The north wind howled, and the night quietly enveloped the kingdom of Arendelle.
By the riverbank in the valley, a group of people are working hard, wielding saws, hammering, and cutting ice blocks.
They're loading the ice onto carts to return to Arendelle and even start singing a joyful song.
Among them, there was actually a child. Even though it was work for the adults, he came to join in the fun.
He was chewing on a carrot, and next to him was... a reindeer? To be honest, the reindeer was so small that it was hard to tell.
He clumsily used a big metal clamp to pick up a smaller ice block. By this time, the adults had finished their work, their song had ended, and they had loaded a whole cart full of ice blocks, ready to head back to Arendelle.
"Hey, Aren't you going to take care of that child?"
"Ah! Sven, hurry up!"
Kristoff, who had just placed the ice block, quickly urged as he held a small lamp, pulling the cart of ice blocks along with his little reindeer.
Then, a blue light mist drifted through the sky, just like it had seven years ago.
It seemed to be another restless night.
...
Meanwhile, the dining hall of Arendelle's royal castle was filled with joy and warmth.
"Father, Elsa, and I passed the etiquette test with Teacher Filly today!"
Anna said happily to King Agnar at the dinner table.
"Really? My little Anna has finally passed. I wonder who it was that cried before because she didn't pass."
Queen Iduna teased after hearing this.
"No, no, I didn't cry!"
Anna blushed and quickly defended herself, "It was just that some sand got in my eyes back then..."
But by the end, Anna's voice had gotten so quiet.
Elsa and Elijah didn't know about this.
"Oh~"
El raised an eyebrow and turned her gaze toward Anna.
"Haha, Iduna, don't tease Anna. Look, she's all shy now."
King Agnarr chuckled, "But you all did great today. Your teacher, Miss Filly, came to talk to me before she left. She gave a huge compliment to the three of you, especially El. He learned and practiced the etiquette very quickly and very well. Elsa worked really hard too, and Anna, you did great! You finally passed the test!"
King Agnarr laughed heartily.
What could make a parent happier than seeing their children succeed?
"Hehe!"
Hearing this and noticing El's gaze, Anna's face turned shy. She awkwardly smiled, quickly looking away from his gaze while enjoying her father's praise.
Even Elsa, who was usually much more composed than Anna, couldn't help but smile, but El didn't seem to feel anything.
"Hmph!"
Anna noticed El's gaze, puffed out her cheeks, and turned her face away, not looking at him anymore.
"Anna, I also passed Father's test today."
El said slowly after a pause.
"Really?"
Anna turned her head in surprise.
"Of course! You don't believe me?"
He winked at her with a mischievous grin.
"Hmm, indeed, he really did pass my test."
King Agnarr spoke up at that moment.
"Oh? So, who won in the end? It wasn't little El, was it, my dear Agnarr?"
Queen Iduna joined in the conversation with a smile.
"This..."
King Agnar looked into El's big, innocent, sparkling eyes and actually felt a bit of pressure.
"Come on, tell us, tell us! Father, I want to know too!"
Elsa asked as she noticed King Agnarr hesitating.
"I didn't win against Father."
El said with a small smile, noticing that his father was stuck and didn't know what to say, "We ended in a tie!"
After all, he still had to save his father's face.
"That's right. Even though it was a tie, Eir's progress has been very fast. He's already a qualified knight now."
King Agnarr quickly added, following El's lead and offering some flattering words to maintain the situation.
"Wow! Is he really that amazing?"
Anna and Elsa exclaimed at the same time. Then they looked at each other but said nothing.
Queen Iduna noticed their reactions, and after understanding what was happening, she smiled softly.
"Well, I guess that's enough."
El winked at Anna again.
After all, Anna had asked him to show her some magic before, but he always said Father insisted she pass the final test first.
That was why she stopped asking a bit.
El only agreed this afternoon because he figured the final test was likely coming up soon based on their recent progress.
"Mm!"
Anna nodded eagerly with a big smile spreading across her face.
Elsa, on the other hand, was left feeling puzzled. She had no idea what they were talking about, but she felt a little upset for some reason.
She could only silently continue eating her dinner.
"Agnar, look at how impressive little El is and see how much Anna likes him. Elsa seems a bit jealous, haha!"
Queen Iduna said with a playful smile, watching the little drama unfolding at the table and speaking to King Agnar.
"I really do have the times from my younger days... Ah! Ouch, ouch, ouch! Iduna, let go!"
King Agnarr glanced down at his waist, where his hand was being squeezed, and broke into a slight sweat. He had gotten a bit carried away again.
Their commotion seemed to have caught the attention of the three little kids, who all turned to look at them, confusion written across their faces.
"Hmph!"
Queen Iduna quietly released her grip, letting out a huff as she turned her head away.
King Agnarr gently rubbed the spot where he had been pinched and told the kids to hurry up and finish their meal.