Betrothed to Jack Frost (REWRITTEN)

11) Someone's a Hot Head

"My songs know what you did in the dark" by Fall Out Boy

***

After her heated exchange with Jack, Elle found herself at the mercy of the castle's handmaidens. With stern faces and icy glares, they ushered her toward the preparations for the evening's ball. The choice was clear: comply with their demands or face confinement in the dungeons, an option Elle dreaded far more than enduring the handmaidens' relentless oversight. She reluctantly followed the two women, one with a hooked nose and the other equally unattractive in her goblin-like appearance.

The handmaidens led Elle to an opulent bathing chamber, where a gargantuan tub awaited. The scent of lilacs and strawberries was overwhelming, but it was either bathe herself or endure the embarrassment of having the keepers do it for her. Preferring to maintain some semblance of dignity, Elle slipped into the enormous tub, which resembled a small swimming pool more than a traditional bathtub. The water was deep enough to pose a risk of drowning if she wasn't careful, extending nearly four and a half feet in depth.

After the bath, Elle's hair was subjected to a meticulous blow-drying and styling process by the keepers. She couldn't help but wonder how a place so seemingly archaic, with its castle and traditional attire, managed to possess such modern luxuries as electricity. Yet, with pressing matters weighing heavily on her mind, she pushed the thought aside. The evening's events loomed large, and she had more immediate concerns than the mysteries of technological advancements in a magical realm.

Namely, how to escape. The prospect of marrying Jack Frost was absurd, and Elle was resolute in her refusal to be trapped in such a fate. The loathing she felt for him was growing ever stronger, and there was nothing remotely charming or appealing about the winter-themed monster. This wasn't a clichéd romance where animosity gave way to affection; Elle had no intention of ever warming up to Jack.

When Elle finally looked at herself in the mirror, she could hardly believe the transformation. Her dark hair, now styled in soft waves that framed her face, flowed down her shoulders. Her lips were a striking shade of red, accentuated with lip liner and a glossy finish that made them stand out. But it was her eyes that were truly startling. The dark, smokey eye makeup brought a dramatic intensity to her brown eyes, which had been expertly shadowed and defined.

The gown she wore was an extravagant, deep red creation that seemed to embody both elegance and excess. The top with the sweetheart neckline highlighted her bare shoulders, while the flowing train of the gown extended a foot behind her. The dress was shorter in the front, showcasing her long legs, and was adorned with diamonds and small rubies that created a fiery illusion. It was the most gorgeous garment Elle had ever worn, and she could only assume it was chosen specifically by King Boreas. It fit perfectly with their absurd belief in her supposed descent from a fire kingdom, further emphasizing the ridiculousness of her situation.

The sheer extravagance of the gown and the elaborate makeup made Elle feel like a puppet in someone else's grand spectacle. As she looked at her reflection, she couldn't help but think of how she could use her appearance to her advantage. If she was to be trapped in this bizarre and unwanted role, she would at least use her cunning to devise a plan to escape and reclaim her life.

By the time Elle was escorted down to the main floor, fifty floors below her temporary quarters, she was deep in thought, mentally plotting her escape. Her plan was to use her knowledge of Greek mythology to her advantage. Perhaps by instigating a conflict among the gods—whose squabbles were well-documented in mythology—she could create enough chaos to slip away unnoticed. The grand ice-themed ballroom was a spectacle of icy and cold elegance. Elle was struck by the sheer number of familiar faces. Zeus and Hera were engaged in animated conversation with King Boreas and his queen, whose name Elle had already forgotten. Apollo was conversing with a large, dark-skinned man with calloused hands, and Eros was in the company of a young woman who Elle suspected was his wife, Psyche.