CHAPTER FORTY-TWO:
"The Banquet"
A castle that stood at the east and west of Grandsaire, a castle where a great monarch started. Filled with efforts, sacrifices and tears. It was named as Grandsaire Kingdom, a kingdom where Queen Fran reigned. She was destined to be a queen, engaged to the crowned prince of Grandsaire named King Luther who ruled Transylvania, Romania. Their relationship did not ended well due to many complications but even though it happened, Queen Fran and King Luther remained friends, later having a son named Prince Jackson Trevort of Grandsaire and Romania.
Prince Jackson stared at the beautiful woman he has ever seen in his entire life. He adored how firm and gentle Queen Elsa eats, pure of poise and royalty. The sound of the dinner fork and dinner knife clinked against the plate as they eat quietly, Queen Elsa focused on her food as she thought about how bizarre the happenings were earlier. She felt someone in the secret room but she cannot distinguish who.
His brown eyes secretly gazed at the Queen as he eats, the prince was scheduled to stay in the palace for a couple of days until the celebration of Arendelle is over. Everyone found out about the great thaw, the story of their kingdom attracted many of those who have a good intention towards the kingdom and those who are greedy for wealth. Duchess Rarni smiled when she saw how Prince Jackson gaze at her majesty. "I'm guessing the prince secretly likes Queen Elsa", she leaned over a little towards her husband as she whisper.
"I agree my darling, I see how he looks at her", Duke Leon chuckled. "That's how you gaze at me at the ball of King Joseph (their king at the western kingdom)". Duchess Rarni blushed when her husband said that, she lightly giggled before continuing to eat.
The banquet was too quiet, Prince Jackson decided to open a conversation. "Queen Elsa, about the current state affairs, I admire how you manage to get things in line and friendship with our fellows", he smiled. Princess Anna smiled, her smile was full of tease. Queen Elsa noticed how her sister teased her when Prince Jackson spoke.
"I agree, I have never seen such a talent over the decades. I believe you must be married soon", Duke Clarkson from Frandean Kingdom said. He smiled, his green eyes sincerely looked at Queen Elsa.
The Queen's cheeks flushed, Duke Clarkson was right...she must marry soon to make the borders stronger. Somehow, a little sadness flashed the corner of her heart...it made her eyebrows scrunch. "Thank you Prince Jackson, I'm thankful of what you have said. And so as Duke Clarkson, I believe I might sooner", Queen Elsa replied with a soft smile. Prince Jackson noticed how Queen Elsa's eyes trembled, it's just her smiles that are covering the trouble in her eyes. Even Princess Anna noticed it.
"It will make the borders of Arendelle stronger, even more stronger and I believe it's pleasing to see the magical Queen get married", Princess Tiana said with a giggle.
"I can't wait to see my sister get married", Princess Anna said softly with a genuine smile. She held Lord Kristoff's hand, rubbing the top of it as she notice that he's feeling out of place as the royals and noble discusses about the country's affairs.
Everyone smiled when Princess Tiana said her words, there was a feeling burning inside Prince Jackson's heart. He wanted to get married to the Queen of Arendelle. Not because of how wealthy her kingdom is but because he started to have feelings for her. He appreciates how calm Queen Elsa is whenever they talk. "The borders are currently fine for now, it might take a while for me to marry someone from the other kingdom to make the borders strong but I'm afraid that my heart is not open yet, it's closed until someone returns"
Everyone gasped when Queen Elsa said it. Prince Jackson stopped drinking his water, he slowly put the glass down the table. "Who is the lucky man?", Duke Leon smiled as they all look at the Queen. Duchess Rarni have a very kind smile curving her soft pink lips, her brown eyes enthusiastically look at Queen Elsa. To them, she was a heroine and a role model because of how strong her authority is in Arendelle. Queen Elsa looks down, an honest smile lined her lips, full of feelings and sincerity.
"He was not one of the royals...", She said.
"Oh dear", Prince Garon said with his hand over his forehead. He's the most sophisticated prince in Northern kingdom. Everyone have the same reaction as the prince. Lord Kristoff felt more out of place, he gently squeezed Princess Anna's hand as every people in the banquet have different reactions. There were fifteen of them inside, some chose to speak and some chose not...afraid they would say something unpleasant. They consider Lord Kristoff's status, he's one of the heroes of Arendelle as well and so as Princess Anna. The magical snowman happily entered, jumping up and down until he heard their reactions. He paused and looked up at Gerda who have her hand against her lips.
Princess Anna pressed her lips together, holding Lord Kristoff's hand too. "I...I think I have to exit the banquet", Kristoff said lightly.
"Not at all, do not leave yet", Prince Jackson said with a smile on his face. He's trying to convince Kristoff that it's fine and he won't let others criticize him.
Queen Elsa knows Prince Jackson's parents history, it was Jack Frost who told him everything. Lord Kristoff looked down before looking at Princess Anna who have pity in her eyes, hurting of what she have heard. She's controlling her anger.
"Everyone needs to calm down", Princess Tiana calmed the whispers. Queen Elsa doesn't care, all she know is that she loves a guardian.
"With all due respect to thy Queen, may we ask what's he's like and where he lives? Was he a mage? Somewhat in line of the nobles, your majesty?", Prince Clarkson asked politely.
"He used magic like me", Queen Elsa slowly looked up to them. She speaks with such kindness and sincerity, her blue eyes look at all of them. "He was not one of the nobles, he was someone who protected me from a very long time. He owns a staff, he flies wherever he wants, he have a huge heart for children, he's thoughtful, caring and kind. He's gentleman than all of the men in the world. He's funny, he lived somewhere, far away from all of us. He's not a mortal but an immortal", Queen Elsa slowly explained. She gently put down her dinner fork and dinner knife.
Prince Jackson felt his heart throb, knowing that someone owned the Queen's heart. "Where is he? Is there a possibility that we might encounter him somewhere, your majesty?", Duke Leon asked.
Queen Elsa's eyes teared up, she fiddled with her fingers under the table. Princess Anna, Prince Jackson, Lord Kristoff and those who are close to the queen's table noticed how melancholic her eyes got once Duke Leon asked a question. Duchess Rarni noticed it, she quickly cleared her throat. "How about we leave those questions to her majesty, we can't talk about someone's personal life as it is in the rules. Am I right?", Duchess Rarni said.
"I agree, our sincere apologies your majesty", everyone said. Prince Jackson wanted to pull out a handkerchief from his suit, wanting to wipe the tears that are threatening to fall from the Queen's eyes.
"Apology accepted, I apology for showing my emotion for a very short time as well", Queen Elsa said. An empress or a queen shall not show her emotion in front of other people and must show a strong aura in order to protect her kingdom, a rule that Queen Elsa broke the day the banquet was over. Princess Anna and Lord Kristoff told her majesty that they will go for a stroll since the victory banquet will end tonight, everyone has to return to their kingdom after the victory celebration tomorrow. Prince Jackson doesn't want to leave yet because his mother told him to give something to Queen Elsa, a main mission he shall perform once he set foot in Arendelle.
Queen Elsa quietly walked in the garden, her hands fiddling as she thought of her beloved Jack Frost. She hated how Prince Jackson looked a little similar to him. Little did she know, he was behind her. "Your majesty", Prince Jackson said. Queen Elsa stopped walking, she turned around. Prince Jackson bowed at the Queen. "I know it's rude to follow you around but I wanted to confess", he said. His cheeks flush from shyness.
Queen Elsa's eyes relaxed. Prince Jackson stayed in Arendelle for three days, tomorrow is the due to leave after the victory celebration. "I give you the permission, your highness", she said. Putting her hands together, standing firm and waiting for the prince to confess.
"I have fallen for her majesty, may I ask for your permission to go out with me? This is a sincere confession, I am truly grateful to meet you. I found her majesty amazing, different and unique. I admire her from the bottom of my heart. I, Prince Jackson will respect her response", he knelt down in one knee. He placed his hand to his heart, bowing his head.
Queen Elsa was surprised. 'So it's the reason...why...why..he talked to me a lot these past few days'. Her heart beat fast, causing for her to place a hand over her chest. A slight reaction coming from her, not because she have feelings for him but because she's astonished of how the prince confessed cleanly to her. Reminded her of someone, that someone who was sitting at the big branch of a willow tree not so far away from where they stood.
The man wearing a dark navy cape, recognized Prince Jackson's feature. "You sure look a lot like Queen Fran", he smiled softly. There was jealousy present in his voice but at the same time, concerns since he's a friend of his mother. "I want to go back early but I trust her majesty", he said before dashing fast away from Arendelle and heading somewhere. His home.
"I-...", Queen Elsa was about to reply when Aurora called out, singing. Her eyes trembled, showing fear. Her heart beated fast, making her clutched the collar of her cape. Prince Jackson lifted his face and noticed how pale the Queen got. It's as if she's seeing or hearing something he can't see.
"Queen Elsa, your majesty, are you alright?", Prince Jackson quickly stand up. Queen Elsa started to look around, her eyes roamed from left to right, finding where the voice is coming from.
"Ah, ah, ah~", the voice continued to call out.
"Queen Elsa?", Prince Jackson continued to ask.
"I'm so sorry, I have to go", Queen Elsa said before running away very fast from the prince. Her eyes trembled in fear, afraid and overwhelmed at the same time from what she heard. Prince Jackson looked down sadly. Queen Elsa's hand started to freeze because how overwhelmed she is.
"I..I think I'll leave soon", Prince Jackson sadly said. He ran the opposite direction where Queen Elsa exited. Ready to give the box his mother has told him to give to Queen Elsa. He doesn't want to leave soon but he believe he has to or else his feelings for her majesty will get worst.
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A/N;
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much for reading, and if you did, do not forget to press the star down there and feel free to leave any comment. Have the amazing rest of your day and I'll see you all in the next chapter!