Camden POV
I'd just finished getting dressed, simple brown trousers and a snug black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, nothing fancy, just something comfortable to stretch in. I'd pulled a comb through my hair, still damp from the bath, when a sudden knock jolted me out of my relaxed thoughts.
Before I could even call out, the door flew open.
"Camden!" a voice squeaked.
Anna. Of course, who else could it be?
She stood there, her hair still a little wild from sleep, and wearing what I could only assume were her morning robes — pale green with little sunflowers stitched into the hem.
Her hands were clenched into nervous fists at her sides, cheeks puffed slightly with that stubborn expression I'd come to recognise. She looked like she had hyped herself up for something.
"Anna?" I tilted my head. "Everything alright?"
"I... yeah! Yes. It's just—" She inhaled sharply, her eyes darting to the ceiling, floor, then finally locking with mine. "I was wondering… if you maybe… wanted to go on a date. With me. Today. Or later today. Or whenever you're free. Like now. Or not now. Just sometime. Soon. I mean."
She finally stopped to breathe, her cheeks the shade of a ripe tomato.
I stood there for a moment, stunned. Of all people, I thought I'd be the one nervously spitting out the words like a lovestruck idiot. But she beat me to it.
"I'd love to," I said with warmth.
She blinked at me, frozen for half a second before a squeaky "YES!" popped out of her mouth. "I mean—okay! Cool! I'll just go get ready! Wait here! Or don't! I'll find you! Or you find me!"
She suddenly turned around, her robe billowing out like a cape, and dashed down the corridor, her bare feet softly hitting the palace tiles.
I stood there chuckling to myself.
"A date, huh," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.
Well, now I had to look the part.
With a smile, I walked back inside and tugged off my shirt. If I were going on a date with Princess Anna of Arendelle, even if she didn't act like royalty half the time, I needed to bring my A-game.
Luckily, I'd gotten a few new outfits during our trip to Port Royal, one of which I hadn't worn yet — something a little more… rogueishly handsome, if I may say so.
I laid it out on the bed: a loose cream-colored shirt with an open collar that stopped just short of scandalous, brown pocketed pants that hugged just right around the waist, and a leather belt with a carved lion buckle — an old keepsake.
I picked out a few simple pieces of jewellery, a bronze pendant shaped like a rising sun, two thin rings, and a wrist cuff carved with a flame pattern.
My hair, I tied up into a man bun — neat, but with a few strands purposefully loose to add that windswept pirate charm. I slipped on my favourite sandals, the ones that didn't squeak on marble floors, and gave myself one last glance in the mirror.
"Not bad," I muttered, brushing off imaginary dust from my shoulders.
I stepped into the hallway, the morning air crisp and alive with palace activity. Servants buzzed by carrying vases and platters.
Olaf skated past on a trail of frost, singing about summer, and I simply made my way to the door that led to Anna's chambers, stopping just beside it and leaning on the frame.
I folded my arms and waited.
[Anna's POV]
I slammed the door to my room and leaned against it, panting like I'd just run a marathon. Which I kind of did. Through a hallway. After basically proposing a date.
"What did I just do!?" I squealed, covering my face with both hands.
But I couldn't stop smiling. He said yes. He said yes!
I spun around, bouncing in place like I had fireworks in my feet. The giggles just kept bursting out of me like bubbles in a fizzy drink. Camden said yes. To me. And now I had to make sure I looked like someone worth going on a date with!
Right,
Clothes.
Dress.
Shoes.
Hair!
I darted across the room and flung open my wardrobe like it had offended me. Too poofy. Too glittery. Too… Elsa. I needed something cute but not over-the-top. Playful, but elegant. And definitely something I wouldn't trip over.
After going through about ten dresses and chucking four onto the floor, I pulled out a sky-blue sundress with flower embroidery along the hem — soft, breathable fabric with a fitted waist and flowing skirt that hit just below my knees.
Paired with that, I found a cropped cream cardigan, in case it got chilly, and some flat brown shoes that had just the right amount of polish.
Yes. That would do.
Next up: hair.
I plopped down in front of the mirror, grabbed my brush and went to work. I settled on two loose braids tied together in the back with a ribbon — kind of like a crown, but not fancy-fancy. More natural. Cute.
When I was done, I stood back and looked at myself.
I did a little spin. "Date-ready Anna," I whispered, then laughed nervously.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder… was this too much? Would he like it? Would he think it was me?
But then I remembered the way he smiled at me when I asked him out, the way his eyes crinkled, that slight tilt of his head like I was a puzzle he wanted to understand.
So I took a deep breath, shook out my nerves, and opened the door.
And there he was, leaning against the wall, one foot crossed over the other, arms folded, shirt unbuttoned just enough to show a sliver of his chest (that he definitely knew was distracting), and his black hair tied up with just the right amount of "messy on purpose."
I blinked. "You… look like trouble."
He smirked. "Good. I was going for that."
A few minutes later,
Camden and I walked side by side through the palace corridors, my arm hooked through his.
I didn't even care how fast my heart was beating or how hot my ears felt—because he didn't let go. He let me hold on. His stride was calm, like we'd done this a dozen times. Like this was normal.
We passed a few maids and guards who bowed respectfully, though one of the older footmen raised an eyebrow and gave me a tiny smirk. I ignored it. Or tried to.
I peeked up at Camden's face. The sunlight filtering through the windows hit his cheekbones just right, and his tied-up black hair made him look way too dashing for someone I dragged out on a date with no notice.
Meanwhile, I was praying that my breath didn't stink and my cardigan wasn't lopsided.
Then, he glanced down at me, one brow raised. "So," he said with a teasing lilt in his voice. "Are you gonna tell me what suddenly brought on the whole 'date me or else' thing this morning?"
I laughed, maybe a little too loud, and looked away, pretending to focus on a painting of a shipwreck on the wall. "That obvious, huh?"
"I thought it was cute," he said, gently nudging me with his elbow.
I smiled down at my shoes.
"You don't have to tell me if it's a secret," he added, softer this time. "I was just curious."
I exhaled. "No, no… I do want to tell you. It's just... kinda awkward."
He didn't say anything. Just walked beside me with that patient energy of his, the one that somehow said "take your time" without needing words. So I did.
[Flashback]
[A night ago]
It had been a lazy evening. I was sprawled across my bed, hair still damp from a late bath, snacking on leftover lemon cakes I'd stolen from the kitchens. My mom, Iduna, sat at my vanity, combing her own hair.
She sometimes liked hanging out in our rooms after dinner when she wasn't tired, just chatting about her day, asking about ours.
I was telling her about how Olaf accidentally put snow in the fireplace again and how Elsa forced him to clean it up, when she suddenly turned and looked at me with that unreadable Mom Face.
"What?" I asked, licking crumbs off my finger.
She gave me a once-over. "So… when are you going to make your move on Camden?"
I choked on my cake.
"I—excuse me!?"
"You heard me," she said, cool as ice, putting the comb down. "When are you going to make your move?"
I spluttered, waving my hands. "Wh-why would I...you think I—He's—Mother!"
"Oh, please, Anna." She chuckled and turned fully toward me, resting her chin on her palm. "I've seen the way you look at him."
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. "That's—That doesn't mean I'm—I'm not—ugh."
"Anna." Her voice softened. "You've liked him since the first time you saw him. You were practically glowing."
"No, I wasn't."
"You were humming and skipping around for two days straight." I buried my face in a pillow. "That was a coincidence."
"You did that thing where you spontaneously start singing. I never understood how you do it"
"Fine!" I groaned, peeking over the pillow. "Okay, fine. Maybe I… like him. A little. A smidge. A crumb."
She smiled, triumphant. "I knew it."
"But that doesn't mean I'm going to do anything about it!"
"Why not?"
I sat up fully now. "Because… I don't know if he feels the same. And besides… what if there's something between him and Elsa?"
Mom tilted her head slightly. "Elsa?"
"I mean, he trains with her all the time," I muttered, playing with a loose thread on my sleeve. "They've got this deep chemistry between them. Sometimes she looks at him like… I don't know. I just don't want to ruin that."
Mom didn't speak right away. She stood, walked over, and sat beside me on the bed. "Anna," she said gently. "I already talked to Elsa."
I blinked. "You what?"
"She talks to me, you know," she said, laughing softly. "More than you realise. And I asked her what she felt about Camden."
My stomach twisted into knots. "What did she say?"
"She said she admires him. That she is not yet 100% sure if what she feels is appreciation or love," Mom said. "That he helped her open up in ways no one else ever has. But she also said she sees him more like a friend… or a big-hearted older brother. Someone she trusts."
I didn't know what to say to that. Relief, maybe. But also confusion.
"I think Elsa's learning how to be happy," Mom continued, brushing some hair behind my ear. "And Camden's helped her with that. But that doesn't mean she's in love with him. At least not yet, she'll get there eventually"
I swallowed. "But what if he doesn't see me that way either?"
"Then you'll survive," she said honestly. "But what if he does? You'll regret not trying." That hit me in the chest. Like a bell ringing deep in my ribs.
"You're overthinking it," she said, tapping my nose. "You've always been full of life. Camden likes that. I've seen the way he watches you when you talk. Like you're a sunrise he wasn't expecting."
I sat there, a little stunned.
"Besides," she added with a grin. "He's finished training Elsa. You're almost fully healed. You know he'll be heading off on some new wild adventure soon. If you're going to tell him how you feel… now is the time."
That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept tossing and turning, her words echoing in my ears.
'What if he does? You'll regret not trying.'
[End of Flashback]
"And that's how I ended up storming into your room like a lunatic," I said with a half-shrug. "Sorry if I scared you."
Camden chuckled. "I mean, you did burst in like a thunderstorm in human form, but… I'm glad you did."
I looked up at him, surprised. He smiled down at me. "I like spending time with you, Anna. Always have."
My chest felt warm.
We walked in comfortable silence for a moment. Outside the palace doors, a carriage was waiting, already prepared with cushions, blankets, and even a tiny packed lunch basket tucked in one corner.
Camden helped me into the seat before climbing in beside me, and as the carriage started rolling toward town, I felt like my cheeks couldn't stop burning.
*-*-*-*
[Camden POV]
I'll admit it—I had no idea what to expect when Anna asked me out on this "date." Especially not this.
The carriage rocked gently beneath us as it rolled into town, the polished wood glinting in the morning light.
From the moment we crossed through the town gates, I could hear it. Music. Laughter. The sound of haggling, dancing, and boots on cobblestone. The town square was alive.
Anna leaned forward eagerly, practically pressed to the glass window of the carriage. "Oh wow, look! They put up ribbons this year!"
I smiled, a little amused by how excited she was over ribbons of all things.
The festival had taken over the entire square. Booths were set up in tightly packed rows along the streets, with vendors calling out their wares—painted masks, glittering necklaces, spiced nuts, fried dough, and clothes dyed in every hue you could imagine.
Children ran wild in the alleys between stalls with painted faces and balloon animals, and musicians played on makeshift stages to groups of cheerful townsfolk.
Anna turned to me, her eyes lit with excitement. "Isn't this perfect?"
"It's not bad," I said casually, adjusting the simple chain necklace I'd thrown on. I didn't want to look like a walking jewel box, but I didn't want to embarrass her either. "I mean, I've seen better."
She gave me a look.
"I'm kidding. It's amazing. You were right. This was a good idea."
"I know," she grinned, then nudged me. "Now come on."
The moment we stepped out of the carriage, something happened that I didn't quite expect.
The townsfolk saw Anna.
And they cheered.
"Princess Anna!"
A chorus of greetings followed. People waved, cheered her name, clapped their hands. A little girl in a tattered red dress ran up to hug her leg before dashing off with a giggle.
There was no sense of cold distance between her and them. No strained formalities or forced bows. These people didn't just respect Anna.
They loved her.
She waved back, her face beaming. "Hi! Hello! Happy Festival Day!"
I watched her with quiet admiration as she took it all in stride, greeting people by name, hugging elderly women, and asking kids how tall they'd grown since last winter. She was absolutely in her element—warm, vibrant, utterly at ease among the people.
And me? I just walked beside her, mostly unnoticed, and honestly, I was fine with that. I mean, I was just a guy at a festival, accompanying a girl who made the whole world feel a little brighter. What's there to notice about a guy like that?
She looped her arm in mine again. "Come on, I want to show you the paper gliders!"
"Paper—?"
Before I could finish the question, she dragged me through a crowd of dancing couples and pulled me toward a booth manned by a lanky man with crooked spectacles.
He handed Anna a folded piece of paper, then gave me a wink and handed me one too.
"Ready?" Anna asked.
"For what?"
"Race," she grinned. "On the count of three. Winner gets… bragging rights."
I smirked. "You're on."
"One… two… three!"
We both threw our gliders into the air. Hers twirled like a drunk seagull before making a graceful dip toward a bread cart. Mine sailed high, catching a lucky breeze—and then flew straight into a flower vendor's hat.
"Oh no!" I muttered, trying to apologise as the woman shrieked and batted it off her head.
Anna laughed so hard she bent over, holding her stomach. "That was amazing!"
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Not my finest moment."
"You still won though," she said, still giggling. "I guess I owe you bragging rights."
"Nah. You can keep those. I'll take the laughter."
She looked at me, caught off guard by the line, and for a moment, we just stood there. No words. Just sunlight, a town full of laughter, and a shared silence that didn't feel awkward at all.
"Come on," she said after a beat, tugging my hand. "We've got more to see!"
The morning flew by like that—laughing, playing, wandering.
We played ring toss and lost terribly. We watched a puppet show and sat on a bench next to a pair of snoring old men.
At one point, a group of kids roped us into a dance circle, and while I tried to follow the clapping rhythm, Anna outshone everyone with her uncoordinated enthusiasm. She didn't care about steps or precision—just joy.
We even passed a booth where a fortune teller offered to read our destinies. I gave the woman a suspicious side-eye, but Anna was curious. The woman looked into a glass orb, muttered something about "fire and ice," then winked at Anna and said she'd marry a dark-haired man with powerful hands.
Anna turned beet red.
I didn't say anything, but… I might have smiled a little.
By midday, the festival square smelled like a bakery and a spice market had collided. I swear I could taste cinnamon just by breathing. But my stomach growled hard enough to make Anna laugh.
"Okay, okay," she said, fanning herself. "Let's find food."
We weaved through the crowd, pausing every so often to let kids run by or avoid a dancing goat. Yes, there was a dancing goat. Its owner claimed it had rhythm, but I was fairly certain it was just trying to escape.
Eventually, we found a large circle of food carts at the edge of the square, and my eyes widened at the sheer number of options.
Skewers, meat pies, thick soups in bread bowls, fruit glazes on roasted fish, stacks of sticky buns, and something that looked like melted cheese inside a fried pastry pocket.
Anna clapped her hands. "I want everything."
"Let's not bankrupt the kingdom," I said, holding out a few coins from my pocket. "Pick something you'll actually finish."
"Challenge accepted."
We ended up sharing a big platter of fire-roasted turkey legs, crisped potatoes with cheese and herbs, and two honey-sweet buns so good I nearly proposed to the baker on the spot.
We sat on a low stone wall by the edge of the square, watching the parade of jugglers, dancers, and performers go by.
Anna's lips were sticky from the bun, her hair a little windblown. She looked happier than I'd ever seen her.
"You know," I said, licking honey from my thumb, "this might be my first ever festival "
She looked at me, eyes gleaming. "Really?"
"Yeah. Never really had a chance or incentive to go to one back in Eldoria"
Anna leaned back on her hands, stretching her legs. "That's what I like about being here. It's a festival every day, some more than others. " A silence passed between us again, but not a bad one.
She reached into the paper bag and tore the last bit of sticky bun in half, handing it to me. "You did win the glider race, after all."
"Don't think I forgot that," I said, taking it. "Still waiting for my official bragging ceremony."
"Maybe later," she teased.
By the time the sun passed its peak, the square was glowing with golden light. Lanterns were being lit early, giving everything a soft warmth. Anna sighed beside me, stretching like a cat.
"I'm not ready to go back to the palace yet," she murmured.
I looked at her, really looked, and felt the same thing. A quiet wish to just… freeze this moment. Keep it tucked away where nothing could break it.
"Well," I said, brushing the crumbs off my pants, "good thing we've still got hours before sundown."
"Onto the next part!"
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