steaming cup of tea. "Do you always have fresh pot tea whenever you want it?"
"Oh yes, it's the first thing they prepare for me. I like tea." Elsa smiled and sat next to her.
"I like tea too, especially if you added cinnamon." Anna took a sip.
"Intriguing. I haven't tried that before."
"Olaf said the same thing." Anna remarked before taking a sip.
"Oh?"
"Olaf and I often have tea together before."
"Before?"
"I stopped having tea with him when I learned he was putting something in it."
Elsa's smile turned into a frown and looked away. She was the cause of that.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine. It's ready in the past." Anna had put away her cup of tea. "Elsa, I think you should stop apologizing whenever the past between us was brought up." her words were met by silence.
Anna fiddled with her hands, unsure if she should say something or not.
"I've never been honest with my feelings for a long time." Elsa started. "You can count the people, whom I apologize to, because they aren't that many. I have always been right and if I'm wrong I never apologize and never will, especially to those who I deemed below me. But with you? I can't bring myself to do that and I find it quite liberating, to finally say what I wanted to say not because they expected me to but because I want to. . ."
Anna just listened.
"My mother. . ." Elsa had decided to put her cup down before she could break it. ". . .would never approve of my behavior, while her brother would be so proud of me." she let out a humorless chuckle. "I only had her for eight years, while I was under my Uncle's wing for two decades."
"I was told that emotions are inconvenient, they don't matter. But my mother told us that feeling emotions makes a person human. And asking for forgiveness was not a weakness but a strength because it made you admit you're wrong and being wrong was not always a bad thing, but was a way for us to know what we should improve on and be better."
"She was a wise lady." Anna smiled.
"She was." Elsa smiled a bit. "I felt so guilty about what I've done to you, and having these conflicting conducts introduced by my mother and her brother and they were tearing me apart. I didn't know whether I should ignore your suffering or I should put a stop to it. I was so confused and when I realized I had this certain feeling for you, I—you see , I was—." Elsa's jaw clenched.
"Hey hey, Elsa, look at me. Please." Anna softly said as she held Elsa's hand. Elsa did what Anna asked and looked at her. "Now I understand why you were like that. I could never read your intentions no matter how hard I tried, you were good to me one second then hated me the next." Anna caressed the back of Elsa's hand with her thumb. "I think you should follow what's in your heart. You followed your heart, you reconciled with me and it turned out you have feelings for me and admitted it, look where those things brought us."
Anna's right, Elsa thought.
"You can use what your mother and uncle taught you on proper moments. I am well aware that being Queen is not an easy job, you have to balance everything and have to protect everyone from harm. You can be soft and stern but never forget that you matter too. What you feel matters, never forget that." She kissed Elsa's cheek.
"We would never know how we felt for one another if you hadn't let go and liberated yourself from the restraints they had put on you. Or would you rather have us constantly fighting just because you were asked to keep your feelings to yourself?"
Elsa looked into Anna's eyes and said.
"When did you become so clever?"
Anna chuckled at that. And Elsa thought it was endearing to hear such a sound.
"I always think I am clever but the people around me saw me as this naïve princess who knows nothing, quite frustrating really."
"A princess with a sharp tongue, wielding an equally sharp sword was something. But you tend to be naïve whenever you feel emotional." Elsa said.
"Yeah. That's probably true." Anna chuckled and leaned on Elsa's shoulder. "Is this okay?"
Elsa smiled and nodded.
They were silent for a moment then Anna spoke.
"I think I haven't thanked you for tonight."
"Whatever for?" Elsa asked, almost in whisper.
"For restoring my family holdings and titles to me, so thank you."
"It's yours, and I've always intended to give it to you, well later on."
"What made you give it earlier tonight?"
Elsa held Anna's hand, "I have no other reason to keep it from you any longer, your half-relatives were already plotting to take it." she paused, debating if her next words were the right ones. "I have one of them here in the castle," Anna gasped. "He tried to take control of this castle in the middle of war, luckily I had my men travel to take this castle hours before the eldest bastard came and tried to claim it for himself. I had him arrested not so long ago because he wanted not only this territory, but also the throne."
"He's here, imprisoned? So that's why he's missing." Elsa nodded. "What are you going to do with him?"
"Actually, I am going to let you decide on what to do with him. Not only did he try to take what's yours, I also believe that he would try to eliminate certain people who he considered inconvenient." Elsa reached for Anna's face and gently brushed her cheek with her thumb. "I won't let him nor anyone else harm you, Anna."
Anna leaned on Elsa's hand and smiled. "Thank you." she pressed her forehead against Elsa's. "You don't know how much those words mean to me."
"You are more than your family, Anna. Your family doesn't define you." Elsa kissed Anna's forehead. Soft sniffles reach Elsa's ears. "Hey, I didn't mean to upset you."
"Don't mind me, I am just happy." Anna chuckled a bit. "No one made me safe and secure in my whole life, probably my father did but I don't remember much."
Elsa wiped Anna's tears and wrapped her arms around the strawberry blonde haired woman. "As long as I am here, you're safe."
They were silent for a while until Elsa spoke as she remembered Anna's question from earlier.
"First dinner with the council, would you even like it if you admitted it to you?" Elsa asked gently and pulled away.
"Admit what?" Anna was lost in their conversation.
"Would you even like it if I admitted that I wanted to kiss you that night? Our current relationship back then was hardly civil."
Recognition flashed in Anna's eyes and Anna looked away from her.
"I guess not." Anna said in hush.
"Understandable." Elsa caressed her hair before tucking some of it behind her ear. "You hated me that time."
"I did hate you," Anna gently said. "Only for a time, when the truth came out I stopped hating you. And I forgive you." her teal orbs found Elsa's glacial blue eyes.
"You what?" Elsa stared at her.
"I said I forgive you. For everything that had happened."
Elsa opened her mouth but no words could express what she felt.
Anna patiently waited for Elsa to say something.
"Thank you." Elsa softly responded. "But that didn't make me any less guilty."
"Please stop that."
"But Anna-"
"Elsa please." Anna held Elsa's hand. "Let's move forward together, please."
"Alright."
Anna smiled and fixed Elsa's fringe a bit. Elsa looked so soft with her fringe down like this, unlike when it was slicked back.
Elsa looked at her hand and frowned. "What's this?" She lifted Anna's hand and inspected it closely.
Anna looked at the purplish bruise around her wrist.
"Who did this to you?" Elsa asked.
Anna stared at her wrist. It was the wrist Anastasia held.
"Anastasia held my wrist to shove me back into the balcony. Her grip was quite tight." Anna watched Elsa's expression go from soft and warm to icy. The protectiveness Elsa exhibiting was something she never saw before. "It's fine, it will heal."
"If you say so." Elsa's response was gentle but she knew she was angry "I'll have Olaf look at it, tomorrow."
"Alright."
Anna stifled a yawn, earning a smile from Elsa.
"Tired?" Anna nodded. "I'll escort you to your room." Elsa stood up and was about to take her first step towards the door, but Anna was quick on her feet and wrapped her arms around Elsa from behind.
Both of them were startled at the contact.
"Anna?"
Anna blushed and wanted the ground to swallow her whole because of mortification, she wasn't sure what possessed her to do such a thing. That was a lie. She knew what possessed her to wrap her arms around Elsa like this, she wanted Elsa to be closer to her. She wanted to be with her. The idea of spending this night alone was rather unthinkable, especially now her thoughts were filled with Elsa's image.
She mumbled some words.
"I'm sorry? I didn't catch that." Elsa said.
Anna's blush intensified. "Can I stay here?"
Moments passed and there was no response. Anna's heart dropped and her arms went slack. She reluctantly untangle herself from Elsa. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to presume-"
Elsa turned and held her. "Are you sure?" she asked in a gentle tone.
"Yes." Anna wrapped her arms around Elsa's neck. "I couldn't sleep because my mind was filled with thoughts of you." she admitted. "Ever since we kissed and knowing you like me, all I could ever think about was you."
"And I you." Elsa admitted. "It's hard not to."
Anna bit her lower lip, and Elsa's eyes zeroed on her lips at the act.
"Kiss me." Anna whispered, and sure enough Elsa kissed her.
Anna almost cried the moment Elsa's lips found hers. She couldn't get enough of her.
Being kissed by the person she wanted to be with was closer to Valhalla, she wanted more of this. Anna relished the feeling of being held by the only person who made feel secure and cared for.
Anna pulled away and breathed heavily. "Elsa." she panted.
"Yes?"
"I- I'm so happy." Anna gave Elsa a slow chaste kiss.
Elsa responded before pulling away and said "Likewise. And you are the reason why." she smiled at her, far from the subtle smiles she was used to.
Those words had touched Anna's heart. She smiled and pecked Elsa's lips. "Let's go to bed?" Anna asked.
"As Her Grace wishes." Elsa kissed the top of Anna's head.
Both of them prepared for bed. Elsa removed her waistcoat and boots while Anna removed her thick green robe, leaving her in her silk night dress.
Anna immediately slipped under the covers and waited for Elsa to do the same but the latter went to the chaise instead.
"Where are you going?" Anna asked.
"Sleep?" Elsa asked in confusion.
"No. You're not sleeping there, come here. I want you here." Anna lifted the covers and waited.
"I'm sorry, I am used to sleeping on the chaise whenever I am in the same room with you." Elsa said, but didn't make any move.
"Obviously, now come here." Anna patted the space next to her.
Elsa relented and slipped under the covers on the bed. "Goodnight." she caressed Anna's face and gave her another kiss on the forehead.
Anna had kissed Elsa's chin in return. "Goodnight."
Both of them immediately fell asleep.
Eric woke up early, as usual. He went to prepare for the day, got dressed and went downstairs to have his breakfast before he started his duty as Lady—Duchess of Eldr's personal guard. He hadn't had a moment with the Queen after their conversation in the garden. He didn't have a clue if Elsa followed his advice.
He was in the middle of eating his breakfast when Wendy came bursting in and immediately went to him.
"Captain, Her Grace is not in her room, the sheets were cold and weren't slept in." she whispered.
With that Eric scrambled to his feet and rushed to the estate rooms, both him and Wendy were searching the vacant rooms. Thankfully there weren't many servants loitering around at this time. Eric knew he had to inform the Queen at the earliest whenever it concerned Anna, so Eric found himself knocking at Elsa's door but there was no answer.
That was odd.
Normally the Queen was up and about at this time in the morning.
"Your Majesty?" he called but no one answered. He knocked once again but to no avail. "I'm coming in," he announced.
He was about to wake up the Queen when the scene in front of him made him freeze.
The Duchess was sleeping using the Queen's arm as a pillow and tucked under the Queen's chin, with her hand loosely gripping the Queen's shirt, while the Queen had her arms protectively wrapped around the Duchess..
Both of them looked so serene in their sleep.
Eric carefully walked back, as to not to disturbed the pair and closed the door behind him.
"She's in there." Eric informed Wendy, who sighed in relief. "Just prepare her clothes back in her room."
Wendy nodded and walked away.
Eric had asked the guards to not let anyone disturb the Queen. His lips curled into a smile, revealing his dimple, as he made his way back downstairs.
I'll admit, I can't stop myself from making them kiss. Elsanna is the best ship in this fandom really.
Soooo how was it? I hope my 4am editing skills didn't botch this chapter. Hahaha golly I need sleep.
Please let me know your thoughts on the review section!
THANK YOU!