[Camden pov]
"Come on," Anna whispered with a conspiratorial grin, her fingers wrapped tightly around my wrist. "There's still one more stop."
I followed her—because, of course, I did. With her fiery red hair bouncing in rhythm with her excited steps and a sparkle of something mischievous in her eyes, saying no wasn't an option. Besides, it was her date. She called the shots. I was just along for the ride.
She led me back to the palace, across the cobbled courtyard and toward the stables on the eastern end of the grounds. The sun was slowly descending behind the palace towers, casting long shadows on the golden stone path.
I could already smell the hay and hear the familiar snorts of horses before we even got close.
"The stables?" I asked as we neared the large wooden doors.
Anna nodded eagerly. "Yep. It's tradition. When foals are born, a member of the royal family gets to pick one as their own. The stablemaster said a few were born just last week."
"And you want me to help you pick?"
"Nope," she said, turning to face me. "I want you to see them. And maybe meet your very moody horse. Valor, was it?"
She eagerly pushed open the stable doors before I could say another word, and the comforting smell of straw and leather greeted me instantly. It was a cozy, inviting scent—earthy and genuine, a clear sign that the animals here were loved and well cared for.
Halfway down the aisle, just as grumpy and glorious as I remembered, stood Valor.
He was taller now, his muscles even more defined than before. A majestic, midnight black stallion with a streak of white down his snout and eyes that looked like they could judge you to your soul.
He was trying to court a sleek black mare in the neighbouring stall, standing tall, pawing dramatically, and tossing his head like he was the king of the paddock.
Typical.
"Look who it is," I muttered with a grin, stepping closer.
Valor turned his head slowly. Our eyes locked. He blinked once, then turned away with an offended snort. Anna laughed so hard she nearly tripped into the hay.
"Aww, how cute. Your mighty horse is sulking."
"He's dramatic," I said, reaching out to stroke his mane. "He hates when I disappear without warning. Especially if I come back with a girl…"
"He's got a jealous streak?"
"You have no idea."
Valor flicked his tail toward me, not in a gentle way but as a proper insult. Anna was sitting beside me, almost bent over in tears, wiping her eyes.
"Aw, poor Camden," she teased, poking my side. "Betrayed by his one true love."
I rolled my eyes and leaned in closer to Valor, lowering my voice. "You know I didn't mean to be gone so long. I've just been busy doing, well, stuff. Important stuff."
He turned his head and gave me a slow blink. A bit more accepting, but not fully convinced.
"I'll bring you extra apples later," I offered.
That seemed to win him over. He let out a low snort, then pressed his forehead against my chest, still playing aloof but giving in just a little. I smiled and gave him a firm scratch behind the ears.
Meanwhile, Anna had wandered off toward the back stalls where soft whinnies and tiny hoof clops could be heard. The foals.
"Camden!" she called. "Get over here. You have to see this!"
I left Valor with a final pat and joined her.
And honestly?
I was not prepared for this level of adorable.
Three new foals stood on wobbly legs in a soft, hay-lined pen. One was a sandy gold with a short spiky mane, another a silvery-white creature with wide nervous eyes, and the third—a bold little thing—was pitch black with white socks on all four legs and a cheeky attitude already. It was nudging the silver one relentlessly, trying to start a game.
Anna was leaning on the wooden railing, practically melting into a puddle. "They're so tiny," she whispered. "I thought they'd be bigger." [A/N: Foals aren't that small. But compared to a full-grown stallion? They are tiny.]
"They're only a week or two old," I replied. "They'll grow fast."
"They're just adorable—like tiny fluffy clouds with little hooves!"
I nodded thoughtfully. "That's one way to put it."
She watched them in awe, her arms resting on the fence as the foals sniffed curiously toward her. One of them—the golden one—gave a little sneeze that puffed up its mane and made Anna squeal.
I chuckled, watching her with quiet amusement. She had that same energy she had at the festival. Like nothing in the world could dull her joy in this moment.
She turned to me. "Do you think they already have personalities?"
"Oh, definitely. The black one's going to be a troublemaker. The silver one's cautious. And the golden one? A people pleaser."
"Just like Valor, huh?"
I scoffed. "Valor is not a people pleaser."
"He sneezed when you offered him an apple. That counts." We stayed there for a while, watching them play and wobble about.
Occasionally, one would let out a squeaky whinny or bump into its mother, and Anna would eat up like a child in a drug store. No. It's a child in a candy store, right? Whatever, you get my point.
Eventually, the stablemaster wandered over. A squat man with a bushy beard and the gentlest hands I'd ever seen on someone who handled animals all day.
"Ah, Princess," he said, bowing. "I take it you've met the new generation?"
"They're wonderful!" Anna beamed. "I love all of them!"
"Well, Your Highness," he said kindly, "custom dictates you get to choose one to raise alongside you. If any catches your fancy, just say the word."
Anna turned to me, panic in her eyes. "I have to choose just one?"
"It's part of the tradition," I said, grinning. "And don't overthink it. Trust your gut."
She looked back at the pen. The three foals had gathered near the edge, their tiny heads bobbing up and down as they sniffed the air.
Anna closed her eyes dramatically. "Okay. I choose… that one!" She pointed randomly, eyes still shut. The stablemaster squinted. "The silver one?"
Anna opened one eye. "...Sure?"
We both laughed, and she leaned over to extend her hand. The little silver foal took a hesitant step forward, then nuzzled her fingers gently. A soft moment passed between them—curiosity, maybe trust—and Anna's face softened.
"I think it likes me," she whispered.
"Seems like you're a natural," I said, stepping beside her.
I don't know how long we stood there.
Anna had one hand resting on the silver foal's forehead, brushing gently through its soft coat, her smile the kind you don't often get to see—one that wasn't hiding behind jokes or nervous energy. Just a real, quiet kind of happy.
And I didn't want to be the one to break the moment.
The stablemaster cleared his throat politely and gave a small bow. "I'll leave you to it, Your Highness. When you've chosen a name, just inform the palace record keeper, and I'll see to it."
Anna barely noticed him leave. She was crouched by the foal now, the animal nudging at her skirts like a curious puppy.
"So…" I said, kneeling beside her, "have you got a name in mind?"
She glanced at me, then back at the foal. "I don't know. I wasn't expecting to fall in love today."
That caught me off guard. I opened my mouth, but before I could say something stupid or hopeful, she added quickly, "With the horse. I mean. The foal. You know..,"
"Right," I said, trying not to laugh as I let my knees rest on the straw-covered floor. "I figured."
"But seriously," she went on, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "I feel like the name should be… delicate. But also a little awkward."
"Awkward?"
"Well, look at her." Anna pointed at the foal, who was now sneezing into a pile of hay and slipping a little on her own legs. "She's clumsy. Just like me."
I tilted my head. "Okay… so something like—Flopsy?" Anna gave me a look of pure betrayal. "Camden."
"Kidding. How about… Glimmer?"
She blinked, turning back to the foal. "Glimmer," she repeated. "That's… actually kind of nice. It fits. She's got that silvery coat. Like moonlight."
I shrugged. "Or fresh snow under a clear sky."
"Or ice, you can see your reflection in."
"Or—okay, now we're just showing off," I said, bumping my shoulder against hers lightly. Anna giggled, and the foal—Glimmer—neighed in agreement. Or protest. It was hard to tell.
"Glimmer it is," she said, standing up and dusting her dress. "You're my noble companion now, Glimmer. You're gonna learn to gallop and carry me into battle. Or, y'know, tea parties."
"I'd pay good money to see that," I muttered as I stood beside her.
She leaned against the railing again, watching as Glimmer nosed her way around the pen with cautious, wobbly steps.
The sun had dropped even lower now, a golden haze stretching through the stable windows, making the air look thick and sleepy.
"I've never had a pet before," Anna said, her voice quieter now. "I mean, we had palace horses, but they were mostly for the guards or deliveries. Never… mine."
"Well, now you do. And she's all yours." She smiled, then looked up at me. "Thank you."
I blinked. "For what? You picked the horse."
"Not just for today," she said. "For everything. You've only been here a few weeks and… it feels like you've been part of this place forever."
I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling very warm in the face. "I just did what anyone with a heart and a decent sense of morals would've done."
"No," Anna said softly, taking a step closer. "You did more than that. You stayed."
That silence between us? It wasn't awkward this time. It just… was. Still, I coughed lightly, breaking it before it settled too deep.
"Well," I said, nodding toward the exit. "Sun's almost down. We should head back before the castle staff think I kidnapped a princess."
Anna laughed, brushing hay off her skirt. "Let them think it. I'm sure they already have bets going about us."
"Oh gods," I muttered. "Do they?"
"Probably. You should hear the way the maids gossip when they think I'm not listening."
I smirked. "Do they at least think I'm handsome?"
"No comment."
She walked ahead, hair swaying behind her, and I caught up just as she turned to wave goodbye to Glimmer, who let out one final sneeze before curling up beside her mother.
The stable doors creaked closed behind us, and the soft clopping of our boots echoed down the cobblestone path back to the palace.
A little later...
[Palace]
It had been a long day. We'd exchanged one last smile before she scampered off down the hallway to her room.
I stretched my arms with a yawn as I turned the corner, eyes half-lidded and ready to crash face-first into the soft, oversized pillows in my room. But as I made my way up the steps, I stopped dead in my tracks.
Leaning casually against the wall just a few steps from my chamber door, arms crossed loosely. Her long platinum hair shimmered under the gentle glow of the hallway sconces.
She had changed out of her formal dress into a more relaxed robe, something a bit cozier, though she still held that regal posture she always did. And yet… There was something different in her eyes.
"So," she said softly, "how was it?"
Her voice didn't carry its usual frost. It was low, curious… maybe a bit amused. I raised a brow. "How was what?"
She pushed off the wall and slowly descended one step toward me. "Your little date."
Ah. Of course.
I scratched the back of my head, my voice light. "It was good. Anna had fun. I did too." She was in front of me now. A foot or two away. And that curious look in her eyes hadn't faded.
"You make her laugh a lot," she said. "That's not easy." I offered a small smile, unsure of where this was going.
"She makes it easy."
Elsa tilted her head and looked at me. Then, to my surprise, her hand reached forward and lightly touched my arm, brushing her fingers against my sleeve.
"She's not the only one who thinks you're... interesting," Elsa said, the corners of her lips curling ever so slightly. "You've done a lot in a short time."
Elsa stepped even closer now. There wasn't much space between us anymore. Her fingers lingered on my arm just a second longer before she finally pulled them back.
Her voice dropped just a notch. "So, when's my turn?"
I blinked. "Your… turn?"
She raised her brows like I should've known exactly what she meant. "You've taken Anna out. Spent all that time teaching me in the woods. All~.. that~... time~... just the two of us~... in those woods." She dragged her words.
Elsa's expression turned unreadable—mischievous, but still graceful. She leaned in just a little and whispered close to my ear.
"I want to see what a Camden date is like, too."
Then, just like that, she stepped back. Her cool breath still lingered faintly by my cheek. And before I could come up with a clever reply, she turned and walked away.
"Whenever I want, right?" she called behind her without turning around. I watched her retreat down the hall with a stunned smile spreading across my face. Her hips swaying ever so slightly, her night dress hugging her curves perfectly.
God.
I let out a low exhale and walked slowly into my room, shutting the door behind me.
My mind buzzed as I wandered over to the large velvet seat by the fireplace and collapsed onto it with a tired groan. I tugged my loose shirt over my head and tossed it to the side. Kicked off my sandals. Let my head fall back.
What a day.
A date with one princess.
A future date with another.
As the fire crackled beside me and the moon climbed into the starry night, I leaned back and smiled to myself.
"Looks like building a harem of powerful women in this life might actually not be that difficult," I said with a laugh, purely to myself.
Then I caught myself and groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "Okay, Camden, tone it down."
Still grinning, I got up, flopped onto the bed, and stared at the ornate ceiling for a while longer.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
****
[Elsa POV]
My feet felt light as I walked away from Camden, my long pale robe sweeping softly behind me with each step.
My heart, however, was a mess.
Each beat thudded against my ribs with an embarrassing rhythm. It was ridiculous, honestly. I was the crown princess, heir to the great throne of Arrendelle, and I had just whispered into a boy's ear like a lovesick village girl.
I reached the corner at the end of the corridor and leaned against the cool stone wall, pressing my palm flat against it as I took a long, slow breath.
What was that?
I wasn't sure if it had been confidence or impulsiveness that pushed me to say those words—to get that close to him, to feel the warmth of his arm under my fingertips. All I knew was, something in me stirred when I saw him return from his date with Anna, looking so effortlessly… handsome.
I closed my eyes, head falling back against the wall as I tried to calm the soft whirlwind of emotions storming inside me. I could still feel the echo of my whisper, the way he had blinked at me—utterly surprised, maybe even flustered.
And that was the part that got me smiling.
I had gotten to him. He wasn't invincible after all. And yet, what did I expect to happen now? What did I want to happen?
My bare feet padded quietly along the hallway until I reached the doors to my room. I pushed them open with a gentle touch of my magic and stepped inside, the tall doors closing silently behind me.
The room was dim and quiet, lit only by the flicker of a candle on my writing desk and the pale blue light of the moon filtering through the long balcony windows.
I made my way to the mirror first. My reflection stared back at me—long braid, snow-white hair, a faint flush still lingering in my cheeks.
What would people think if they knew Elsa of Arendelle—controlled, refined, always poised—had blushed like a girl fresh out of a romance book?
I gave my reflection a look, lips pressing into a soft, uncertain smile. Then, finally, I moved across the room and opened the tall balcony doors. Cold wind swept in instantly, but it didn't bother me. It never bothered me anyway.
I stepped out and leaned against the marble railing, the lights of the city sparkling faintly below like stars scattered along the mountainside.
Everything felt so calm out here. Too calm, considering the way my mind was racing.
Why did this feel so confusing?
I had lived my life in restraint. Always holding back. Smiling when expected. Keeping a distance from others because of what I was. Because of what I feared I might do. I'd built walls to keep others out and myself in.
But Camden had started knocking those walls down the moment he walked into our lives.
And it wasn't just because he was powerful or heroic or impossibly good at everything. It was because he saw me for WHO I was and not WHAT I was.
He saw my fear in the forest… and didn't judge. He saw my lack of control… and offered guidance instead of judgment. He saw my quiet longing… and never once pushed me to speak before I was ready.
It was strange, comforting and dangerous. Especially because it wasn't just me.
I stepped back into my room and let the balcony doors close behind me. I moved to the side of my bed, ran my fingers over the smooth sheets, then sat down slowly. Still lost in thought.
I wasn't blind. I'd seen the way Anna looked at him. I'd seen the way she clung to him, joked with him, and smiled brighter when he was near. She was always faster to act than I was. Always full of energy, heart-on-her-sleeve. That was who she was.
And it was part of why I'd hesitated. Because I didn't want to take something from her.
But I'd talked to Mother. I'd sat in her chambers one night, asking for advice the only way I knew how. And she had understood.
She'd smiled and said we weren't little girls anymore. That we'd grown up. And growing up meant making our own decisions, and trusting in the love we had for each other to endure those decisions.
Anna would understand. She always did. If not now, then soon.
So… I made my move.
A soft laugh escaped me as I leaned back into my pillows and stared up at the ceiling, arm draped across my forehead. I couldn't believe I'd actually asked him for a date.
What would that date even be like?
My fingers brushed against my lips, still smiling faintly.
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