White canvas

I remember that night, I just might

regret that night for the rest of my days

—Satisfied, Renée Elise Goldsberry, from The Hamilton Musical.

If someone had told me at the right time the consequences of my decisions perhaps none of this would have happened. I'm not going to lie, I did enjoy our time together more than anything, but it also makes me question if the brief happiness I found with him was worth all the grief and the darkness I fell into. I knew the ending right from the beginning and still kept going, as cliché as it sounds. I knew from the start he-we would break each other, but something about him was magnetic, and I was naive enough to believe every word he said.

Not that I regret anything, it was somehow a perfect chaos. We both knew the dangers that came with our deal, accepted and broke that same promise at some point. A silent mutual agreement, we changed the rules of our game without knowing where we would end, and in which conditions. After all, we are not children anymore, we had a marvelous time together, the only problem is that I'm not ready for it to end.

The library, her room, some aisles in between, those were the places where the princess used to roam during the day. Mostly her room, as she was self-secluded since the incident that almost freezes her little sister. She had grown in the shadows, with books as her only company. Listening to her sister's persistent knocking on her door, wishing she could go outside and be as close as the used to be, but some things are just too dangerous to take the risk.

But she couldn't spend as much time in her room after her parents died during their trip. As the future queen she had to be prepared for reigning way sooner than anyone had though, she had to attend the royal council, acknowledge every member, learn how to work with them, listen to their advices, and also continue with her lessons on politics, sociology, economy, and many other subjects that would help her ruling. Theoretically speaking. Now, to apply all of those subjects on her daily basis, that was the challenge. How on earth was she supposed to manage a whole kingdom when she could barely trust her own hands not to explode with ice the moment she stepped out of her room? She had absolutely no idea.

Her sister, on the other side, was the exactly opposite of her. Anna could be as free and careless as she wanted. The younger princess was allowed to go outside as long as she doesn't get in trouble… something the princess did very often, but was quickly forgiven most of the time. She didn't have to be the responsible one, didn't need several lessons on politics or administration, she wasn't supposed to be the scholar one or the athlete nor the poet. No, she was princess meet and greet, something that went very well with her personality traits. Being sociable, energetic and merry almost all the time was her thing. Despite all the bad things on her life, she was happy. She wasn't the screwed up. She wasn't the one who could—probably would— doom her own kingdom seconds after being crowned. The queen-to-be had roughly two years before that moment. If only time could pass more slowly. Not that it mattered, the problem wasn't the time, it was her and her untamed power.

But for now, she could keep hiding if the pressure overpassed her limit. Just enough to bring her a little needed comfort. Hiding from the world certainly wasn't the best way to deal with the problem, but it was the only way she had ever known in her whole life. Eleven years ago the trolls had warned her and her late parents about the danger in her magic, after she had accidentally hit her little sister's head. They said her power will only grow, there was beauty in it but also great danger. Control was the key and fear her worst enemy… in all this time, she had learned that horrid truth, except for the fact that she couldn't possibly see the beauty in her powers, only the danger and all the awful things they could do.

Most of the time the princess yearned a normal life. As normal as it could be for a royal woman, born to be the queen. Excessive powers were her problem, the weight of the political power combined with the ice magic was way more than she could take. To be a normal woman, occupied with lesser matters, was all she ever wanted. However, things were the way they were, twisted and dreadful. Still, she constantly longed for the time when she could finally be in control. Manage the kingdom as she was supposed to do.

In spite of all the darkness and sorrow, the future queen enjoyed a few things that came with the isolation. She could sit for hours reading on her free time and no one would bother her. Silence was her company, and she was somehow at easy with it. No perturbations, just calm and quietness. Every once in a while she would interrupt that silence with music. It was one of the things the princess loved the most, she knew that she had a melodious voice, even if that voice would never be heard outside of the confines of her room. She could play many instruments, but the piano was her absolute favorite. And with plenty of free time, she had mastered it at the age of fifteen. Complete concerts with no one to listen. What a waste…

Another thing she always liked was art. Fine art in all possible expressions. One of the advantages of being alone all that time was the fact that she had developed a special taste for aesthetics and beauty, in a classical manner. The palace had plenty of paintings, most of them with a strong Greco-Latin influence. High renaissance, baroque, neoclassical and romanticism were her favorite periods. The princess had received many illustrated art books, being the 'classical sculpture' one her favorite, it truly was a masterpiece on itself, containing all these beautiful representation of the gigantic marble blocks turned into marvelous figures. If only she could travel Italy and it's wonderful art collections…

Her taste for arts was perhaps one of the main reasons why she accepted the deal. She didn't know if that was the main reason, but it certainly was a very important one. It was what elicited her interest on him, in the first place. Or at least it played an important role.

The morning they met was something to remember. It stuck on her mind for several days, without knowing why. She wasn't a hormonal adolescent anymore, she shouldn't have left her guard down. Oh, but he caught her completely unprepared.

What are the odds of two persons like them meeting by accident? A cursed queen, living in isolation for most of her life, and a forgotten prince trying to make a statement by going against morality? A very low chance, certainly. And the deal? Even less chances of happening.

The youngest prince of the Southern Islands, the unlucky thirteen, the unwanted and unnecessary last prince, those where some of the names Hans Westergård was know for. Having joined the navy, he pursued high command, trained until he was old and mature enough to be in charge of the fleets, just to be pushed aside by his oldest brother, king Caleb, who decided that the tenth prince, Klaus, fits better for the job.

Once out of the race for being the Admiral, the young prince changed his objective. Perhaps he was doomed anyways, not meant to lead anything at all. A realization that crushed against everything he ever wanted. Being the last brother in line for the throne, his chances of being king in his own land were likely zero. He had accepted that a long time ago, maybe never had hoped for it at all. But he couldn't have given up just yet. Lusting for power, he pursued the high command positions, being the 'admiral' title his ultimate goal, failing in the end. Still hungry for power, his last chance might be marrying a powerful woman who could turn into his personal puppet. He just needed to find that woman and get her to be completely devoted for him. That seemed the easier way to get what he wanted—no, what he deserved—.

Until he found a woman suitable enough, he changed his interest for another particular subject of study: art. He had always have a special ability, his hands were precise and obeyed his thoughts perfectly, the images on his mind would materialize just the way he wanted them to. So he joined art school at the age of eighteen. In time, he became young artist talented enough to be one of Carl Bloch's pupils, expert in academic art, a master of the classical techniques.

But art evolves with time, and one of the biggest changes in art history awaited the bold new artist generations, including the young prince. The golden age was over, and after meeting the new ways of art, vanguards, he just couldn't be left behind. Seemingly throwing all he was taught to trash, the prince joined the dark side of the arts, an outcast who grew tired of the 'beauty' and preached the new and liberating ways to make a piece. A potentially genius painter who happened to screw his own career before it even started. The academies that praised his work at the start quickly kicked his work off the saloons. Unacceptable, unbelievable, and so far from fine arts, he was another one polluted with the dangerous new ideas that rouse in Europe. Impressionism, post-Impressionism, expressionism, fauvism, futurism, every single movement more dangerous than the one before. And, of course, Hans Westergård wanted to be a part of it all.

A desperate call for attention, that was what some of his brothers thought of his behavior. Well, the good part was that he couldn't possibly fall lower than he already had, according to his family's opinion. Not that it bothered him. If anything, he felt flattered by their concern. Besides, he was done with pleasing the ones that surrounded him, he wanted to break their schemes and prove himself worthy in his own terms. And that meant he was determined to reach not only the power he lusted, but also create things no one had ever seen before. A silent but permanent revolution, his own statement against the courts in Europe. After all, his wasn't just another piteous story. All he needed to do was waiting for the opportunity to change his life.

Three years after prince Hans left the navy, he was sent in representation of the Southern Islands to dialogue with Arendelle, along with the Ambassador, his brother Alexander. It took several discussions and some threats—after all, Hans knew many of his brother's secrets— to win his place on the ship sent to Arendelle.

Having heard the stories of the reclusive heiress of the northern kingdom, the prince saw in Arendelle his chance to get out of the dead end he was in. Apparently the princess had remained inside of the castle for more than a decade, no one had seen her in several years. Illness, deformity, extreme religious related credence, those were some of the rumors that tried to explain her seclusion. It doesn't matter for the prince, if anything she was an easy target. Vulnerable, naive and presumably credulous, he really expected to impress her, maybe tell her some stories from the outside world, make her fall for his charms until she accepted his proposal.

The day they arrived was beautiful, not a single cloud in the sky. Arendelle was a breathtaking land, surrounded by a broad shoreline. The bright ultramarine from the sea contrasted with the deep green of the pine forest, the light grayish brown of the cities and the pure white of the snow on top of the mountains. A majestic land, indeed. The ship entered the fiord and arrived on the docks about midday.

The Southern islanders were welcomed by a small crew, consisting of noblemen, members of the Arendellian court, soldiers and a few servants. Prince Hans was a little bit disappointed, as he was expecting to see the heir princess. That would have to wait for now. Even though he was anxious for the meeting with the princess. He scolded himself for that. He had to keep calm and play his part, otherwise that would be the last time his family sent him as representative.

Princess Elsa waited inside of her room, pacing in circles while trying to calm down. Nerve-racking was a short description of how this situation was for her. Meetings were her weak point. Today she had to meet the ambassador of the Southern Islands and other noblemen that came along with him. She knew it was very important for her future kingdom to have good relationships with the surrounding lands. She had to work on her public relations. If she did the right job, both nations would have many benefits on trading and obtain a variety of products, as well as a strong ally for any possible future conflicts.

All she had to do was playing her part. Be as polite and regal as she was taught to be during her hole life. She had to measure carefully everything she would do and say to the foregein representatives. Calculate precisely every single one of her acts in order to seem as calm and composed as possible. Easier said than done.

The future queen looked at her reflection for the fifth time in less tan ten minutes, fixing imaginary wrinkles on her dress. She was dressed in a very conservative way, a turquoise green floor length dress, long sleeved and covering her cleavage completely. Fashionable yet keeping her physique privy. Her hair was styled in a tight bun, not a single strand out of place. Light blue gloves on place, keeping the freeze inside, just in case things get out of control. She may have been trembling inside, but on the outside she was the image of poise and perfection, as elegant as a queen should be.

Time passed excruciatingly slow, minutes seem hours for those who wait. Although, it wasn't a matter of time. It didn't matter if those were minutes or days, no amount of time would ever be enough for the princess to prepare for social meetings.

The younger princess was really excited, she couldn't wait to meet the princes of the Southern Islands. Were they handsome? Sure they would be. They were the first visitors Arendelle had in a very long time, or at least the palace hadn't received any foregein visitors in years. Anna couldn't remember the last time she had seen a prince. She was only 5 years old when her parents closed the gates.

It was a dream, it had to be. She would have liked better a ball or any other happy celebration to meet them, but things were the way they where. A meeting with her and her sister on the throne room would have to do it for now. She was absolutely elated, so much that she could barely get a few hours of sleep the night before. She woke up early in the morning, something the young princess rarely ever did. It was the excitement. For the first time in so many years she had the opportunity to meet new people. No servants or arendellian noblemen and noblewomen, but southern islander men. She had heard the gossip from the maids, who said that the men were quite handsome and gentle.

Anna was thrilled to meet them. For years she had treasured the idea of falling in love with a prince who would take her to places she had never seen before. Well, actually, she was in love with the idea of love. It doesn't matter the circumstances, true love was the answer to every problem, right? Besides, she was tired of being alone in the palace, she needed someone new in her life. What if she meets that one? All the stories of love at first sight couldn't be wrong, right?

Time didn't pass as quickly for princess Anna. She dreaded every second of wait. She always had. When she was younger she used to spy on her Christmas gifts and pack them back in place before anyone noticed. She always read the final of the books before the start. Patience wasn't her best virtue. The young princess was fifteen minutes early in the throne room, with the paintings and the guards behind the door as her only company. Her sister was taking forever in coming. She decided she could sit on the floor and admire the colorfully painted ceiling. Just for a moment. What she didn't count on was her sister walking into the room seconds after se had made herself comfortable on the floor, and earned a scolding look from her older sister. Perfect. After that, she quickly stood up from her position. Gosh, she was such a child. No matter the number of manners lessons she was given, she never learned. Anna usually—almost always— forgot her place as a princess. So unlike her sister, why couldn't she had a sister more like her? They were each other's opposite on many levels.

Anna forgot her mental comparison the moment the guards announced the entrance of the southern islanders. First the ambassador Alexander Westergård, then other men whose names the younger princess couldn't quite recall. The rumors she heard were true, the prince was really handsome, just how she had imagined a prince should look like. Brown locks and breathtaking green eyes was the center of her attention. Lean, tall and regal. Her heart almost skipped a beat when he kissed her hand and regarded her with a polite smile. Then she looked at her stone-face sister and felt ashamed for being so enthusiastic over something so simple. The rest of the meeting was so boring, lame jokes, dull comments, flattering the kingdom and making an appointment for future negotiations. It was about time for the meeting to end. Finally. Sure, the prince was really handsome and cute but the conversation was so boring for her. She tried her best to pay attention but she got lost so many times it was frustrating. At least her sister was the one who would make the deals, that way she didn't feel guilty for all the details she missed.

The same day the younger princes ran into prince Hans. It was an accident, she wanted to go for a ride but didn't adjust the saddle in the right way, so she slipped from the back of her mare. A beautiful red haired stranger helped her to stand up. He introduced himself as prince Hans Westergård of the Southern Islands. She blushed deeply, her cheeks turned redder than her hair for a moment. He smiled and her worries banished. He invited her for a walk, with the excuse of wanting to explore the castle. They talked until the sun was down, and by that time, Anna couldn't care less if the way they met was so embarrassing, all she knew was that he was exactly the kind of man she fantasied with. And so alike her, finally a royal with whom she could have fun and wouldn't scold her for her whimsical behavior. It was perfect.

Anna decided she really liked the princes, and was determined to spend as much time as she could with them. Specially Hans. Sure they were a little bit old for her, but whatever, there had been marriages with a way larger age gap. Besides, how much of a difference it was between sixteen and twenty-something? It wasn't as much as in the case of Infanta Margarita of Spain, who was proposed by her uncle when she was only a child. Geez, what a horrible way to get married. Luckily she could have a word on whom she would marry one day.

Princess Anna was a total surprise for the younger prince. She was so enthusiastic it was contagious. The young lady was so untamed, so careless, that he instantly felt drawn to her. And his instincts where correct, she was the kind of girl who would rush into his arms and fall without a second thought. If only she was the heiress… sure, the girl was fun and naive enough to believe every single word he said, but she wasn't the future queen. Besides, pretty and all, she was way too little for him. However, he would keep her near, she was the key to get to know the older princess. Or at least he thought at the start. Princess Anna told him of her difficult relationship with her sister, something he could totally relate. He sympathized with the young princess, but that was the only thing he could ever feel for her. Besides a little bit of pity. That girl was so desperate for love and attention that she was willing to throw herself into the arms of a complete stranger. A stranger like him, with far darker intentions than just marrying her for love. This was real life, not some pathetic romance novel. Sooner o latter she would have to learn that lesson.

He still hadn't meet the future queen. His brother Alexander decided that he was the important one here, the one who will seal the deals, and given the chance, even court the queen. Bastard. So they both had exactly the same intention with a woman he hasn't even met. Nevertheless he wasn't one to give up that easily. The arendellian heiress was the key for everything, he just needed to be charming enough. If she was anything like her sister, it would be a piece of cake. Little did he know the older princess was trickier to read. And colder, almost emotionless on the outside.

Prince Hans spent the rest of the day meandering on the palace, trying to get used to the place where he was meant to spend the next three to four weeks. He found the library, and unknowingly, the heir princess. She was a silent figure hiding behind a bookshelf, unaware of his presence. She almost had a panic attack when she saw him from afar. Instantly frozen in place, dropping a few books from the top shelf. The library was her sanctuary, which now was being invaded by a stranger.

The prince silently helped her to get everything in order. She hadn't spoken and avoided eye contact. He was so close to her, it was intimidating. Not him, but the fact that he was dangerously close and she was nervous enough to feel the ice inside of her veins.

"I'm sorry. I never meant to startle you…" he apologized, suddenly aware of her position. Her clothes were expensive and her posture elegant enough to make him realize she was a royal woman. The heiress. And he had screwed up his first chance with her. He would have to improvise. "Your highness, I apologize for the discomfort I have caused you" he kept going on. "Please, allow me to introduce myself, prince Hans Westergård of the southern islands"

The princess took a deep breath before she spoke. "It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness. Even though I would have rather another time and place for that". She was trying her best to hide the fear she felt the moment he bowed, took her right hand and placed a feather light kiss on the back. She quickly dragged back her hand before she could lament it. "I thought we were supposed to meet earlier today, along with your brother".

"He is the ambassador, I'm just his company" he clarified. "Do not get me wrong, your highness. It was rude from me to interrupt you now". Stupid.

"Yes, it is quite uncomfortable. Luckily the next time we met will be under normal circumstances" she said, knowing it came out more rude than she had originally intended. After all, he was just wandering trough the castle.

"I beg you pardon, your highness. I never meant to uneasy you" he started. It was difficult to tell which one of them felt more uncomfortable at the moment. "Please let me invite you to go on a walk and make it up for this".

"Maybe another time. I have to retire for now, please excuse me" she wanted to run away from him, the last thing she needed was to freeze anything in the room, which would happen if she didn't leave soon.

"Wait. I think you forget this" he handled her the book she had left apart from the pile. 'Artistic anatomy' by Paul Richer. Now she had caught his attention entirely. What was the princess doing with a book like this? He had never met a woman who took interest in drawing anatomy, some people considered it scandalous given the kind of content the book had. A lady of her status wasn't supposed to stare at pictures of naked bodies, even if they where anatomic studies.

"Oh…" she blushed deeply, lightening up her normally alabaster white cheeks. She had been caught by a complete stranger. A stranger with whom she was supposed to make deals and nothing more.

"Interesting choice, I had never met a woman with such taste" he smiled, "May I make a recommendation?" he tried again. She remained quiet but nodded. "If you'd like to learn anatomy, try to get a copy of De Humani Corporis Fabrica by Vesalius. Are you familiar with his work?"

"No. There aren't that many anatomy books on this library" she answered shyly.

"I could lend you mine, if you want. Knowing the muscles under the skin makes everything easier" he offered. She looked at him distrustfully. An offer was the last thing she was expecting him to say. He didn't make her feel ashamed of her interests, instead, he seemed fully interested.

"Do you have it here?" She asked.

"I happen to do" he replied.

"Why?" Why would anyone travel with one of those books? For all she knew, he was no physician.

"I have a keen interest on it as well. I spent two years on a art academy leaning human anatomy" he said as if it was the most common thing in the world.

"Are you an artist?" She was more curious than afraid. Perhaps she could indulge herself for a little longer.

"Depends on who you ask the question" nowadays he was on the black list of the École des Beaux-Arts. "I might show you my work one day".

"I might take your word" she said with a smile. Oh, she had no idea of what she was getting herself into.

"You have no idea" he smirked. Getting to break her shield was proving to be far more challenging than what he had initially thought. But he was clever enough to not push his luck anymore. "I hope to see you soon, your highness" he bowed before coming back to his designated guest room.

The princess was still nervous after their encounter. Looking at the windows she noticed the thin layer of frost covering them. How could she possibly manage a whole kingdom when she couldn't even make it through a simple meeting with a foreign prince? And what's worst, she had accepted his invitation without a second thought. She had a bad feeling about it, and still agreed. She knew it was wrong to cultivate that particular interest, and now she had someone willing to fuel it. Little did shew knew it was only the tip of the iceberg…

Notes: hi! I'm glad if you made it so far reading this.

A few explanations about this fic: it's an AU that takes place in Arendelle on the early 20th century (just because I wanted to include a little bit of art history and it adjusts better to the story than 1840). Elsa is 19 years old in this story, Anna is 16 and Hans is 21 (and other characters should also be a little younger than in the movie). I'll take some canon details and mix them with my own imaginary detalis. I plan on making this a long-fic, but I'm not sure how long it will be. Oh, and every chapter will probably start with quotes of a song, you can listen them if you want. Hopefully it won't end up as cringy as I think it could be...

Also, I apologise for any grammar/orthography/redaction mistakes I may commit, english isn't my native languaje (in fact, this is the first fanfiction I haven't written in spanish), so please, if you find a mistake, you're more than welcome to point it up.

If you liked it, please follow, favorite and review this story, comments are really important to get some feedback on whatever you're writing.