Elsa stepped out of the carriage, her heels clicking against the cobblestones as she gazed up at the glittering spires of the vacation castle. The bright summer sun shimmered across the lake that circled the courtyard, and pastel banners flapped in the breeze. It was supposed to be a relaxing retreat—an annual gathering of the princesses, free from royal duties, court politics, and expectations.
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But the moment Elsa stepped inside, a cold dread prickled beneath her skin. Not from her powers, but from the atmosphere. Something was… off.
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“Elsa!” Belle called out, rushing toward her with a glowing smile. She wrapped her arms around her in a warm hug. “We’re so happy you finally made it!”
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Elsa returned the hug, but her eyes darted around the great hall. Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Aurora, even Rapunzel—they were all there, dressed in flowing gowns and glowing with what looked like contentment. And yet…
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Beside each of them stood a man.
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Most were handsome, smiling, confident. But Elsa’s unease grew as she watched them.
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“Did I miss something?” she asked, quietly, as Belle guided her toward a seat. “Did we decide to bring guests this year?”
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Belle’s smile faltered for the briefest moment. “Oh. Well. It just… happened. One by one. We’re all married now.”
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“Married?” Elsa blinked. “All of you?”
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Belle nodded, clasping her hands. “Yes! Isn’t it wonderful?”
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Elsa’s gaze swept the room again. Ariel was holding hands with Prince Eric, staring at him like he held the secrets of the sea. Cinderella leaned against Prince Charming’s shoulder, silent and dainty. Snow White was laughing at something her prince had said—but the laugh sounded too high, too sweet, like it had been rehearsed. And Aurora… Aurora’s prince had his hand resting tightly on her waist, fingers digging in a little too hard.
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“How long have you… known them?” Elsa asked, her voice more pointed now.
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Belle hesitated. “Well, I met Beast—Adam—when I was his prisoner, but—”
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“I know your story,” Elsa interrupted, trying to keep her tone light. “But everyone else?”
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“Aurora met Phillip once, in the forest. Snow was… well, she woke up to a kiss. And Ariel traded her voice just to get close to Eric.”
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Elsa’s heart sank. “You married men you barely knew.”
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Belle blinked at her. “We love them.”
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Elsa took a step back, her frost trailing behind her on the polished floor. “Or you were expected to. Because that’s what stories say, isn’t it? That love is something immediate. Instant. A glance, a dance, a kiss. And then… marriage.”
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A hush fell over the room. Even the princes turned to stare at her.
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“Elsa,” Cinderella began, gently. “You’ve always been… different.”
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Elsa’s eyes flickered to her. “Different because I didn’t need someone to save me?”
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“No,” Rapunzel said softly. “Different because you didn’t want someone.”
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“That’s not true,” Elsa replied. “I just didn’t want to be told who to want.”
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The silence grew heavier, like snowclouds about to burst.
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One of the princes—Charming, perhaps—chuckled. “Come now. She’s just lonely. That’s all. That’s why she’s angry.”
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“I’m not angry,” Elsa said, her breath frosting in the air. “I’m concerned. You all gave yourselves away to strangers, to the first man who looked your way or kissed your lips. That’s not love. That’s fantasy. And I thought we were stronger than that.”
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Snow White stepped forward, eyes wide and trembling. “But what were we supposed to do, Elsa? We were told our whole lives that a prince would come. That a kiss would change everything. That marriage was the reward. That love would be easy.”
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“And has it been?” Elsa asked, voice low. “Is it easy?”
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No one answered.
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Elsa sighed, letting the frost melt from her fingers. “I’m not saying love is wrong. But love takes time. Trust. Knowing someone. Choosing them, not just accepting them.”
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Belle, quiet now, looked down. “What do we do, then?”
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“Talk to them,” Elsa said gently. “Really talk. Ask questions. Demand answers. Decide if the person next to you is someone you would have chosen—not someone the story chose for you.”
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There was a beat of silence. Then, slowly, Aurora stepped away from Phillip’s tight grip. “I don’t even know what kind of food he likes.”
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“I never told Eric about my sisters,” Ariel murmured.
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“I’m not even sure what Charming’s kingdom looks like,” Cinderella whispered.
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Elsa smiled, just a little. “Then maybe… this vacation is a chance. To find out. To decide for yourselves.”
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The room exhaled all at once, like it had been holding its breath for years.
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And outside the castle, the snow on the mountains began to melt—not from heat, but from truth.
