Chapter 52: Elsa’s distress!

Night time.

As Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff sat together, sharing dinner with Lioro, the conversation took an unexpected turn when Lioro casually announced.

"I will be leaving."

A spoon slipped from Elsa's hand, clattering against the table before bouncing off and landing on the floor.

Kristoff's eyes followed the fallen spoon as he prepared for the drama.

Elsa's mind moved.

Leaving?

Why?

Why leaving!?

Why is Lioro leaving!?!?!?!?!?

Elsa's heart pounded in her chest. A deep unease gripped her.

"Why are you going?!" she asked, her voice unusually loud.

Lioro gave her a confused look before answering matter-of-factly,

"Because I want to?"

Elsa's face fell.

"I-I meant why? Why all of a sudden? Did you not like anything? Did something bother you? Was it Kristoff? Did he say something? Why are you leaving...?"

Her voice grew quieter as she muttered to herself, her hands trembling slightly.

Kristoff raised his hands in defense, giving Anna a baffled look as if to say, What did I do?!

Feeling overwhelmed by her barrage of questions, Lioro sighed and replied plainly—

"I'm going home."

Elsa froze.

She stared at him, gripping the fabric of her dress beneath the table. Then, after a long pause, she slowly sat back down, reaching for another spoon in silence.

Anna, noticing her sister's changing expression, quickly turned to Lioro.

"Lioro… did something happen?" she asked hesitantly.

Lioro sliced a piece of fish from his plate and replied,

"Not really. I came here for a short vacation, and now… it's time to leave."

"This…"

Anna bit her lip, looking troubled.

Because, realistically, what he said made sense.

Unlike Kristoff, who made a living selling ice, or her, who had always stayed in Arendelle, Lioro was different.

Everything about him, the way he carried himself, his expensive-looking clothes, his mastery of magic, and his overwhelming strength, pointed to one conclusion.

Lioro had a background far beyond their world.

Was he the prince of some distant kingdom? The heir to a powerful noble house? A runaway from a hidden society of powerful sorcerers?

If that was the case, it was only natural for him to return.

But then…

What about Elsa?

What about her poor sister?

Anna felt her chest tighten as she looked at her sister's blank expression.

Elsa had only just begun smiling again. And now, that light in her eyes was fading, returning to the same lonely look she had before.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow," Lioro continued, smiling as he took another bite. "It was fun spending time with all of you."

Elsa bit her lower lip.

Anna opened her mouth to say something, anything, to change his mind—but no words came out.

Kristoff scratched his head, glancing between Elsa and Anna before letting out a quiet sigh.

After finishing his meal, Lioro excused himself, saying he had something to do.

As soon as he left the room, Anna shot up from her seat and wrapped her arms around Elsa.

Elsa looked at her sister with blurred vision.

"Anna… I… I don't want him to leave..."

"Oh, Elsa…"

The two sisters clung to each other in silence.

Kristoff watched them for a moment, then sighed and stood up. Without saying a word, he turned and hurried after Lioro.

----

In the corridor.

"Lioro, wait up!"

Lioro blinked his eyes and stopped before turning around.

It was Kristoff.

"What's up?", Lioro asked seeing the running Kristoff.

"You…" He took a deep breath before asking, "Do you not love Elsa?"

"Where did that come from?", Lioro gave him a confused look.

Seeing his reaction, Kristoff's eyes widened.

'It couldn't be.....', He thought in his mind.

'There is no way this bastard hasn't noticed that Elsa likes him.....'

Just to be sure, Kristoff asked.

"You....do know that Elsa liked you right?"

"Elsa likes me?", Lioro tilted his head.

Kristoff stared at him in disbelief.

Then, without warning, he grabbed Lioro by the shoulders and started shaking him.

"You dumb wizard!"

Lioro easily slipped out of his grip, rolling his eyes.

"I'm not dumb, I'm Lioro."

"God dammit!"

Seeing Kristoff's reaction, Lioro smiled and then said.

"Alright, I was joking calm down."

Kristoff narrowed his eyes.

"What?"

"I can see that Elsa has a favorable impression of me, I just don't to what extent.", Lioro said while shaking his head.

Why would a girl who didn't like you go out of her way to wake you up every day and take you out on a random tour?

He was just somewhat unsure, wondering whether Elsa saw him as a friend or something more.

"If you knew then why did you say that?", Kristoff asked with an incomprehensible look on his face.

"Say what?"

"That you're leaving!"

"Well, I am leaving."

"You saw how sad she was! And you still—?!"

"I have to go back," Lioro interrupted. "I can't stay here forever."

It's not like he wasn't going to come back, the magic lamp and other Disney treasures were still waiting for him.

"Then just take her with you!", Rhythm said in exasperation.

"It's not that simple...", Lioro said then explained to Kristoff, giving him a general, basic idea of the situation.

Originally Lioro planned to ask Elsa if she wanted to join Hestia familia.

But the more time he spent with her the more he understood about the deeper bond Elsa and Anna had.

The sisters loved each other.

If he were to take away Elsa, then she would definitely be sad.

And he couldn't just take both of them away, ignoring the fact that Anna like Kristoff, just who was going to manage the kingdom if both of them left?

This was their birthplace and held a special place in both of their hearts.

Coming with Lioro will mean giving up on something.

He didn't want Elsa to make such a decision.

So he didn't say it.

And truthfully? At this point, he saw Elsa more as a good friend than a lover.

Her playful personality reminded him of a close companion rather than a romantic partner.

Sure, when they first met, he saw her as an incredibly beautiful woman. But as they spent time together, his perspective shifted.

Maybe if they spent even more time together, his feelings would change again.

Emotions were complicated.

"Then why not tell her this?."

Kristoff asked.

"Because then she will be sad."

"You think she's not sad right now?! Or will not be even more sad after you leave?"

"My departure will hurt her less than her separation with Anna, after all, it hasn't even been a week since we met."

Lioro shrugged his shoulders.

"Good night Kristoff, I'll see you tomorrow."

Seeing his retreating back, Kristoff shook his head and said under his breath.

"I don't understand if you are being considerate or just plain stupid...."

Turning back around, Kristoff made his way back to the dining room.

"I still think they have the right to know, if you won't then I will, as for the decision? That will depend on Elsa."

Lioro saw Kristoff running back but didn't say anything.

If Elsa decides to come with him, then he will not reject her.

But he wanted her to make the decision herself to not have regret.

Even if he saw her more as a friend, Lioro couldn't deny that he didn't like her.

After all, Elsa was...just too lovely.

----

Back at the dining table.

"He didn't tell you because he didn't want to make you choose," Kristoff said, his voice softer now. "Lioro thinks that if he asks, you'll feel like you have to go with him, even if it means leaving behind everything here, your home, your sister."

Elsa stared at him, her fingers clenching around the fabric of her dress. "...He really said that?"

Kristoff nodded. "He's trying to be considerate in the dumbest way possible, by simply leaving."

Her heart clenched painfully at the thought.

It wasn't fair.

They had only just begun spending time together, laughing, exploring Arendelle, and sharing little moments. But now, just like that, he was leaving.

"Elsa."

She looked up and found Anna staring at her, her face a mix of concern and determination. 

"Anna..." Elsa said weakly.

"I think I understand. He thinks staying here would make things difficult for you," Anna said softly. "This is your home, and you wouldn't want to leave. If he asked, you might say yes and regret it later."

Elsa's lips parted in shock. "He... thinks that?"

Kristoff nodded. "Yeah. He doesn't want you to make a decision you'd regret."

For a moment, Elsa was silent. Then, she whispered, "What about you, Anna? Won't you be sad if I leave?"

Anna smiled softly and squeezed her hands. "Of course, I'll be sad. You're my sister, and I love you more than anything." She took a deep breath, her eyes serious. "But I also want you to be happy. And Elsa… you've been happier in these past few days than I've ever seen you before."

Elsa's breath hitched.

"You love Arendelle, but it's not the walls of this castle that make it home, it's the people," Anna continued. "And if there's someone out there who makes you happy, who makes you feel like you can be yourself... then shouldn't you be with them?"

Kristoff chimed in, "Besides, you're not leaving forever, right? Just like he said, you can visit."

Elsa's mind raced.

She had spent her entire life locked away, afraid of the world, afraid of herself. And then Lioro appeared, pulling her out of her comfort zone, and showing her things she never thought possible.

Would she truly be okay just letting him leave?

Her heart knew the answer before her mind did.

"...I want to go with him."

Anna's eyes widened before a bright smile spread across her face. "Then what are you waiting for? Go tell him!"

Elsa hesitated for only a second before standing up, her resolve firm. Without another word, she turned and dashed out of the room.

Kristoff whistled. "She's got that determined look. That wizard's not gonna know what hit him."

Anna laughed, watching her sister leave in a hurry.

She's finally chasing after what she wants.

But she...couldn't help but be sad.

Unknowingly tears started falling out of Anna's eyes.

Kristoff lowered his eyes and silently hugged her.

----

Lioro sat in his room, staring at the map he took from the library, trying to understand this world's geography.

Then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," he said without much thought.

The door opened, and Elsa stepped inside.

Lioro raised an eyebrow. "Elsa?"

She closed the door behind her, standing there for a moment before taking a deep breath and saying.

"I want to come with you."

Lioro blinked.

Then blinked again.

"Uh… what?"

Elsa stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. "I want to come with you, Lioro. I've thought about it. I don't want to stay here while you leave. I want to see the world with you."

Lioro studied her face. "Are you sure? This isn't just a small trip, you'll be leaving behind your home, your kingdom, and your sister."

"I know," Elsa said, her voice steady. "Anna was the one who made me realize it. She told me that my happiness matters too."

Lioro leaned back in his chair, letting out a small chuckle. "That sister of yours… she's something else."

That's a Disney princess for you.

"She is," Elsa smiled softly. "And she told me that if you make me happy, I should go with you."

Lioro stared at her for a moment before asking again. "You really decided?"

Elsa nodded. "Yes."

A moment of silence passed between them before Lioro smirked lightly. "Well then, welcome to the familia, Elsa."

Elsa exhaled in relief, a genuine smile forming on her lips.

"Then it's settled."

----

Just as she was about to leave, Lioro asked her.

"Do you know about the magic forest?"

It was the plot from Frozen 2, since he was taking Elsa away, he had to get rid of future trouble.

"Magic forest? Yes my father told me about it.....", Elsa said with a reminiscing look on her face.

It was a forest where the four elemental spirits stayed, communicating with humans, and letting them use their powers.

Unfortunately, everything changed after an incident and the forest was closed off by a magical mist.

"My grandfather.... he died in the accident along with Arendelle's guards....", Elsa lowered her eyes.

Although she never saw her grandparents, their loss must have been devastating for her father at the time.

And now she experienced the same thing with her father and mother gone.