Hello Guys! It's Riko again! I just wanted to tell you that Narrow Spaces is coming back from hiatus! I know it's been a year at most that I went into the shadows, but I'm back now which means NS is back!
I also wanted to note some little things before you guys start reading, so please bear with me.
If you do not like reading my long ass author note you can just skip this and scroll down to continue reading.
But, there are some things I just want to address. No, I will still not be updating diligently. I have staggered updates because I have a life outside writing. But rest assured, I will try my very best to put out more lengthy and story heavy chapters.
Please do not dm me about changing the story, the relationships or the backgrounds of the characters. This is something I've thought long and hard about and have on my little cork board. It's actually pretty disheartening to keep reading messages about how the story should or should not go and what the characters' personalities should and should not be. I get that some of you are excited, but please, please, please try to understand that this is not yours. It's not a group effort writing this story, polishing it, rereading and going back to the cork board for plot holes. I would really appreciate it if you just read the story as is and not impose on what you think is best.
And no, I am not going to give out spoilers about what is going to happen.
And yes, I enjoy reading your reactions to everything that is happening in the story, just so you know. I may not be able to shoutout anybody on my notes, but please note that I appreciate your support wholeheartedly. Especially knowing that people are actually reading my absolute train wreck of a story.
Anyway, this is getting quite long so I'm just going to end it at there. Thank you so much for waiting and please enjoy!
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CHAPTER 5: Knowing More (1)
The journey back to the capital seemed endless, a tiresome path that stretched before them. However, before embarking on this voyage as a married couple, the newlyweds chose to extend their stay at the enchanting Arendelle Manor for two more days.
Within those precious moments, Anna cherished her sister's presence, clinging to her with a mix of joy and reluctance. It was only natural for Anna, for she was about to be separated from her beloved sister, who will soon be whisked away to a distant place.
Yet, in the midst of farewells, Jack tenderly assured Elsa that she could return to her cherished family in Arendelle whenever her heart desired, bridging the distance with promises of reunions. With unwavering determination, Jack made a solemn vow to honor his promise, fully aware of the depth of Elsa's love for her family. It was a commitment that would forever be cherished in the depths of her heart.
As the couple prepared for their journey, Jack's family departed for the capital ahead of them. His father, in his persuasive ways, had convinced his grandfather to accompany them, despite the initial reluctance. The bond rekindled between the two patriarchs during their time together with Elsa's family had rejuvenated Jack's grandfather, reigniting a youthful spirit within him, as attested by Jack's own father.
As Jack watched his grandfather leave the mansion, a peculiar sensation washed over him. It felt as though he were witnessing the transformation of a completely different person.
His grandfather, typically known for his stoic and reserved nature, carried himself with a noticeable slouch and visible reluctance. This drastic shift in demeanor left Jack perplexed. He had always known his grandfather as a stern and authoritative figure, ruling the duchy with an unwavering iron fist. However, the mere days spent in the embrace of the Arendelle manor seemed to have softened his grandfather's disposition, unveiling a newfound approachability and warmth that radiated from him.
"Are you sad?" Jack asked Elsa during their carriage ride to the Capital City.
Elsa, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window, turned to her new husband, offering him a melancholic smile.
"Farewells are supposed to be sad, aren't they?" She spoke tenderly, her fingers fidgeting as she looked down. "I would be emotionless not to feel anything when parting with my family."
Jack understood the depth of Elsa's emotions all too well. He reached out, enfolding her delicate hand in his larger one. It felt as if holding her hand was meant to be, but he suppressed those thoughts. This was hardly the moment for admiring his wife's dainty hands when she was grappling with the first separation from her family in her entire life.
So, he tucked away those contemplations deep within his consciousness. Jack caressed her hand with his thumb and offered an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry for taking you away from your family..."
A bemused smile curled on Elsa's lips as she regarded him, not minding his grasp on her hand. "Why apologise for that?" She chuckled, taken aback by his sudden tenderness. "It's not your fault. It's simply the way marriages are arranged."
"But I've taken you away from your family."
"Jack," she called out his name oh-so tenderly. "It was inevitable," she replied, her smile growing.
"It just happened a bit sooner than I expected..."
Jack remained silent after Elsa's declaration, sensing the weight of her words. The quietness enveloped them as the carriage rolled on, the Arendelle Mansion gradually fading in the distance. His gaze lingered on Elsa, seated across from him, her eyes fixed on the diminishing view. It felt like a tender moment frozen in time.
In the silence, Jack refrained from uttering more words, sensing that anything he said might risk misunderstanding. Instead, he chose to respect her need for contemplation, allowing the rhythmic sounds of the carriage wheels to accompany her thoughts. Though he occasionally stole glances at her, he wanted to give her the space to process her emotions and find solace in her musings.
The journey continued in quiet comfort, the landscape passing by in a blur. Jack, aware of the importance of this moment for Elsa, refrained from breaking the silence. He watched over her, a silent guardian, checking in with furtive glances to ensure she was coping. Yet, her countenance remained veiled, betraying only a sense of yearning as the Arendelle territory unfolded before them.
The trip to the Overland Duchy demanded two days and one night of travel. Sensing the toll it would take, Jack proposed a rest stop at a nearby inn for the night—a suggestion motivated by concern for Elsa's well-being. Initially, Elsa, in her determined spirit, expressed readiness to forgo the pause and reach the Overland Duchy swiftly. However, Jack, aware of the fatigue prolonged travel could induce, insisted on the break.
"Thank you," Elsa expressed as Jack entered their shared room, now clad in his night attire. Pausing in confusion, Jack met her gaze, pondering the reason behind her gratitude. What had he done? The mystery unravelled as Elsa turned her head, offering a sheepish smile.
"Thank you for noticing I was feeling tired," she admitted with a touch of vulnerability.
Jack, in the midst of drying his wet hair, couldn't help but chuckle at the sincerity of his wife. Casually, he strolled toward the bedside where she sat, taking his place beside her and offering a kind smile.
"I notice everything about you."
Elsa, evidently surprised by his candid remark, responded, "That's a strange thing to say..."
"Is it?" Jack countered with a hint of amusement.
"It is."
Jack's gaze shifted, a playful amusement dancing in his eyes as he absorbed Elsa's response. His voice, though gentle, held a quiet confidence, as if the room contained only the two of them, isolated from the world outside.
"Isn't it only natural for a husband to notice everything about his wife?" he mused, a casual shrug punctuating his words. Turning to face her, an air of assurance enveloped him.
Elsa couldn't help but laugh at his words, finding solace in the lighthearted exchange. "I guess you do have a point," she conceded, her gaze drifting to a small flower vase that held her attention.
"And I also promised your family I would take care of you," Jack added, his words carrying a deeper resonance. "That's what I'm doing."
The mention of her family's request cast a flush of emotion across Elsa's expression. Her features flushed, and though Jack couldn't decipher the exact thoughts crossing her mind, he was keenly aware that the topic stirred emotions in her.
"I've heard tales from my grandfather about the beauty of the Overland Duchy," Elsa opened, gracefully steering the conversation away from herself.
Jack's eyes lit up with joy at her inquisitiveness, delighted that she was showing interest in the place that would soon become her home. As he continued to leisurely dry his wet hair, Jack looked up, a warm glow in his eyes.
"It is."
"Could you tell me more about it?" Elsa asked with genuine curiosity.
"Why the sudden curiosity?" Jack inquired, smirking as he cast a charming gaze her way.
She shrugged, turning her gaze towards him. "I just wanted to know what your home is like," she stated confidently. "I've never ventured beyond my family's territory, so I'm a bit in the dark about other places." She shared a glimpse of vulnerability. "I've only read about them in books, and I can only imagine what the scenery would look like..." Her words trailed off as she stared into the distance, her gaze then settling on her clasped hands. "And you know, imagination isn't always accurate," she admitted with a sheepish chuckle.
"You've never left the Arendelle territory?" Jack inquired, intrigued by this revelation.
"No," she replied with a gentle smile. "Although my parents insist I have, probably when I was very young. But I don't have any memories of leaving Arendelle."
Jack listened attentively, feeling a sense of excitement and honor to learn more about his wife.
"I've only ever lived in Arendelle, and Arendelle is all I know," she confessed, her expression filled with curiosity as she looked at him. "I had dreams of traveling the world before settling down..." She paused and then looked away.
"But I suppose those dreams might be on hold now."
"Who said they have to be?" Jack responded, genuine confusion in his voice.
Elsa looked at him with a puzzled expression. "I mean, shouldn't I stay in the Overland Duchy to assist you as the Duchess?"
"But that doesn't mean you can't go out and explore before you officially become Duchess," Jack explained, gently taking her small hand into his.
Elsa paused, processing her husband's words before responding with a question.
"Can I?"
Jack smiled. "I can take you anywhere."
Elsa regarded him with a hint of suspicion, a glint of doubt in her eyes that Jack found utterly adorable. The fact that she approached his offer with skepticism only added to the intriguing nature of his partner for life. She fascinated him, and the mere thought of being bound to her brought a sense of relaxation.
"Just say the word, and I will take you anywhere you want to go," he said gently, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "And there would be plenty of time for us to travel around before you are officially given the title of Duchess."
"You're really..." Elsa paused, choosing her words carefully. "...such a bad liar."
Jack erupted into laughter, releasing her hand with a lightness in his demeanor. "What made you say that?"
"You're preparing to inherit the Duke title, and you say there is time for us to travel?" Elsa's gaze pierced through him, sharp and discerning. "I know for a fact that inheritance rituals are the longest ever, and that you have been pining for the Duke title forever."
"I know," he admitted nonchalantly. "I told you about it. But there seems to be something you are forgetting," he paused, standing up to place his used white towel on the sofa.
"We are newlyweds, Elsa," he smirked. "We are basically granted a month away for our honeymoon."
With that statement, Elsa's face flushed crimson, the reminder of their newlywed status hitting her unexpectedly. It appeared as though she had momentarily forgotten the recent union, a detail Jack himself was uncertain about.
"Are you hearing yourself, Jack?"
"I am completely sane, my dear," he teased.
"Goodness gracious, please refrain from such sweet things. It's making my heart hurt but not in a good way." She rolled her eyes and settled onto the bed, pulling the covers over her body. "But I'm not wrong, am I?"
Elsa stayed silent for a moment, and eventually, after a few beats, she looked away. "I guess you are right."
"So," Jack began, settling onto his side of the bed. "Where do you want to go?" Eagerness and anticipation painted his expression as he looked at Elsa.
She pondered for a moment, contemplating the destinations she might desire to explore. Jack, ever patient, awaited her response.
"Perhaps..." she began, "I've always wanted to see the beaches at Hacrago."
"Then we should go to Hacrago. Anywhere else?" Jack inquired. "Maybe you want to try to go to Corona Viscounty? I heard they have the best lantern festival and sweets in the entire Empire." He paused, adding playfully, "Assuming... you like sweets."
Elsa chuckled. "What lady wouldn't like sweets, Jack?"
Jack resisted a witty retort, gazing at his wife with tenderness. Unexpectedly, their personalities clicked in a way he hadn't anticipated. He found himself becoming more comfortable, more himself, in her presence.
It was oddly refreshing.
The woman who had accused him of being a pervert on their first meeting was now someone he enjoyed being around. He considered the prospect of spending more time with her during tea time when they returned to the Overland Duchy.
She fascinated him. Jack had initially perceived her as headstrong and prideful, someone unwilling to bend to societal expectations. Those traits still held, but now, he saw more. She was kind, caring, and surprisingly timid at times—a captivating contrast. Jack believed she could navigate society's challenges, yet he didn't want to erase the smile that adorned her face.
That smile.
It stirred emotions within him.
He realized he had become more than just fond of her.
He would do anything to protect that smile.
Perhaps, he thought, he had grown too attached.