[A mistake about last chapter, it was supposed to be Matt not Leo, during Iduna's call out to his name. My bad.]
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*Knock!* x2
"Queen Elsa. Are you ready?" Kai knocked on the door and asked.
"I'll be there in a second!" Inside the room, Elsa was staring at herself in the mirror. The tear stains and ruined make-up are nowhere to be seen.
She has just redid her make up, not as pretty as before but enough to look at least presentable.
"Elsa....you can do this. Leo wants you to do this. For mom, Anna and dad." Whispering to herself in front of the mirror, Elsa closed her eyes, imagining Leo standing by her side, watching over her as she narrates her speech.
She doesn't when she becomes so reliant on Leo, nor does she care. This time, she has someone who truly cares for her, knows her pain and shares her pain.
With a final exhale, Elsa grabbed the paper on her table, the speech that she spent ten minutes writing before going outside.
***
"Everything is ready, your highness. They're only waiting for your presence." Upon seeing Elsa get out of the room, Kai was quick to inform her of the current situation.
"I see. Take me there."
With a nod of Kai's head, he led Elsa to the large balcony that oversees the entire front of the castle, where hundreds upon hundreds of Arendelle people were standing and looking up at the balcony, Elsa scanned her eyes around.
"Citizens of Arendelle, I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude and humility. As many of you witnessed, the events of my coronation were far from ordinary, and I owe you an explanation." Elsa then stopped for a second, her eyes once again scanning over everyone and seeing that she got their attention, she continued.
"On the day of my coronation, I accidentally revealed my powers to control the element of ice. This is something I have struggled to understand and control my entire life. The fear of my abilities and the harm they could cause led me to hide them, even from those closest to me. However, in the midst of my coronation, my emotions overcame me and along with the unexpected attack from the Bandit King, Argon, my powers were revealed." At this point, Elsa heard gasps and yells across the crowd, prompting her to raise her hand in request for silence, which thankfully was given to her.
"In my fear and confusion along with the fact that I myself accidentally inflicted pain on my own father, I fled to the mountains, seeking solitude and safety for all of you. In my absence, confusion and fear towards the unknown enveloped everyone, causing hardship and uncertainty. I want to apologize for the distress and fear this caused each of you." Elsa's voice slightly croaked, trying her best to hold her tears from coming.
"It was my personal guard, Leo, who bravely sought me out, reminding me of the love and responsibility that I have. His unwavering support, helped me realize that understanding and trust is the key to controlling my powers. Through them, I was able to come to a realization and wake up to reality." Once she got to this point, everyone among the crowd could see the relief and hear the hope in her tone, reminding them of the blind man that always stood by Elsa's side.
"I understand that my actions have caused you concern, and I am deeply sorry for any suffering that resulted. I promise to use my powers responsibly, with the well-being of Arendelle always in mind. I will strive to be the queen you deserve, one who is open and transparent, and who leads with love and compassion." Her eyes turned determined and resolute as she slowly finished her speech.
"Thank you for your patience, your resilience, and your faith in me. Together, we will continue to build a strong, united, and prosperous Arendelle." With a bow of her head, a loud silence blanketed the entire kingdom of Arendelle, to the point that each and every person could hear their own heart beats being very loud.
Just as Elsa's lips quivered at the thought of being a failure of a Queen for not being accepted by her own people, a few small claps slowly resounded throughout the castle that soon turned into a barrage of claps that became so loud Elsa can't even hear her own voice.
Slowly raising her head, Elsa saw the looks of acceptance and smiling faces of her own people.
"Thank you..." Elsa sobbed, as she could hear a few words from the crowd.
"We love you, Queen Elsa!"
"We forgive you! Please don't be sad!"
"Can you please show us your ice powers?"
Unbeknownst to Elsa, Leo was standing among the crowd, looking at Elsa with a proud face before disappearing from his position.
***
Leo, who was rushing towards Anna and Iduna's location, suddenly closed his eyes as his Ringer Clone dissipated back in Arendelle.
"Thank God, she's fine." Leo sighed in relief. Ever since the start of this event, he started to get cautious, hence he placed a Ringer Clone in Arendelle just in case.
With Elsa's matter being done, it's finally time to reunite with Iduna and Anna, whose position is closing in to Leo.
Just in time as Leo was near them, his ears picked up a hint of their conversation.
"....As I was about to say, I'm not telling you to steal Leo from Elsa. What I'm trying to tell you is to share him with Elsa. Like how Kings are supposed to do."
"....What the fuck?" Leo, who heard Iduna, stopped in his tracks, his face contorted into confusion and surprise.
At the same time as he cursed, Anna was also surprised by what her mother just said.
"But mom, didn't you say that, that tradition was abandoned by dad's father?" Anna confusedly asked.
"Yes. But it's not impossible to bring it back up. It doesn't matter if it's frowned upon by some, but whether they like it or not, it is still a tradition practiced by some kingdoms."
"....E-Even If that's the case. I don't think Leo would agree with it, not to mention Elsa. Even I will refuse such a thing if I'm in my sister's position."
"That's why we have to go back now and convince her otherwise. Have some trust in Elsa, she's your sister, I'm sure she'll understand." Iduna smiled and said. Hearing no reply from Anna, Iduna knew she was busy thinking about it, so she changed the topic.
"Speaking of Leo, I'm quite surprised he shares the same name as someone I know a few years ago." As Leo was always wearing his Daredevil suit whenever he went to the castle, Iduna wasn't able to see Leo's true face, making his appearance a mystery to Iduna and Agnarr.
"Someone you knew?"
"Yes. You see, there's this someone who appeared and saved us from a raging storm in the sea. He introduced himself as Leo. Just Leo. After fighting the Water Spirit, he vanished, never to be seen again. So color me surprised when you call him Leo earlier in the ballroom."
"....Maybe he's the Leo you-." Knowing Leo's personality, Anna made an assumption however before she could finish her words, she was suddenly interrupted.
*Neigh!*
Coming to an abrupt halt, the horse skidded on the ground as the force of the sudden stop of the momentum brought the two mother and sister back to reality.
"Leo?" Tucking her hair behind her ear, Anna was stunned to see Leo standing in front of them, no longer wearing his mask, his cheeks having a red tint.
"Leo?" At the same time, Iduna was also surprised to see the familiar face, five years ago.
"I know, you two are surprised to see me, but I just want to know what the fuck did I just hear earlier? What's this about stealing me from Elsa?" Crossing his arms, Leo demanded.
"....H-How much did you hear?" Hearing his words made Anna blush madly as she stutters.
"Enough to know that you're planning to share me with Elsa."
"I-I-I...."
Seeing the blushing mess of her daughter, Iduna quickly stepped in to save her.
"It's a long story. But I'll tell you about it once we're back in Arendelle. I know it might sound crazy but what you just heard also concerns Anna's life and death situation."
"....Then we don't have time to waste." Although Leo was tempted to use his Thunder God technique to directly teleport them back to Arendelle, however, he has already revealed too many secrets, and answering them would turn into a hassle to Leo.
"I don't need a horse. I can keep up by running." Seeing the troubled look on Iduna, Leo guessed what was troubling her and assured her.
"Are you sure?"
"Watch me."
***
Back in Arendelle, Elsa was standing in front of the back gates, waiting for someone, more specifically her sister, mother and Leo.
"Your Highness, it's a cold night out here. You don't have to wait for them. We'll be the ones to receive them and relay the news to you as soon as we can!" One of the patrol knights showed his concerns towards Elsa.
"Thank you but no. I'll stay here and wait for them." Elsa smiled and showed appreciation for the concern.
"This...." The concerned knight was stunned, but as Elsa was his Queen, he had no choice but to follow her orders and stand to her side as her dutiful knight.
"They're here! Princess Anna and Ms. Iduna!" Thankfully, it didn't take long before one of the knights with a spyglass, spotted three figures a few meters afar.
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[The long awaited Lemon is just 3 chapters away *wink!* So how about some few stones here and there?]
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[Next Chapter: Ch. 90 - I'm not the man you think I am!]
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