"I'm so sorry!"
Anna couldn't stop the laugh that tumbled from her lips, open and honest even as her ears rang. She'd taken worse falls, that was for sure, but that didn't mean she was immune to pain. She raised a hand to press at her temple as teal eyes shot up to take in the shocked, horrified face of her companion.
"It's okay," she managed through giggles. "No harm done, Punzy."
The brunette still looked pale as she offered her hand, winced when Anna did. "Gods, I can be such a clutz, cousin. I don't seem to know my own strength..."
The younger girl grinned a face splitting sort of simper that spoke volumes. She eased herself up with the help of Rapunzel and quickly wiped at the back of her dress to straighten and clean it. Heavens forbid she ruin it and upset her mother. Never mind her mother! In all actuality, Gerda would more than likely get to her long before the Queen did.
As if coming back to herself, Anna suddenly let out a snort and gently pushed her cousin's shoulder. "Forget your clumsiness! You never answered me."
Hazel eyes narrowed in confusion. "Answered you?"
"You didn't tell me if you accepted Eugene's proposal!"
Maybe that was the wrong thing to say. Rapunzel's face just... fell. Like that question was the bane of her existence and she couldn't untangle her tongue long enough to express it. Anna wanted to take it back immediately, but the words just sort of hung there between them.
When her cousin finally answered, it was with a voice too quiet and with eyes too distant. "I can't, Anna. Eugene, he's... Father would never allow me to marry a commoner. A thief at that. We were lucky enough to talk Father out of sending him to the dungeon."
The redhead wilted. She knew that it would have been unusual for royalty to marry outside of other royalty. But she would have figured Eugene to be an exception. After all, he'd saved Rapunzel's life, nearly sacrificing his own to do so. Did that truly mean nothing?
Hesitantly, she reached out and took the brunette's hands between her own. Their eyes met, and Anna did the very best she could to smile in a way that was genuine. "It's okay, Punz. At least you know he's safe now. And who knows? Maybe some day he'll be your Prince Charming after all."
Her cousin returned the gesture, squeezed their entwined hands. "Perhaps," she breathed, then sighed. Her eyes softened as she cocked her head. "But what about you? Your birthday is in less than a month. Surely you've already begun to receive proposals from the neighboring kingdoms."
That made the redhead perk up once again. Her eyes shone as she nodded enthusiastically. "I have, actually! Oh, Punz, they all seem wonderful. My favorite so far has been from a Prince Edmund of Whaltoe. He described his kingdom and it sounded so beautiful. They have exotic fruits and vegetables and wildlife that simply can't survive here. Arendelle is so dreadfully cold most seasons."
Rapunzel laughed quietly as she leaned in, conspiring-like. "Sounds like someone's already infatuated, my dear cousin."
Anna snickered and shook her head. "I wouldn't go that far. After all, I still have yet to meet any of these men. I'm sure I'll find someone perfect, though. And Daddy would surely be thrilled to hold a ball for visiting royalty."
They shared a quiet giggle and broke apart, Rapunzel turning to glide over and sit along the stone bench just shy of the lillies. The castle's garden was a favorite spot for both young princesses; tending the flowers was one of the few chores Anna actually enjoyed, since she could lose herself in the natural beauty and daydream for hours without getting in trouble. She couldn't help that her mind processed far more than she could mentally handle at one time.
Anna remained standing, though she sighed wistfully and made her way along the path, heading towards the small fountain that trickled quietly and reflected the high afternoon sun. She hummed as she reached out, letting the water ghost over the tips of her fingers.
"What would you look for in a husband?" Rapunzel suddenly asked, and Anna glanced over her shoulder. The brunette was watching her intently, though her thin lips were pulled upwards in a welcoming sort of smile.
Anna looked back down to the water. "I suppose he would have to be regal and dignified. But I'd want him to also have a sense of humor. Kind, gentle. Perhaps I should be looking for someone who balances me. If he is to be future king, he would have to have certain... kingly qualities. Just and honest. Oh, and handsome."
Anna bit her lip then, furrowing her brow. "Do you think that's asking too much? I mean, what if my soulmate walks by just because I thought his nose was strangly crooked or he hated a food I adored?"
The sound of laughter cut through her mild panic, and the redhead looked back to find Rapunzel trying her hardest to stifle her giggling. It made her frown, and she crossed her arms. "What's so funny?"
Her cousin shook her head, cleared her throat and wiped at her eyes. "Oh, Anna. You're wonderful. You'll find someone with all those qualities and more. I just know it."
The two met gazes, and suddenly they were both laughing. And a gentle breeze started and the smell of earth and flowers blew by and the sun was just warm enough without being hot. It was peaceful, nice. Anna had missed moments like this; it was becoming rarer and rarer for Rapunzel and her parents to visit. The older the two princesses became, the more they were expected to fill certain roles. And that meant less time for trivial things such as passing evenings in the garden or horseback riding.
To be quite frank, Anna was starting to feel something akin to loneliness. She still had her parents and even the servants to speak with, but there was something missing when she was with them. Something she couldn't quite pin down.
The two were finally calming down when their shared moment was interrupted by a messenger suddenly bursting through the door on the far side of the garden. He was a gangly teen, a few years younger than Anna with round, open eyes and wispy blonde hair. Anna recognized him instantly as her Father's personal letter bearer.
Both Anna and Rapunzel looked up as the boy paused, kneeling respectfully as he spoke in a quiet voice that wavered. "F-forgive me, my ladies. Princess Anna, the King requests your immediate presence in his study."
Anna shared a sudden, strange look with Rapunzel. The brunette, however, only rolled her eyes. "Was it a vase or another suit of armor this time?" she asked playfully.
The redhead scoffed and very nearly stuck out her tongue. "Believe it or not, I can go a day without breaking something."
Her cousin only laughed as she began to follow the boy.
They made their way quietly down the decorated halls, passing portraits and tables lined with vases and frilly curtains Anna knew had been chosen by none other than her mother. She couldn't help smiling to herself as she recognized the fabrics as new, coming from a merchant that had recently passed through their kingdom quite recently.
The sounds of discussion that met her ears as she neared the door to her Father's study had her hesitating. Perhaps she should wait until whoever her Father was speaking with left? But when she looked over at the boy, he motioned to the door and took his place beside the frame.
"Please go in, my lady. He said, at once."
Anna nodded, but couldn't help the butterflies that birthed to life in the pit of her stomach. A baker's dozen, she concluded, as she took a breath and reached for the handle. It was cool against her palm, and a jolt of electricity spasmed through her arm as she twisted the knob.
She got her personality from her Father. Curious and open and carefree. Childish, some would say, and in a lot of ways she agreed. She detested some of the more proper ettiquetes that came with royalty, preferred swordplay over piano lessons any day. But she'd been raised right; she knew what was appropriate in certain situations and- though it didn't always seem it- worked hard on shying away from spontaneous, sudden action.
Her Father was her role model. He, unlike her, seemed so together in the face of necessary professionalism.
So it shocked her when she opened the door to find her Father doing two things she'd never witnessed him do with anyone other than her Mother. One, he was drinking wine straight from the bottle, large gulps, before handing it over to his guest. And two, he'd pushed aside his paperwork and had his feet resting on the edge of his desk. Completely at ease. As if he were alone.
Anna didn't think her jaw could fall any lower.
The two men continued to speak among themselves a long moment before Anna gathered herself and shut the door. The click drew both sets of eyes to her, and it wasn't hard to tell that the drinking had been going on for some time now. She gave an awkward sort of bow and had to force her hands not to pick at her dress.
"You, uh, you called, Fath-... Your Majesty?"
King Adgar grinned, his dark eyes shimmering. "Anna, I'm so happy you're here, love." He turned to his companion. "Didn't I tell you she was beautiful, Matheus? She has her mother's looks, thank the gods."
The man guffawed before shaking his head, motioning to the seat next to him. "Certainly, my friend. It'd have been a shame if she looked like you."
Anna couldn't help chuckling nervously as the two shared another bout of laughter. She accepted the seat, gently sat down and smoothed her dress. Sparing a glance to her Father's mirthful features, she focused on the other man. Matheus, if she recalled correctly. She'd never seen this man before, but if this scene was anything to go by, she'd assume he was one of her Father's friends. A close one.
He was older, a receding hairline of graying blonde leaving his forehead prominent; it made his already oval face seem even more so. He had laugh lines and crinkles at his eyes, and when they opened she was struck by how blue they were. Like the fjord just a few miles from the castle.
When the men calmed down, Adgar regarded his daughter closely. Anna felt the back of her neck warming but didn't shy away from that look. She sat just a bit straighter.
"Love," her Father finally spoke, "I have a proposal for you."
"Yes?"
Adgar opened his mouth to speak, but Matheus interrupted. "I would like to unite Arendelle and Bulschia, Princess. Your father has offered your hand in marriage, should you accept."
It was as if the very air came to a standstill. Anna's eyes bulged, and the breath she'd been taking in paused in her throat, as if unsure of its destination. She could very suddenly hear the beating of her heart, loud in her ears.
"I want you to know that this is your decision, Anna," Adgar offered upon seeing the shock across his daughter's face. "While it would be a wonderful endeavor, I will not force you into something you don't want, love. You're still so young. I'm sure there are plenty of boys you'd wish to meet with before the matter is concluded."
Her tongue was stuck to the bottom of her mouth, and it was almost impossible just to swallow. How she managed to speak was a mystery. "Can I... I would like to meet with the Prince of Bulschia before I agree. Can that be arranged, Father?"
The two men looked between themselves. Matheus gave a smile and nodded. Adgar nodded in turn before looking back to his daughter. "Of course, love."
Anna nodded almost robotically, attempting to swallow again. But before she even opened her mouth to speak her Father was continuing. "In fact, we should have a ball! Matheus, you can bring Persephone and your son and we'll hold the celebration in your honor. I'm sure Idunna has missed your wife, dear friend."
"That sounds marvelous! Where is Idunna, actually? I've been here half the day and still haven't seen her."
"She had to handle a minor dispute between our merchants and those of Weselton. She should be back in time for dinner, if you'll stay?"
"I'd love to."
The conversation went back and forth like that for several more minutes, and Anna was silently thankful that the attention had been taken off of her. She needed a moment to gather her bearings and get her head back on right.
Where it was true that this proposal was just that and nothing more, Anna couldn't help the very real nagging feeling that this one was more important than those she received through letters. This was her Father's best friend, and she was well aware of how closely Arendelle and Bulschia tended to be. To upset that balance would be disastrous. And there was a chance the balance would be disturbed should she ignore the economic gain of such a match and decline this unknown prince's proposition.
Anna shook her head and looked to Matheus, watched the way his face twisted up into earnest humor. Well, she considered, there's really no harm in meeting this prince. I am bound to do so eventually, no?
Still, she was aware of the few butterflies that remained camped at the base of her belly the rest of the evening.