Elsa stood close to the window in the room the maids had brought her in.
The view of her new environ from the window raised delight in her soul.
She had been allowed to go with them after the prince left for his chambers.
She watched the sky as it got freckled with twinkling stars.
This reminded her of the popular ' twinkle star song ' she used to sing in her childhood.
Slowly, the moon swallowed the setting sun and left utter darkness upon the earth.
Panic seized Elsa when the maids dressed her in a double laced robe and adorned her hair with ornamentals.
They had dipped her in a bathtub and filled it with a substance that wafted through their noses.
This substance had a peppermint scent and it raised horror in Elsa's stomach.
They had cream applied and massaged on her skin.
Deep down, Elsa was itching to ask few questions but she kept feeling overwhelmed to speak.
Each time she opened her mouth to speak, nothing came out.
They placed her in front of the mirror and had her seated on a chair.
Her slacked jaw dropped in awe.
Glancing at her reflection in the mirror, she kept wondering.
Yes, she knew she was beautiful, but now, the person staring back at her from this mirror was beyond her comprehension.
The maids smiled in contentment at their hardwork.
One of the maids trudged towards the table and returned with a cup in her hands.
Steam oozed from the cup.
Crinkles formed on Elsa's face as she felt like she wanted to puke.
Her mouth thinned with displeasure as she covered her nostrils with her right hand.
" I'm sorry, your highness. You have to drink this."
" What's that?
" Why do I have to?"
" It's a herbal tea, and it will help with the pains."
Elsa stared quietly for a moment and raised her furrowed brows.
" What pains?"
The maids winced.
Their eyes slowly lost its light and they couldn't bring themselves to speak of it.
Elsa noticed the uneasiness in their recent behavior.
" What are you talking about?"
One of the maids coughed to regain composure.
She stuttered.
" I...I...I... It's the night with the prince."
Elsa recoiled in horror.
Her eyes opened wide and she felt her heart leap.
A sickening wave of terror welled up in her stomach.
She had been preoccupied with other events that she didn't think about this.
She didn't even remember it.
She could see pity in their eyes.
Would it be so unpleasant?
Would he hurt her?
All these thoughts only caused her headaches.
An ache started deep down in her stomach.
She turned away as her eyes welled up with tears.
There simply wasn't any other way out.
She took the cup of tea and took a sip first.
The knots in her stomach tied intensely.
She swallowed the remnants of the tea in a gulp as the clock chimed.
" The time has come," one of the maids voiced out.
Time?
Elsa peered about wide-eyed while she reluctantly rose from the chair.
She tried to pull the sleeves of her robe but the maids stopped her.
They trailed behind the princess as one of the maids led the way to the chambers.
They pushed the door open and led her into the room.
" His highness will be here any moment," they briefly told her.
With the last words leaving their lips, they scurried away.
Even in the frigid room, Elsa felt hot.
She panted for breath and fanned herself with her hands.
She could feel sweat drip over her face.
She sat rigid on the bed and waited obediently.
Thoughts bounced in her mind.
She could make excuses and escape for the night.
Or, she could just not show up.
But again, her mother's cautious words stealthily found its way into her head.
Her mother had strictly told her to not deny her husband the right to her body.
" He could go over to another woman," she warned.
Elsa groaned helplessly - indistinctly.
Who even cared about losing such man?
He could go to wherever he desired for all she cared.
Besides, she wasn't truly attracted to him.
So, there wouldn't be any saga if she decided to not yield to his desires.
*****
Elsa winced slowly and turned lazily on the bed.
The sun rays found its way into the room from the curtains and disturbed her seemingly beauty sleep.
She rose from the bed with an impetuous rush that startled her as well.
She gasped first, and sighed softly in sheer satisfaction when she saw the bed neatly dressed.
She was left untouched?
The prince didn't come?
She touched her throbbing head and tried to recollect events of the previous night.
She could hear background noises as she stretched on the bed.
She stood in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection.
She looked shot, and her puffy eyes were all over her reflection.
She could still smell the peppermint and she suddenly felt like she wanted to throw up again.
The scent was hot and she didn't seem pleasured about it.
First, she bolted to the bathroom.
She had taken notice of the bathroom last night and a smile tore across her face when she saw a warm bath prepared already.
Hurriedly, she lifted her robe and dipped herself in the bath.
Elsa smiled in delight and yawned.
She was getting a hang of the water gurgling over her porcelain skin.
The water left this dainty touch on her skin.
Yes, she felt fragile and somewhat - a mix of another emotion.
Thoughts surged into her mind.
They were awkward and unhealthy, especially for her.
She was supposed to be optimistic like her mother had advised and put in all her might to make this newfound relationship work.
The noise outside pulled her from her drowning thoughts.
The noise was becoming louder and uncanny - it was unlike the usual when it had begun.
She could hear whispers too, and it seemed like it was happening right in front of the door.
Something was wrong and she could sense it deeply.