Chapter Text
To say Elise was happy to be on her way back to Kieferberg would be… a lie.
Quite honestly, if she’d never had to step foot back in this rotten stain of a town, it would have been too soon. Under ordinary circumstances, she would have entirely shot down the idea of coming back. No way, no how. Not for all the tiffle in the world! However…
The circumstances, as they were right now, were quite extraordinary.
Of course, this visit wasn’t her idea. Rather, it had been her lovely girlfriend, Freya’s.
Freya. In many ways, Freya was truly Elise’s wish come true. Sure, she didn’t live in a castle, lording over all the commoners in the finest wares tiffle could buy. Frankly, she didn’t need such things. Not anymore, at least. She and Freya were living a life far more comfortable than either of them could have ever predicted. It wasn’t the selfish, effortless life she had so vainly wished for two years back; quite the opposite really. She constantly had her hands full at the Grape Jewel, assisting with managing the rather large amount of orders they’d received these days.
In time, their little shop had become a shining star in Primeldorf, bringing in everyone from beleaguered maids looking to mend an apron or two to haughty blue-bloods looking for a necklace to complement whatever finery they had laid out for the evening. Every kind felt truly welcome. This was thanks, in no small part, to the woman who had laid it all on the line to pursue her truest passion. Freya would never allow herself to take all the credit; she was far too humble for that, no matter how much praise her doting partner would pile onto her. It was something Elise truly adored about Freya. One of many things, honestly.
Kind, honest, full of love for the world. Pretty, too. Very, very pretty.
No wonder Elise used to be so envious of her.
It was a miracle everything up until now had gone so well. Elise seemed to be a magnet for trouble after all, it came with her more brash and standoffish demeanor. (Also could have had something to do with the malicious beings wanting to tempt her into perdition, but that was in the past! She really didn't want to think about all of that these days.) Those thoughts aside, she only wanted the best for Freya. She did give up the promise of unfathomable luxury for her, after all. She’d do it a million times over. As far as Elise was concerned, Freya was her true fate. This was equal parts amazing and terrifying.
Amazing because of, well, the obvious. The terrifying part, however, came in the form of something Elise had been agonizing over for the better part of a month.
Proposing.
This was part of the reason she'd decided to indulge Freya’s growing homesickness. Whether either of them liked it or not, Kieferberg was a major part of them both. It was where they met, where they grew up together, where they discovered their love for one another.
It wasn’t all bad, Elise supposed. Just mostly bad.
“Oh oh, Elise! Look!” Freya piped out excitedly, “We’re almost there!” The brunette woman had been bouncing up and down in her seat for at least half an hour, rattling the coach quite a bit as her anticipation grew. Elise would never understand her excitement being in such close proximity to the town that nearly killed them both.
Elise rolled her eyes. “For goodness sake, Freya! You’re acting like you’ve never been.”
Even her undeniable pessimism couldn’t shake Freya, it really never seemed to. Optimistic. Another trait Elise found quite notable.
“Oh come now, Elise! Surely you’re the tiniest bit excited to see the old town again.” Elise bit back an unnecessary bit of snark at that. She’d gotten a lot better at keeping that in check. “I wonder what everyone has been up to ever since we left!”
Another retort withheld, Elise could only let out a sigh. “If I had to guess, Freya? I’d say everything is pretty much the exact same as it was two years ago.” Elise leaned back in the seat, crossing her arms behind her head. “Some of them are older now, but I’d say that’s it.”
Freya gave a small hum at that and leaned against Elise, prompting the redhead to instinctively pull her in closer. A nice little moment.
Despite it all, Elise was glad she was excited. For the last few weeks they had planned this trip, trying to find the best possible time to step away from the shop. They had hired help not too long ago to help meet the growing demand they faced, surely they could keep things intact for a mere five days. Elise did have her reservations about leaving the love of her life’s dream in someone else’s hands, regardless of how well Freya had trained them. Freya didn’t seem to mind though, it was rare to see her worried. Carefree. That was another one, too.
A couple minutes of comfortable silence was broken by Freya. “You know, little time really can change things, Elise.” A pause. “Sure, Kieferberg might look the same as it was two years ago. I don’t think it’s truly the same, though. Even in the smallest ways, things are always changing.”
Elise snorted amusedly at that. “Is that right?” She felt Freya nod her head against her. “Well, I guess it’s true. Leb’s off seeing the world and all. It’s going to be weird not seeing her around town.”
“It will, yes.” Freya says wistfully. “I hope the best for her. I’m sure she’ll find her place out there, like we have.”
Elise couldn’t help but smile at this. It never truly felt real, even after all this time. She finally found her place, the place she had longed to be her entire life. A place more valuable than any castle could ever hope to be. Her place was alongside Freya, a place she wished to be for the rest of her days. She could make that happen with one simple question.
Elise never was one for “simple”, however. She had the perfect plan in mind and, for once, being back home was going to work to her benefit.
The proposal to end all proposals.
“I know that you weren't the most enthusiastic about coming back to Kieferberg, but… I'm so glad you agreed to come with me.” Freya looked up at her beloved with the most sincere smile a person could muster. Elise's face heat up, turning as red as her trousers. She would do anything for that smile, even if she was sure it was going to be the death of her.
“I-it was nothing, Freya.” Elise stammered out. The seamstress could only giggle at that, clearly still finding amusement in turning her girlfriend into a stuttering mess. For goodness sake. If she didn’t love this woman so much, Elise would have a few choice words for—
“End of the road!” A hoarse voice spoke that made both of them jolt ever so slightly.
Before either of them knew it, the coach had stopped just outside of town. Well… they were finally here. These next few days were going to be hectic, taxing even. Looking over at Freya, the sheer excitement and joy radiating off of her was almost infectious to Elise. She conjured a thought of this same happiness magnified tenfold after asking Freya the most important question of their lives.
Lord, she wanted that more than anything.
After tipping the coach driver an extra few tiffle, Freya all but dragged Elise effortlessly along the path into town.
No going back now, Elise thought. She was ready.
She only hoped Freya was, as well.