The maids outside the door hushed one another immediately as they saw the door knob turn in retrogression.
Fear engulfed them, and, it shook them violently to the core.
What would the prince do to them if he woke up to their noise?
He wouldn't spare them.
They feared him and wouldn't ever face him.
Yes, someone opened the door, and it wasn't his highness.
Relief surged into them and they inhaled more frigid air.
" I didn't mean to intrude, your highness," one of the maids explained as her teeth chattered.
Elsa stood quiet for a moment.
There was a bewildered look in her eyes that gave off her bemusement.
What was the fuss all about?
" There isn't any need to panic. I've had my bath already."
The maids looked down and fell on their knees.
" Please, don't tell his highness," they pleaded.
Yes, it was a punishable offence for the new wife of the prince to attend to her needs alone - especially without the assistance of the assigned maids.
They could get punished.
A smile tore across Elsa's face.
What in heaven's name did they even take her for?
A god?
She was normal like everyone else and she needed them to understand that, and also treat her like a normal person.
There wasn't any need for the stifled treatment and attention.
She wasn't in need of any of those.
" It's alright. His highness wouldn't find out about it, so, you can stand now."
First, they stole a coy glance at her to ascertain their forgiveness.
They thanked her and rose from the floor.
Each of the maids scurried away to do their duties except one of them.
She looked pretty and had a relatively petite body which suited her perfectly.
" Would you love to eat at the dinning table?" she questioned and didn't look the princess in the eyes.
" I'll have it here instead."
" I'll serve breakfast soon," she said lastly and turned around to move away.
She returned in minutes with a large tray.
This tray consisted of so much food - pickled eggs, beef, sausage, fruits and red wine.
The maid placed it noisily on the table and turned around to leave when Elsa stopped her.
" Your highness?"
" Please, call me Elsa."
The maid smiled and shook her head in blunt refusal.
" I can't, your highness."
" So, what's your name?"
" Lydia."
" Hmmm, Lydia. It's a nice name you have there," Elsa said as if savouring the sweetness of a candy.
Lydia chuckled softly and bowed in gratitude.
Elsa turned around with a start and sauntered to the table where Lydia dropped the tray.
She cracked up.
" All this food for me?"
She went further to pull two chairs closer to the table.
" Please, join me for breakfast."
Lydia held her breath and looked down.
Her nose burned in the frigid air, and she squinted against the sun reflecting off the window.
" I'm sorry, your highness."
Elsa let out a strangled chortle, and smiled softly.
She didn't mean to make Lydia feel awkward.
She was only trying to extend her kindness to her too.
" I'm sorry too, Lydia. But, I can't have this much alone.
" I'd very much appreciate the company, if you'd be so inclined."
Lydia felt her heart melt at Elsa's politeness.
She gazed earnestly at the princess and chuckled.
She hastened to the table and sat with Elsa.
The clinking sound of spoons on plates continuously followed their friendly banter.
Elsa found herself mutually attracted to Lydia.
Lydia had a cool personality, and she seemed open-minded and real.
With this, Elsa felt a relatively strong connection with Lydia.
" I hope you don't mind showing me around," Elsa began after the dishes had been packed.
Lydia wrung her hands in the air.
She blushed and spoke softly.
" Don't mind? I'd love to."
Elsa gazed intently at Lydia and she admired her willingness.
" So, what's the kingdom like?"
Lydia coughed to regain composure.
" Albalon is secure and peaceful. It's made up of mainly merchants, and that's the reason it's the richest kingdom."
Elsa leaned on and tapped her finger against her chin.
" You seem to know so much about the kingdom."
" Yes.
" Asides the fact that I'm a citizen, my father used to be the king's aide."
" Where's your father now?"
Lydia let out an audible sigh and touched her drooping eyelids.
Her lips trembled.
" He died during the war."
Elsa's eyes widened and she felt her heart leap.
She shouldn't have asked.
She had heard of that war too, and it had fatal effects on the people of both kingdoms involved.
Elsa leaned on.
She guessed Lydia was closer to her father than her mother, and that was the reason she felt hurt.
She wanted to ask about her mother too, but, she couldn't bring herself to do so.
Lydia was down already, and, talking about the same thing wouldn't help her.
" I'm sorry. I didn't mean to reopen sore wounds."
An ache started deep down in Lydia's stomach. She turned away as her eyes welled up with tears.
She hadn't talked about her father in a long time, and, this made her recollect past memories that caused her so much hurt.
Elsa inhaled more air and exhaled deeply.
She extended her arms to Lydia, and embraced her tightly.
Lydia let out a faint smile because she needed this embrace.
Slowly, she yielded to her stifled emotions, and tears flowed in torrents on her face.
________________________
Lydia found her cheer again and babbled longer than expected as they walked side by side each other around the large, exquisite garden in the palace.
Elsa hadn't seen such an exquisite garden before.
Although they had one at Albion, it was nothing compared to this.
Elsa gasped in wonder when they came across an enclosed area that had some words inscribed in an unknown language.
Curiosity shook her to the core.
Yes, she had seen other beautiful places, but, this particular place sapped her attention.
There was just something intriguing and mind-captivating about this particular place in the palace.
The doors kept inviting her to take a peek.
And, each time Lydia tried to call her off from it, she found her mind wandering.