Elsa took a peek multiple times and touched the door.
The door creaked and left a slight opening.
One could see part of the inside.
It wasn't locked?!
A scent wafted through her nose, and that scent seemed familiar.
She choked on her breath.
" Peppermint?"
Lydia inched backwards and pulled Elsa's arm.
She whispered, and there was a sort of emotion in her eyes.
" Please, don't go in."
" Why?"
Lydia looked away ( but not with a tender expression.)
Her eyes seemed to say it all.
Terror?!
Elsa laughed roughly and teased Lydia further.
" It's not dark in there, is it?
" Or, are you afraid of the dark?"
Lydia didn't speak, and, she tried to hush the princess.
" It's a restricted area. No one is allowed to go in."
Elsa leaned on and argued.
" But, it's open, and..."
" We could get punished."
" Who's going to find out we went in?"
Lydia ran her hand aggressively through her hair.
They were going to get into trouble, and it didn't even daunt the princess.
She was too fearless to be a princess, and this feared Lydia.
Fear was needed for the survival of everyone, especially those under the rule of his highness.
The next strangled movement startled Lydia and Elsa, and they held their breath subconsciously.
Lydia could hear the aggressive pounding of her heart.
They stood still - uncertain whether or not to move.
In haste, Lydia stealthily pulled her and galloped to an obscure corner, and they left the area before they would be seen.
__________________
Elsa opened her mouth to start a conversation with Lydia but she couldn't bring herself to do so.
She had so many questions bouncing around in her head.
Lydia gazed at her and exploded into a giddy laugh.
Heavens forgive her!
Elsa kept gazing at everything in a spectacular manner, and Lydia couldn't stop herself from laughing more.
" Have you ever been around the palace before, your highness?"
" I only arrived not long ago, Lydia."
They walked past the waterfall in silence.
This waterfall had a strange image around it.
Elsa stopped on her track and trudged back to the waterfall.
There was just something captivating about that water.
She was sure she had heard about the story related to the water.
Elsa dipped her hand into the water.
It was cold, and there was something else she couldn't recognize.
She bent over and peered into the water.
And, just when she was about to pick something from the water, Lydia grasped her arm with greater strength.
" Nooooooo," she whimpered and peered around maniacally to ascertain no one saw them.
Lydia sighed softly and rolled her eyes inwardly.
Her highness was getting into so much trouble on her watch, and just on the second day of her arrival to the palace.
" What's the problem?"
" This waterfall is only for his highness. I could get punished, your highness."
Elsa gazed intently at her, but in absenteeism.
She found everything at this new palace strange!?
First, unreasonable, imposed rules.... and now, restricted areas.
" What do you know about the royal family?"
Lydia scratched the nape of her neck and coughed to regain composure.
" I know nothing."
Elsa leaned on and chuckled softly.
" Come on, Lydia. This is my second day in the palace, but you've been here since forever. I'm sure you know something."
Lydia stopped and Elsa collided into her because she wasn't watching.
She had no idea that Lydia had stopped.
" I'm sorry, your highness, but I need to ask. Do you not know anything about your new family?"
Elsa looked away from Lydia's gaze. Words that had been on the tip of her tongue refused to come out, and she forcefully swallowed them.
What was she going to say?
She didn't get a chance?!
It was a hilarious excuse.
Elsa didn't speak.
She only smiled and moved ahead of Lydia.
____________
Elsa found her way into the horses' stable before Lydia arrived.
The horses' stable was on the other side of the palace ( at the farthest end.)
A smile tore across her face as she extended her hand to touch the horse's body.
She had a soft spot for animals - especially horses.
She often felt some sort of security around them, and they gave her the peace she always sought after.
" Isn't she the cutest thing ever?" Lydia extolled from behind and leaned further into the stable.
She had observed keenly as the princess admired the horse.
Elsa smiled and nodded.
" Her name is Sapphire - the jewel amongst them all. She used to be the queen's favorite."
Elsa thought inwardly. She hadn't noticed, or, they had passed it over her eyes?
" I haven't seen her majesty since my arrival."
Lydia looked down and played with her fingers.
An awkward silence reigned.
" Queen Marion is no more."
A pained whimper escaped Elsa's lips.
She felt a stab of pain in her chest.
What was life without a mother?
Lonely?
It was beyond loneliness and she pitied his highness.
" She was a worthy queen, and, she had the kindest of all hearts," Lydia extolled.
Her eyelids were heavy, and she pursed her lips.
Elsa stood from where she crouched and ambled towards Lydia.
But, she stopped midway and only stared at her.
Elsa turned around again and walked out of the stable.
___________
Elsa thought to herself and shook her head vehemently to discard the awkward thoughts that had stealthily found its way into her head.
She was currently sauntering towards the palace, and those thoughts lingered longer than she expected.
She walked past the waterfall and trudged further.
Drowned in her thoughts, she found herself in front of the door.
It kept inviting her in.
Elsa pondered for a while.
She felt deeply conflicted about the whole situation.
Curiosity shook her to the core, and she found herself trudging towards the door.
Things were continuously whispered softly into her head, and slowly, she was yielding to the little voices in her head.
The fact that she could be harmed didn't daunt her.
Elsa pushed the door open and gasped.