Utapri Short Stories

Icy Heart - Part 2 (End)

Camus was really a perfectionist with his tea and she only got the right temperature and right amount of sugar after 5 attempts. However, when she was about to deliver the cup to him, she noticed that his hands were covered with gloves. It was unbearably cold outside, but the weather inside the castle was comfortable and there was no need to wear gloves so thick. They were even weird.

The prince did not seem comfortable when he noticed that she was staring at his hands. "What are you looking at, curious bird?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Haruka jumped up and looked away, but didn't let the chance pass. "Why are you wearing gloves? You were outside? Or is it so cold for you? Maybe you have a fever...?" She started to touch his forehead, but he quickly backed away, startled.

"I'm so sorry." Haruka lowered her head and could not hide a sad and frustrated sigh. Would it be like that for the rest of her life? Couldn't they even be friends? Her heart was heavy in her chest. She didn't want to get married, but if she was forced to do that, she wanted to at least have a good relationship with her future husband. His answer took her by surprise. "Do not apologize. It is not your fault that I was born cursed." There was nothing but regret and sadness in his voice.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked slowly, as she didn't want to sound invasive. Everyone knew the rumors, but nobody really knew the truth. So had he really been cursed by the mountain spirits? And what was that curse? Would he tell her everything? Would he tell the truth? Her heart was racing, as was her mind. She really wanted to know, but she wouldn't force him to speak if he didn't want to. "If you want to tell me... I promise to keep it a secret."

"You probably already know about the curse, don't pretend to be a fool." Camus replied looking away. "Prince Icy Heart. My heart was frozen and I... I turn everything my hands touch into ice." He explained in a bitter and sad tone. "That's why I wear gloves all the time..." But then the princess interrupted him: "Is that why you live in isolation?"

Camus nodded slowly and started to get up, but Haruka stopped him by touching his arm. "Please stay. You have your gloves on, right? There is nothing to fear." She shook her head and gave him a warm smile. This took him by surprise. "Do you really want my company?" The loneliness in his eyes broke her heart and even though she was doing it just to help her people and the Queen, now she wanted to do it for him too.

"Yes. I wouldn't ask you to stay if I didn't want to." She giggled and the prince nodded. They continued to drink tea and talk about many things. Camus told her important parts of his life and she did the same. Haruka had a lot more to say than he did, he had spent his whole life trapped in the castle. Still, she seemed to hear everything he said with interest and curiosity. It warmed his heart, which was practically impossible. The days passed and more and more the prince left his room to be in the company of his future bride, who now considered as a friend.

He taught her to skate on the ice, helped her to ride his white horse, presented her with beautiful clothes... It was only 3 days before the wedding when Haruka finally realized that she was in love with Camus. However, she didn't know if he felt the same way. Despite all the presents and moments together, he hadn't said much about what he felt. Maybe for him they were just friends, even if they were still getting married in three days. At no time had he tried to kiss her and she was worried that she wouldn't be able to hide her feelings. What should she do?

The Princess did not want to ruin their friendship, but she also did not want to break the Prince's newfound confidence by lying about what she felt. Camus seemed to notice her distress when they were walking together in the castle garden, where few flowers were able to bloom in the cold. "What is happening? You are very quiet these days..." He commented watching her. Haruka hesitated before answering.

"Camus, I... Um... I don't know how to say that. I... I wanted to say..." But the instant she looked him in the eye, she lost the courage to say it. Haruka sighed and tried to look away, but he stopped her and used one hand to make her look at him again. "Tell me. Please." He asked politely and smiled gently making her heart melt even with all that freezing cold. Haruka tried to gather courage and closed her eyes before saying:

"I am... I am in love with you. I don't care what people say or if our marriage was arranged. I see in you someone who is so much more than just a frivolous prince... Someone who feels so much more than a mere frozen heart..." However, Haruka was unable to continue speaking, she felt a strange sensation in her cheek. That sensation spread little by little throughout her body until they finally realized what was going on... But it was too late.

The Prince's feelings had turned into a whirlwind of emotions when he heard what she had to say, so the gloves he wore were not enough to contain his powers and... The ice spread, transforming Haruka into an ice statue. "Haruka? Haruka! No!! NO!! DAMNED MOUNTAIN SPIRITS!!" Camus screamed desperately and took her carefully, taking her frozen body inside and placing her on the closest bed he found, covered with several blankets and heated by a fireplace... But none of this seemed to work.

Camus had stayed in the corner of the room, as far away from the girl as possible, but still with her in view. He had frozen her. If she died as his father had died years earlier for the same feat, he would never forgive himself. He had called in the doctors of the kingdom and they tried everything they could, but they simply could not help the princess. Everyone left the room, leaving him all alone with the frozen princess.

His heart seemed to be colder than ever. He started to remember the conversations they had and all the moments they spent together. "Haruka... At least once I wish those of your fairy tale books were really true." The prince whispered more to himself, embracing his own body and wishing he had never been born, so that the spirits of the forest would never have cursed him with those horrible powers. He slowly approached the bed where the girl rested and watched her.

Every second, the room seemed to get colder and his own heart seemed to crystallize with more and more layers of ice. He felt a single tear run down his cheek and it was soon followed by others. He knelt beside the bed and reached out a shaking hand to touch the princess's face. He wishes he could tell her how he felt. He wishes he had said it before, but what kind of girl would accept the love of a monster like him?

Haruka had accepted. She had said such beautiful words and filled him with feelings. She believed he was more than just a frozen heart. But he had wasted every chance he had and was so sorry for it. He should never have let her get him out of his room. He deserved to be stuck and alone forever and ever. Maybe it would hurt the girl to do that, but at least she wouldn't be frozen and on the verge of death now. Not sure why, Camus moved even closer to her and very carefully sealed their cold lips in one last passionate kiss.

Camus kissed the princess as if it were the last kiss. They couldn't be together. Her family would be sad and horrified. However, when he finally pulled his face away from hers, he noticed a strange light illuminating the princess's body. This bluish light also enveloped the Prince and he concentrated on the energy it brought. He closed his eyes and obeyed his instincts.

When he opened his eyes again, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. A beautiful smile won over his face and was returned by the princess's gentle smile. "Camus, you saved me." Her voice was low and weak, but she was definitely alive. The prince shook his head and hugged her tightly. "It was the least I could do after I had frozen you." He whispered in a guilty tone, but Haruka interrupted him. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that now you saved me." She insisted while stroking his hair.

"I love you, Haruka." He whispered, squeezing her further into the embrace. The princess smiled and returned the hug, happier ever. "It was love that saved us, as in fairy tales." The Queen was worried, but Haruka reassured her that she would still marry the prince and that it would be for love. The news filled the Queen's heart with joy and they convinced the Prince not to hide from people anymore. Now, he knew how to reverse the effects of his powers.

The wedding took place on the agreed date, Haruka and Camus were happier and more radiant than the sun itself. The Northern Kingdom had finally seen the sun again after a long and severe winter. The rumors about the prince started to change and soon everyone was telling about the miracle that happened after the princess's arrival. Love always warms our hearts and the Prince discovered that it is better to let yourself be loved than to live blaming yourself forever.

...

~ Chapter Cover edited by me using screenshot from the Anime.

~ Inspired by the Movie Frozen by Disney and by the song Shots - Imagine Dragons.