Disclaimer. I do not own Frozen/Disney.
Hiiiii! It's been a long time since I last updated. I was busy for a while and Í fell into Lord of the Rings rabbit hole. Anyway, it must've been surprising, if not hilarious to find out that Lady Tremaine's name was Madonna XD .
I know there are lot of unanswered questions but those will be answered in the future chapters, and there are a lot more things will happen in the future. I hope you guys are still here to read them.
Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews and for new followers who found this little fic of mine.
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
Trigger Warning for Violence.
A man dressed impeccably was seated by the bedside. His eyes were on the sick man lying on the bed. He held the man's hand tightly, while there was another man standing on the other side of the bed.
"My friend, I – I don't have much time left. Tell me, are they safe?" the man coughed and wheezed as he spoke.
"Yes, they are safe."
"Thank gods, the succession is secure." the sick man said in relief. "Have Andrew's child marry the eldest, make sure you take that poor child out of her grandfather's clutches."
The man was conflicted, and his hesitation to answer was noticed by the third man in the room.
"Tell him Lanster. Tell His Majesty what happened."
Lord Lanster, the Count of Isles, glared at the man, however the King turned his attention to the other man.
"W-What happened, Einar?" the King asked.
"Only two of the Vinter children survived, well barely survived." Einar, the Duke of Weselton said. "The eldest and one of the girls."
The look of horror etched on the King's face. "Which one of the girls?!" he asked in haste, making him cough over and over.
"The eldest of the girls, Elisbeth, however I received a report that she was still unconscious." the Count stated.
"What about her brother?"
The Count uttered words that made the King gritted his teeth in anger.
"Damn you Runeard!" shouted the King.
"You can have him executed for his crimes!" the Duke pointed out, however the King was silent.
"As much as I want him to be executed, would it be wise to do that?" the Count of Isles asked.
The King then answered.
"If what you say it's true about the Agnarr's eldest son then we can't execute Runeard and have that four year old girl be manipulated to marry the Duke of Wester's son. The crown should be passed down to Elisbeth and have her marry Andrew's daughter." he breathlessly stated.
"That's impossible. What's the point of avoiding an Eldr and Wester union if the crown will end up to the Westers because Elisbeth and Annalise are both girls and can't produce an heir?" the Duke asked.
"Just do as I say. It will be my greatest shame for letting a foreign house rule the noble house of Aren." the King said with obvious disdain.
"Those are Princess Riella's descendants." the Count of Isles pointed out.
"They are but they do not carry her house name, but a foreign one. I want House Vinter and Eldr united in marriage and rule Arendelle, this will be my last request from the both of you. Make it happen, no matter the cost." Despite the King's physical frailness, his eyes were filled with conviction.
Anna was woken up by a hand gently caressing her cheek. She opened her eyes and saw her Queen sitting beside her.
"Elsa." Anna's voice was hoarse.
"It's almost time."
Anna sat up and answered in her cracked voice. "Yes." tears once again pooled in her eyes.
"Oh darling." Elsa wiped her tears using her thumb and pulled her into a hug. "You're going to serve justice to those who are responsible for the attempts on your life and for the murder of your father and grandmother." she kissed her forehead. "You will be free of them."
"Is this how you felt when you killed Runeard and the General?" Anna asked in a hushed voice.
"It is, and it also helped to lighten the guilt that I felt after my failure to save them."
Anna looked at Elsa with her brows furrowed.
"Save them? In my understanding, you were a mere eight-year-old child at that time."
Elsa pursed her lips for a moment before speaking. "I was." she paused then continued. "We also promised to protect one another no matter what. I woke up with the news of my brother's death and I let my twin be killed right in front of my eyes. I – I can't forget her face that day – her voice, and whenever I see my face in the mirror I see her. We were so identical to the point only our family and nearest relations could discern which was Elaine and Elisbeth." Elsa casted her eyes down. "My own face is my eternal reminder of her, especially whenever I wear dresses, that is why stopped wearing them to separate myself from her, because seeing myself in those fancy clothes hurts me far more than a sword piercing my flesh, I feel it in my soul that the half of me is lost forever."
Anna snuggled into Elsa's chest even more.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to remind you of such pain." she said.
"You don't have to be. I should be the one comforting you, not the other way around." Elsa smiled weakly. "After this, we should move forward and be free from their clutches. We shouldn't give them the satisfaction of being miserable for the rest of our lives just because of them. I am trying to move past what had happened in my life in the past, no matter how slow it is."
"I agree." Anna smiled weakly.
Elsa's face turned serious. "Anna, you have to be strong. What will happen next is not for the faint of heart. You mustn't waver in front of our subjects, show them how strong you can be and how unmoved you are." she entwined her hand with Anna's "I'll be with you at every step of the way."
Anna gave Elsa a kiss on the cheek. "Just the thought of you being here beside me gives me the assurance that everything will be alright in the end. Thank you so much."
"And you do the same for me." Elsa went silent after she said those words.
Anna noticed Elsa was in deep thought for a moment. "What is it?"
"You see, there are others involved in this rebellion and most of them can still be considered children. I had them imprisoned as well." Elsa said.
"What?" Anna asked in disbelief.
Children participating in rebellion against a well trained army?! Anna thought.
"What are you going to do with them?"
"I am thinking of setting them free and letting them go back to their families in the territories of the former Baroness, which reverted back to me since they are originally properties of the monarch. I guess they are under my protection now." Elsa explained.
Anna was glad at Elsa's decision to set those poor children free.
"However there are also the retainers of the former Baroness, which all be put to death before their masters."
"You can do as you please with them." Anna said as she fixed clothes, then Elsa passed her neatly folded jacket. "Thank you."
"I'll call Wendy to fix your hair." Elsa gave her a kiss on her forehead before going out of the room.
Anna had the reason to smile despite what happened hours ago because of her Queen. The Baroness' words had hurt her so much, because she didn't have any idea that her father's untimely death was orchestrated by the very same man who raised her.
Wendy arrived and had asked her to sit on the plush chair in the front of the vanity.
While Wendy worked on her hair she pondered what could be the late Duke's objective as to why he had to kill his own son and heir? It didn't make any sense why would a man of stature with vast lands and a title to pass on to his heir chose to do that horrid act of murder? Surely it wasn't because he had other sons, though illegitimate, because she herself was chosen to become Queen after him. Why was she, his granddaughter, chosen but not the sons he had with other women?
What could be the reason?
"All done." Wendy announced after placing the circlet upon her head. "Her Majesty had instructed me to escort Her Grace towards the main balcony."
Anna nodded. "But before that, take me to the castle gallery." She stood up.
Wendy was perplexed but she nodded nonetheless and led Anna to the gallery. On the way there Anna asked Eric and two guards to follow them.
Anna entered the gallery with Wendy, Eric and his men. Once the door was shut behind them, her eyes were dark and cold, but they got even darker and colder as she looked at the massive portrait of the man who had ruined her father's life. The man in the portrait was dressed in his regalia along with fancy jewels.
"Even if you cover the dirt with gold, it is still dirt." Anna said. Eric and others only listened to her words. She turned to Eric and gave him specific instructions.
Elsa closed her eyes due to annoyance and because of the noise this old man was making. He got what he wanted, he personally made sure that Gothel was on the brink of death by punishing her in every method he knew. She was surprised that a woman of her age managed to withstand that long painful punishment of being tortured and received another batch of lashing from the Count, he even wished he had his hounds with him at that moment so Gothel could join the murderer Duke in hell by being devoured alive. Now he was demanding to personally cut Gothel's head off but Elsa refused.
"I don't see why you are refusing my request, Your Majesty. It is only right as Rita's brother!" the Count exclaimed.
Elsa gave him a cold stare. "You dare to raise your voice at me? Are you forgetting who you are talking to?"
The Count gritted his teeth. "I apologize, Your Majesty. I was too careless."
"Make sure you watch your words next time." Elsa's tone was stern and cold.
"Understood." the Count said.
The Duke of Weselton was watching from the sidelines with satisfaction as Elsa put the Count in his place.
"I understand why you want to do it, however I can't grant you that request." Elsa explained.
"Why?"
Elsa turned the moment Anna's voice reached her ears.
"Why can't you grant his request?" Anna asked.
The Count's demeanor changed at the arrival of Anna, while Elsa and the Duke noticed it so clearly.
"Her Grace should decide it as Her Majesty had given her the authority over this."
Elsa did no such thing. It seemed like Anna giving the death sentence to the traitors gave him the impression of Anna being in-charge to all of it. Elsa knew the Count would take full advantage of her and Anna's relationship to benefit him in every way possible. She expected this but seeing it first hand was utterly distasteful.
The sole reason why Elsa kept her mouth shut in the throne room was not because she had given Anna the prerogative to do whatever she wanted but what Elsa intended was to see how her Duchess could whether or not handle it. Also learning the truth about the deaths of the late Eldr matriarch and her son gave her a reason not to stop Anna without explicitly agreeing on their previous conversation. And of course Anna's emotional outburst was a major contributor for passing the sentence.
"Count, my decision is final. I can't have you do it since this is crucial to the very thing you worked hard to achieve." Elsa took Anna's hand and led her to the balcony, separated by thick and velvety red drapes.
The thrones were placed on the main balcony for her and Anna to sit upon. The scaffold below them was in full view. Both her and Anna sat on their respective thrones and their subjects below them cheered at the sight of them.
Marshall was below them, standing tall on the scaffold as he read the death sentence of each conspirators.
"By the will of Her Majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle, and Her Grace the Duchess of Eldr, sentence the following individuals for the crime of of high treason against our Queen by conspiring with the Eldr illegitimate offspring to incite rebellion and the attempt of usurpation of the Eldr Duchy and the Kingdom of Arendelle itself." Marshall called out the minor nobles' names and there were quite a lot of them, so he made ten men kneel on the scaffold and behind them were ten swordsmen.
With Elsa's signal, the ten swordsmen simultaneously swung their swords, lopping the traitors' heads off. She then heard a gasp on her left and she saw Anna's hand trembling at the sight.
"You shouldn't force yourself to watch this. You can go back – ."
"No. I am fine." Anna took a deep breath.
Elsa placed her hand on the arm of her throne with her palm facing up and almost immediately Anna clasped their hands together.
Marshall once again called more names and they too were beheaded, Elsa felt Anna's hand tightened.
"I was nine when I was forced to watch executions." Elsa started. "I remembered myself feeling so terrified at the sight of heads being cut off from a man's body. I got a stern telling off from my Uncle for not having the guts to watch it."
"How could he do that to you?!" Anna restrained herself from shouting and looked at her, but her tone was hushed but sharp. Now Elsa knew she had Anna's attention so continued while her gaze was still on the scaffold below.
"That's the way it was. I had to grow up so quickly so I could meet his expectations, and watching this gruesome sight was one of them. I got used to it when I was ten." Elsa said as if it was so easy to overcome.
"Oh Elsa." Anna caressed the back of Elsa's hand with her thumb.
Elsa was successful in distracting Anna with her own experience, it was effective only after the rebel soldiers were beheaded because the next name Marshall had called was Ector's.
Anna turned her head to the scaffold and there Ector was looking at her with contempt in his eyes, those hatred filled eyes made Elsa want to gouge them out from his head. Elsa was angry at his insolence. Her attention was shifted to Anna when the latter had raised her hand, halting Marshall from reading the criminal's crimes. The glacial eyed man stopped and did his best to hide his annoyance.
"Anna?" Elsa called out, puzzled. Her Duchess just gave her a soft smile.
"Bring him out." Anna's voice was clear and commanding.
Four of Eric's men came out of the foyer carrying the massive official portrait of the former Duke of Eldr. The crowd murmured as the portrait was placed on the courtyard's flagstones.
Upon seeing the murderer Duke's portrait, Elsa then knew what Anna intended to do but her Duchess' words shook everyone, including her.
Anna stood up with her head held high.
"I, Anna, Duchess of Eldr, wish for you all to know all the crimes the former Duke Runeard of House Eldr had committed. First, the murder of my grandmother Rita and my father, Andrew, by means of poisoning with the assistance of Gothel Stabbington. . ."
"You bitch! How dare you smear my father's name! Argh!" Ector shouted but he was kicked on his chin by Marshall.
Her Duchess' cold eyes were on him as she continued.
"Second, the murder of Duke Agnarr, Duchess Iduna of House Vinter and their children, Kristian and Elaine in order to usurp the throne of Arendelle. Her Majesty's family is the rightful house to inherit the crown of Aren, not the House of Eldr."
Exclaims echoed in the courtyard.
"Third, the disappearance and murder of the children shortly after Runeard successfully usurped the throne. Fourth, the abuse of power and excess at the expense of the Arendellian citizens and the abuse of multiple women who were forced to give up their dignity. Last but definitely not the least, for committing high treason by raising an army against the rightful ruler of Arendelle, Her Majesty Queen Elsa. And hereby sentence him to death."
There was silence then Anna continued.
"As the descendant of Prince Einrik, I am ashamed that one bad blood from our family had committed such heinous crimes and sullied our family name. This man who styled himself as the ruler of Arendelle to satisfy his own greed and lust, I hereby sever any ties that connected him from our noble house and shall no longer have the distinction of being part of the noble house of Eldr." Anna raised her hand as a signal to do what she asked them to do.
One guard was carrying a torch and put the portrait into flames. The moment the tongues of fire attached themselves at the portrait, the crowd cheered in jubilation.
Her Duchess then shakily sat on her seat then turned to look at her.
Anna looked at Elsa with expectant gaze but her Queen was gazing down at the burning portrait, she stoic and silent at what had unfolded. Did she make a mistake? Did she cross the limit of her authority? She wasn't sure. Her teal eyes were on the pale white hand gripping the arm of the seat so tightly. She was about to put her hand on her Queen's hand when a loud cheer halted her. She looked down and saw the headless body of Ector was being dragged down.
"Runeard Stabbington, Madonna Tremaine, and Anastasia Tremaine, all of you are sentenced to death for the crimes of high treason and inciting rebellion against Her Majesty the Queen." Marshall then nodded to the three swordsmen before their heads rolled down the scaffold.
Anna casted her eyes away from the scene in front of her.
One more. She's the last one. I can do this. Anna said to herself. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.
Two guards were dragging a bloodied woman on the scaffold, Anna noticed how her arms and legs were limp. She looked behind her and saw the Count of Isles had this satisfying smirk on his face.
"Gothel Stabbington, you are charged with murder of the late Duchess Rita of Eldr and late Baron Andrew of Gielo, for the massacre of House Andalasia and high treason. You are hereby sentenced to death." Marshall moved out of the way and he ordered the swordsman to go, confusing everyone, including Anna.
Anna was about to ask Elsa what was going on when a hooded figure climbed the scaffold, bearing an unsheathed sword.
Gothel had a hard time turning her head as she looked at the hooded figure. Her swollen eyes then were filled with surprise, she tried to speak but her mouth was swollen and bloodied, as the hooded figure revealed her flowing honey-blonde tresses.
Many of course knew who this lady was, she was the elusive lady of House Andalasia. And Anna couldn't believe her eyes, she turned to Elsa again but the latter was unmoved on her seat.
"This is for what you did to my family." Lady Giselle raised her sword and swiftly cut off the person responsible for murdering so many people.
Marshall then spoke. "The heads of the criminals shall be displayed on a pike at the territories they had terrorized and abused, as a reminder that justice had been served and as a warning to those who wish to follow their footsteps."
The crowd cheered for their Queen and Duchess for bringing justice to the land of Eldr. Many families wept because they finally got justice for the lost lives years ago.
Anna noticed Elsa stood up and quickly followed her inside.
"Your Grace, I would like a word-"
"Later." Anna said to whoever that was since her attention was solely at the person who was a step ahead of her. And with quick strides, they reached their shared room in no time.
Elsa opened the double doors, while Anna closed them but her gaze was still on the woman who was back facing her. At the soft click of the doors, she watched Elsa take a deep breath and stood at the center of the room.
"Elsa, are you okay?" Anna asked worriedly as she moved towards her Queen. "Elsa?" Anna touched Elsa's shoulder but then she found herself being pulled into a tight hug. "E-Elsa?" she called out again.
"Thank you." Elsa's voice was thick and trembling? She buried her face on Anna's shoulder.
Anna returned the hug.
"I may have avenged them by coming here and taking what is rightfully mine, however I was seen as a usurper and a murderer, but with those words coming from you had given them the justice that needed to be acknowledged by many. I couldn't say those words without being seen as a vengeful daughter of House Vinter. Thank you." Elsa then lifted her head, and Anna saw those sad and yet grateful eyes.
Anna cupped Elsa's face with both hands. "Oh darling." she leaned closer. "It is I who should thank you for getting rid of that horrid man from our lives." her eyes fluttered close as Elsa's lips were pressed against hers. It was soft and gentle at first but Elsa suddenly turned it into a hungry one.
"Anna." Elsa sighed before kissing her again with such rush and Anna could barely keep up. She moaned to Elsa's passionate kisses and returned the kiss with the same intensity. Her hands snaked their way up around Elsa's neck and pulled her closer.
They pulled away only to continue their searing kiss. . .
Bang!
The sudden opening of their bedroom door made them pull away so abruptly, only to see two old men gaping at them and few surprised high ranking military officers.
One of the officers regained his composure and spoke.
"I humbly seek your forgiveness, Your Majesty and Your Grace, I tried to stop them but –."
"It's alright, Eric." Elsa said as she begrudgingly extricated herself from Anna. "What is the matter?" her voice was calm but her eyes were saying something else. Anger.
This was the moment where the two old men regained their senses and how disappointed they were in themselves for interrupting such a crucial moment that could lead to their ultimate goal. Vinter-Eldr heirs.
"This can wait. You two carry on." the Duke of Weselton said as he closed the doors.
She and Elsa stared at the shut door before turning to look at each other.
"Pfft." Anna covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed, so did Elsa.
"Gods. Those two can irk me and amuse me at the same time." Elsa admitted, she wrapped her arms around Anna.
"Indeed." Anna said with a smile as Elsa kissed her forehead.
"How are you? After all that." Elsa softly asked.
"I was quite shaken at first but thanks to you, I managed to get through it."
"I am glad." Elsa said. "I am sorry for being silent at the end, I was just. . . I felt so many emotions at that time. I wasn't sure what to do."
"Hey it's okay. I was too preoccupied by my thoughts and how I should do the thing I just did to actually focus on their execution." Anna gave her a weary smile. "I didn't over do it, did I?"
Elsa smiled gently and carefully, removing Anna's circlet. "No you didn't, why did you ask?"
"I didn't want to overstep the limitation of my rank."
"You don't have to worry about that." Elsa stated as she fixed Anna's hair.
"If you say so." Anna smiled. Elsa placed the circlet on the vanity table and took her crown off her head as well.
"Now these are out of the way, we can just be Elsa and Anna. No rank, no power over the other. Just equals." Elsa turned and pulled Anna into a hug. "You are finally free of them but what about Lady Giselle? Do you have any plans for her?"
"I have yet to talk to her." Anna said, then she remembered what happened. "Speaking of, she's the reason why you declined the Count's request, isn't she?"
"I only granted it because I found it fitting for her to end Gothel's life. I couldn't help but to agree." Elsa explained. But Anna knew there's something more to it but she had let it slide and would make sure to ask Elsa next time.
"What are you going to do next?"
Anna already had an answer in mind. "Purge this place and the whole kingdom of his traces. Correct history, for your sake -."
"If it's for me you don't have to do it – ."
" – for mine and for our future children too." Anna smiled. "I don't want them to be tainted by any memories of him."
Elsa smiled. "You're really set on having more than one child."
Anna blushed. "Yeah, if the gods would grant us with lots of children, I would be more than happy to raise them." Anna shyly looked into Elsa's eyes. "I want to have children who share your brilliant glacial blue eyes and blonde hair."
"But I already told you that I want to have children who share your strawberry blonde hair and lovely teal colored eyes." Elsa argued with a frown on her brows.
Anna couldn't help but to chuckle at Elsa's display of childishness.
"I didn't know you have this cute side." Anna said, making Elsa blushed so much that she looks like a tomato.
"C-Cute? Who, me? How dare you." Elsa said indignantly while her face was tinted with red.
"What? It's true." Anna pinched both Elsa's cheeks.
"Stop it." Elsa protested. Anna laughed in response. "Let's see if you still find me cute."
"What do you – WHOA!" Elsa carried her bridal style and the next thing she knew she was pressed on their bed with Elsa on top of her. "What are you doing?"
"Now that we're in the subject of children, why don't we start making them?" Elsa smirked and nipped her jawline, both of them then heard a scuffle outside the door.
Both Elsa and Anna looked at the door's direction before they shared a look.
"Those old perverted men should know their place." Elsa grumpily uttered and laid herself next to Anna.
Anna chuckled. "They should." Then an idea popped in her head. "How about we sneak out of here?"
"How are we going to do that when they are out in the hall?"
Anna smiled so freely for the first time now that the weight of her name dissipated.
Half an hour later.
The Duke, the Count and the rest of the nobles were getting impatient to talk to the Queen and the Duchess because they wanted to talk about the things Anna had mentioned during the executions. Both factions were satisfied and dissatisfied at the same time. For the Vinter retainers, they agreed about how Anna helped to solidify Elsa's claim by mentioning Elsa's family's rights to the throne and at the same time they were quite disgruntled on how Anna had displayed herself as if she was the one in command. While Eldr retainers were disgruntled at the mention of the Vinters and happy in the way Anna showed everyone she had power over the Queen, especially now their relationship turned into something much more than a politically arranged marriage. The Duke did his best to arranged this political marriage by any means necessary such as manipulating then exiled heiress into believing that he initiated the union of both houses only for the sake of peace, it didn't matter to him if he lied countless of times as long as the person who wore the crown came from House Vinter. It was the same with the Count of Isles, because they were tasked to do so.
The Duke and the Count had asked the servants to prepare some refreshments after that satisfying execution, they would celebrate their victory and also corner their respective figure heads after the meal to talk about what had transpired but those two people were notably absent.
They had sent a page boy to convey a message to the Queen and Duchess but the response they received baffled them.
"What do you mean they aren't in their room?" the Count asked in confusion. "I had my own men guarding in the hall to notify me once they emerged."
"T-The room was empty, M'lord, after Her Grace' maid delivered something in the room," said the trembling page boy.
"Are you sure you went to the correct room?" the Duke asked as he stood up.
"I am certain, Your Grace."
"The Queen and Duchess are missing!" said one of the Eldr retainer.
The men simultaneously stood up and rushed to the door to inform the guards but Eric was there waiting for them.
"M'lords. Her Majesty and Her Grace wish not to be disturbed." Eric sternly stated. "That's Her Majesty, Queen Elsa's explicit order."
The nobles couldn't even do anything after that.
Meanwhile at the Eldr Castle roof.
"You are really an odd woman." Queen Elsa stated as she drank from her champagne flute, while Duchess Anna was nibbling on her sandwich they asked Wendy to bring in their bedchamber before escaping using the roof of their bedchamber's balcony up to the main roof of the castle. "I didn't expect you to ask me to climb up here."
Duchess Anna chuckled. "I did it all the time, especially when I wanted to escape my governess and other instructors."
"Obviously." Queen Elsa looked at the slightly dark clouds covering the sun, providing them enough shade.
"It looks like rain." Duchess Anna said.
"No. It is that time of the year." Queen Elsa whispered loud enough for the Duchess to hear and gazed at the clouds with such emotions in her eyes that her companion couldn't decipher.
"What time?"
"Winter."
Duchess Anna smiled. "I like the winter season, it's my favorite."
"Really?" Queen Elsa asked in a hush tone.
"Really. And even more so now because it reminds me of you." the Duchess smiled.
The Queen turned to the Duchess and smiled a little.
"My favorite season is summer, because there's little clouds at night that I could go and watch the stars until I fall asleep."
"You like stars?" the Duchess asked.
"I do. It was our favorite pastime." there was a pause. "My sister and I."
The Duchess' gaze softened and held her Queen's hand.
"We tell stories of how certain groups of stars came to be, their origin and myths."
"Do you have any favorite constellations?" the Duchess asked.
"I used to like Ulf's Keptr , the Mouth of the Wolf constellation but there was one morning, before sunrise, there's one specific star that captivated me. It shone so bright as I looked at it from our window, the star Arcturus."
"Arcturus." the Duchess mumbled.
"It's visible before sunrise during late winter and spring." the Queen continued. "What about you?"
"The Fishermen." Anna smiled. "I heard a story from my old nanny that my father told me that if ever I have nightmares I could wish them away and have the fishermen in the sky take them from me."
"I wish for that too." The Queen placed her hand around her Duchess and gave her a kiss on the side of her head. Both of them basked in the peaceful moment they had for a long time.
Arendelle
The Princess of Corona was already in bed, fast asleep, when the sound of her balcony doors roused her. Her back was facing the balcony doors and fluttering her eyes open and were alert, she slowly slipped her hand under her pillow to grab her dagger.
The stranger in the room moved slowly and almost soundlessly.
Rapunzel carefully unsheathed her dagger and waited for the trespasser to come closer, once the said stranger did come within her range she skillfully swiped at her would-be attacker, however the hooded stranger managed to evade her attack.
"Wait! Wait! It's me!" The stranger quickly pulled his hood down.
"Eugene." Rapunzel breathed.
"I'm so sorry for doing this but this is the only way I could talk to you without being seen." Flynn explained.
Rapunzel missed him but after their last unpleasant encounter, she doesn't know how to act around him.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked as she turned her back to him to sheathed her dagger.
"Us."
"What about us?" Rapunzel stood still in her place.
"I humbly seek your forgiveness for what I did to you the last time we were alone. I overstepped my limit and I couldn't forgive myself for doing such a beastly thing towards the person I love the most." Flynn's words were full of sincerity, making Rapunzel's eyes glisten with tears.
"It's not your fault." Rapunzel responded.
"Then please tell me what's wrong. I've been agonizing about what could've made you so upset." Flynn went closer to her and carefully placed his hand on her shoulder, making Rapunzel flinch. "What happened to you?" he asked as he removed his hand the moment his lover flinched.
"Nothing happened." Rapunzel said. She wanted to tell him but she knew how he would react, he would be so protective of her and many people would be bound to notice, especially her father. She couldn't risk having her father know she was consorting with a man with no rank and a knight of the very family her father abhorred. She couldn't risk his life.
"That's a lie and you know it."
"Eugene, you should go." Rapunzel sternly stated.
"No. I will not. Not until you tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong. Go." Rapunzel's cold replies stabbed both of their hearts.
"Tell me you love me, please."
Rapunzel discreetly wiped her tears before turning around to face him. "What are you trying to achieve?"
"Rapunzel– "
There were feet scrambling outside the door, Rapunzel pushed him onto the floor by her bed to hide him from sight. The door was burst open by Cassandra, who had her sword drawn.
"Your Highness. I apologize at the hour." Cassandra barely looked at her before going straight towards the balcony. Rapunzel's heart started to pound inside her chest.
"What seems to be the matter?" Rapunzel asked as she discreetly looked at Flynn, who rolled his way under the bed to hide.
"I am looking for a rat." Cassandra casually said.
"A rat in my room?"
"Yes. A red rat." Cassandra still had her sword in hand as she turned to face Rapunzel.
"Don't be absurd, there's no such thing as a red rat."
"I see." Cassandra said and smiled. "Then can you move aside?"
"Why?"
"To ensure a certain rat didn't find its way under your bed."
Rapunzel's heart was caught in her throat.
"That won't be necessary."
"But I insist." Cassandra pressed on and moved towards the bed with her sword pointed down to stab the mattress.
"General! I command you to stop!" Rapunzel ordered, even if she didn't want to use her rank but she thought this was the only way, Cassandra stopped while the sword was only a few inches away from the bed. "What are you doing?"
"I've been tasked by Her Majesty, Queen Arianna to ensure your safety." Cassandra said as she lowered her sword.
"But that doesn't mean you have to disrespect me by barging into my room without my permission."
"Disrespect? Who could've been more disrespectful than the person hiding under your bed!" Cassandra shouted. "A man sneaking into the crown princess' room in an ungodly hour, I am merely doing my duty as your protector, not only of your person but also your reputation. And I'll be damned if this sewer rat tarnishes you."
After that Flynn crawled out under the bed and stood in front of Cassandra with a glare.
"I will never tarnish her reputation nor harm her in any way. I love her." Flynn declared.
"Love?" Cassandra scoffed as she gripped the handle of her sword tightly.
"Yes love." Flynn said.
Cassandra looked at Rapunzel who had her head turned the other way but her eyes were filled with sadness.
"Cass, I hope you won't tell either of my parents about this."
"Is that a command, Your Highness?" Cassandra asked with a cold tone.
Rapunzel bit her lower lip. "No, Cass-"
"I understand, I'll leave once this man leaves this room." Cassandra sheathed her sword and waited.
Rapunzel looked at Flynn. "Go."
Flynn had no other choice but to leave.
"Cass-"
"I humbly seek your forgiveness, Your Highness." Cassandra bowed. "I've been reckless and I had spoken out of turn."
"Cass what are you saying? Why are you so formal with me?" Rapunzel didn't like the way Cassandra talked to her.
"I had no right to be informal to the Crown Princess of Corona for I am merely a military officer."
"You are my best friend!"
"Regardless." Cassandra replied.
Soon one of the Arendellian guards rushed into the room and informed her with urgent news.
"Your Highness, Admiral Hofferson arrived from the Eldr Duchy and had asked me to deliver this to you.'' The guard passed a sealed letter to Rapunzel.
The Princess of Corona immediately opened the letter and used the light from the hall to read its contents and she could only utter a single word.
"Schiesse."
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