Chapter 76– A Morning of Resolve

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The early morning light filtered through the clouds that blanketed Arendelle, casting a gentle glow over the snow-covered rooftops. The city was quiet, the kind of hush that came after several stormy nights. Despite the persistent snowflakes still drifting lazily down from the sky, the wind had softened.

Ethan stood on the balcony outside the guest room of the castle, his arms resting on the frosty marble railing. He watched the light slowly stretch across the horizon, casting warm hues against the white below.Still snowing, he thought, eyes narrowed.In the movie, the snow stopped when Anna sacrificed herself for Elsa… when Elsa realized that love was the key.He tapped his fingers lightly on the stone.But it didn't happen like that here. Anna didn't freeze. There was no moment of that kind of sacrifice. So…He sighed.Something's off. Maybe my presence changed things. Or maybe this version of the world is more complicated than the one in the movie.His brows furrowed. The system was still silent. Not even a loading bar. Nothing.

He rubbed his temples. This wasn't like a dungeon challenge or a monster to defeat. This was emotional magic, tied to trauma, love, fear—and healing.

"I'll figure this out," he muttered under his breath.

As if summoned by the soft echo of his voice, footsteps approached from behind.

He turned and saw Elsa standing there. She had wrapped herself in a light blue cloak, lined with silver fur. The morning light shimmered off the tips of her long, platinum hair, and her pale blue eyes sparkled with something softer than her usual cautious gaze.

"…Good morning," she said quietly.

Ethan offered a small smile. "Morning."

She joined him at the balcony, standing just a step away. Her fingers traced the edge of the frosty rail.

The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. It was thoughtful.

Elsa finally spoke.

"I wanted to thank you… for what you've done."

Ethan blinked. "Huh?"

She looked up at him, her cheeks lightly dusted with pink.

"You didn't have to help us. You could've walked away the moment you realized this wasn't your world. But instead, you stayed. You helped me and Anna come back together again. You helped her when I couldn't."

Ethan looked away for a second, unsure how to respond.

"It's… what I do," he said softly. "I help where I can. If I can protect people, then I will."

There was something about the way he said it—simple, calm, but filled with quiet conviction. The kind of voice that didn't seek praise or recognition. Just the truth of a decision made.

Elsa found herself staring at him. Her heart beat a little faster.

"…We can fix this," Ethan added, turning back to her with a gentle smile. "I believe we can."

Elsa looked into his eyes. For the first time in a long while, she didn't feel alone. She didn't feel like she was a danger to everyone around her.

"…You really believe that?" she asked, her voice a whisper.

Ethan nodded. "I do."

Her gaze dropped for a second. Then, in a voice so soft it was almost carried away by the wind, she murmured, "Anna's lucky… having you with her."

But Ethan didn't catch it. He was watching the sunrise again, lost in thought.

Elsa shook her head slightly, then quickly composed herself.

Just then, a familiar burst of energy broke the moment.

"Good morning!"

Princess Anna stepped out onto the balcony, still wrapped in a red cloak, her freckles dusted with a fresh chill. Her auburn hair was a little tousled from sleep, but her smile was bright and carefree.

Ethan smiled. "Morning, Princess."

Elsa turned, visibly relaxing. "You're up early."

"I smelled breakfast," Anna said with a wink. "That, or Olaf made pancakes again and caught the curtains on fire."

Ethan blinked. "Wait, what?"

Elsa sighed, smiling. "We should probably check that."

Anna took Ethan's arm without hesitation. "Come on, you too. I feel like you both need a break from being all broody."

"I'm not broody," Elsa muttered.

"You're totally broody," Anna grinned.

As the three of them walked back into the castle, Elsa allowed herself one glance back at the sunrise. The sky was clearer now—just slightly.

And for the first time since the eternal winter began, Elsa believed that maybe, just maybe…

They could fix this.

Later that day, Ethan wandered the grand halls of the castle, his mind once again consumed by possibilities.If love was the key, then why didn't it work the same way?Maybe Anna's love wasn't tested in the same way… or maybe Elsa's realization hasn't hit that emotional threshold yet.He stopped near the entrance of the library and leaned against the wall.I can't brute force this. I can't fight a winter storm with a sword or magic. This is different.He sighed.

Then a voice called from behind him again.

"Ethan."

It was Kai, the castle steward.

The man approached with a small bow. "Your Highness Princess Anna asked me to inform you that she and Queen Elsa would like to speak with you in the strategy chamber after lunch. They've asked you to attend a discussion on what to do next regarding Arendelle's weather."

Ethan nodded. "Understood. I'll be there."

Kai smiled faintly. "You're quite the guest, Master Ethan. Arendelle hasn't been this lively in months."

As Kai walked away, Ethan looked out a tall window.

Snowflakes continued to fall.

Soft.

Endless.I don't know if I can fix this alone.But maybe I don't have to.That evening, as the sun dipped behind the mountains and cast a soft blue hue over the snow, Ethan stood on the castle's north balcony again. The same one where he and Elsa had spoken that morning.

He stared up at the sky, at the swirling flakes.

In his mind, he could still hear the voice of the intelligent monster from the dungeon before he was thrown into this world.Why here? Why now?Is this just a test? Or something more?He felt a presence beside him.

It was Elsa again.

This time, she didn't speak right away.

She just stood beside him. Quiet. Thoughtful.

The cold didn't bother either of them anymore.

Then, softly, she said, "We'll figure this out. Together."

Ethan turned and smiled.

"Yeah," he replied. "Together."

But as they stood in silence, a gust of wind stirred.

A deep hum—strange, magical—whispered across the wind.

Elsa stiffened.

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

"…Did you hear that?"

She nodded.

They weren't alone.

And something was calling.

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