"For now I need your hidden love, I'm as cold as a new razor blade."

Elsa groaned again under her breath, slouching lower in the ornate chair across from the Italian suitor. His smile was odd, Elsa decided, as she politely excused herself and left the hall, trying not to slam the heavy wooden doors behind her. Anna, who had been waiting outside in the corridor like a puppy, grinned.

"So..?" she beamed, her turquoise eyes wide. "What about this one?"

"No." Elsa said bluntly, scowling a little. "Sorry, Anna, but I'm just not interested." Anna sighed.

"Please, Elsa. Just for me, and for Kristoff. You know the –"

"Rules. Yes, I do, and I'm sorry. Just someone else. Anyone else." Anna sighed, her eyebrows drawn in towards her ocean blue eyes, but she nodded once.

"There's someone coming tomorrow. A Prince… Eirik? Maybe?" she smiled a little, resting a hand on her sister's shoulder and planting a small kiss on her on the cheek. Anna, as she had always done, practically ran back to Kristoff. Elsa slid down the wall, groaning. A trail of white frost followed her, marking her path like a burn. She was the queen, for Odin's sake. Couldn't she, of all people, change the rules about marrying before her sister?

The queen of Arandelle was sick and tired of being bowed to. Yet she smiled, sugar sweet, as Prince Eirik bowed low. He was nothing special, pretty if anything, with green eyes and a charming smile. They dined with Anna and Kristoff, and the four of them struck up conversation amiably. Eirik had no powers of his own, thank goodness, and Elsa spun her champagne glass by the stem gently, watching the liquid inside freeze. By the end of the evening, Anna was motioning towards him happily. She pointed to her fourth finger, where her own engagement ring sat, and mimed putting a crown on. Elsa gave Eirik her softest smile, set down her champagne flute, stood, and curtseyed.

"Sir, would you do me the honour of becoming both my husband and the Prince of Arendelle?" she asked, watching Eirik from underneath her long eyelashes. The briefest of smiles, triumphant and cold, flickered across Eirik's face before he matched her dip with a bow. Elsa extended a slightly shaking hand for Eirik to kiss, and he did so graciously.

"My Queen, it would be my privilege." Eirik stood, nodding once, businesslike and formal, to his fiancée. "The Southern Isles shall be informed immediately of both your offer and our engagement, your majesty." Elsa felt her eyes widen, and she gripped the corner of the table at which they had been dining for support, ignoring the patch of frost that spread from her fingertips.

"The… Southern Isles?" she whispered, glancing up at Eirik. "You're Hans' brother?" Eirik's scowl bothered her.

"Your Majesty, I can vouch for my brothers and myself when I say that Hans was unacceptable to both your kingdom and your sister. I am truly sorry… my dear."

Elsa was always able to detect a liar, and she shivered.

(A/N): Hola cuties! Beth here with Chapter One of Light of the World. PLOT TWIST EH?! Sorry it's so short, both Kat's chapter and the rest of mine are/will be longer when it gets to the juicy stuff. Go follow the fic's tumblr blog, kindlesplashh, and then both of ours (womenandintellectuals)(insanity—on—a—stick) and sit tight for the rest :D