It was with mixed feelings that the royal family of the Southern Isles looked upon their youngest heir dancing with the princess of Arendelle. The majority whom were already married and therefore grown in maturity due to their responsibility as husband and as a father, looked with knowing eyes and with concern to the attraction the two obviously had. The minority, whom were still looking for an elligible wife like Hans himself, looked with slight jealousy, for they wished to have the princess's attention as well.
"She's so beautiful." murmured Rudi to his twin brother as he watched Elsa with great interest. "She sure is the queen of the ball this evening."
"And Hans will keep her as her dance partner for as long as princess Elsa wishes him to be." spoke Corwyn with a dissaproving glare to his younger sibling. the older brother knew that look all too well of the two twins when they wished to court a woman of their taste "Let him have his happiness, even if its a short time."
"Well, its not like he can act upon his feelings" shrugged Rhune this time. "He's gonna die in less than 3-"
"Quiet you idiot!" hissed Corwyn as he gripped the twin brother with a vice like hand upon his wrist, stopping him in finishing his sentence.
"I'm just mentionning the harsh reality."
"Just make sure that Hans doesn't realize it before mother and father tell him. If they ever do." shut Corwyn his sibling off with a harsh answer. He didn't approve, nor many of his elder siblings, that Hans didn't know about his curse. On the other hand, it is terrifying to know of your death date... the man shuddered at that thought and searched for his wife to get his mind of such morbid thoughts.
"It was wonderful." beamed Elsa's eyes as the dance came to its end. Both she and Hans clapped for the effort that the musicians did so far - the music players would take a break and join in the festivities, leaving room for everyone to go into a conversation.
"I had a wonderful dance partner." smiled Hans back as they mingled in the crowd with Elsa's hand on his. "Your majesty, I..." the prince hesitated. They had spent numerous hours together before and this was her very last night before she left back to her country. True she was only 16, but there were royals courting at a far younger age than her - if she were willing off course. There were probably a dozen princes waiting in line who were far more richer and beneficial than his own country and-
"Yes, Prince Hans?"
"Ah. Yes. Your majesty, what I wanted to ask of you... well, not ask, that is, if you wish..." stammered Hans on as he kept on gazing to her smiling face. "may I court you?"
At his question, the princess' eyes widened, leaving Hans quite concerned at her lack of answer. "You may."
Hans' smile became as big as hers and quite on impulse, his lips touched her cheek. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Its alright." calmed Elsa the prince down as she gave one on her own.
"Oh Prince Hans there you are! And such a lovely companion at your side." smiled Flora to the two royals.
"Hello Flora." Hans quickly recovered and nodded to Caleb's guardian fairy. "This is princess Elsa of Arendelle."
"Lovely to make your accquintance your highness."
"Likewise."
"And such a lovely dress. Although I prefer pink personally. Mind if I change the color of your dress?"
"Flora..." mumbled Hans in embarassement for the perhaps rude comment and request.
"No, its fine. I would like to know which color suits me best."
Upon hearing the princess' approval, the fairy pointed her wand, causing her dress to be pink in an instant.
"Pink? No, no, no dear! You were perfectly fine as you were!" commented Merryweather when she saw what Flora was doing to Elsa's dress.
"Nonsense, merryweather! pink makes her hair and her skin make all the more noticeable!"
"Really huh? well BLUE-" the fairy pointed her wand and Elsa's dress turned back its original color. "makes her eyes shine like diamonds!"
"no, no, no. PINK is less obviously used in the ball room!" pointed Flora out as she waved her hand arround, and indeed, many guests were clothed in all sorts of blue.
"blue!"
"Pink!"
"Blu-
Suddenly the two fairies stopped in their bickering, as Elsa's dress was suddenly dark green.
"Forgive my sisters, dear." Came Fauna's voice from out of the crowd, after which the fairy appeared. "They can be a bit overenthousiastic in their advice."
"Its fine. And I love the new color of my dress very much." Spoke Elsa quickly before either of the two other fairies could try and persuade the princess otherwise.
"Please Excuse us" said Hans this time before the dispute could begin anew in their presence. Besides feeling ashamed for their behaviour instead, the prince also wanted to officially ask his parents their blessing for their courtship.
"So, which color do you like most on me?" teased the princess. "Pink, blue or green?"
"You look radiant in everything."
Elsa stifled a chuckle, as they were about to approach his mother and father.
"Mother, father, I'd like to present Princess Elsa of Arendelle" smiled Hans as he spared a nervous glance to the woman beside him. He was so nervous in fact, he didn't notice his own parents becoming pale as a sheet. "We would like your blessing of our courtship."
"Already?" breathed the queen out as she stood up from her throne.
Hans blinked several times, as he hadn't expected such a cold answer. "Mother, I'm merely asking for your blessing of our courtship - its not like we already wish to marry!"
"Its out of the question." spoke the king this time.
"Your majesty, I don't understand" tried Elsa, "You've welcomed me so kindly-"
"Don't presume our kindness out of hospitality to be of approval." interrupted the king rudely. "We can't give our blessing for Hans, but there are still few of my other sons elligible to you."
"For once I thought you cared for me when you'd let me on this ball." spoke Hans before Elsa could give her answer. If he weren't holding the princess's hand in his arm, he would have stepped upon the stairs. "But I'm all but a useless spare for you. If that's the case I don't see why I need to listen to you if you don't do the same."
To everyone's shock, the prince turned his back to the king without permission.
"You dare turn your head away from me, boy?" bit the man enraged at his behaviour. Upon lifting his hand, the guards came by, turning their spears towards the couple.
"Are you going to spill your own blood?" challenged Hans without even sparing a look to his father.
"I'm not as heartless as you think I am, son. Escort the princess back to her ship and see that she leaves. As for my son, bring him back to his chambers and keep him under guard."
With not so gentle hands, the prince was pushed out of the ballroom, catching a last glimpse to Elsa before she dissappeared from view.
The party couldn't be much called a party anymore and the king ordered the festivities to be done much earlier. As the last guest left, the king sagged on his throne and his composure completely melted away. Suddenly he looked so much older than his years said him to be.
"I had to do it, Brighilde." sighed the man as he saw his wife's stare at him. "I - we - can't afford him to be close to anyone, and they not him. It would make the seperation all the more painful."
"I know." breathed the queen out, barely keeping her tears inside. "But that doesn't make it easier."
