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The beautiful voices from above the coronation ring out into the small but spacious room. Espen stood tall, his cape draped gracefully behind him as his arms folded infront of him.

Anna stood to his right, his sister wearing a kind smile as she watches. The soon to be king breaths deep, about to bow his head but stops when he takes a quick glance to his left.

(Y/N) stood off to the side, her posture strong as she faces forward, a blank expression on her face. The young women glances to tue king, both adults flinching when they catch each others eye.

Espen's baby blue eyes widen for a moment, his pupils dialating as he takes her in. It had been three years since he had seen her, and his chest tightened as he seemed to be in a trance.

Shaking her head, (Y/N) faces forward again, but not before shooting her old friend a quick but gentle smile.

She looks straight, and raises a brow as she watches Anna send a quick wave to her newest friend in the front row.

With a deep breath, Espen bows his head, accepting the crown. It was round, small, spiked edges forming a circle as the tallest stood in the front.

A blue gem sat in the middle of the tear drop shaped curve, glinting in the light as it rests against its King's head.

And now came for the hardest part, as Espen is now presented with the staff and the orb, a crocus, the National flower, dented on each side.

He goes to reach for them, but stops as the advisor clears his throat and speaks, voice just above a whisper.

"Your majesty..the gloves?"

With a deep breath and wide eyes, Espen shakily removes his gloves, his fingers twitching as he picks each item up.

Before turning around, his eyes lock with (Y/N)'s, the young women giving him a solid nod before puffing her chest out. Breath.

Espen nods, turning around, he feels his heart in his ears as he's dubbed the new king. He watches as frost begins to build, and quickly places them back down before shoving his gloves back on.

"..King Espen of Arendelle!"

The room erupts into applause, most women cheering for the new king, flashing him warm smiles as they try to catch his eye.

Espen breaths out, a small smile on his face. He goes to take a step, but stops as he bumps into someone.

"I-I'm terribly sorry-!" He stammers, his voice caught in his throat as he comes face to face with (Y/N). The women only smiles before shaking her head.

"Did you forget that I have to walk infront of you? My Prince?" She teases, causing Espen to chuckle in disbelief.

"I'm the king and yet you still talk to me like that?" He fires back, the guests all watching in disbelief as the two tease eachother.

Anna watches them with wide eyes, her mouth slack before she grins softly, watching as (Y/N) goes to lead her brother out the hall and into the ballroom.

...

Lively music plays as the guests all dance in an elegant circles, most ladies wearing simple, one color dresses while their partners all wore matching tuxedo's.

They all come to an elegant stop as their new King makes his way forward, his ankle high heels tapping against the wooden floor.

"King Espen, of Arendelle!" The room all bow in respect, small smiles on their faces as they greet their ruler.

"Princess Anna, of Arendelle!" Anna carefully makes her way out from behind a curtain where (Y/N) was situated against.

The Captain stares at her King for a good few seconds before turning and raising a brow as her friend stands..several feet away from her brother.

Without a word, (Y/N) takes careful strides towards her before guiding her to stand next to her brother, but not without some resistance.

"Oh here? (Y-Y/N) are you sure?" The princess stammers. "Well I was thinking-!" She makes a noise of surprise as (Y/N) places her right next to her brother before bowing and going to stand next to the King.

Espen's shoulder stiffen as he feels (Y/N)'s presence, but shakes it off with a frown as she goes to quickly stop a guard from leaning against the wall.

The hall brightens up again as the guests all begin to dance once more, the two siblings standing next to eachother silently.

Anna clears her throat, about to turn away but stops as her brother looks down at her and smiles. "Hi.." he greets, his voice deep but smooth like honey.

The princess gulps as she turns to him. "H-hi me? Oh!" She stammers, looking around before turning and facing her brother. "Uhm.hi!"

"You look beautiful." Espen states after a moment, his sister once again smiling nervously. "Thank you! You look beautiful-ler!"

"I mean, not 'fuller. Your don't look fuller.." Espen feels a tight smile play on his lips as he watches his sister stammer out, his chest feeling warm.

"B-but more beautiful!"

The man chuckles softly, "Thank you." He says, before turning and looking around. "So! This is what a party look like.."

Anna purses her lips before chuckling, "it's warmer than I thought." Her brother nods, before they both catch a quick whiff of something delicious.

"And what is that amazing smell?" The two siblings sniff the air together, about to speak but stop as two, small, round chocolates appear infront of their faces.

"Chocolate!" (Y/N) smiles, her posture more relaxed as she tosses the delicacy's into the air and watching with a chuckle as the siblings scramble to catch them.

Anna chuckles, popping the chocolate in her mouth with a hum as her brother smiles softly in gratitude before bringing it to his lips and taking a small, precise bite.

(Y/N) stands in between the two, her fathers jacket around her form as her hands folded infront of her. She wasnet allowed to wear a dress like the many other women in the room.

Instead, she was ordered to dress in her armor, a tight, dark breast plate and loose pants that were tucked rather clumsily into slim boots.

When she was off duty from making sure Espen and his sister were safe, it didn't matter how she dressed.

With a small sigh, the girl looks up at her old friend, a gentle smile on her face as he goes to look at her.

"..hi.."

The two say at the same time before chuckling, causing Espen to nod his head gently in greeting. "You look..breathtaking.." the young king mumbles, his eyes soft and cheeks a light pink.

(Y/N) bites back a grin as she clears her throat before gesturing to her outfit. "This.. is breathtaking?" She jokes, her and Espen chuckling once more, the young man's earlier stiffness long gone.

Anna watches them intently, her brows furrowed before they shoot up at the realization. The soft looks, the heavy breathing, the glazed over eyes! And the fact that her brother's cheeks were flushed red..!

They must be nervous to see eachother after all these years! Yes! That's what's happening!

Before she could say anything, the announcer comes to stand infront of them, a rather..old looking fellow next to him.

"Your majesty, the duke..of Weaselton."

"Weselton!" He interrupts, his voice croaky like that of a frog. "Duke of Weselton, Your Majesty." He greets, causing all three friends to raise a brow.

Espen watches him carefully, bringing the small chocolate to his lips and taking another bite.

"As your closest partner in trade, it seems only fitting that I offer your lovely lady her first dance as your Queen!"

The statement causes Espen to choke on his bit of chocolate. The young man coughs violently, dropping the edible treat and pounding his fist against his chest.

(Y/N) jerks away before rubbing his back soothingly, her face a little flushed at the Dukes misconception. After successfully helping her friend calm down, the young lady goes to speak, but stops as Espen sets a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Uhm..we'll-" he goes to explain but stops and stares, jaw slack, as the Duke begins to do a flurry of gestures and wild moves, the announcer backing away with wide eyes.

The old man comes to a proud stop, bowing his head, he dosent notice as his hair slip off and hang off of his balding head. The group all chortle, trying to hide their laughter but failing.

Espen clears his throat, his face close to (Y/N)'s from laughing as he speaks. "I'm afraid my..lady's first dance belongs to me." He begins, the Duke standing up and frowning.

"But, I'm sure my sister would be open to one..or two?" He offers, his sister staring at him, wide eyed as the old man wraps his arm through hers and leads her away. "Lucky you!"

Espen chuckles as he cringes slightly, "..sorry." He mumbles, (Y/N) laughing as they watch Anna try and keep up. The young women turns to look at her old friend, her eyes wide and smile even wider as she stares at him with fondness.

Espen turns, a small smile on his face as he stares at her softly. "What.." he mumbles through a chuckle, his face perfectly smooth as it catches the light.

(Y/N) tilts her head, causing him to do the same as she continues to stare. "It's..good..to see you smile like this.." she admits, Espen's eyes softening even more so.

Clearing his throat and facing forward, the prince smiles as he watches the people dance. "It's nice watching everyone have so much fun."

(Y/N) turns to face him with a raised brow before standing infront of him, lifting her arms up, she stands in a dance position, Espen's eyes widening.

"Care to dance?" She chuckles nervously, watching carefully as the king hesitantly brings both his arms up to graze her waist. A chill runs up the girls spine as he draws nearer, his breath fanning her face as he still maintained a distance.

Espen goes to grip her waist, but stops and pulls away as his sister draws near.

(Y/N) smiles but nods nonetheless, going to stand in between them once again and chuckling as her friend leans on her.

"He was sprightly!" Espen comments, chuckling as Anna groans. "Especially for man on heels!" She breaths out, leaning against her friend.

"Are you okay?"

"I've never been better!" She says, her smile warm. "This is so nice..I wish it could be like this all the time."

Espen hums softly, looking down at (Y/N) and smiling as she leans into him. "Me too.." but he stops himself, his mind flashing with images of that day.

His sister getting knocked out.

The trolls.

Her white hair.

His fault..all his fault.

"But it can't." He suddenly turns away, (Y/N)'s face turning down as Anna pushes her brother more. "W-why not? If we just-!" She goes to touch him, but Espen pulls away.

"It just can't."

Anna shrinks away, (Y/N) watching with wide eyes as she moves away. "Excuse me for a moment." She excuses herself, her brother sighing as he allows her to leave.

"Anna-wait!" (Y/N) calls out, but stops and sighs as she turns back to her king. "Espen.." she calls, the young man's heart skipping a beat as he hadn't heard her say his name in years.

He hums, still hugging himself as he turns to face her. With a small smile, (Y/N) brings a hand up and rubs his shoulder gently. She notes how he almost shrinks away at her touch, but stops himself and enjoys the feeling.

"You don't have to tell me what's going on..but..I'll be here for you.." she assures, before turning and walking away. Espen watches her leave, his face warm as he brings a hand up and tugs the necklace out of his shirt.

Twirling the ring with his thumb, the king jumps in thought before looking up and watching as (Y/N) chats away with a few more party members.

Maybe..he'd leave the gates open.

——