Chapter 10

Anna awoke; it was dark, but she was restless. She got up from the bed, locating her dressing gown and put it on.

She went up to the window, seeing the illuminating lights of the harbor. They lit up the dark night and so did the moon and stars.

Anna looked down where the stables were and noticed someone with a lantern. He or she was heading toward the stable and Anna thought that Sven was in danger.

She rushed out of the room, flying down the long hallway, and ran outside. The person had gone into the stable and Anna quietly crept up to the door.

There was a broom and Anna took it. In a quick flash, she stormed in with the broom.

"Whoa! Stop!" someone shouted and Anna froze in her tracks. She was staring at Hans, who was beside Sven.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, broom still in hand.

"I couldn't sleep, so I came here to see my horse," Hans replied, placing the lantern on a hook, "Then I saw this reindeer, does he belong to you?" he asked.

"His name is Sven and he belongs to my husband, Kristoff," Anna answered.

"I have to say, he loves carrots," Hans replied and scratched under Sven's chin.

"Is that what you do when you don't sleep? You come here?" Anna asked, still holding the broom.

"Yes," Hans answered and he saw the broom. "You can put that down, I'm not going to hurt you or Sven," he said, but Anna shook her head.

"Your Majesty, Anna, I know you think that I am still the selfish prince and I am, but I have been thinking," Hans said to her. "I have been thinking about what happened two years ago and what happened to your sister. I realized that I had been consumed by my own lust for power and I should've known better," he said and continues, "After the party tonight, I looked through my books and came across some historical events. There was a revolution in one country. The people were angry at their king because he taxed them for his own pleasure; food, clothes, and even jewelry for his wife and daughters. He even built new palaces as getaways from his kingly duties.

"The country entered a financial crisis and there were food shortages due to famine, but the king ignored this and continued on picketing the people's pockets. The people finally reached their boiling point and revolted. They arrested the king and his family, sending them to prison, putting the king on trial, and executing him and his family."

Anna had listened to this the whole time and finally laid the broom against the wall.

"I may have heard this story from my tutor, but I don't remember. I should've kept that story as a lesson in my heart, but then, when my grandfather died and Henrik became king, I became very jealous," Hans said and keeps on going, "That jealousy stayed inside me, even when I went to Arendelle to see your sister's coronation. When you and I met, I thought maybe I had the chance in becoming king of another country instead of my homeland. That did not go so well I admit it. After I was brought home and placed under house arrest, I became very angry."

Hans stopped talking and patted Sven's neck. Anna placed her arms over her chest. "Are you saying you're sorry?" she asked.

"I'm getting to that," Hans replied and cleared his throat. "I became angry toward the world and toward you, but the one person I should be angry is me," he said and continues, "Then, when I heard that Queen Elsa was assassinated, I was at a loss for words. I thought I would be happy, but I wasn't. I imagined that if it was Henrik, I would feel the same way as you felt when you had to bury Elsa and rule Arendelle. However, if it was me who had to be the new king, I would feel unprepared and unsure of how to rule a kingdom."

Anna nodded and replies, "That's how I felt, I even feel that uncertainty now."

"If I did become king, I would probably do the same as that foolish one did. Spend every cent on luxury and tax the people unfairly and then I would lose my head," Hans said.

Sven gave a snort and nudged at the prince and he pats the reindeer.

"Anna," he said and bows his head, "I am really sorry for what I did to you and Elsa two years ago. I am also truly sorry for the loss of your sister. I don't know if she forgave me, but can you?" he asked.

Anna looks into Hans' eyes; they looked glossy as if tears were forming. A little smile forms on her face and she answers, "I forgive you."

Hans smiles, pressing two fingers to his nose, and bows his head and says, "I should've been satisfied with you as my wife, but it looks like I lost that chance."

"Actually, I think you can still find someone. I am sure you'll love her and she'll love you in return," Anna replies. Hans looks around as if he was making sure no one else was listening.

"There is one girl that I have been eyeing for a long time," he whispered, "Her name's Tatiana Møller. She is the niece of the captain of the guard."

"Have you spoken to her?" Anna asked and Hans shakes his head.

"I don't know if she'll reject me for my selfishness," he said.

"If you tell her that you have learned the error of your ways, I'm sure she'll accept you," Anna replies.

"Do you think so?" Hans asked and she nods.

Then, both of them start to yawn and Sven also yawned. "We should go back to sleep," Hans said, taking the lantern and leading Anna out. "Can I ask you something?" Anna asked.

"Of course," Hans replied and Anna asks her question, "What happened to your father? Shouldn't he be king?"

"My father died from an illness while my grandfather was still king. Since Henrik is the eldest son, he became first in line and then he became king," Hans answered.

"Oh, I'm sorry about your father," Anna said.

They went back into the palace and Hans lead her back to her room. "One more thing, I know this is late, but I hope you and Kristoff have a happy marriage," Hans whispered and Anna smiles and goes inside the room.

The prince took a deep breath; he felt as if a heavy weight lifted from his shoulders. He did speak the truth to Anna and he swore to himself to make things right. He also hoped to win Tatiana's heart and have a happy life with her.

However, deep down in his heart, he prayed that Anna and Kristoff would find whoever sent the assassin and bring him to justice. He also hoped that it would bring Anna peace and maybe Elsa's spirit can rest in peace.