Author's Note: I am not entirely sure as to how long it would take to get from the Southern Isles to Arendelle and vice versa. I have done research going off of the idea that Hans is from Denmark which has islands so I am making the travel time a minimum of 9 hours.
Nine hours. Nine hours I've been on the sea, having to tolerate the waves rocking the ship to and fro. You'd think me mad for making this trek, being accustomed to walking on solid ground, on stable floors. But I must be mad to have taken it upon myself to take this trip to the foreign land known as Arendelle. Not long ago, a month or two before I had boarded this ship, my family had caught wind of the coronation of the aforementioned kingdom's soon to be queen. As soon as I had overheard my parents, the King and Queen of the Southern Isles, I knew that I had to attend.
But no, my parents were too invested in sending my eldest brother, Gustav, in their sted. He was the next in line, of course they would want to send him while they cared for the disease-stricken people that were their citizens. The disease itself had claimed some number of lives but seemed to be dying down, the healthier of the citizens taking precautions with the ill. I didn't even attempt to beg my parents to send me in place of my brother, they would have paid me little mind and tell me to return to my studies. As usual they would prove to see me in a lesser light than my older brothers.
Ever since my birth my parents had cast me aside, making me feel unwanted, not planned. I was one too many for them, they already had twelve older sons to look after. My parents always disliked me, I could tell by the way they looked at me as I grew up. Hiding behind the nannies that they had care for me, the two gave any love they could spare to all twelve of my brothers. And the nerve of my mother, loving the children of my father's previous wives more than her own blood. Had I the chance I would see her cast aside for a new mother, one that would show me the love I so deserve. But no...now it is too late for my heart, cast in an eternal freeze. There is no more room for love that was never received.
Oh the irony in my name, too. My mother christened me Hans, meaning 'God is gracious' yet not once has he shown me graciousness before through anyone. I couldn't sit back, watching Gustav taking this chance from me. I'd overheard him bragging to our brothers, saying how he would woo Arendelle's queen and become ruler of the kingdom; it sickened me, angered me greatly. I had to stop him from making me look like the fool that my entire family took me as. I had to make all of them pay.
I had been up late one night in the library, searching for the solution to my problem at the time. I thought of hiring ruffians, pushing him down the stairs, anything to cause him harm. But no, those could all be tied back to me; it was too risky at that point. My studies went well into the morrow, my tired eyes scanned each page for some answer. I had just about given up any hope of succeeding in my plans when I'd stumbled upon a peculiar plant. In large, bold, black letters above the picture read 'Lily of the Valley'. As I read the description I found that all of it was highly toxic and caused many of the same symptom as the illness affecting the people. I remember how strikingly familiar this flower was; then it hit me. I had shut the book and swiftly put it back on the shelf as to keep my plan a secret. I can almost still see the view from the window of the library, so lovely. My eyes fell to the garden located behind the castle. The plant was readily available for me, oh what luck it was! That garden contained the plant that would offer me the chance to attend the coronation. I only had to wait a day or two before I could go and collect the plant. My family would have hardly notice my absence, anyways. As far as they knew I could have been tucked away in my bedroom as usual. What fools they all are.
As soon as my chance had arrived I left the castle, using the back gate that led into the private garden. I had simply told the help that I needed fresh air, some time to think. Much like my parents they did not make much of an objection. I remember that day vividly; the cool breeze against my skin, the sun beating down on my ginger hair, it all seemed serene. Had it been any other day I'm sure I would have stayed there in order to escape whatever torment my brothers would inflict upon me. I remember that it wasn't long before I'd found the lily hidden away behind some other plants. Oh, how beautiful it looked, even now I can see the blood red berries that were adorned on it. From then on it was much of a blur. I plucked the berries, brought them inside and mashed them up until they were a fine paste. I cannot remember how much I had put in Gustav's tea, though, that is still much of a blur. But it wouldn't have been over an hour later that a maid would find him retching on the floor, gagging on his own vomit. I truthfully had only intended to make him far too ill to attend the coronation, really. I had no intention of actually...killing my brother. Yet I find no regret or sadness over it.
I can still hear the sobs of my parents and brothers, the sting in my eyes from my crocodile tears, it was almost too much for me. Almost. I still had time before the day of the coronation, and a plan had already formulated in my mind. Why do as my brother planned? That would only look suspicious, getting me caught quickly. Instead I would repeat the process over again, poisoning the queen myself and taking the throne for myself. Looking back to it now, it seems rather foolish, yes. Yet I have this feeling deep within my soul that it would work. I just needed to gain the trust of the queen, perhaps having her sign a treaty that would enlist the youngest son of the Southern Isles to replace her if something unfortunate happened to her. But the plan would fully come together soon enough. It was still rather odd how easy it was to convince my parents to allow me to go in honor of my brother. Even my brothers were shocked when they had heard. The corner of my lips turned up, a smile formed. How foolish they all were, they would soon see that it was a poor choice made during a grieving state. All I had to do was act noble, saying that it was what Gustav would have wanted. I do suppose it did help that the two were emotionally vulnerable. Such petty emotions they displayed. How weak of them to express sadness for that boorish brute.
Noise outside of my cabin caused me to retreat from my fond memories. A knock on my cabin door sounded and I pushed myself up. Walking to the door, I pulled it open, greeted by a rather tall and able-bodied man. "We've arrived in Arendelle, Prince Hans. Shall the men take your items to the inn?" I held back a grimace, hating the idea of staying inside an inn with drunken bastards. "Ah, no need, I've actually grown quite fond of the cabin! But if it wouldn't be too much could you have Sitron readied for a ride? I'm sure the old boy's gotten quite tired of being on a boat, need to give his legs a good stretch." I looked passed the man to my horse, Sitron; such a loyal creature he is. Much better than any person he'd talked to. I looked back to the man and he nodded, swiftly running over to place a saddle and bit on him. I'd hardly left this cabin in the nine hours I'd been aboard; I've never been one for walking on a moving transport. But now I could get off this ghastly thing and put Sitron to good use.
Not long after I had requested, Sitron was brought to me and I was handed his reins. I gently pet his snout and gave him a smile. "Sorry for not visiting, my friend. I'm not really meant for the sea." Sitron gave me a whinny, lightly pressing his nose into my palm, seeming grateful to be at my side again. Such a needy creature. "Now I'm guessing you're dying to get off of this boat and stretch your legs out. Come on, boy, let's go look around Arendelle." Ignoring any protests of the men and guards who escorted me here, saying I would need a chaperon, I mounted Sitron and he quickly trotted down the ramp and onto the dock.
"No need to worry boys, we'll be back before you know it!" I shouted to the men still aboard. What fools they all were, always treating me like a child. I could definitely navigate my way through Arendelle. Clicking my tongue, Sitron began to walk to the shore. I could easily tell how happy he was to get off that ship, he was walking wherever he pleased! "Come on now, boy. This way." I tugged on the reins and he obeyed, huffing air out of his nostrils. As we went through the town, I could just tell that I wanted to rule this beautiful country. Why, it far bested my own country! I became so invested in gawking at the beauty of Arendelle that Sitron had went of on his own, acting as a guide for me in this unfamiliar land. It wasn't until he stopped abruptly that I came to my sense. It wasn't until the voice of a young woman sounded that I realized the damn beast bumped into someone. This was certainly not how I wanted the plan to occur.