Hans was sitting in the chair laid out for him, his posture slouched. He waited for everyone to enter the makeshift court. Gail sat next to him, his eyes impassive, but his mouth set in a firm line. He did not look at Hans at all as if he avoided his gaze.

Elsa, on the other hand, sat with her sister, who was clutching her hand tightly. Anna spoke in whispers to the silent Queen. Elsa, unlike Gail, kept her eyes on Hans, her eyes betraying nothing. Her figure looked as though she was attending a formal dinner, not a murder trial.

"Shall we begin, Your Majesty?" asked a wizened man, part of the dignitaries panel. There were five men in total, representing all diplomats or officials of Arendelle. This man was the Minister of Treasury.

"If you're ready, Your Excellency," she replied quietly.

The Treasury official nodded at his colleague, the Minister of Defense, Captain Edwin Powers. Powers cleared his throat before starting, "His Highness, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, stands accused of treachery to the crown of Arendelle and attempt at murder of Her Majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle. We, as representatives of Arendelle, are sworn to bring forth a verdict upon the accused as a result of this trial." He looked at Hans. "Your Highness, if you are prepared to answer truthfully, His Excellency, the Minister of State, would like to ask you some questions."

"Go ahead." It was barely the beginning and they were already boring him with formalities.

"Did you come to Arendelle with a plan to steal Her Majesty's throne?"

How would they know if he were lying or not? They should have thought of that. This was going to be too easy. "No, sir."

"What changed your mind then?"

"Queen Elsa, sir." He wondered what she thought when she heard this; he could only imagine her surprise.

"Her Majesty?" He seemed astonished "Could you be more specific?"

"I saw a problem, sir. Her powers. I saw immediate danger. I knew I could fix it if I were in power."

"So you decided to trick Her Highness, Princess Anna, into marrying you?" His tone sounded disgusted.

"It wasn't a trick. She loved me. I just didn't." He could feel Annie's glare on him. "I wanted the throne."

"But you proposed with ill intentions?"

"Is that so wrong? Many other royals have married for the exact reasons. Empress Catherine for example. She didn't love Czar Peter, but she married him."

"Empress Catherine was a great leader," the Minister replied coldly.

"Who are you to say I wouldn't have been?"

"But you did try to kill Her Majesty?"

"I won't deny it. There were witnesses who can testify to it."

"Murder is a crime, especially of a Queen."

"Of course. But she attempted to murder two of the Duke's men. And look, she's not on trial."

"It was self-defense," snapped Anna angrily.

"Your Highness, please. You cannot speak now," said Powers calmly.

"Well, to respond to her statement, yes, it was self-defense, but I saw what she could do. I saw her capabilities. I feared for the people of Arendelle if they ever were on the wrong end of her wrath. She was dangerous."

"Was?"

"Now she obviously has control of her powers, so that is good."

"So you wanted her removed from the throne as a precaution? In case she had another lapse in judgment?"

Wait, that was a good idea! He could use previous experiences as a method of plugging himself into the seat of power. He could still win this. "Precisely, sir. I was only doing what I thought best for Arendelle. She was a danger to her people. Look at what she has done. Eternal winter. Attempted murder. I will remind you of what happened to Princess Anna. The Queen almost killed her! Is that not reason enough that Her Majesty cannot be trusted with this kingdom?" He could feel the anger radiating from Anna now and knew that her sister was the only force stopping her from killing him.

"That's enough, Your Highness!" exclaimed Powers, outraged.

"I only ask that you remove any affection or loyalty to the Queen when deciding the verdict. In addition, diminish your hatred for me while in deliberation. Can I count on that, Your Excellency"

"What," he frowned, "do you expect, Prince Hans?"

"The worst."

"I think we have everything we need, Your Majesty. If you'd like to, you may stay, but I'd advise against it as the deliberation may take quite some time," proclaimed the Minister of Treasury, his face filled with worry.

Hans stood up, glancing at his brother's unmoving figure. He took the pose of an uninterested spectator, his face impassive. He looked lost in his thoughts. Hans turned away, afraid to disturb him. As he made his way outside to the Great Hall, he kept looking back at Gail, waiting for him to get up and join him. His brother was the only one left in room.

"Hans, really, are you still hung up on Elsa's throne?" Anna was waiting outside for him, ready to pounce. "Like what's your problem? To what point will you continue?"

"Anna," said Elsa quietly. She placed her hand on Anna's arm gently.

"No, you don't deserve this. And definitely not from him!"

"Anna, please go. You need to calm down." She faintly smiled. "I'll be fine."

She sighed angrily. "Fine. But you know I'm right." She mumbled out the last part as she walked away.

"Is Kristoff the blond suitor?" asked Hana, intrigued.

"You were lying." Her voice was still quiet, but gone was the smile. He couldn't see if she disapproved or not. She just seemed to accept it.

"I'm sorry?"

"During the trial. All those answers. They were lies."

Was she going to tell them? "What will you do about it?" His tone held a challenge in it.

"Nothing." She turned to leave.

"Why not? It will only be in your benefit?" he called out, genuinely surprised. What was up with her? Ever since this morning, she acted differently. She seemed softer, more fragile. A crack in her exterior. But her emotions held her up, making her stronger mentally. Physically, she was just a weak person. What happened last night? What did he do?

"Because I'm not you. I don't seek to benefit from other people's mishaps." Her voice echoed across the hall, sounding dead.

People began pushing past him towards the doors. They were all muttering to the others around then. Hans tapped the old man in front of him. The man looked at him angrily and hurried away. "What's going on? Please tell me," he asked another man, his voice cracking slightly from another rejection.

"Your Highness!" called out a clear voice. It was Jay, cleaner than the last time they met. He wore the most unpleased expression, but looked older and proper.

Hans smiled unhappily. "At least I have a friend in the midst of this, Jay."

"Sir, you must go inside. They have reached a verdict."

"Of course." He didn't move.

"Sir," urged Jay. "Now." He sighed. "What's wrong?"

"This entire kingdom hates me. I didn't think of that before. It just occurred to me."

"And?"

"You must hate me too, don't you?" He smiled wryly.

"My opinion is not important, sir."

"It is though. I hate it when people think they're lower than me."

"I'll think whatever you wish me to, Your Highness." His voice was brisk and cutting.

"Alright, you win. I'll see you after the trial for my final farewell." Hans opened the doors, everyone turned to stare at his approaching figure. He has his eyes, however, glued on his brother, who never left his spot.

As he sat down, Powers stood up with a scroll in his hands. He opened it and read the word aloud with a scowl on his face. "After much thought being given to this trial, we, the representatives of Arendelle, find His Highness, Prince Hans of Southern Isles, not guilty of any crime or infraction."

The crowd gasped, turning to their Queen in response. Hans sighed in relief. It worked. He was safe.

"In addition, we have come to the decision that-," Powers paused, looking uncomfortable, "that, uh, Her Majesty be removed from her position for Arendelle's sake."

Anna stood up, angrily. "And who will take her place? Me? Well, I give my position to Elsa."

"No, Your Highness. Her Majesty will retain her crown and title. Her power will be given to His Highness, Prince Hans, but not permanently."

"I don't quite understand, Captain," replied Elsa, quietly.

"Er, Your Majesty, basically every decision you make regarding Arendelle must be approved by His Highness, just as a precaution."

"And why Hans?" asked Anna defiantly.

"Because, Your Highness, the committee believes Prince Hans proved he has a keen eye when it comes to detecting problems. It seems to be the best for Arendelle." He cleared his throat. "Orders are effective immediately."

Hans looked at his brother, not paying attention anymore to the chaos around him. Gail finally moved from his place and made his way past the angry crowd without a word. He couldn't tell if Gail was pleased with him or not; perhaps he lied when he said that he wanted Hans to win. Hans sighed wearily and glanced at the opposing side, Elsa and Anna. Anna was speaking furiously with Captain Powers and the Minister of Treasury. Elsa was staring at him, her expression curious, not at all disappointed by her loss. How long had she been looking at him? He wondered if she had seen the whole nonexistent exchange with his brother. He wanted to know what she thought.

I'm starting to rethink Elsa's relationship with Hans, so things might change. Other than that, everything is running smoothly. Thanks!