Hans sat attentively, perhaps more than anyone else. He saw and understood more than anyone there. He watched the Queen while the Bishop was speaking and saw right through her. Queen Elsa was elegant in more ways than her sister, thankfully. She could be what others deemed beautiful and that was good enough for him. After all, he had to put on a show. She held herself in such a manner befitting a Queen, her platinum blonde hair perfectly in place and her dress had not a single wrinkle. She was not too eager or deadbeat, but rather she was a pillar of confidence. A strong woman, which made her only more interesting.
Hans frowned when he noticed her trying to take the orb and scepter with her gloves on. Did she forget the rules governing the coronation? It was an amateur mistake, but everyone was watching. They were always watching. Narrowing his eyes, he continued to watch as she took off the gloves and held the items in her hands. She obviously wasn't listening to the Bishop and kept glancing at the orb and scepter. Interestingly enough, he noticed that the emotion on her face was not nervousness, but rather fear. What was she afraid of? Was there something about the specter and orb that she didn't want anyone to know? Or was it just fear that accompanied nervousness on a big day? After all, this was a coronation. From now on, she would be the ruler of Arendelle. All of Hans' instincts were against this explanation though. It had to be something else and he had to figure it out. The more he knew about Queen Elsa, the easier it would be to win her. As soon as the Bishop announced her as Queen Elsa, she hurriedly placed the items back on the pillow as if they were poison. The gloves returned to their place on her hands and she looked out with ease at the crowd, all trace of fear gone. Hans kept his eyes on her as he paid his respects to the Queen like everyone else. As one crowd, her subjects and foreign powers sunk down to their knees and bowed.
Once this was done, the crowd became one large clump, trying to exit the room. They were all going to the ballroom where there would be a formal party to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elsa. Hans could see the guards swarming around her as she was about to make her departure. Her sister, thankfully, already left. Hans dismantled himself the group of foreign dignitaries, excusing himself politely. He made way towards the Queen, ready to begin his mission. The guards stopped him and she glanced in his direction curiously.
"Halt, sir!" ordered one of the guards.
Hans widened his eyes to appear to them as a portrait of innocence. "I mean no harm, gentlemen. I am only here to deliver a message from my family." Hans held up an envelope, its royal seal glaring impressively.
The guard took the envelope from his hand, looking it over. "Who are you, sir, to be delivering notes to her Majesty from the Southern Isles?" He asked, his gruff voice evidently trying to frighten him.
"My dear fellow, I am," Hans replied courteously, pausing for effect, "Prince Hans of the Southern Isles."
The guard had a look of bewilderment. "Your Highness." He bowed, his company of men following suit immediately.
"No, no need for that." Hans quickly waved them off as he smirked inwardly. There was no need to be a pompous jerk in front of the Queen; he had to make sure she thought he didn't care for royalty and all the privileges that followed it.
The guard returned the letter to him, his expression that of guilt. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I should have not been so quick to question you."
Hans smiled widely. "Don't worry. It is only your duty to protect your Queen. You didn't know that it was me. You had every right to interrogate me." The guard inclined his head, showing his gratitude.
"Prince Hans," she greeted him, slowly walking towards him. Her deep blue eyes met his.
He fell to his knees as he had just done moments ago. Why didn't she dismiss her guards? Did she really see him as a threat? To her, he was but a prince. "Your Majesty, may I be the first to congratulate you on your newest title?" He got up once he heard her voice as was the custom.
"Thank you." Her warm tone did not match her cold exterior.
"The King and Queen send their sincere apologies for not being able to attend your delightful coronation, as do my brothers." He handed her the envelope. "I hope you find me acceptable as their representative for the duration of my trip."
She took the envelope, not looking at it whatsoever. "It's fine," she replied softly.
He graced her with a smile and added, "It is an honor to be here, Your Majesty. I'm sure you will be one of the greatest rulers Arendelle has ever had. The Southern Isles looks forward to working with you and your kingdom." This was so boring; he could not say what he really wanted to as they had a nosy audience. He'd have to have a conversation alone with her later to finally be able to begin his task.
A guard burst in. "Sorry, Your Majesty, but it's time for you to enter the ballroom. The guests are wondering where you are and Princess Anna is waiting for you."
"I see." Queen Elsa took a deep breath. She handed the envelope to another guard and turned to Hans, her expression unlike Anna's smitten one. It looked as though she regarded him as any other Person. "Thank you for your kind words, but I must go."
"Of course, Your Majesty," replied Hans, going into a deep bow. He watched her retreating steps and heard only the sounds of the boots of her soldiers. It seemed he had lost round one and now he had to try once more at a conversation with the Queen of Arendelle or else he was stuck with the lovely Princess Anna.
