Cursed Royalty

chapter twelve

Marriage is something that Elsa could never fully grasp the concept of. Being locked away in her room for all those years didn't really give her the chance to go out and witness firsthand what a connection between two people looks like. Her parents were the closest thing she's had to somewhat comprehending the value behind it all. Agnarr and Iduna were one another's constants. When life would throw obstacles their way, they'd get through it together, her mother cared for him more than she ever did for her own daughter.

That very thought shattered her already broken heart but it was a reality she's been forced to live with since she was little. Iduna made Agnarr better, she accepted all his flaws and imperfections because she loves him, Elsa knew that.

Her parents luckily excelled in the area of showing her what it meant to love your significant other but her mind takes her back to the days she spent in that cold, deserted, terrifying room. The feeling of despair and loneliness has plagued her and the people to thank for that were her parents, the same people that were supposed to protect her from the world. So for them to ask her to get married because it'll benefit the kingdom, baffled her. Why were they so keen on making her suffer?

However, her tears and pleas held no merit. Her parents were quick to silence her and remind her that there were duties that came with being a royal member which she had been unable to complete countless times, enough was enough. And even then, she still loved them and was willing to marry a stranger who wouldn't care about her and would without a doubt compel her to relive her trauma by enforcing that strong feeling of neglect. But the idea that she would be with someone else for the rest of her life dawned upon her. How can that be possible?

And yet, there she was, standing in front of Harold, Dorota, Hiccup, and him, agreeing to spread the word that she would marry the King of Burgess, that to through her own free will. "Besides it's not like you'll actually get married to him, you'll all find a way out of this," she mentally noted to herself.

The shocked expression plastered on his face was eating her alive and she desperately wanted to slap him to get some sort of reaction out of him or just to see that annoyed expression she's gotten used to. Elsa was aware that he was much happier before life put him through this entire mess, who could blame him? Anyone would go insane.

"Isn't that right, Your Highness?" She asked, giving him one of her best practised smiles that he swore almost knocked him off his feet, that's not a sight he gets to see from her everyday.

Jack opened his mouth and closed it again, Hiccup would surely pass a comment about how he looked like a fish but he didn't care, he was flabbergasted. "I... um – yes, we will get to that right away.."

Harold cheered, smiling ear to ear and embracing Jack in the midst of his celebration. When he realized what he was doing, he backed away abruptly. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. I didn't mean to do that, please forgive me."

Hiccup stifled a laugh and waved his hand in a dismissing manner, "Nonsense! There is no need to apologize, we are all beyond excited."

The older man nodded and bid them goodbye, content with the answers he had gotten and anticipating the announcement.

Elsa didn't miss the many looks that Jack was sending her way and the intensity behind them was causing her heart rate to accelerate in nervousness. "Elsa, how could we ever repay you, I'm at a loss for words right now," Hiccup spoke.

Jack shifted a little closer to where she was standing and placed his hand on her arm, both of them ignoring the electricity that ran through their veins upon contact, "Are you actually willing to do this? I can't take it back even if you want me to because I gave him my word. Just.. are you sure?"