The Peasant's Promise

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     "I really enjoyed this evening." I tell Jack as we head out of the woods. "Your family is nice. Both of your relatives are so sweet."

    He laughs and looks at me, a sparkle in his eyes. "Well, when they're related to someone like me..."

     I roll my eyes, playfully shoving him as he laughs. "So, anyway, you said you had a sister?" He says as we walk, our shoulders brushing every step. I couldn't help but blush a little at that. I haven't had many people to physically touch me, let alone...well, you get the picture.

   "Yes. She's older than Emma, but just as lively." I laugh at the thought.

     "You sound like you really love her."

    "Of course I do! She is my sister, after all. I would do anything for her."

     "I know, Elsa." He kicks a pebble out of the way. "But I figured you never really, um, talk to her. You being with the state of your powers."

     I turn to him, suddenly angered. "You don't think I do?" Which I didn't, in my case. But I am just trying to protect her. I'm a monster that needs to be concealed from the world so I don't hurt anyone.

     A monster kept in its cage.

     I look away, tears threatening to pour out. Jack noticed and immediately wipes them away once they do. "Hey, hey," he coaxes, looking intensely at me. "I didn't mean for it to sound that way. I just figured...you would be kept away from her. You keep saying you're a monster, which you are far from, my dear.

    "I know how hard it can be to lose someone, and it's even harder to stay away from the people you want to be with but can't. But Elsa...your sister is there for you. I'm here for you. Don't you see? You have to let love in for you to truly not be what you think you are, for love makes you a better person." I look up at him, touched by his sincerity. He really does care.

"Thank you, Jack. That was sweet." I whisper, looking up at him. I get that weird feeling again. Odd enough, it only happens when I'm around him. I don't know exactly what I feel for him just yet...but I know it's strong.

     We head to the palace, and I look back at him once more before going back inside through the back door to the gardens, the door the maids and butlers use at the end of a workday. The door he used to get to me that day.

    I head back inside, trying my best to get to my room unseen. And it would've worked, had it not been for Gerda. She stands over me, her foot taping impatiently. Oh, no. I completely forgot about our lesson!

    "You've been out a long time, young lady." She scolds, grabbing me by the arm harshly and pulling me to my room. She shuts the door, and I wait for her to yell at me. And boy, she does.

   "You know, you know you have a duty to fulfill. You will one day be queen, and your coronation isn't but a few years away! And you dare sneak out when there's work to be done!" Her eyes blaze with fury, and I cringe. I didn't realize she could be so scary. I had inflicted this, though, so I have to sit there and take it.

     "What in the world, why in the world would you disobey me! I told you a specific time, which was two hours ago, by the way, and I had the whole palace staff looking for you! Why were you out of the palace anyway? ANYTHING could've happened to you." She looks at me, folding her arms, waiting for me to answer.

  "I...I..."

   "Queens do not stammer. Spit it out, or I'll make you!"

   "I was out with a friend. He was just showing me-"

   "He? Who is this he? And who are you to be loafing around with a commoner!"

   I sigh, rolling my eyes. She was a commoner, so what was the problem with me spending time with one? I didn't dare say that to her, though, because she would have done much worse to me than swatting my hand sternly with a nearby ruler.

   "Stop rolling your eyes at me, missy! You may be the future queen, but you should know better!"

    "His name is Jackson Overland. We're just friends."

   "An...an Overland? And a male at that? He's the son of a murderer! He will wind up killing you, too, and doing who knows else!" I look up at her,  shocked. Jack's dad was a murderer?

    "That doesn't make him guilty of any crimes his father has done, and he shouldn't be held accountable for that."

     "Lies! You...don't tell me you like him?!"

     "N-No, I-"

    "That's it. I forbid you seeing him. Tonight was the last you'll ever see of that boy. And if you dare defy me and try to go out and see him...it'll be the end of him, you hear me?" She smacks my hand sharply one last time as she leaves, slamming the door. This can't be happening...