Chapter Nineteen: Protect the crown
A few weeks later it was a rainy day.
Jack was mopping the ballroom floor with some maids. He looked at the window and sighed.
It had been raining all day, which was a shame. The market had been called off, the knights couldn't train all day and on top of that...
"We can't even take care of the garden."
Jack turned his head to the side to see his girlfriend Catherine. She smiled at him and played a little with the mop between her hands. Her short blond hair was wrapped up in a bun and she was wearing a white headband on her head.
Jack smiled back. "I guess...but mopping is fun too."
Catherine laughed and gave him a small push. "Mopping is fun?! You're insane...I would rather do something else!"
"Like what?"
Catherine moved a bit closer with a blush. "You know...a date?"
"A date?"
"Yes...we have been spending a lot of time together, but only at work. It would be nice to go out with you."
Jack blushed a little too and rubbed his neck. "It would..."
"I know-"
"Jack Frost!"
Jack turned around and saw Kai walking towards him with an annoyed look.
"K-Kai!" Jack said nervously. "What's wrong?"
"You were supposed to look at the weapons closet! Why are you mopping with the other maids?!"
"I thought-"
"Don't think, do it." Kai gave him a slap against his shoulder and pushed him to the side. "Head to the weapons closet to see if all of the weapons are there."
Jack grumbled. He knew that it would take all day for him to check the closet. But he had to do what Kai said or he would lose his job...
"Alright." Jack forced a smile and gave him a thumbs-up. "I shall do it!"
"Good boy." Kai said.
Jack turned around and walked off. Catherine folded her arms and sighed. Kai noticed and glanced at her.
"Is something wrong?" Kai asked her.
Catherine shrugged. "Nothing...I think..."
"Good. Then let's continue mopping, shall we?"
Catherine nodded. "Of course, sir."
Jack ran into the weapons closet.
Every weapon was ordered by their brand and with a number-plate. Although Jack knew that almost all the weapons were there, he knew that he had to count each and every one of them.
"Okay..." Jack whispered to himself as he cracked his knuckles. "Let's do this..."
He grabbed a piece of paper and some ink and a feather. He walked over to the swords first and started to write down which ones were present and which were missing. There were only a few gone, but Jack knew that probably some knights had forgotten to put them back...
He suddenly heard footsteps behind him. He turned his head and saw Elsa walking into the closet.
It looked like she had been in the rain all day. Her hair was wet and so was her dress. In her hands she held a broken wooden sword.
When she noticed him she narrowed her eyes and hardened her stare.
"I need a new wooden sword." Elsa said shortly.
"Of course, your majesty." Jack made a quick bow towards her. He straightened his back again and turned around. He ran over to where the wooden swords were hanging.
He quickly pulled a wooden sword and made his way back to her.
When he was in front of her, he made a small bow again and held the wooden sword in front of him.
"Here it is, princess."
Elsa threw her broken wooden sword down and pulled the new one from Jack's hand. She went with her finger across the wood and sighed.
"That is queen Elsa for you."
"Hm?" Jack straightened his back again and looked at her in confusion.
"You called me a 'princess'." Elsa said. "Which I am not. I am your queen, servant, do not look down upon me."
Jack rubbed his neck. "I am sorry."
"If you were then you would bow down in front of my feet, not looking nervous as if you were a teenager."
Jack raised his eyebrows. "Really..." He sighed and bowed down in front of her on one knee and lowered his head. "I am so sorry, your majesty...please, accept my apology."
"Good. Thank you for the wooden sword. And I'll accept your apology. Now, return to your duties."
"Yes, queen Elsa."
Elsa huffed, turned around and walked out of the room. Jack stood up again and chuckled a little.
Elsa ran with the wooden sword towards Arne who was waiting in the garden in the rain.
The past few weeks they had been training a lot to help her improve.
"Sorry, I was held up by a servant!" Elsa yelled as she stopped in front of him.
Arne cocked his head a little. "A servant? Who?"
"No one."
Arne observed her for a second. He folded his arms. "Your majesty, it was Frost, was it not?"
Elsa sighed. She knew she couldn't lie to their strongest soldier.
"Yes." She folded her arms too. "But it was only because he called me a 'princess'. I merely told him to bow down and call me a 'queen' instead."
"I see." Arne took a step back with a slight smile. "Then, let us continue."
He walked to the other side of the garden. Elsa grasped the wooden sword between her hands. She couldn't see Arne clearly because of the rain. Which was the exact reason why they were training in the rain, Elsa had to learn to rely more on her instincts rather on what she could see.
Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned around and quickly slid to the side, avoiding a swing from Arne. She then quickly turned around herself and put one foot forward to stand more stable. Elsa raised the sword above over her shoulder and swung it down. She struck him hard against his back.
Arne stumbled a bit and groaned a little.
"Did..." Elsa panted. "Did I do it?"
Arne rubbed his back as he turned around.
"Yes." He simply said.
Elsa threw the wooden sword and threw her arms up in triumph.
"Yes!" Elsa yelled. "I finally caused you pain!"
"Your majesty..."
"Right, right..." Elsa put her hands down. "I shouldn't get too excited. On the battlefield I won't have time to celebrate before someone else attacks me. Understood, teacher."
Arne stood up straight again. "I'm not a teacher. I am simply your knight."
Elsa pouted. "Don't be so negative. We have been trying for hours for me to hit you. You really have a strong back..."
"I might be strong, but you have a strong heart." Arne said. "And I'll follow the queens' heart until the end."
Elsa blushed a little with a small smile. "Arne...thank you. Sincerely."
"Of course."
"Good!" Elsa put the now broken wooden sword under her arm and clapped in her hands. "Shall we have lunch? I am famished."
"I suggest for you to take a bath first. You must be cold because of the rain."
Elsa chuckled. "Don't you know? The cold never bothered me."
That noon Hannah was busy cleaning the tables at the whore house.
Soon her shift would begin as usual. And she was a bit conflicted towards it for the first time.
She glanced at Kristoff who was putting away a few chairs. Every since they got into a relationship, she started to hate doing it with other men more than before. They were all disgusting and none of them could ever love her truly as her boyfriend did. But not only that...
"Hannah?"
Kristoff stared at her in confusion. Hannah snapped out of ther thoughts and glared at him.
"What?" She asked.
He walked up to her and gently took her hands in his. He gave her a sweet smile.
"You okay? Your mind has been absent almost the entire day."
Hannah sighed. "Yeah, sorry...I...I just...this job is taking a lot out of me...and aren't you jealous?"
Kristoff shrugged. "No...? I mean, I am, but it is your job, right? I can't stop you. And I'm not rich, so you can't be a house-wife."
"As if I would want to be a housewife! I would rather be a princess! And if I wanted to stop then I would!"
"Then why don't you?"
Hannah narrowed her eyes at him. "It's because you won't let me be a housewife!"
Kristoff almost fell down. He grabbed the back of a chair which brought back his balance.
"You just told me that you didn't want to be a housewife!" Kristoff said.
"I know what I said!" Hannah yelled. She rubbed her head and glared at him. "And I know that I can't be a princess either."
Kristoff chuckled. "Hannah...you still can be. Just barge in there and announce to everyone that you're the princess!"
"Are you insane? I'm not gonna do that, the castle will be in ruins! And I will ruin Elsa's life! I need to be a good sister to her."
"Right, a good sister...starting now?"
Hannah hit him on his head.
"Shut up, I am a good sister!"
"Since when?"
"You little...!"
Hannah tried to hit him again, but Kristoff avoided her. He laughed, but his laughter subsidied when Hannah grabbed a mop. She raised it above her head as she prepared herself to hit him with it.
But the door opened up, stopping them in their tracks.
"Busy again?"
Kai walked into the room with a kind smile. Hannah and Kristoff quickly took a step away from each other with a blush.
"Kai!" Hannah said. "What are you doing here? Gerda is out getting some beer before we open..."
"I'm not here for Gerda...I actually...I have a favor to ask of you."
Hannah took a step forward. "Yes?"
"Please..." Kai made a bow towards her. "Be a good sister and look after the queen...please..."
Hannah smiled awkwardly. "No need for a bow, I was already..."
"Not just that." Kai straightened his back and gave her a serious look. "Queen Elsa truly needs someone to comfort her during hard times. Jack is unable to do for now and the king himself...he is not up for the task."
"But he is her husband!" Kristoff said.
"Yes. He is. But that doesn't mean that he will comfort her...he is fulfilling his duty as a king and queen Elsa will do hers. That is why I'm asking of you to look after her during hard times. There is no one else who can."
"What about you?" Hannah asked.
Kai sighed. "I am merely a servant of the royal family. I am only protecting the crown, just as Jack is."
Hannah rubbed her neck. "Fine. I'll make sure to be there for her when things get tough. But, you guys better protect her and that damn crown too."
"Of course."
The following day Elsa marched down the hallways of the castle.
She had just been in a meeting with the council and it had been about providing an heir again. Although Elsa already told them that she wasn't going to do it, they were still pressuring her to do so.
A trail of ice was left behind her as she stormed towards the office room. She slammed the door behind her shut, ignoring the glances from the scared maids who were left in the hallway to clean the ice trail up.
Elsa walked to her desk, sat down and buried her head between her hands.
"Those men...they are going to be the death of me..." She lifted her head and sighed. "Why are they so obsessed with me getting a child? It's not going to make anything better..."
She lifted her head.
"Maybe I should adopt a child. That way everyone will be glad..."
Elsa sighed and shook her head. There was no way. She was going to have to give birth to a child. Either through Hans or through some other man or with some miracle...
She stood up. Suddenly she didn't feel so good. It was probably from the stress of everything and the fact that-
All of a sudden she felt vomit coming up.
She ran to a corner, found a plant, and threw up into the pot.
Her hand grasped the edge of the pot as she emptied her stomach and a little bit of ice spread onto the floor.
After a minute she had thrown up enough. The queen stood up and walked to her desk where she grabbed a napkin and cleaned her mouth.
She then walked over to the door, opened it and yelled into the hallway.
"Maids!"
Three maids ran towards her. Elsa noticed that Catherine was between them, but ignored her.
"Yes, your majesty?" One of the maids asked.
Elsa sighed. "I could have a bit of food poisoning from this morning's breakfast. Clean up the vomit from the plant pot while I'll have a word with the chef."
"Yes, your majesty!"
The three ran into her office while Elsa walked off. She went down to the kitchen which was almost empty, except for a few staff and Kai. They all looked up from their work when Elsa walked in and seemed surprised.
"Queen Elsa!" Kai said. "What can I help you with?"
"Not you." Elsa looked at the chef. "Mister Helvig. What did you prepare for breakfast again?"
Mister Helvig gulped a little. "I...I made some roasted bread with fresh berries, little chopped pieces of cheese and a small omelet."
"I see...I think something was out of date, I threw up today."
The man immediately went down on his knees and lowered his head.
"I'm so sorry, your majesty!" He yelled. "I should have concentrate more on my task of preparing the food! My deepest apologies!"
Elsa scoffed. "I did not ask of you to throw yourself down onto your knees and beg for forgiveness, did I?"
The chef quickly jumped back up. "I'm so sorry-"
"Now, now, I am forgiving you for this time. However, if it happens the next time, then we shall have a serious conversation."
"Yes, you majesty!" Mister Helvig said.
"And Kai?" Elsa turned her head and looked at Kai with narrowed eyes. "Please keep a better eye on our servants."
"Of course!"
Elsa nodded and turned around. She walked out into the hallway. When she turned the corner she stopped in her tracks.
Her face became red and she pushed her hand against the wall.
"What am I even doing?"
Elsa felt embarrasment wash over herself. She had no idea why she went off on the chef like that. There wasn't anything wrong with the breakfast, it was probably just all the stress she had lately.
A little bit of ice spread underneath her hand.
But...she had stress before, why would she throw up now?
Meanwhile Jack was at the post office.
A couple of hours before he was ordered by Kai to pick up the post for the castle, since the guy who usually did it was sick.
When he arrived and the worker handed him the letters, he noticed an envelope which had a small tear and a small note that read that only the king was supposed to read held the envelope up and gave the worker behind the desk a quesioning look.
"What?" The worker asked.
"This." Jack waved the envelope in his hand. "Why was this torn?"
"I don't know, probably from the travels. Just doing my job here."
Jack sighed. He thanked the man for nothing and left. While he walked, his curiousity got the best of him. He went in an alleyway. He put the other letters into his bag before he opened the envelope.
Jack gulped. He knew that it was wrong, but he would just take a small peak to check it for safety...yes, he was doing it for safety...
The letter opened between his fingers and Jack's eyes read the lines written down.
My dearest king Hans,
It has been a few months since I have last seen you...
Those days we've spent together, rowing down the river, holding me into your arms after a good night, I can not forget it.
Which is why I requested of your brother to take you to me again. He is going to ask you to accompany him for work.
However, for work you need to visit other kingdoms too, including mine.
I know that the queen would never approve of you and me.
Which is why, when you have returned from our rendezvous, you shall have read this letter. And in this letter I beg of you to be by side. I'm not a monster like your wife, I do not posses any powers, and I can be the one you need.
Please, return to me.
Your love,
Vanya, princess of the Aerial kingdom
Jack stared at the letter in his hands.
Was this real? Was the king really cheating...?
His heart was starting to speed up and his hands became sweaty.
"I can not let her see this..." Jack pushed the letter into his pocket. He glanced around to see if anyone saw him before he took the other letters and walked off.
They looked into eachother's eyes. Outside the birds were busy chirping away...
"Okay, why did you sneak into the castle?"
Elsa was in her office together with Hannah. Her sister was sitting across from her while looking around.
"Weren't there more plants here?" Hannah asked.
Elsa ignored her obvious remark. "Hannah, tell me, what is the matter?"
"First you tell me why there aren't any plants-"
"I threw up. I had some stress."
Hannah frowned at her and Elsa sighed again.
"I'm alright." Elsa said. "Just...tell me why you wanted to meet up."
Hannah giggled and sat up a little bit. "Okay, hear me out. Kai and Gerda are in love, right?"
Elsa nodded. "Yes, why?"
"Well, I was thinking of getting those two together. They have been dancing the same dance for too long. I know that Kai is your servant and Gerda is my sort of mother-figure, so I know we can get them together if we use our sisterly connection."
"Sisterly connection? We barely have one."
"Don't ruin it." Hannah smiled at her and leaned a bit forward. "Let's get them together. It's good to do so."
"Okay...how do you want to do it then?"
"We need to get them together. What if we make a romantic dinner for them?"
"That seems like a good idea...however, we should do it without them knowing. I can make sure to reserve a restaurant and get my servants to decorate it...I am also able to get Kai there with an excuse...are you able to get Gerda there as well?"
"Of course I am!" Hannah said.
Elsa smiled a little. "Good. Then it's settled. I'll make sure to let you know when you need to bring Gerda."
"Right..." Hannah eyed Elsa carefully. "So...are you really alright?"
"Hannah, I am feeling good. Now, let's get those two together."
And so, the next day Elsa was at the restaurant she had hired.
Staff and servants were decorating the place. They ran around as Elsa observed them. Arne stood by her side and Hannah was also there together with Kristoff.
"So, we should hang the garland up higher." Elsa said.
Hannah, who was holding a part of the big garland together with Kristoff nodded. They grabbed a ladder and started to work on it. Elsa sighed as they got busy. She felt a bit awkward by just standing there...
"Do you wish to help them, your majesty?"
Elsa looked at Arne. "Well..." She nervously rubbed her arm. "I would love to, yet-"
"Alright." Arne put his hand against her back and pushed her a bit forward. He looked at Hannah and said; "Queen Elsa would love to help you out!"
Hannah stopped messing with Kristoff and walked over to them. "No problemo! See that ladder over there?" She pointed to a nearby ladder with a couple of balloons laid under it. "You can hang up a few balloons."
Elsa shot Arne a small glare which he avoided by looking away. She rolled her eyes and walked to the ladder. There she grabbed a few balloons and climbed up the ladder. The ladder was a bit shaky, but Elsa managed.
She tied some of the balloons onto the string. Her hands were shaking a bit, but Elsa tried to stay calm. She was a bit nervous, standing on the wobbling ladder. But she ignored it although it wasn't very stable...
Elsa tied a few more balloons up on the string. She finished up rather quickly and looked down at Hannah.
"Hannah, is this enough balloons?"
Hannah folded her arms and counted the balloons. She frowned for a minute before a smile covered her face.
"Yep!" Hannah yelled. "Good job, you can come down now!"
"Alright."
Elsa turned her body around. She moved her feet too, but from there on it went wrong.
The ladder underneath her fell forwards. Elsa slipped away and fell backwards.
She yelped in fear when she fell down at least three meters. Elsa closed her eyes, waiting for the hard slam against the ground. There was no one who would catch her in time. The guards were a few feet away, Hannah and Kristoff were not even looking and Arne couldn't be that fast.
Her body fell down. But instead of the hard floor, she was caught by two strong arms.
"Got ya!"
Elsa opened her eyes quickly. She saw Jack's face in front of her and realized that he was holding her.
Her eyes found his and the world seemed to slow down. She felt how her heart was beating rapidly. Her face must be red by now. It had been so long since she was this close to him. And...she didn't want to admit it...but...a part of her missed it. She missed being held by him with those concerned eyes of his looking at her whenever she got herself into trouble. He would always look at her like that...which always made her heart beat faster.
"Whoa!"
Jack slipped over his own feet and he fell backwards.
The two of them fell down onto the floor. Elsa fell over him and landed harshly across his chest. Jack coughed loudly as the air was pushed from his lungs.
Silence filled the air. The whole room was quiet and everyone was staring at them. The ladder clattered onto the ground, making the only sound in the room.
It stayed quiet for another minute before the room around them moved again.
"Your majesty, are you alright?!"
The guards and Arne ran towards her. Elsa stood up with the help of Arne and Jack jumped up too.
"Are you okay?" Arne asked gently.
Elsa dushed her dress and looked at him. "Y-yes..." She pulled away from him with a small smile. "Thank you...but I am alright..."
She looked at Jack who had stood up too. Her smile faded away when their gazes met again. Jack had no idea what she was thinking and quickly made a bow to apologize.
"I'm sorry for touching you, your majesty!" Jack said. "It wasn't my intention to scare you-"
"Raise your head."
Jack raised his head at her voice. Elsa stared at him with a blank expression and sighed.
"I wasn't scared. And you saved me from injury. Even when you lost your footing, which made us both fall over, if it weren't for you catching me from the falling ladder, then I would have surely been bruised. Thank you, mr Frost."
Jack grinned and made another small bow. "Of course, queen Elsa!"
Elsa clapped in her hands. "Everyone back to work, we have to get everything in order for our lovebirds!"
"Yes, your majesty!"
Everyone started to work further. Hannah took Jack's arm and pulled him back.
"What the hell was that about?" Hannah whispered as the others started to decorate again.
"I..."
"Hannah!" Elsa took a step towards them again and Hannah quickly pushed Jack away and smiled at her. The queen smiled back at her and cocked her head a little with a questioning look on her face. "Can I help with something else or...?"
Hannah looked around the room and then turned her gaze back to her sister. "No. The tables are set and everything. I don't think that you need to help...your majesty..."
Elsa gulped, but kept a smile on her face. She had almost forgotten. Almost no one knew that they were sisters. Although she wanted to hug Hannah and tell her how happy she was about working together for something like this, she couldn't. Instead she simply gave a short nod.
"Of course. Now, I'll shall get Kai and you should get Gerda. I am certain that they will love this surprise."
And so, Elsa went and got Kai, while Hannah got Gerda.
"We're almost there!"
Hannah guided Gerda towards the restaurant. She had the woman blindfolded with a small cloth. Hannah had told Gerda that she had a special surprise for her. Gerda had no idea what, but she trusted her and let her lead her blindfolded out of the whore house to the restaurant.
"Thank goodness..." Gerda muttered as she remembered almost tripping a couple of times.
They walked into the quiet restaurant. Queen Elsa and everyone else were already there, but they were all keeping their mouths shuts.
Hannah giggled a little. She removed the blindfold from Gerda's eyes with a wide grin.
"SURPRISE!"
Everyone, including the servants, girls from the whore house, guards etc... they all yelled at the same time, making Gerda jump a little.
The restaurant was set up beautifully. There was candles lit around them, balloons were hanging from the ceiling, which couldn't pop because they weren't near the candles, there were other decorations hanging on the walls...and Kai was there.
The man was standing nervously by the table. His took a step closer to Gerda and pulled a bouquet of roses from his hands.
"W-what..." Gerda gasped with a nervous smile. "Is all this...?"
Elsa took a step forward. "Gerda, we all have seen you and Kai dance the same dance for a while now. It was all Hannah's plan to set this up."
Gerda looked at Hannah with teary eyes. "Hannah..."
"Ah, it was no biggie!" Hannah said nonchanlantly and she made a small wave with her hand. "I simply asked her majesty for help...I've seen how you were looking at Kai and how you two have been flirting...so...I want you to be happy at least!"
"Thank you..." Gerda whispered.
Kai smiled at her. "Shall we sit down?"
They sat down at the table. Everyone clapped as someone popped confetti. It rained down from the ceiling and Gerda and Kai laughed in surprisement. Hannah and Kristoff held each other's hand and smiled at the sight too.
Elsa giggled. She looked to her side to see the chef walking up to the table when she noticed Jack standing next to her.
He stared at her for a brief moment before he started to grin widely. Elsa smiled at him too. She sneaked a bit closer and her arm bumped against his. Her hand found his and she secretly intertwined her fingers with his.
Jack's eyes widened at her touch. He glanced down at her with a confused look.
"This..." Elsa whispered. "This means nothing, Frost...my hand was merely cold and yours happened to be close-by. You are still merely a worker in the castle to me, this doesn't change anything."
Jack chuckled a little and looked back at the Gerda and Kai again. Everyone was cheering for them and the chef tried to explain the menu above the ruckus.
"I know, your majesty..." Jack whispered.
"Good..."
The two of them kept lying to themselves that this was nothing. And while they kept lying to themselves and were distracted by everything happening in front of their eyes, they both didn't saw Catherine glaring at them holding hands.
The girl bit on her lip until she tasted blood.
A week passed by.
Gerda and Kai had finally started their relationship, Hannah sneaked from time to time into the castle to speak with her sister and also was busy with her relationship with Kristoff, Jack had been busier than ever with cleaning and whatnot...everyday life was somewhat normal.
However, not everything was calm.
One day Elsa was walking around the castle. She wanted to be alone for a moment and decided to check every room.
There were the guest rooms, which was clean, but empty...perhaps she should invite queen Rapunzel to stay over...then there was also the ballroom, the weapons room, the throne room, the kitchen, the cellars...everything seemed to be in order.
Elsa sighed. Today there really was barely anything for her to do. She had signed all important letters, talked with the council about some business...
She stopped in the middle of the hallway.
Suddenly she felt a shiver going up her spine. Elsa wrapped her arms around herself.
Why was she suddenly feeling cold? Something wasn't right...
"Queen Elsa?"
Elsa looked up to see Arne in front of her.
"Ah, Arne...I'm fine, I was feeling a bit cold...I-"
"Excuse me, your majesty."
Arne moved closer, put his hand against her forehead and narrowed his eyes. Elsa stared into his stern dark eyes. She somehow didn't feel any discomfort, even when he glared at her with a serious face.
"You don't seem to have a fever." Arne said. "Perhaps you caught a cold?"
"Could be."
Arne stepped back. "You should rest. If the king returns, then you would want to be in perfect health. And..." His voice went lower into a whisper. "I think you should avoid your old servant for a while."
Elsa raised her eyebrows at him and Arna eleborated.
"His girlfriend, the maid by the name of 'Catherine', saw you two holding hands at Kai's and Gerda's outing. I don't trust her, your majesty. That woman is planning something."
Elsa nodded. "I suppose that you are correct...speaking about it...I have been thinking of giving Frost a higher position."
"A higher position?"
"Yes. The work he is doing now is below his skills. Although, I do need you to train him. If I am to turn him into a knight..."
"A knight? Is that wisely, your majesty? He will have to fight in wars if he were to become one."
Elsa folded her arms. She send him a small glare, but Arne kept his composure.
"Do not undermine my decisions." She coldly said. "I understand the hardship that will come his way, however, it would be foolish of me to waste a useful man. I'll have to discuss it with the council first, but I don't think that they would refuse my suggestion. I do not have a personal servant now, I'm too old for it anyhow, and there are enough servants and maids who can do the work he is doing now."
"Right."
"Then, unless you hold anything against me, would you be so kind to delay this information to our servant-boy? I'm going to rest and discuss this at a later time with the council."
Arne smiled a little. He went down onto one knee and bowed down in front of her.
"Yes, your highness..." He tilted his head back up and made eye-contact again with her. "Your wish is my command."
"Then stand up and do so. The sight of you bowing down like a lower servant is making my cold worse."
Arne stood up. "Of course, your majesty. Rest up well. I will tell Jack."
He turned around and left with a small smirk still on his face. The woman was becoming more and more like a ruthless queen...and he knew that no matter what would happen, he would serve her until his last breath and protect the crown.
His hands were around her waist. He could feel her breath and knew that this was dangerous. Yet, he could not stop himself. He loved her and despite his mind warning him for the consequences...he wanted her.
He pushed her against the wall and kissed her deeply. Her hands moved against his chest, slowly unbuttoning his blouse.
He pulled back and looked at her. "I truly am a sinful man."
"And I am a sinful woman."
His laugh echoed through the room. She smiled at him before she pushed her lips against his.
"What?"
It was raining outside. The drops ticked against the window. But he didn't hear it.
Arne was standing in front of Jack. He looked at him with a hard stare as he had just told him...
Arne sighed. "You will be promoted to be a knight. Tonight the queen shall probably perform an accolade and you shall be 'knighted'."
Jack frowned at him. "W-why? I mean, I'm doing well as a servant of this castle and I'm not good enough to be a knight. You've seen so yourself."
"I have. The queen has also requested of me to train you. With my help you'll become a better fighter."
"A knight..." Jack rubbed his neck.
"Her majesty did not want to waste your skills. Jack..." Arne put his hand onto his shoulder. "You do have the right instincts to be a good fighter. And being a knight isn't as horrible as it seems. You'll be protecting the crown and there is no higher honour."
"As long as I can visit the town from time to time..."
"You will be able to do so. Although..." Arne pulled his hand back and narrowed his eyes at him. "As my trainee, I won't have you slacking off. You can visit the town and your friends, however, most of your time will be dedicated to training and learning the rules of being a knight."
"I understand..."
Later that evening, it was time for him to be knighed.
Jack was on one knee in front of Elsa in the throne room. The queen was holding a sword within her hands with the council, Arne and Kai behind her.
Elsa looked down at him with a stoic expression.
"Jackson Frost of Arendelle..." She said, filling the room with her soft, but stern voice. "You have served your purpose as a servant of this castle. I hereby knight thee into the honorable royal family of the kingdom of Arendelle."
She tapped each of his shoulders with the sword.
"Arise and be thou a knight."
She retracted her sword and Jack stood up. He made a small bow towards Elsa.
"I shall protect the crown with my life, your highness."
Elsa nodded. Jack raised his back again and looked at her again. He took in the sight of her...her blue eyes which looked back into his, her pale skin, her red colored lips...those lips he would never kiss again.
"So it shall be. For the upcoming days you will be mentored by Arne, our strongest knight. I expect to see good results."
"Yes, your majesty."
Queen Elsa and the others left, leaving Jack behind in the room with Arne as his only companion.
"So..." Arne said. "Tomorrow morning we'll start our training at 7 o'clock. Meet me at the training grounds."
"Right..."
Arne gave him a slap against his back and left. Jack stayed in the room.
He put his hand against his chest. Somehow his heart felt strange. A week ago, he held Elsa's hand and now...
Perhaps he really had been daydreaming on his own. She really didn't care about him anymore...now they were only a queen and a knight. He knew that he was going to protect the crown, but he wasn't going to interact with her that much anymore. Instead he would be taking on different duties and follow different rules like all the other knights.
Jack sighed.
He knew that he still held feelings for her, but he would never be able to act on them again. This was his reality now.
And he had to accept it.