✔𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐈𝐈: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈

Chapter 96: Helen (EP. 01)

"How long does it take to convince you, dear cousin?"

"Convince me?! How brave of you, Aiden, really. You may be an honored guest but I simply cannot allow a wild beast in the castle!" Nathan defensively shook his head in disagreement.

"Your castle?! Nathan, I have my rights. This was my home." Aiden shot back in a challenging way, tone as cold as ice.

"Oh? So you're playing nostalgic now? I see. Last time I saw you, you were almost vomiting to get off this place, is that correct? Oh how the tables turn." Nathan seethed sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Choose your words wisely, Nathan." Aiden warned.

"No, you choose your words wisely! I'm only coping your behavior since you docked in the port!"

"My behavior?" Aiden scoffed, "Please, let's talk about the real problem here. You were even talking with the other noble ladies like you didn't hear the windows falling apart!"

"But what did you want me to do? Panic like you? Be a crying mess? Lock myself up in his room? Call for his wife since he can't take the situation LIKE A MAN?!"

And that was the final layer. Aiden backed away from the Northern King, clear pain in his eyes. His cheeks were already flushed red in held back anger. His booted steps stepped further away from his cousin and headed for the doors.

Storming away, Aiden dryly reminded, "Don't you dare mock my tears. You don't know what I've been through."

And the fight ended there.

You didn't put yourself in my situation.
____________________________________

The gentle sea breeze caressed the Queen of Arendelle's face, the corn yellow moon glowing faintly beside the different constellations in the nightsky. The roofdeck is an excellent spot at this time, since the calm waves of the fjord rocked the travel ship not so strongly unlike in the morning.

The so called carnivore was on its belly as the Snow Queen calmly petted its furry striped head.

"Snowflake?"

Elsa turned around with a peaceful smile, her magenta nightgown swaying slightly in the salty breeze. Aiden gently picked her up and pressed a kiss on her cheek, sighing in dismay after doing so as the argument earlier flashed back to his mind.

Sensing his discomfort, she lifted his chin to face her. "While I don't mind sleeping in our cabin, what happened?"

"Nathan happened." Aiden huffed.

"Are we leaving then?"

"Sounds like it."

"With Helen?"

As soon as the feline's name flicked off his wife's tongue, Aiden froze in shock and surprise. The couple stole the snoozing tiger a glance before returning to their conversation.

"You named her."

"Yeah. After someone who's worthy of naming after."

"I-i... it sounds quite fitting."

"I know— honey, your eyes are red. Have you been crying?" She gazed at him in concern, her hand going up to caress his cheek. Aiden gently took that hand and held it in place, savoring the warmth of her palm, "Nothing to worry about."

She frowned slightly. "You know I don't like it when you hide things from me."

The fire king guiltily looked at his feet, Elsa's hand retreating from his cheek, "I'm... I'm sorry, snowflake. I just... I feel so pathetic."

"Pathetic? Aiden, you can never be pathetic. Vulnerable or not."

"I just... I don't want you to feel like I'm passing my distress to you.."

"Baby..." She trailed off, "Where is all this coming from? Every single talks we had never placed any pressure on me. To be frank, I love sharing those kind of moments with you. It only symbolizes how close we are."

"Yeah... I know."

"Then... Why?"

"Listen, Nathan kind of said something hurtful and sort of specifically how much of a coward I am and pointed out something about me calling you every time for support since I can't handle some things like a man."

And that was the time Elsa made a mental note to freeze the Northern King's backside, "Did he now?" She seethed protectively.

"Uh, snowflake—"

"Ice cube or icicle, it's up to you my king, come on."

"Hey, don't worry about me—"

"What about a mountain of snow on top of him? I'm sure he'd enjoy digging his way out of bed."

"Love." Aiden chided playfully, kissing her nose as he gently wrapped his arms around her from behind, "I'm alright, okay? I'm fine. I'm not affected. I didn't dwell on it."

"You better not, because what he claims sounds wrong." Elsa growled.

Damn, too adorable, Aiden smirked, patting his wife's head, "I only grant what you command, my queen. I'm always at your mercy."

"That also includes carrying me to bed since I spent standing for hours at the party."

"At your service my lady!" Aiden teasingly did a small bow before scooping up his giggling wife to his arms and fulfilling her wish. Elsa contentedly leaned her head against his chest and listened to the soft sound of his thumping heartbeat.

The couple walked into their cozy suite, not noticing Helen who had followed them with quiet, silent steps. The two of them stared at the feline in surprise before shrugging, returning to their cuddling.

Helen gave a mighty yawn before curling up before the couple's feet and falling asleep.

The couple just hoped the tiger would be accepted to the kingdom as warmly as it should be. As long as they feed Helen a whole bucket of meat to her satisfaction.

But one thought crossed Aiden's mind which made him blink awake.

Where did Helen come from?

Surely she didn't come from the zoo.

Worries tomorrow, sleep always comes first, Aiden shakes his head.

After planting a kiss on Elsa's forehead, he finally dozed off.

Oh, and why did he trust a carnivore so easily?