After dinner with Anna and Kristoff, Elsa gathered her entourage. She took a deep breath as they ventured down to the dungeons for the second time today. This time, her magic was under control.

When Hans' door was opened, he reclined. "Dinner was wonderful, Your Majesty. My compliments to the chef."

Her hands instinctively fisted. He was positively infuriating. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He seemed so at ease, not at all bothered by his boarding arrangements.

"I...I've thought about what you said earlier." Elsa forced herself to meet his green eyes.

Hans was genuinely surprised. "Really?"

"Yes. Though, I'm not entirely convinced. I'll need a better statement so I can properly investigate."

He sighed and hung his head. "I'm not sure how much clearer I can be."

"So you're telling me that 'I know I did it but it wasn't me' actually makes sense?"

"It's the most succinct way I can put it."

Elsa began to pace. "Something had to have happened to cause that...headache. Did you eat or drink anything unfamiliar?"

"No."

"Did you see any ominous creatures? Anything out of the ordinary?"

"Other than your demonic doorman, no."

"Did you hit your head at all during the tussle?"

Hans thought for a moment, replaying the events in his mind. "No. I almost fell to my death, but no head injuries."

"So you got a headache for no reason?" Her doubt coated the words. "A random headache caused you to commit treason?"

"That's what I said earlier," he said dryly.

"But it doesn't make sense!" She threw her hand into the air, and snowflakes sprinkled down around them.

"Tell me something I don't know." The words were laced with venom. Her incessant questions were wearing on him.

"Tell me something that would make me believe you," the Queen challenged.

Hans locked gazes with the Ice Queen. His green eyes burned into her crystal blue ones. He took a deep breath. "Your sister is one of the most amazing people I've ever met."

Elsa nearly snorted. Not that she denied it, only his sincerity.

"I mean it. She's sweet, funny, kind, hopeful, adorable. Ever the optimist. Considering what she's been through, between you abandoning her and your parents dying, it's amazing she's stayed so positive. I wouldn't be able to."

Elsa considered his words. She never truly realized her impact on Anna's childhood. She had been so concerned with hiding her powers that she hadn't thought how her sudden disappearance would affect Anna. By protecting her, did she hurt Anna even more?

"She's...incredible. A ray of sunshine. Got some fire in her, too," he added, rubbing his jaw. It had hurt for a week after Anna punched him, though his would never admit it. "I was blown away by her, and she had felt the same. Maybe asking for your blessing that night was a little rushed..." He sighed. "I still love her... But if she's happy...I won't be a problem."

He hung his head, and Elsa couldn't help but stare. It angered her that he still claimed to love Anna! But he did. She had watched a light die in his eyes on the docks earlier when he noticed Kristoff and his proximity to Anna. It was plain that she loved Kristoff now. Elsa almost felt bad for Hans.

"He does make her happy. Thankfully they're not married yet." A laugh snuck out of Elsa at her own joke. It was an awkward sound that she choked off, realizing she was letting her guard down. She looked to Sigurd for a sign, but his face was unreadable. He stood steady and strong, ready to intervene if needed.

But he didn't need to. Elsa was surprisingly calm, albeit a little confused. Not a snowflake to be seen. Elsa realized her powers and emotions were totally under control. However, her joy at her success was short lived.

Hans broke through her realization with a quiet, "...yet." He looked so broken, his head hanging between his legs, elbows on his knees.

Elsa wished she could sympathize more. Thanks to her life-long struggle to control the curse, she had isolated herself. She never interacted with boys her own age, or even dreamed of a romance or marriage. She had refused to entertain the idea. Relationships involved touching. At the time, she felt she couldn't touch anyone without hurting them. Bringing a King into the picture never crossed her mind. Even after gaining control. The thought made her nervous.

Elsa knelt down in front of Hans to better see his face, staying just out of arms reach in case he lashed out. In the kindest voice she could muster, she said, "If you loved Anna, then why did you tell her otherwise?"

"It wasn't me!" He reached up to grab fistfuls of his hair, but the cuffs banged against his head instead. "Ow! Ughhh. I was angry. I wasn't thinking straight. I almost kissed her, but something stopped me from doing it, like I wasn't in control. I could have saved her!"

"Maybe," she thought out loud. "Maybe not. What matters now is that Anna is alive and safe."

"Yeah..." His expression told her it was little consolation when she was in another man's arms.

Elsa didn't know what to say. She felt sorry for the former Prince, but she still didn't know if she completely believed his story. She certainly wasn't going to tell Anna for fear it would jeopardize her relationship with Kristoff. She looked again to Sigurd, whose face betrayed nothing. His beady green eyes watched both of them intently.

"I did what I had to do, you know," she said before she could stop herself. Hans looked at her, confused. "When we were younger. We were playing and I...I hurt her. It was an accident. I told myself I would never hurt her again. So I made sure the opportunity never arose. Until my Coronation. I fulfilled my own worst fear when she came for me, and I hurt her again."

Tears escaped Elsa's eyes, freezing halfway down her face. Her throat caught around a sob that wrenched itself from her chest, unbidden. Hans looked at her in wonder. Sigurd shifted towards her.

"I didn't mean to... I didn't know what to do! I couldn't live with myself if I... If I did what you said I did. You...you! You should've-" she yelled, but she stopped herself.

He should've left well enough alone. He should've waited to ask for her blessing. He should've kept Anna safe and in Arendelle. He should've let those men kill Elsa in her ice palace. He should've kissed Anna if he truly loved her. He should've killed Elsa himself when he had the chance.

She looked down at her pale, trembling hands, knowing that deep down, it wasn't entirely Hans' fault. "You couldn't even imagine what it's like to live like this."

"I think I have an idea."

Elsa's head snapped up at his words. She watched his eyes flick to her hands, then back to her face. His expression was unreadable. She wondered how much Anna had told him. How long had they been talking together before asking for her blessing?

The Queen stood, a little uneasy. She trusted him slightly more, but she still didn't know for sure who to blame for last year. Anna had stopped Hans as he brought his sword down, and pieces of it were found on the Duke's ship. Victim, Check. Evidence, Check. Witness, Check. Yet he pled not guilty. Something wasn't right.

Elsa brushed off her dress, and the guards stood at attention. "Thank you for your time."

"Plenty to go around in here," he said wryly.

Elsa rolled her eyes and brushed a lock of her blond hair out of her eyes. "I will...see you tomorrow after lunch."

"I'll try to pencil you in." Hans smirked.

Part of her wanted to smack him. Part of her wanted to laugh. Instead, she walked out of the cell, guards in tow.