The stern glint from Ivan's eyes shook Elsa to the core.
She felt the intensity of that one stern glint on her heart.
What was she going to do?
Just on her second day in the palace, she had heard terrifying tales about him.
She swallowed a lump in her throat and didn't look up.
Breathing became difficult for her. She whimpered inwardly.
She could feel his hard glare over her head, and she burned inwardly.
She had never been so afraid of anyone in her entire life.
Her body quivered, even her lips.
" I.. I'm sorry, your highness. I... I... I had no idea you'd be here."
Ivan trudged further in silence. He clenched his fists, and veins in his neck stood out in livid ridges.
His bare shoulders rose as he walked.
" I'm sorry, your highness. I didn't mean to intrude."
Elsa inched backwards in horror.
This day was going to be the end of her.
She inched backwards again in haste and stumbled upon a tin.
Ivan foresaw her drastic fall and he held her back in time.
He grabbed her body forcefully and pulled her forward.
Elsa leaned on and held her breath unconsciously.
She could feel his powerful arms wrapped around her waist.
It gave her a tingling sensation in her stomach, and she couldn't help but feel unease slither down her spine.
Why unease?
They were both married to each other, so he had a right over her body.
Ivan's stern gaze softened.
He stared into her eyes.
And for the first time, he found his heart slowly beat in appreciation for profound beauty and eloquence.
Elsa glanced at him.
She could feel her body come in contact with his bare body.
His scent wafted through her nose.
It was hot like peppermint, and his ivory skin complimented it so well.
His hot toffee hair lay gracefully above his neck.
Allen walked in and gaped at them with wide eyes.
Ivan loosened his grip on her waist and straightened up.
Elsa straightened up too and looked down.
Allen coughed to regain composure.
" I'm sorry to intrude. The king has ordered that you be present at dinner for the evening."
Ivan turned around with a start and galloped back to the seat in silence.
Elsa bowed and excused herself.
Allen lingered for a while and sauntered towards Ivan who handed him the bandage.
" Place it on my injury."
A smirk tore across Allen's face as he received the bandage and placed it on his abdomen.
He patted Ivan's shoulder and smiled.
" I know you like her, and it's unlike you."
" Who?" Ivan asked with no emotion in his voice.
" The princess of course."
Ivan's words came out cold.
" No....."
Allen cut him off and teased him further.
" You're in love with her, and that's the reason you married her."
Ivan shook his head in repulsion.
His marriage to Elsa was arranged by his father because he would soon ascend the throne.
It had nothing to do with love, especially after the death of his mother after his birth.
He had been brought into the cruel world in coldness, and it had hardened his heart over time.
Love was only a word for the weak.
Warriors never fell in love, and he was a raging warrior.
A silent raging warrior.
___________
Elsa sat opposite princess Harriet.
She could perceive tension all over the dinning room even in absence of Ivan - the fire lord.
The maids served very sumptuous food - various fruits, wine.
Harriet smiled softly at Elsa from across the table.
She also perceived Elsa's uneasiness, and that was the reason she sent a smile across.
Elsa returned Harriet's smile and complimented her jewels.
The diamond necklace and earrings matched her bright violet eyes.
The king sat on the right side of the table and they all waited patiently for Ivan.
Elsa opened her mouth few times to speak, but no words came out.
She wanted to speak about the queen but she couldn't bring herself to do so.
She had accidentally stumbled upon the late queen Marion's portrait in the hallway, and princess Harriet was a pure replica of the late queen.
So, there wasn't any need to ask about it.
They waited for what seemed like eternity but it was only few minutes.
Ivan walked out and trudged towards the dinning table.
He sat close to Elsa and didn't utter an apology for his lateness to dinner.
Back in Albion, if Elsa had to come late to dinner, she would render an apology for her lateness because she had made them wait.
A maid passed over the bowl containing lettuce and tomatoes, and replaced it with cereal.
The entire family began dinner in silence.
Elsa also ate and watched in silence.
Back in Albion, there used to be very funny discussions at the table.
Elsa felt enraged at everything in this new palace.
They were family biologically speaking, but, literally, it didn't feel like that.
There was an air of hostility between every member of the family.
They were all against each other, and Elsa wanted to curse under her breath.
There was the fierce prince that everyone feared.
There was the king who seemed invisible to the prince.
The king seemed to not care about anything but his royal roles which was to ensure the smooth run of everything in the kingdom.
And, there she was - the confused one who only obeyed the imposed rules of every other person.
Crinkles formed on Elsa's face as she ate and drowned in her thoughts.
Princess Harriet coughed and looked at Elsa who held her spoon in her mouth.
Elsa looked back in an inquiring manner.
" Do you think of yourself as strong because all I see is fragility? And, trust me, Ivan has a very strong taste for very strong women"
Ivan, Elsa and king Wayne stared at Harriet.
Elsa didn't speak, and she sipped her wine.
Harriet continued, and ignored Ivan's contemptuous glare.
Her provocation made his ears burn.
Truth be told, Elsa never thought of herself as strong, neither was she fragile.
She was herself, and a blend of both fragility and strength.
Harriet's next statement awakened chaos.
Elsa choked on her soup, and spurted food from her mouth onto the table.