Chapter: 15 The Kingdom of the Sun

"Princess Rapunzel! It's been a while!"...Ew no.

"Your majesty, I am beyond humbled to be graced with-"...Dear lord.

"Thanks for attending my sister's coronation! Sorry summer froze over."...Definitely that one.

Kristoff gives my cabin door a knock. "Anna?" he beckons. "How are you doing in there?"

"As good as I can," I grumble and massage my temples.

"That's going to have to be good enough," he says and sneaks his face through the doorway. "We're here."

Those two words bring our voyage to a close. I clasp my crown and run a finger across its encrusted jewels. "Here goes everything," I whisper. "Let's see if I'm half the diplomat Father was." I step onto our ship's deck and am already baking in the heat. "No wonder they call this the kingdom of the sun," I wince and shield my eyes.

Kristoff wipes the sweat from his brow. "And there's not a cloud in the sky. I'll take our snowy mountains over this coast any day." We lean over the bow and observe Corona's gleaming harbor. The kingdom's central hub resides on an island while a scenic, stone bridge connects it to the mainland. Tremendous spires stretch from a brightly-colored castle while violet banners sway in the wind. Speaking of flags, our Arendellian crocus seems to garner plenty of attention. Fishermen glance over from their rowboats while riders quicken their pace from the shoreline. Kristoff and I exchange a perplexed glance as we wonder what we're in for.

A line of royal guards is waiting for us as we approach the docks. Their golden armor gleams in the sunlight and makes their celestial emblems all the more impressive. A mustachioed captain examines our approach with an inquisitive stare. "Good afternoon," I declare as Kristoff and I disembark. I can already hear him fidgeting in his waistcoat and give him a nudge. While I'd much prefer my fiancé in his typical, leathery attire, it isn't the best for first impressions. He grimaces as his pine green coat and inky black pants constrict his burly movements. It'd be comical if our situation weren't so dire.

"Greetings," the stern-faced Captain of the Guard replies and bows. "To what do we owe a visit from Arendelle? Specifically one from its queen?"

I offer the captain a gentle smile. "Several months ago, I sent forth a treaty proposal. Now I've come to see it ratified. Trade between our nations can only lead to further benefit."

The captain raises a brow. "Considering Arendelle's a little short on alliances these days, I'm sure you'll take any benefits at this point."

My entire demeanor shatters and my eyes go wide. "Oh," I blurt. "So...you've heard about the council dissolving?"

"Word of so many nations departing from an alliance travels quickly," the captain quips before motioning us closer. "I will grant you an escort to the castle."

Kristoff offers to carry my suitcase, but I decide to give him a break. While I am the queen, I feel uncomfortable when everyone does everything for me. Plus, I cannot get Siv and Kristoff's conversations out of my mind. I want to make sure he's making his own decisions and that I'm not forcing him do anything. It's rather humbling to walk through Corona's streets. The inclined kingdom is a workout on the legs after our lengthy voyage and it's nice to see how others live. A new, vast aroma of foods make their way to our noses as we traverse neatly-paved pathways. Everyone seems so joyous as children frolic in the streets and music clamors from second floors.

Despite my Assassin conditioning, I am admittedly out of breath alongside Kristoff. We huff beside each other upon reaching the castle's main gates. A pair of dutiful guards mirror each other and open the doors. Once inside, we're escorted to an elongated throne room where a trio of royals and a handmaiden are waiting for us.

The captain clears his throat and removes his helmet. "King Frederic, Queen Arianna, and Princess Rapunzel. I present Queen Anna and Lord Kristoff of Arendelle."

I initiate a bow and Kristoff hurriedly follows my lead. "Your majesties," I begin.

With a proud chest and steely blue eyes, Frederic is a mighty king. His thick brows rise and his bushy, yet neatly-trimmed beard sways with his smile. "Welcome to Corona," he greets and I thank him.

Both Arianna and Rapunzel have matching hair and emerald eyes. I can't help but let my imagination run wild with the stories of what once was. According to the legends, Rapunzel once had golden tresses that stretched on as far as the eye could see. But after some accident, her hair had been reduced to a short bob of dark brown. Her mother's locks trail far behind her back and leave me with a possibility of what Rapunzel's hair could've looked like. "We received your treaty," Arianna says.

"Personally, I think the Corona Accord is a very catchy name." Rapunzel admires. Her smile is contagious and I note the faint freckles on her cheeks. The more I look at her, the more I recall seeing her at Elsa's coronation. While it may have been a brief glance, my excited self had crossed paths with her when we finally opened the gates back home. Contrary to Rapunzel's glowing visage is that of the handmaiden's beside her. The black-haired, pale-skinned woman is more observant than she is anything else. That's what makes her 'threat number one' in my book. Siv taught me to keep an eye on everyone...especially the quiet ones. While the handmaiden stands at the princess' side, she looks as though she knows every secret. This woman looks like she could kill someone and disappear without a trace, she only needed someone to point a finger.

"Queen Anna?" Frederic inquires.

Oh goodness! I realize I've been lost in my thoughts and staring at the handmaiden. I snap myself back into the moment and clear my throat. "Yes," I say. "This treaty is exactly why I'm here."

"We have no problem establishing trade between our kingdoms," Arianna assures. "If," she says and looks to Frederic.

"If?" I inquire.

Frederic leans forward and his sashes drop with him. "If you can tell us why you dissolved your council."

"You must forgive our concerns," Arianna adds. "We just want to understand before we sign anything."

"Of course," I respond. I'm about to answer when I notice the handmaiden narrowing her eyes on me. "The nations on Arendelle's council were taking advantage of my kingdom. But when I look at Corona, I see a land that understands unity. Your people prosper because their rulers care for them. I would give anything for those in Arendelle and I believe our shared dedication would make us kindred allies."

Kristoff and I stand impatiently as the royals deliberate at an inaudible level. While their occasional glance is nerve-wracking enough, none is more daunting then the handmaiden's continuous stare. My emotions get the best of me and I need to pass the time anyway, so I dare to stare back. She raises one of her thin, black brows at my gesture and sneers. My smirk only seems to anger her further.

"Cassandra?" Rapunzel worries. "Cass?" The handmaiden shakes herself free of her glare and her eyes widen.

"Y-yes?" she mutters.

"You alright?" Rapunzel asks.

"Fine," Cassandra murmurs while keeping an eye on me.

Frederic clears his throat. "Your intentions seem genuine, Queen Anna, but we'll need time to reach a final decision."

I resist looking overjoyed and answer, "Oh that's fine!"

"You may stay as guests in our castle," Arianna says. "Rapunzel and Cassandra can show you to your room. We'll see to it that your ship's crew is given a nice stay at one of our finest inns."

"Thank you, your majesties." Kristoff replies and bows. This time I'm following his lead before they guide us upstairs.

Arendelle Castle seems so compact compared to this castle. Its vast halls and enormous galleries seem to stretch on forever. As I ponder how many ancient secrets the castle holds, I don't rule out the royals' involvement with Hans. Siv has taught me to always expect the unexpected and we were in an unfamiliar land.

"It's nice to see you again, Anna." Rapunzel admits and my heart sinks.

I barely remember her, yet she's talking like we used to meet every weekend. I'm starting to realize she's just that happy with everyone. "Likewise," I reply. "Sorry about that whole 'eternal winter' mishap a few years back."

While Cassandra is all the more perplexed, Rapunzel laughs it off. "It's fine! Really! At the time, I think we were all a bit confused. But hey! Your sister has snow powers. How cool is that?"

A gold coin for every time I've heard that one, I think.

"I'm glad you were dandy with it all, Blondie," a man jests and we turn towards the corridor. His slender figure leans against the nearest wall as he finishes an apple. His brown goatee bounces with each munch while he raises a set of curious brows. "As for me," he says. "The next time you see your sister, please tell her she owes me a chicken soup for the two week fever I got!"

Rapunzel lovingly wraps an arm around him and pinches his cheek. "Oh Eugene's just over-exaggerating."

"Tell it to the mountains of tissues," Eugene quips. "I still have nightmares of 'The Great Sniffling'."

Cassandra pinches the bridge of her nose. "Well as much as I'd love to hear about the plight of your enormous nose, Eugene-" she grumbles. "-we need to get these two to their room." I impulsively snicker at her comment and she rolls her eyes.

While we walk, I can't help but overhear the couple's conversation behind me. "So I figure tonight we can go horseback riding if you're up for it," Rapunzel suggests.

"Maybe another time," Eugene relents. "It's 'Guy's Night' at The Snuggly Duckling."

"But...they're all men." Rapunzel sounds bewildered. "Isn't every night there 'Guy's Night'?"

"Don't tell them that," Eugene playfully warns.

As we approach our room, I decide to speak up to Cassandra. "I only have the best intentions at heart," I reassure her.

The handmaiden sighs. "Spoken like a true leader, warrior, thief, or tyrant. All of those people act on the best intentions, your majesty. I love my kingdom, so you'll have to forgive me if I don't welcome you with open arms."

Good lord, I think. She'd make one heck of an assassin. "Your commitment to your people is admirable," I respond. She seems surprised that as a queen, I don't take a offense to her previous statement. "So long as you're here, I think they're in good hands," I compliment.

A faint smile finds its way across her dark lips. "Thank you, Queen Anna," she replies and opens a white door. "Here we are." Kristoff and I peer inside to examine a luxurious bedroom. Where they see a guest quarters...I see a base of operations.

We use tiredness from our voyage to avoid going down for dinner. Frederic and Arianna are kind enough to send a servant with platters to our room. I discretely, yet graciously retrieve the meals before retreating back to the room like some grateful gremlin. With closed curtains and a candle to light the darkness, Kristoff and I prepare our next move. Having learned from how close things can get with late night missions, we've chosen to start as soon as the sun sets.

"What's the plan?" Kristoff asks while carving up mutton.

I toss the Corona Trading Company badge on our bed. "We need to find this company and see what ties it has to the Southern Isles. I do, anyway."

"Right," Kristoff says. "And then-...wait...What do you mean you? I thought we were doing this together."

I wince at his words. "I know, dear. I'm just not sure where you'd...fit out on the reconnaissance mission right now. I need someone in the room if that Cassandra does some investigating of her own. If no one's here, we're done for."

Kristoff huffs as I start to slip into my assassin robes. "So I'm supposed to just wait here?" he scoffs. "After how dangerous things got last time? Now I have to imagine all of the worst case scenarios for you-"

"Kristoff," I intone and try to keep my frustration in check. "We cannot do this right now. The fate of so much more is at stake here. I will be fine. Remember, I downed more of our attackers anyway." Kristoff huffs and I caress his face with my non-bladed hand. "I know you just want to protect me, but I can do this."

I open our window as he utters, "Not without this you can't."

I hear a bag unbuckling and turn with raised brows. Kristoff withdraws a pickaxe and spins it in his palm. "It saved us last time...maybe it'll do it again." He tosses it to me and I note its lacquered handle.

"Wait a second," I gasp with widened eyes. "Kristoff, this is yours."

"Now it's like I'm with you," he jests. "You need it more than I do, darling. Now go on. Go be great."

"I love you," I whisper and launch myself out of the bedroom. The moonlight brightens my magenta robes as I strike a stony rooftop. From the moment I land, I carry my momentum and surge forward. I bolt into the night just as I had back in Arendelle. The exhilaration of having to go and find the-...find the-...SON OF A-

I climb back up to our bedroom window and Kristoff glares at me. "What did you forget?" he teases.

"The badge," I mumble embarrassedly and he tosses it to me. "Thanks babe. Love you."

I bolt into the night just as I had back in Arendelle. The exhilaration of having to go and find the Corona Trading Company fuels me as I eject from another wall. I'm light on my feet to avoid raising suspicions and listen for nearby guards. Unlike the flattened walls of Arendelle Castle, Corona's structure is far older and has many handholds to descend from. I slip out and slide down an incline towards the main village. I consider where Arendelle's trade hub is located and deduce something similar is true for Corona. I make for the sea while keeping to the rooftops. I'm as nimble as can be and it's exciting to be back in the field. As I skid to a halt atop someone's home, I notice a seaside warehouse and hold up the badge. The matching, celestial signage brings a devious smile to my face.

I roll to street level and observe the colossal structure from the shadows. Several men have the area guarded, but aren't wearing the golden armor of Coronan knights. Their grizzly gazes sway across the humid, quiet streets while other strangers conduct business within. "What have we here?" I whisper to myself. Realizing ground level is a no-go, I consider finding a way to the warehouse's rooftop. Since it's an isolated building, there aren't any nearby edifices to jump from.

Keeping to the shadows, I crawl and roll along the ground until I reach an unguarded corner. I rub my hands against the structure's walls and feel for handholds. The darkness betrays me as I'm only welcomed by flat surfaces. I turn my head in disgust until I notice a rope and pulley system beside me. A thick rope is attached to a bundle of bricks suspended by a net. As I clench the rope, I realize that snapping the other end could propel me upwards. It could also make a racket loud enough for Olaf to hear back in Arendelle. Maybe I could pass it off as an accident, I consider. With a flick of my wrist, I draw my hidden blade and slice the opposite rope. The brick bundle collapses and the pulley launches me up at an alarming speed.

The rope flings me over the roof and I conceal an impulsive scream. I land with a thud and can only hope the bricks obscured the noise. A smile creeps across my lips as I can't believe that worked. While I hear men on the first level rushing over to investigate, I also hear a distinct click. My grin fades as I feel the tip of a bayonet prod my back. It appears my endeavor has propelled me right over the post of a rooftop rifleman. "Hands up," he growls.

We covered a lot of things at the academy, but dealing with firearms was a topic many seldom had experience with. I reluctantly oblige and my heart races when his other hand reaches for my hood. In that instant, another peculiar sound emerges. Something strikes the nearby ledge and a raucous whirring ensues. A thick wire pulls a cloaked individual over the edge. The figure looms over the night sky and gets both of us staring up at it. While his rope zips back into his gauntlet, I gasp at the glint of his hidden blade. The hooded stranger lands atop the rifleman and pierces his jugular. The moonlight illuminates his navy blue robes as he rises over his kill. The force of his impact has caused the cowl over his mouth to fall. Before he can pull it back up, I notice the distinct goatee protruding from his chin.

"You?" I blurt.

"Let's make a deal," Eugene says and re-equips his cowl. "You don't tell Blondie about me and I won't tell her what you're up to either."

Suddenly, hatches from both sides of the roof pop open and guards rush out with swords drawn. "So much for stealth," I mutter.

"Yeah you've got to work on that," Eugene snarks.

"Oh come on. Don't all assassins just get who they can only to have their cover blown anyway?"

"Actually, NO! They don't!" Eugene snaps.

We go back to back and draw our weapons as we find ourselves surrounded.