Yes, it has been 6 months. Yes, I am an asshole. Yes I am alive. No, I will not give you any excuse. No, life does not treat me in cruel way. Yes, the previous sentence is a lie.
Anyway, enjoy. I love you all. Yes, in that way.
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The next day Anna had practice session with sir Olaf. Actually, Anna forced the young duke to practice with her more often now that she had set a goal in her mind. And the redhead princess had decided that sir Olaf can be trusted. Enough while holding pointing things around her without stabbing her intentionally.
"Ouch." Ana winced when the tip of sir Olaf's slender sword made contact with her shoulder protector. That made it three times.
"You are wide open, princess. Now, would you tell me what has been bothering you aside your amnesiac head?" Sir Olaf sighed, lowering his sword and stood waiting patiently.
"… nothing." She replied curtly. That made it two times now.
"I won't continue if you keep getting distracted like this. It is dangerous if you are not focus, next time perhaps my sword will poke your eye." Sir Olaf dropped all formalities now. That was one of his qualities Anna liked about the nobleman.
"You are too nice to poke a fragile amnesiac princess in the eye." Anna tried.
"There is a questionable adjective in your sentence, your highness…"
Anna pouted, giving up and putting away her sword. "Fine!"
Sir Olaf followed Anna's action and helping the princess taking off her protective gears.
"I just… I just want to be stronger fast… the big thaw festival is around the corner." Anna mumbled quietly. She didn't expect the nobleman would hear her muttering.
"May I ask why?" Olaf stepped back, frowning.
"… Crap, I did say that out loud, didn't I?"
"…. Princess…"
"Coup d'etat!" Anna said out of frustration. "There are people who want to overthrow the throne." Anna finally looked up to the duke but was surprised when she found the duke was maintaining his neutral expression.
"… Forgive me princess. I- Last night the queen also contacted me about the terrifying plan."
Anna's mind whirled. "Elsa told you…" So that means he is trustworthy enough for Elsa.
The young duke nodded carefully. "Her instruction was very clear. She wanted to figure out who is the master plan of the unforgiveable crime in Arrendelle. In case you are still forget, princess… there are several crimes called unforgiveable crime which punishment is decided directly by the monarch itself, in this case the reigning queen. Treason is one of these crimes…"
Anna remembered but she didn't care.
"Right now the investigation is still going secretly. Only a handful of noblemen and several law officers knew about this. The queen suspects there is a traitor among us."
Anna smiled a bit, Elsa always got it fast and right.
"So, sir… you know it more about me."
Sir Olaf's expression turned grim. "I'm afraid no and that's what scares us most."
"What do you mean?" Anna didn't understand.
"Due all respect, your highness… but you are the only one who has come so close to find out about the treason… and came out hurt in the process. Some of us want to question you to get something you might remember regarding the accident… but the queen forbids us. She said the princess has experienced enough and no one will involve the princess in this investigation, the queen emphasized it above all things."
Anna groaned. That's ridiculous of her sister. She appreciated the queen's concern though, but it would just hinder her to do her own investigation.
"So… what do you think, Sir Olaf?"
"Excuse me?"
"If I said that I can help you with investigation about this treason… would you help me to…" Anna searched for fitting word to describe about her plan after she found prove about that rotten duke. "… catch this traitor?"
Olaf frowned, even deeper than before. "forgive me, princess… but what do you imply?"
Anna sighed. She didn't know why but she felt like she could trust her fencing instructor about this. "If I tell you that I have recovered my memories… would you believe me?"
His eyes went wide for a second but then he smiled. It was funny because Anna thought that the duke's crooked smile reminded her of that little snowman she and Elsa liked to make years ago.
"I've been wondering about why you suddenly move like your old self when we were sparring…" He nodded.
Then she told him, began from the day of the accident.
XxxRebootxxX
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She pushed the huge twin door in front of her. The dusty smell greeted her as well as the dark ahead. It was truly been awhile since she stepped inside this room. Days ago she did, but that time was different because she couldn't remember anything about her family. Especially her parents.
Mother and Father…
Anna shook her head, she knew what corner she was going in that huge room. Once the room was the biggest chamber in the castle, now that the palace had undergone countless reconstruction, the room was just one of the forgotten chambers on the left wing of the castle. The royal family usually was too busy to enter the painting room, they only visited to learn history or when it was a picture day. Her father had told her how the castle had been opened for public after the second world war, but since now the palace was acting as the living place and central of any government affairs, it was now closed from public visiting. Or so what Elsa had told her about the closed gate policy.
Picture day, more like painting day. Anna could still remember well the day when her mother put her on a dress that was looked like from Victorian era and how her father bribed her with promises of unlimited chocolates in the kitchen and Elsa who promised her entire day to play just for Anna to sit still without fidgeting while the royal painter captured the entire family on canvas.
She looked at her family painting. Sure, the painter finally hadn't been able to paint her expression due to her continued scowls, but he was so damn capable in painting her sister's right.
Still, the real deal was thousand million times more beautiful than the painting. Anna huffed in proud.
"… Princess?" A voice came from the wall behind her. Anna was startled by sudden static voice. She turned around and spotted an intercom near by the door. She almost forgot how every spot inside the palace had been installed with security cameras and intercoms.
"… Princess, I apologize. Your majesty is waiting for you in your room."
Anna waved an 'Ok' to the camera before exiting the chamber. She threw a last glance to the painting and then proceeded to where her sister was waiting.
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The time Anna entered her room, Elsa immediately hugged her. "Anna! Where are you? Olaf said that you have finished practicing hour ago!"
Anna felt guilt hearing concern in Elsa's voice. Time like this wasn't the time to wander around and made her sister worried even more.
"I… I was in the painting room." She shrugged, hoping Elsa would understand without requiring her to explain more.
"I see… I want to talk to you about your… well, arrangement for temporary period." Elsa released her hug, turned around and finally settled on Anna's favorite green couch in the room.
"Arrangement?" Anna's eyes narrowed a bit.
Elsa bit her lip before gesturing Anna to join beside her.
Anna complied, sensing the conversation would be the type she wouldn't like.
"Due to the current… circumstances…" Elsa began delicately.
"You mean treason thing?" Anna shot directly.
Elsa frowned, "yes Anna, treason thing."
"Okay, I'm listening."
"I decide some extra arrangements needed, especially for you."
"… And by arrangements, you mean…?"
Elsa sighed, it was best to use direct explanation to her sister.
"Protection, strict schedules, restrictions… things that you won't like but extremely needed for the sake of your safety."
"Hell no." Anna replied quickly.
"I knew you would say that, and let me tell you, this is not a request."
"What then? An order? You play your queen card on me?"
Elsa pinched the bridge between her eyes, headache was already kicked in mercilessly. "If that will make you comply, then yes… this is an order." Elsa regretted her choice of answer. She could've been more sisterly in explaining.
Anna was mad. She never wanted to be angry at her sister. The situation was unfair for Elsa, who just wanted to keep her stubborn little sister safe. It was more unfair that Anna had been hiding the fact that she now had remembered everything and was planning behind her sister's back regarding the treason. There are secrets between them now, and Anna knew this wasn't something new, only now that she was the one with secrets.
"What do you propose about this arrangement?" Anna asked.
Elsa smiled, "just few extra guards, some curfew time, and restriction to go outside the palace unless it's to hospital."
"You mean, I have more guards, cannot go at night, and have to stay in the room forever? Great." The princess rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Do I need to wear the chain too? Or you just simply lock my door?" Again, Anna was cursing herself to speak and hurting her sister at the same time.
"Anna!" Elsa stood abruptly. "You know, before I came with this decision I told myself over and over that I would not let this to strain our relationship. Sure you will be angry, I'll let you and I won't care about tantrum or nasty words you will say to me because what I do will make you safe. I can't bear letting you hurt again, I have experienced it once, I have experienced one whole month thinking my only family, the one who matter most in my life would leave me alone in this world. I spent a whole month beside your hospital bed, thinking million dreadful 'what if' in case everything went very wrong and what would become of me, if you… if you…" Elsa sobbed broke out. That instant, Anna enveloped her sister's body in a hug, letting Elsa cried on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Anna muttered. "I won't leave you… I'm sorry."
"… So, you accept the arrangement?" Elsa pulled back, looking at Anna with tears still flowing down on her cheeks.
"Yes! Yes! Please, stop crying. I am sorry!" Anna begged full of guilt.
And Elsa did. She quickly brushed her tears off without ruining her perfect mascara and then flashed Anna a victory smile.
"It's decided then." She said, handing Anna a schedule paper for one full week. After that, Elsa left her dumbfounded little sister pondering.
Few seconds after Anna was left alone, she could finally react.
"Oh shit. She is good." Followed by a frustrated groan muffled between pillows.
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And then Anna had three extra guards following around inside the palace and fifteen extra bodyguards for her while she was outside the palace.
Elsa could've just given her an army. It would be easier and why not?
The queen herself had explained how she had selected carefully the individuals that were now protecting her little sister. Anna saw the files which were thicker than any encyclopedia in total and was amazed how details Elsa had researched the background of every men who was with her now. In short, it was too much information, and Anna couldn't help it but thinking about how Charlie here (one of the guards that now tailing her around inside the palace) has seven ex-wives which two of them are 10 or 13 years younger than him. Or how, Johnson (guard who standing beside Charlie and always seem angry all the time because of his scary face) secretly loves a romance chick-lit to read in his spare time.
That was how detailed information Elsa had in her hands about her guards.
In the end, it wasn't all that horrible. Sure, the guards were nice although they were very quiet but she was happy about Elsa's choice on the head of guards.
"Is there something in your mind, princess?" Sir Olaf asked.
Anna grinned. Her fencing instructor was now her personal head of guards. According to Elsa, Sir Olaf had volunteered to take charge on the princess's protection. Elsa was more than happy since she trusted the young duke fully.
"No, just happy for a familiar face around." Anna replied and getting back to her phone. They were now inside a library. Anna wanted to use internet and library was the only place she could get her information needed. Sir Olaf had offered her an ID and password access because apparently the queen had banned Anna from outside world information.
"I don't understand the harm of the internet. Seriously, is Elsa seriously thinking she can ban a young girl in this twenty first century from the internet and expects the poor young girl can survive without it?" Anna huffed while her fingers continued typing something on the computer.
"You do fine."
"Well, I am a good little sister after all." Anna smiled.
"Are you contacting your acquaintance in police department?"
"Yeah, well… since the security will keep observing information coming out and coming in the palace, we agree to communicate via this." Anna pressed the enter button. For awhile the screen turned dark before a loading bar appeared.
"online game?" The duke seemed intrigued.
"I'm using your account, so I hope you are the type who loves this… although Kristoff said we should pick the most horrible game in the net to communicate so no one would interfere."
"You mean Detective Bjorgmann." Sir Olaf corrected her.
Anna frowned, "Yes… detective Bjorg… whatever, I'm in."
Anna exchange information for awhile with the detective. Kristoff had been trying to make contact with her psychiatrist. However his call had been rejected by his assistant and then he decided to make a visit to Anna's royal doctor.
"Kristoff said he is going to meet Hans."
Sir Olaf again, corrected her. "You mean detective Bjorgmann is going to meet Doctor Hans?"
"…. Yeah, I mean he is after all was in the mission with Pabbie putting me amnesiac and sleep induced coma for a whole month." Anna logged off from the game and now turned fully to face Olaf.
"What do you think?"
"I think that makes Pabbie and doctor Hans your allies in this mission? After all, the Weselton's wanted you dead because you knew too much."
"I hate that fake-hair old man. If only I have proof…"
"It is true that the unforgiveable crime has to be proven with hard proof or it would be just simply a careless accusation that can fire back to the monarchy itself."
"If I tell Elsa that the Weselton is behind this all…"
Sir Olaf cleared his throat, "forgive me to cut in, princess. However… I believe the queen is not in the state to make clear judgement. If you tell her, then… forgive me to speculate things… but I believe she would hell bent to punish the man without considering any proofs or ongoing laws. In Arrendelle, it is true that the royal family holds the highest power in any matter according to law, but the careless action would get international critics receptive globally and would make the world doubting the monarch system in Arrendelle. It would tickle the parties who have been aiming this kingdom to be a democracy country, ruled by government. While I do not oppose that kind of system, I am one of those many who is not so optimistic that Arendelle would be better off be ruled by someone other than the current royal family."
Anna listened carefully. She too had learnt since years ago about the rising of parties who struggle for Arrendelle 'independence' from monarchy. However she still could not stop thinking why that old rotten Weseltown wanted to do a coup d'etat like in old fashioned way. He was sure not so creative in treason.
"… Before the accident, Weseltown said that he has someone close to Elsa. It means… he can hurt her through that person whenever he wants too… we- we need to find that person fast."
Sir Olaf nodded, "I have few people working on it. However, you said that he will not make a move before the big thaw festival, right? Since doing that would make it lose his stage and momentum."
"Big thaw festival, a famous festival where all people would gather in the capital to celebrate, as well as the noblemen and several representatives from neighboring countries. Oh, and international media too… since Elsa has been famous more than Hollywood actress across the world." Anna chuckled. It was true that her sister had more fans across the world and she also heard that a production house made an offer to make a biography movie about the queen's life, which of course Elsa had rejected politely.
Anna started to have headache as her brain was too long thinking in serious mode. She needed distraction.
"How about a spar?" she looked expectantly to her fencing instructor.
Sir Olaf smiled, "If only your highness promises to focus…"
"I will be super duper focus that I bet I can poke you in the eye."
"Bet is on."
XxxRebootxxX
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"So then… can I come with you?" Anna blinked her eyelashes and threw her best puppy dog she could make to her sister.
"Like I said Anna, it will only take three days, I'll be back before you know it." The queen retreated back on her chair. Few days after their argument about the matter of protection details, Anna entered to her office without knocking and asking about her diplomatic visit to Japan next week. Her read head sister stubbornly insisted that she should come with her no matter what.
"Why do you want to come anyway? Usually diplomatic affairs bored you to no end…"
"It's sushi! I want eat sushi!" Anna blurted out her first thought.
Elsa threw a look as if daring Anna to try a second more convincing excuse.
"… it's the ramen?" Anna tried again.
"Anna… I don't have time for this." Elsa sighed. She glanced at her computer. She had to finish countless paperwork which deadline was precisely tonight.
"Okay, okay… it's the sashimi…"
"Can you have excuse other than food?" The queen smiled, although she expected no less from her sister.
"… I just want to be with you." Anna said weakly.
Elsa raised an eyebrow expecting Anna to elaborate.
"I mean… when you gone then I will be alone. Well, not totally alone… but still I would get bored easily. You know when I'm bored that even I can sneak out from an army of guards just for fun…"
"Stop there…"
Anna did.
"Are you implying that you will create trouble if I leave you alone?"
"You make it sound like…"
"Are you blackmailing me? Your sister? The queen? It's not cute anymore, Anna. You know that in dangerous time like this you can't joke about your careless acts!" Elsa used the tone. The tone that Anna hated so much that made her like 7 years old again.
Her shoulders slumped, "No, that's not what I mean."
"You have to stay, Anna. Right now, the palace is the safest for you."
Anna bit her lip, "what about you? It means you will be less-safe than me if you go out of here! Alone!"
"I won't be alone. I have my own protection details. I am the queen, Anna. I have my own obligation for this kingdom."
"Well, I am your sister and I have obligation for you too." Anna shot back.
Elsa shook her head, "no you don't. You are my little sister."
"Being on this earth first doesn't mean you have full responsibility on me, you know. It works vice versa." Anna gestured on the air between her and Elsa.
"Anna…" Elsa lowered her tone. She clearly didn't want this argument turned into shouting contest. The louder they yelled at each other, the further she would be to reach her sister.
Anna took a step back, lowered her gaze to the tile floor beneath her feet.
"Do you have to go?"
Elsa wanted to reassure her sister… "You'll be fine, Anna."
With that, a wave of dé jàvu overwhelmed the blond queen. An image of the previous king and queen parted with her at the front entrance of the palace, an image of her mother's smile with concerned eyes, an image of her father waving through the car's window, and how her little sister had been sulking that entire day because in her school holiday, her parents had not allowed Anna to go together with them… the last image was the grim expression of their butler, Kai who was holding a phone close to his chest, interrupting her in the study, and how Anna trailed behind him with confused expression but in verge of crying. Everything went wrong in that particular day two years ago. How conflicted she was that in the middle of mourning period she felt a tiny bit relief that Anna hadn't gone together with her parents that day. Elsa still remembered that day, the last day and the last conversation she had with her parents.
"Do you have to go?"
"You'll be fine, Elsa."
Elsa was back to the present time.
She could change it… yes, it didn't have to be like that time again.
"Actually… No, I don't have to go."
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As much as I want to write both royal sisters in Japan… I can hold myself for the sake of the plot. Yeah, I give Olaf different character here. He is more charming, and if this will help you to imagine him, his height is an inch shorter than Anna, black-haired, blue eyes (apparently frozen is dominated with this color), chubby cheeks, young appearance although he is already in his 30's.
For a record, I am an Elsanna fans and I have been too preoccupied with Elsanna stories. However, I don't know which direction I will take for this story. Although I like Elsanna, I'm not confidence enough I can write them and do them justice. So, I hope whatever direction this story will turn, you all won't be mad at me.
Tell me what you think, reviews are always appreciated. Or... after my hiatus perhaps I would down on all four just for reviews so that I don't feel so alone. (_ _)