Drowning wasn't on Elsa's to do list today, or ever for that matter, but it seemed like her best friend had plans of her own. One minute, she was joking around as usual with her best friend and the next minute, she was in the freezing water fighting for her life.

"It's nothing personal, but only one person can win. I hope you understand." She had said after shoving her into the water and then just like that, she strutted off leaving Elsa to deal with the strong forces of the ocean by herself.

Even though the water was seeping into every bit of Elsa's bones, she still felt like the betrayal hurt way more than the cold. She could not believe it, this was someone she had known for half a decade of her life.

'Why? How?' So many questions ran through her mind but she did not have the privilege to dwell on them. Not right now.

Her lungs had started to burn, her vision was getting blurry and no matter how hard or fast she flailed her hands, they were no use against the harsh currents. And soon enough, her strength began to slip away.

She was dying.

Until-

"Do you wish to live?" A voice suddenly spoke causing Elsa eyes to snap open despite her tiredness. She quickly looked around but there was nothing, only the dark unforgiving waters.

But then, the voice came again, this time, louder and more impatient. "Do you wish to live?"

Elsa did not bother looking around a second time, this was a matter of her survival. Even though it felt like her mouth could not open, she managed to get the words out. "Yes... yes."

And just like that, Elsa felt her world spin, the heat so intense that she almost choked on it. But it soon reduced as she found herself floating instead. Her environment now full of stars like she was being suspended in space.

What the—

"Congratulations." The voice was different this time. Silky. Commanding. Too smooth, too calm. "You have been granted a second chance. Choose your new life."

Elsa barely had time to process before various types of mages are swirled around her, too fast, too many. It gave her the feeling of being in some sort of virtual game. 

A farmer breaking his back in the dirt. A soldier covered in blood. A kid laughing in the sun.

And then—

A queen.

Golden throne. Glittering jewels. Power. Untouchable.

Elsa didn't even hesitate. "That one," she whispered.

"Of course, you want that one," the voice replied, dripping with sarcasm. "Who wouldn't? But I'll like to remind you that a crown often weighs heavier than a sword."

Before Elsa could even ask what the hell that meant, her world began to spin around again without warning. And then she was drowning again.

She gasped, jerking upright, expecting ocean waves, but no, this was different. Warmer. Scented? A bath?

What.

A heavy weight clung to her body, and as she glanced down, her stomach dropped.

She wasn't wearing her usual jean and top. Instead, an elaborate wedding dress clung to her soaked frame, its delicate fabric ruined by the water. The designs looked like something out of a medieval fantasy.

Her hands shot out, gripping the edge of the tub, and that's when she saw them. Her hands.

They were soft and delicate. Smooth like a porcelain doll.

Dread crept up her spine. 

Slowly—so slowly—she leaned forward, eyes locking onto the rippling water. A face stared back. Same sharp eyes. Same lips. Same nose.

Hers. But not hers.

Her skin was flawless, smoother than it had ever been. Her red hair, still damp from the bath, was way longer, curlier, silkier and gliding over her shoulders. It was her, but it was as if a plastic surgeon had taken her face and perfected it, polished every flaw, erased every mark of hardship. It was like a disney-princess level of perfect.

"What the hell is this?" she whispered.

Before she could even process any of it, the door slammed open.

"You selfish brat!"

Elsa nearly flung herself out of the tub.

A tall, sharp-eyed woman stormed in, draped in expensive fabric, expression pissed the hell off. Behind her trailed a girl who was fake sniffling like she'd rehearsed it.

"Mother, please," the girl whimpered, clutching the woman's arm. "You cannot be too harsh on her… she only tried to help me after all, this is my fault…"

"How?" the older woman snapped, eyes burning into Elsa like she was scum under her shoe.

Elsa blinked. "The f—"

"You've ruined everything for us, haven't you?" the woman spat. "The king chose you, and now you are throwing a tantrum. Do you think you can simply refuse? Do you know what happens if you do? He'll have you killed, and us with you."

Elsa was so lost. King? What king? What was happening right now?!

The woman continued, eyes dripping with venom. "Marrying the king is not the end of the world, you insufferable child. Do you have any idea how fortunate you are? You'd best clean yourself up and drag yourself there with a smile, or I shall strangle you myself before the king even gets the chance to!"

The woman gave a final glare and stormed out, dragging the crying girl with her and then slammed the door shut.

Elsa sat there. Dripping. Soaked. In a wedding dress.

Processing. For approximately two seconds before-

"Well. That was dramatic."

Elsa jumped again. "Who the hell said that?"

"The one who just gave you a second chance at life, obviously," the voice replied, bored. "Think of me as… your second chance system."

Elsa blinked. "My what?"

"Your guide to not dying in this life."

Elsa narrowed her eyes. "You mean like, some AI or robot in my head?"

The voice sounded deeply offended. "A robot? I am a goddess, thank you very much."

Elsa blinked, confused but slowly understanding. "A goddess, huh? What's your name?"

"No."

She raised a brow. "No?"

"No, I don't have one."

Elsa snorted. "Well, that won't do. If you're gonna live in my head rent-free, I'm not going to just call you Voice."

The exasperated sigh was almost human. "This is irrelevant to your survival."

"It's deeply relevant, I'm calling you Gertrude."

"Gertrude?" the voice hissed, like it had just been insulted in the worst way. "Do I sound like an elderly knitting club member to you?"

"Okay, okay, no Gertrude," Elsa said, laughing softly. "What about Systemina, the All-Knowing Queen?"

There was a long pause. Then, in a tone dripping with disdain, the voice replied, "Oh yes, make me sound like the mascot for a cheap circus."

Elsa rolled her eyes. "Fine, how about… Karen?"

The voice cut in sharply, "Call me Karen, and I swear I'll make sure you are thrown back into the cold river."

Elsa couldn't help the laugh at that outburst. Despite the absurdity of her situation, this strange system—goddess, whatever it was—was proving to be oddly entertaining. "Alright, alright. What about… Iris? Like the flower. Or, you know, like an eye, since you're always watching me."

There was a brief silence. Then the voice returned, softer this time, as if it were tasting the name on its metaphorical tongue. "Iris… I suppose that's… acceptable. It's not entirely awful."

Elsa grinned. "Admit that you love it."

"I love nothing," Iris retorted, though there was a hint of reluctant warmth in her tone. "Now, focus. That dress is a disaster, and you have a wedding to prepare for."

Elsa sighed, scanning the room for anything that could salvage her appearance, she was a designer so this should be a easy. But before she could even begin, the door slammed open again.

And this time, it wasn't some dramatic mother.

It was a man.

Tall. Dark-haired. Broad-shouldered.

And his face.

'Oh, hell no, who let this man be that attractive?!'

Elsa's heart stopped as his piercing eyes locked onto hers, furious.

"You," he said, voice low. Dangerous. He stepped forward like he was about to murder someone.

Elsa blinked. "Me?"

His jaw clenched. "So this was your scheme from the very beginning."

Elsa stared. What?

His lip curled in contempt. "Do not dare feign ignorance."

He took another step forward. Too close.

"Yesterday, you lay in my bed, screaming my name and begging me to take you."

Elsa's entire world tilted. What.

"And today, you are to marry my father?"

Elsa's heart stopped. Her soul left her body. Her entire being malfunctioned.

"WHAT?!"