CHAPTER 3: In the Melting Pot

It was a rather busy day in the Arendelle mansion unlike other times. This was because the Grand Duke of Overland immediately rode his horse to the north the moment he heard his youngest grandson was getting married. He was shocked to hear about it especially because it was Jackson they were talking about. Jackson, who never even spared a single glance to all of the beautiful females in the capital who ogled at him, was getting married because he fell in love with one of Runeard's granddaughters.

That Jackson.

Simply put, it was beyond baffling when the letter came to the Overland mansion relaying the details about Jackson's decision and how he asked to marry this woman. Grand Duke Lune never even thought that his grandson would fall in love with a country bumpkin. But the moment he stepped into the Arendelle mansion and saw the figure of the woman standing next to his grandson, he immediately knew why Jack was so adamant about marrying her. It wasn't like he was going to disapprove of the marriage anyway, since it was originally what he and Runeard wanted. But it was still surprising nonetheless.

It was already evening by the time Jack's father arrived in the Arendelle territory with a face full of concern. Jack knew that his father was much more worried about the fact that the Grand Duke might've inconvenienced Marquis Arendelle since his grandfather made a sudden visit without any warning. Of course, it wasn't much of a shock to Elsa's grandfather since he was the one who sent the letter to Lune anyway. On the contrary, he seemed to welcome his old friend with wide arms and a warm smile.

Believe it or not, Jack was actually nervous. He was always nervous when it came to matters concerning his grandfather. They didn't get along well at all and all he would hear from him were spiteful comments about his birth and his origin. But those were words that no longer jabbed him in the heart. The older he grew, the more he trained himself to steel his heart and think of those words as motivation to become stronger. However, this time, for some unknown reason, he didn't want his soon-to-be-wife to know about his cracked relationship with his grandfather.

No—that was a lie.

He was actually nervous about his grandfather trying to be mean to his fiance out of nowhere. His grandfather had a very venomous tongue and any words that came out of his mouth were painful. He didn't want Elsa to go through that kind of pain. Especially not from a grandfather who does not appreciate him. He was afraid that he might mistreat Elsa just because she was going to be his wife. She did not deserve that kind of disgrace.

"I heard you fell in love at first sight?" He asked. His expression was stoic as he asked the couple outright. Jack took a glance at Elsa to gouge her feelings, but to his surprise, she was completely fine.

Elsa flashed the Grand Duke a smile and turned her head toward Jack who was already looking at her. "It's a bit embarrassing to say it out loud, but yes…" Elsa's expression changed into that of a bashful young woman. Her cheeks tinged red as she avoided eye contact much to Jack's amusement. It was as though she was indeed in love with him. It was quite the sight to behold. Especially for Jack who had never seen this kind of expression on this young woman's face.

The Grand Duke hummed to himself as he gave Elsa a scrutinising gaze. A gaze that Elsa seemed to hold very well. If it were another woman sitting beside Jack right now, they would've already started spewing out half-hearted praises for his grandfather just to look good. But Elsa was different. She stayed silent; sitting down beside Jack with the most perfect posture and the calmest smile. And that did not fail to catch Jack's attention. She looked very lovely, he admits that.

Of course, contrary to Jack's beliefs, Elsa was actually very nervous about meeting his family. Outwardly, it would look like she felt nothing but her heart was beating so fast to the point where she thinks she might actually die. Elsa's posture and outwardly calm demeanour was the result of her mother and grandmother's etiquette lessons. After all, she was part of the most blue-blooded nobles in the entire Empire. Her blood is pure nobility, no mixture and no shame. She was taught how to uphold her aristocracy at such a young age but to never abuse the power and weight her surname held. Because although they were pure-blooded nobles, they were nothing but a noble family with a rich noble history and no political power at all.

"When are you holding the wedding?" The Grand Duke asked.

Elsa turned her head to Jack and cast him a questioning gaze. She seemed to want his help, but Jack only looked away and cleared his throat. He wanted to take no part in this conversation and simply wished to sit quietly beside his soon-to-be wife's side as he left her to deal with his difficult grandfather and father.

His ears perked up when he heard a gentle sigh next to him.

"If you do not have a date, I will set one for you," he said with a frown as he leaned back on the sofa.

"It would—" Elsa tried to speak, but she was cut off by the Grand Duke.

"Next week, Saturday sounds good. It's an auspicious date," he started. "We can speed up the preparations and make sure we have a very grand banquet fit for the two of you." He placed a hand on his chin as he closed his eyes. "I should contact the merchants and the tailor because you have to fit your wedding gown. We also have to gather craftsmen and jewellers to make wedding rings…" he trailed off.

"Although we can use the family heirloom…yes. It would be much better to use the family heirloom. It's something you deserve."

"Excuse me, grand duke…"

"Call me grandfather, darling."

Jack's eyes widened. It was the first time he'd heard his grandfather speak in such a gentle tone. And it was definitely the first time he's seen his grandfather look so meek and soft. Is this what he would be like if he was that kind of person all the time? It was strange and yet familiar at the same time.

"Um…" Elsa looked awkward. "Grandfather…"

Another smile. "Yes? Do speak."

"Would it not be better to move the wedding to months later?"

Clearly his grandfather was caught off guard by the sudden request. Even Jack was. Nobody, not even his own father, would dare to negotiate with the Grand Duke once he set his mind on something. But Elsa was different; she was the only one who didn't tremble or hesitate to speak her mind in front of the Grand Duke. Perhaps it had something to do with the way she grew up or simply because she was so used to dealing with her very own grandfather that helped her with her communicating with Jack's very own.

"Why would you want the wedding to be months later? The Overland Duchy isn't penniless for us to push it back." Jack's grandfather looked genuinely curious as he gave Elsa a questioning gaze.

"Wouldn't you want the wedding to be perfect and well-prepared?"

"We could still have a wedding that's well-prepared and perfect in just weeks, darling…" He trailed off and held his gaze. "Do you not want to be married immediately?" He asked.

Jack watched as Elsa heaved out a sigh. Is she getting fed up?

"Then…" she started. "If grandfather wants our wedding to be on Saturday, then so be it."

The Grand Duke looked happy as Elsa gave in to his wants. But just as he was about to say something, Elsa opened her mouth again.

"However, instead of a grand wedding…I would like it to be more private and small. I'd prefer a little bit of intimacy rather than show off. Doing it that way would make it feel very special."

"But—"

Elsa started. "Don't you think it would be better to hold a private wedding with only very important people invited? Wouldn't that make the entire society talk?" She looked away, her expression becoming even more animated than the last time Jack spoke to her and got caught in her trap.

"Imagine this, grandfather." Jack noticed his grandfather's eye twitch as his cheeks tinged red when Elsa called him that title. "The nobles will talk about it in whispers. They'd be curious about why they weren't invited. And then they'll know that the guest list was filled with very important people and only those with a very close relationship to both families would be able to attend the wedding," she paused, taking a peek at the grand duke, who, by now, was looking far away.

"They would be curious about the wedding dress, the design, the food…" She smirked. "Everything that happened behind closed doors, they will be curious about. And then the journalists who know about the wedding would surely try to wriggle their way into the party, but because security is tight they cannot. This will only fuel their curiosity. And when Jack and I walk out of the event to our carriage, they will take some pictures. And they will publish an article," she clapped her hands and giggled. Her voice rang in Jack's ear like a parasite.

"And of course, the curious nobles would try to contact those who we invited and they would gossip. Those who were part of the wedding would tell them everything. About the wedding and who was invited. And then eyes will naturally fall on us."

Elsa leaned closer to the Grand Duke and purposefully lowered her voice. "Then we will be the talk of the town…" she whispered.

"I—"

Jack saw his grandfather struggle to sound out Elsa's seductions and for a moment, Jack thought Elsa didn't succeed. But contrary to his beliefs, the grand duke conceded. Although he looked visibly disappointed at Elsa's request, he tried his luck to negotiate again.

But Elsa held her ground against him. The Duke ended up agreeing to her terms; to have a small, private and intimate wedding ceremony, to let her mother plan the wedding herself, and that it will be held in Arendelle's Atohallan Temple.

Of course, the Grand Duke was very bothered about her request because he really wanted the wedding to be grand. He wanted to show off to all of the nobles and invite all the nobles with higher standing. However, Elsa was firm with her decision and showed no signs of being persuaded. Feeling defeated, the Grand Duke gave in, thinking that since she was going to be his granddaughter-in-law anyway and because she was a nice young woman in his eyes.

After the meeting with the Grand Duke, Elsa went around to greet Jack's father, feeling very uncomfortable because she couldn't greet him the moment he stepped into the Arendelle territory. Why? Well, she was dragged into the parlour with Jack by the Grand Duke. Jack was happy that she seemed to at least get along well with his family members. And he was especially happy because it really seemed like they liked her too.

Who wouldn't?

She was a woman brimming with confidence and charisma. She has an aura and smile that would pull you in like a black hole trying to devour everything in its path. Jack was intrigued. From the very moment she walked into that meeting room the first day he came into Arendelle, he was already shaken by her curious nature.

"I didn't expect you to play my grandfather like a fiddle that way…" Jack uttered as he strolled around the Arendelle forest with Elsa by his side. There was a strange grin plastered on her face; kind of like she was bursting with pride as she puffed her chest out. It was a childlike kind of proudness, enough to make Jack burst out in laughter.

Elsa turned her head and gave him a smirk. "I come with experience," she said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She walked ahead of him, hands behind her back as she took graceful footsteps on the dirt path. The sky was a mixture of hues; red, yellow, orange, purple…who knows. To Jack it looked more orange than red. But the sunlight that shined on his bride walking in front of him emphasised her small stature and enveloped her body in a warm and fuzzy hug. For a moment, Jack thought ah, she's mine, isn't she? But brushed the strange thought away like dust on a forgotten shelf.

"What are you doing?" she turned around. "Don't lag behind me, it's weird to be on a stroll and you're just following me from there…" a sweet smile pasted on her lips as the breeze passed, falling leaves fluttered to the ground, and her hair swayed along.

The sunlight on her face made it look like she was a forest fairy, and Jack couldn't keep himself from widening his mouth. He knew she was pretty, but her figure against the sunlight like this was enough to rob Jack of his very own breath. He felt like gasping for air, hands reaching out for a place to grab on. But she was blocking it, like an endless ocean. It couldn't be that he was falling for her.

Not yet. Not now.

And so Jack suppressed the feelings slowly bubbling up. There was just no way he would fall in love with someone so easily like that. No way. It was far too early. He'd only just met her, and yet he's already this fond of her.

Alas, his efforts were for naught. Because the moment he tried to win her over, he already lost. He had one foot in, and the other outside. All that's left is to acknowledge the feelings and jump.

He wasn't ready for that. So until then…until he can make sense and verify his feelings weren't just because he was drunk at the moment, he will suppress it.

"By the way," she said, playing with one of the fallen leaves she caught. "You were looking at me with a strange expression on your face earlier…" she trailed off as she slowly turned her head towards Jack.

"What?"

She squinted her eyes and looked at him with suspicion. "You didn't fall in love with me because of that scene right?" Her eyes expressed disturbance as she didn't hesitate to ask. Jack was taken aback by her rashness and her bluntness.

What is going on in her head? Jack asked himself in amusement.

He threw his head back and guffawed, clutching his stomach as he looked at her with tears in his eyes. "Are you hearing yourself, young lady?" he asked, words caught in between laughter. "You sounded like a narcissist just now…pfft…!"

Elsa still looked at him in disbelief and hummed. "You better have not…" she trailed off, crossing her arms over her chest as she tilted her head and continued to walk.

"Otherwise it's going to be difficult and you're going to put me in an awkward situation…"

"I have not," he said, wiping off the tears in his eyes.

"Hmm…" she nodded her head. "If you say so. That's great!" She clapped her hands and spun on her heel. It was a very different behaviour from the one she displayed when she met with Jack's family. Looking at her now, she looked quite free and childlike.

"Well, I guess there's no helping it if I must go to the capital…"

"Yes, you will be living there once our wedding is over."

"I know," she said. "I just find it regretful…"

Jack remained silent as he waited for her to continue. A very wise decision.

"I've lived here all my life and I've known all of the people here since I was a child…" she trailed off, her gaze wandering somewhere far. "Because I'll be leaving soon…it's kind of sad." Her voice was quiet and gentle, but Jack could hear it just fine.

A pang of pain crossed Jack's heart as he watched her lonely gaze. Now he feels very, very guilty about deceiving her and roping her into this.

"But…It was going to happen someday anyway," she let out a laugh. "It just happened to be now…"

"You will be treated very well in our mansion in the capital," Jack tried to reassure her, but she only turned to him and flashed him a wide smile.

"I know…"

"But you know…" he started, fidgeting with his fingers. "You can always come here to visit," he suggested.

Elsa's eyes lit up and she raised her head to look at Jack. "Can I really? Don't I have to stay in the capital for Duchess duties?" She asked.

Jack chuckled. "Of course it's fine. If you wish to come and visit, I shall come with you."

They went silent. Elsa's head was down so Jack had no idea whether she was crying or not. "Thank you," she mumbled in a tiny voice.

"You are actually a nice guy…" she said, looking away. Her cheeks tinged red as she fanned herself and turned around. An action Jack thought to be quite adorable.

"I guess the mansion's going to be very busy this week because of the wedding," Elsa started as she took a small glance at the large Arendelle mansion.

Jack sighed. "I don't know why my grandfather rushed the wedding like this…" He massaged his temples and shook his head.

Elsa laughed. "He's a nice man…"

"Wha-what?" Jack coughed, his eyes widening as he spared her a glance.

Elsa looked at him and tilted her head. "Is he not?" she asked in confusion.

"I mean…I guess?"

"Hmm…" she trailed off. "I don't know how he is to you, but I'll believe what I've seen." She pursed her lips and walked back towards the mansion.

"I think it's time for us to head back," she said. "The forest is dangerous around this time…" Elsa said as she looked around the already changing atmosphere of the forest. Jack twisted his head and gazed on the already fogging surroundings and sighed.

"I can see…"

"I'm not sure how you'll do against beasts and demons, but you don't have to worry."

"What?!" Jack exclaimed, very taken aback by her nonchalant behaviour over the dangers of the forest.

"Beasts and Demons frequent the forest of Arendelle, especially this place. But I'm used to it. My brother and I go hunting all the time, so we carry weapons with us just in case."

"Wait what?!" Jack turned to her in shock. "You're used to it?! Isn't it dangerous?"

"Jack…" Elsa said his name. And for some reason, Jack liked the way his name sounded when she said it. "I've lived in danger for all my life. Learning how to wield a bow and shoot a sword is something we are taught at a very young age." She crossed her arms.

"My mother is very adept in dagger arts. Grandfather, father and brother are swordsmen. Anna is an archer. We are used to these kinds of things."

"Wha-what about you?"

"Me?" Elsa laughed. "I used to wield a bow, but I didn't like it. And I'm not as talented as Anna when it comes to shooting arrows. So naturally, I switched to the sword."

"And yet you have hands like a baby…"

"Strange, yes? My maids always worry about calluses, so they take extra care of my hands. Although I tell them not to…"

Jack chuckled. "This information is good," he said. "At least now I know what I need to inform the servants in Overland. That way they'll be able to take care of you better."

"What about you?"

"Huh?"

"I'm asking about you…It seems unfair that only you get to know me better. I would like to know more about my soon-to-be husband. This is necessary for peaceful cohabitation, you know?" she said as she continued to take steps towards the mansion, with Jack aiding her by holding her hand to escort her back.

"Hmm…what do you want to know?"

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I know i'm a bit late because it's like January 5, but hear me out. I've been busy. Lame excuse, I know. But it's the truth. Anyway, *cough* more to come~ Tell me how you like it! More Jelsa too. Like super more...just 'cause. Cute moments coming soon~