Hello Guys! It's Riko, I missed you, and I'm back with another chapter! I actually had a hard time writing this one chapter because I had no idea where this was going. I know you're not here for me, but anyway~ Please enjoy the new chapter! And I'll be back soon with another chapter for this!

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CHAPTER 6: Knowing More (2)

Eager to learn more about his wife, Jack picked up the bottle of wine the innkeeper had gifted them as a token of gratitude. He raised the bottle, smiling warmly at Elsa.

"May I get to know you better over a glass of wine?" he asked gently, grabbing two wine glasses from the tray and slightly raising it up to show her.

Elsa, amused, leaned back with a smile. "I won't refuse a glass of wine," she said, chuckling softly.

Jack poured her a glass, then filled his own. It was the first time he'd been so genuinely interested in someone. This wasn't a chance encounter or a political maneuver; he simply wanted to know his wife. He found her quite charming, though he would be reluctant to admit it out loud.

Perhaps she was slowly creeping into his heart, becoming more important to him. But was it too soon to feel this way?

Jack thought maybe it was because she was now tied to him, and he felt responsible for involving her in his life. Yes, perhaps that was it.

"So, tell me more about yourself," he began, but quickly realized it sounded wrong.

Elsa laughed. "It sounds like I'm at a job interview.."

He chuckled, acknowledging her point. "You get what I mean."

She hummed thoughtfully. "There's nothing interesting to tell, though."

"I find everything about you interesting, trust me," he said, his gaze steady on her as she tilted her head and looked away.

"Tell me everything," he urged. "It would be odd if your husband didn't know anything about you, right?"

She giggled, seemingly amused at her husband's words. It was rare for Jack to openly ask about someone's life. And he was overjoyed at the fact that she did not find it weird or uncomfortable when he asked her about it. Instead, Elsa placed the wine glass on the coffee table in front of them and thought for a while before telling him her story.

"I was probably 9 when mother taught me embroidery," she started, a small smile on her lips as she reminisced. "But back then, I looked up to my brother and wanted to handle swords instead of embroidery. And because of our education, I learned that my family," she paused, fidgeting with her finger. "For generations…have taught their children how to use weapons."

"You did mention that back then, yes." Jack nodded, remembering the time when Elsa mentioned hunting for the first time.

"My mother wished to break the tradition, by just letting Anna and I learn the basic noble lady training and etiquette," she said. "But perhaps the Arendelle blood ran thick in our veins, because no matter how hard mother tried to keep us away from such practices, I eventually picked up the sword and Anna the bow and arrow."

"Quite interesting."

"What is?" She blinked and took a sip of her wine.

"It's just the first time I've learned that ladies can be taught to use weapons. Somehow, it seemed too…"

Elsa smiled. "Masculine?"

"That's not it," Jack responded with a shake of his head.

Elsa went silent for a minute, trying to figure out what he wanted to say.

"Let's just say it's very unconventional for females to learn swordsmanship or marksmanship." He said, nodding his head very gently as he refilled his wine glass.

She paused for a moment, nodding her head. Jack tried to guess what she was thinking, but her expression was too hard to understand.

"That it is, but it's not entirely impossible."

"Of course. If it was, then you would have stuck to learning embroidery." Jack teased, earning a small huff from his wife.

"Just thinking about that kind of ordinary noble lady's life is boring." She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head, a frown on her face.

"So," Jack leaned over, his elbows resting on his lap as he intertwined his fingers together. "What else were you up to in Arendelle?"

She hummed, thinking of another story to tell him.

"Interesting things happen rarely in Arendelle," she leaned forward to pick up her wine glass. "Aside from the frequent demon attacks that happen in the fief, nothing is really that alarming."

"It's my first time hearing someone say demon and monster attacks aren't alarming."

She chuckled. "I guess I'm much too accustomed to that kind of life."

"That's very peculiar of you, my lady." He paused. "Were you not fearful?"

She took a sip of her wine and laughed.

"Fearful?" She repeated, placing the wine glass on the coffee table with a small thunk. "I used to be. But the more frequent the attacks, the more I got used to seeing the gory and grimy things."

"Does it not bother you?"

"Well, it did. But there are people in our fief we need to protect."

Jack was impressed with her bravery. He had felt it back at the Arendelle Mansion during their interesting conversations. But he found it quite difficult to believe that this young and frail-looking woman who was sitting in front of him could be able to wield a sword, let alone slice up demons and monsters without batting an eye. Most, if not, all women in the capital would've already fainted from seeing a carcass of a dead demon. What more if they saw it alive and moving?

"I must say, you have caught me off guard again, my lady." Jack raised the wine bottle as if asking her if she wanted more.

"There are many things you don't know about me that would shock you, Jack."

"We have plenty of time to get to know each other."

"It might take a while, but I'd gladly share stories of my adventures in the Arendelle Forest." She said, raising up her glass at him with a smirk. "You might find them entertaining or even helpful."

Jack flashed her a smile full of intrigue, his curiosity piqued by her confidence. He raised his glass and smiled.

"I'd be delighted to listen to what you have to share, my lady."

She hummed, swirling the wine in her glass slowly. "I'll keep it at a minimum. I wouldn't want to take too much of your time when you're spending so much for the succession ceremony."

Jack laughed out loud and shook his head, amused at her concern and her generosity. She was kind, he thought that much.

"Don't worry," he said. "I'll always have time for my wife. So don't hesitate to come in and out of my office if you wish."

Elsa gave him a skeptical look. "What if your vassals think of me as nosy?"

"Nonsense." He said. "That's a useless thought to entertain."

"You won't know what goes in their mind, Jack." She leaned back and crossed her arms, tilting her head with a smirk.

"They might hate me for bothering you."

"I'll scold them."

"Please don't."

Jack chuckled at their exchange and looked at his beautiful wife sitting across from him. It was the first time that Jack felt so comfortable with someone. To the point where he'd unwind and have a fun conversation. He was so used to the stiff exchanges and the social niceties in high society where people were hiding their true intentions behind a smile.

But she was different.

Jack felt like he could breathe around her. And he embraced it, he loved it. It was very strange indeed. He hasn't even known her for that long, but Elsa had that kind of power over him. He hated to admit it so early on, but he was on the path to liking her. A lot. To Jack, Elsa felt like his safe haven. His companion whom he could share jokes and banter with. It was exhilarating just thinking about coming home from an exhausting day at work and being able to… breathe.

"Is there something on my face?"

Jack was snapped out of his thoughts when Elsa spoke, cheeks flushed red. Jack wasn't sure if it was the wine or if she was embarrassed.

"I was just thinking about how lucky I am." He responded.

"Because?"

"Because you happened."

Elsa laughed out loud and put down her wine glass. Her laughter rang in Jack's ears and he couldn't help but think about how lovely it was.

He frowned. "That was the part where you'll blush and tell me to stop." He leaned back, feigning upset but his wife only laughed even harder.

Grasping her stomach, she leaned forward. "I'm sorry. I wasn't aware I was supposed to react that way."

"You missed the timing, my lady."

"I didn't know I married a comedian."

"If it makes you happy, I would gladly become one."

She gasped. "My, how sweet of you."

"I'd do anything for my wife."

A moment of silence enveloped them. Jack, for the most part, thought his remarks were too playful or too much for her. But he couldn't help it. She brings out his inner mischief and it's hard to stop teasing her when he starts. However, he couldn't help but worry about if she was being bothered by what he was doing.

"Thank you." She says, looking down at her own hands.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "What for?"

"For cheering me up…"

Jack stayed silent. It wasn't because he didn't want to say anything. It was because he didn't know what to say. When he's with this woman, it seems like she always has the capability to take his breath away.

"You noticed I was feeling down and cheered me up," she smiled at him. "I am ever grateful for that."

"It's a minor thing-"

"But to me it's not," she said, eyes sparkling under the candlelight. "You were perceptive and sensitive to my mood…you didn't have to be."

Jack smiled in response. "Nonsense, Elsa." He looked at her seriously, his eyes studying her delicate features. "You're my wife and I want you to smile when you're with me. I want to share your worries and your problems…" he trailed off. "Even though we aren't real."

Elsa smiled gently at him and chuckled.

"Really, thank you Jack."

Jack notices her eyes getting unfocused and he observes her. She mumbled something under her breath, but Jack couldn't quite hear it. And soon enough, she was sleeping on the chair. A few hair strands fell on her face as she tried to make herself feel comfortable on the stiff chair. Jack chuckled at his wife's adorable yet comedic display and stood up.

"What should I do with you?" He sighed before picking her up and moving her to the bed.

She was light, lighter than he'd actually imagined. And she was small in his arms, but somehow, it almost seemed like she fit perfectly. He gazed down at her sleeping face and smiled. How peaceful. Looking at her felt peaceful. He pulled the blanket over her and tucked her in bed before clearing up the table they had used earlier.

He moved to his side of the bed and settled in. He laid on his side and gazed at his wife…well, fake wife. And he couldn't help but think that he was lucky to have her as his partner to die on this hill. Jack certainly did not expect him to get along this well with his wife. And he certainly did not expect to enjoy married life to this extent. Back then he thought that he'd only get married for the sake of inheriting the Duchy, but he wasn't ready for this kind of amicable relationship with his own wife. Perhaps one day he'd thank his Grandfather for this meeting.

Jack studied her delicate features and smiled unconsciously. He was happy. He really was and he didn't think he would be when entering such an arranged marriage. However, he did feel slightly guilty for bringing her into this predicament. Surely, Elsa would've wanted to marry for love. But he appeared in the picture. With those kinds of thoughts, Jack's eyes felt heavy. And before he knew it…sleep had come to embrace him.