Princess Elsa had long admired sir Oliver because of his kindness, patience, humility and care.
She often watched him from the window in her room and wanted to speak with him because she admired his poise and grace.
Her first meeting with him was a tremendous disaster.
She had been sweating the whole day at the inn.
This long admiration birthed a crush later on, and she couldn't resist showing her so-called love in little ways.
But, heavens assisted her with her feelings.
Sir Oliver found out about this newfound emotions and he liked her too.
She often discussed him with Iris and Irene.
Multiple times, Iris and Irene had seen her taking evening walks with sir Oliver.
" It's only harmless," she used to giggle and say.
Princess Elsa often voiced out her fantasies of their future together.
Now, Iris and Irene only feared what harm this obsession could cause.
Slowly, like a shadow at night, it engulfed her.
And she was ready to defy even the king's orders to be with her knight in shining armor.
" Your highness, I know this hurts so much but I know your father has the best plans for you," Irene proclaimed.
Princess Elsa tilted her head to the side.
Her eyes slammed shut as if that would protect them.
This only meant one thing - they knew about the marriage before she found out.
" Irene?
" You knew about the marriage?"
Irene's brows rose in an overwhelming arc and she couldn't bring herself to speak without stuttering.
" N...N...Not at all, your highness. I'm only making suggestions."
Her impetuous rush towards the door startled them.
Princess Elsa hurriedly left her room and bolted down the stairs.
She took a quick turn to the left and stopped in front of a door.
She stopped at her parents chambers when she heard her mother's voice.
She leaned forward ( against the door) to listen.
" Your highness, don't you think Elsa should be given some time to think about this whole situation?
I mean she's only but a child," queen Bethany appealed while she looked down and swallowed saliva constantly.
She played with her sweaty palms and didn't look the king in the eyes.
Indeed, she was sorry for her daughter.
King Owen stomped his feet in impatience and clasped his arms behind his bulky body.
" Elsa's no longer a child. She's 25....an adult. The responsibility of the kingdom should come first to her before any other thing. It should be her first priority."
Princess Elsa's entire body became impossibly still.
How could they make such decision without her consent?
Her father's words got her reflecting if she really mattered to them.
Was she just a thing they could use at any time to create an alignment with another kingdom?
Was she even their daughter?
She needed to be heard.
Princess Elsa opened the door roughly and stepped inside.
There was no going back now.
" I have a life, father. You can't bring a man out of nowhere and expect me to get married to him. For heaven's sake, I don't even know him," princess Elsa lashed aggressively at her father.
Her mouth thinned in displeasure as if holding back what she truly wanted to say.
" You'll not raise your voice at your father, Elsa," her mother warned.
Princess Elsa stared as if awaiting an explanation. She stood rigid with terror - too overwhelmed to move.
" What?
" This is you selling me off to another kingdom all in the name of royalty and alignment."
" The kingdom should come first to you - it should be your first priority," her father thundered.
" The person you refer to as a man is a prince, Elsa! Speak properly!"
Princess Elsa dripped with spite as her mouth thinned with displeasure; her lips pursed by suppressed fury.
This was unfair.
This was what she hated the most - being forced to do things.
This was why she regretted God made her a female.
Women truly had no rights!
" Father, this is outrageous."
King Owen slammed his fist on the table and blazed murderously at his daughter.
Veins in his neck stood out in livid ridges.
" You'll not speak of my decisions in such manner, Elsa. I'm the king and my decision is final. You'll marry the prince of Albalon and it's final."
Princess Elsa felt her entire world shatter in her presence.
She bit her lower lip to suppress the urge to cry.
She mustn't let her father see her at her lowest.
She glanced at her mother to speak but the queen trailed behind her husband quietly and left the room.
Princess Elsa groaned and fell to the floor.
She wept intensely.
She wiped her tears within seconds and chased after her parents but when she turned around, she found sir Oliver behind her.
She could see uncertain emotions in his eyes.
Sir Oliver bowed and didn't look her in the eyes.
" Your highness?"
What was the point?
He knew he wasn't royalty, and someday, the princess would leave - and the day has arrived ( but too quickly.)
So many thoughts bounced in his mind as he felt a stab of pain in his chest.
" Oliver, I didn't mean this.... It's my father who wants the marriage to happen..." she gurgled under her shallow, rapid breath.
" But, you can always say no to him if you don't like the idea," he stated and raised his flushed face.
His leo eyes had a tint of red in them.
Princess Elsa massaged her temple and clasped her wrist in the opposite hand.
She ran her hand aggressively through her hair.
" My father wouldn't hear of that."
The pain in her voice alone gave off the impossibility of the task.
She paced around the hallway.
Her brisk walk towards sir Oliver was halted by some movements.
Some palace guards gripped her arms.
" What are you doing? Let go!" she ordered and tried to break free from their hold.
" I'm sorry, my princess. It's the king's orders," one of the guards explained.
Princess Elsa shrank back and froze.
She fixated her eyes upon her mother who had pity in her eyes.
Her father's stern stare shook her violently to the core.
What was he trying to do?
Infringe her rights?
" Mother! please, don't let them take me. Please!!" she cried.
Queen Bethany clenched her fists and helplessly glanced at her daughter who was being dragged out forcefully by the royal guards.
" Your majesty, isn't there any other way? I can't watch our daughter stay this way."
The king only stared coldly.
" This is best for her. She should understand that we care about her and we're doing this for her good," king Owen stated hoarsely with no aggression in his tone.
" Mother, please!!! Don't let them take me, please!"
" Guards, lock her up in her room until the wedding.
" Iris and Irene make sure she eats her meals.
" No one is allowed to pay her a visit. She should be kept under strict supervision. Am I understood?" he thundered.
They all bowed in fear as their hearts leaped and their teeth chattered.
" Yes, your highness."