The Spirits Of Love | Elsa x Female Reader

• Chapter 1 •

[ Your POV ]

I enjoy the gentle breeze in my hair as I walk through the forest, the fresh air filling my lungs as I inhale deeply one last time before going back to the castle.

I have been a princess for 22 years and I've been living there all my life but I've never felt like I belonged here. All I want is to escape this place, to find one where I'll feel like I'm home, to be somewhere where I could show my true self without being looked upon and judged.

That's why I spend so much time in this forest. It's the place where I can act the way I want to, ride my horse, dress comfortably without all those tight royal dresses, let down my hair, sing and laugh loudly and most importantly - use my powers.

I was lucky enough to have my mother's help with hiding and controlling them until I was 17, when she died. I was devastated, miserable and refused to leave my room for a whole month after that happened. Ever since her death, I wasn't able to let anyone in, no matter how much I wanted to.

However, I dream of someone who I'd love and who'd love me back. We would understand and be there for each other no matter what. We would feel safe in each other's arms. We would feel like we were home.

Although all of that sounds nice, I have to face the reality and accept the fact that I might never get that. Moreover, my father will probably force me to marry some pretentious, self-centred prince so I could have his babies and continue the bloodline.

I shake off my thoughts as I get to the door of the secret passage I found when I was a child that connects the castle with the forest. I assume it was built so the royal family could escape in case of danger, but it wasn't used for a long time so I was able to sneak out whenever I wanted to. It leads to the east wing of the castle. Actually, the dungeons but those were also not used for a long time.

After I close the door I cover them with a layer of ice, just like I've always been doing, so that no one could enter if they found the door. I light up the dark tunnel by crystals I make with my magic, feeling a little anxious for an unknown reason. I mean, I always feel down when I have to return back to the castle but never like this.

I can't explain it, but something in my gut tells me this time is going to be different. I finally get to the end of the tunnel and open the door to the dungeons. I thaw the icy crystals and dust my clothes off, mentally prepared for what awaits me for the rest of the day. Or so I thought.

I frown at the sound of... crying, I guess. Why would someone be here? I thought no one was using this for decades.

I slowly make my way to the source of the sound and can't help but gasp loudly when I see a young woman sitting in one of the cells. She looks up at me and stands backing herself up against she farthest wall, so I can't see her properly anymore.

"Hey, it's okay, come out. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."

There are a few moments of silence before she talks. "I'm not sure about trusting anyone here." Her voice is raspy and shaky, probably due to the crying, but still one of the gentlest ones I've ever heard.

"Well, it's good to start with someone. Please, you don't look like someone who'd deserve to be here. Maybe I could help."

"You really won't hurt me?" She sounds like a scared child which makes my heart ache.

"I don't tend to hurt people who have never harmed me, so you have no reason to worry." I assure and she finally steps closer, allowing me to see her.

I won't lie, even though her outfit is a little dirty, her hair messy and her eyes puffed and red, I have never seen someone as beautiful as her.

"Hi." She tucks a strand of hair behind her air and wipes away her tears.