In the morning, Hans got dressed and met Raoul in his study, telling Elsa to enjoy herself this afternoon on his way. He was already looking forward to seeing her at dinner when his older brother snapped him out of his thoughts. Raoul was wearing a white coat with a thick glove on his right hand. His blue eyes were curious behind his wire-rimmed spectacles as he instructed Hans to sit.

"When did you first notice you had fire powers?" he asked, placing his bare hand on Hans' forehead to take his temperature.

"Since I was born, I guess," Hans said, shrugging. "In all your reading, did you ever come across the prophecy of Unlucky Thirteen?"

Raoul thought, adjusting his glasses. "I believe I once came across it in one of our family's history books."

"'Born of passion, thirteenth one, wields the power of the sun,'" Hans quoted. "I'm the reason she can no longer bear children. I burned her during my birth."

"And you say the pain is only soothed by mermaid tears?"

"Correct."

"Hmmm..." Raoul scribbled down some notes. "What triggers it?"

"Anger mostly," Hans said, flexing his hands, which began to glow like embers. Raoul hastily took his temperature again, then used his gloved hand to feel Hans' heating up. "The madder I get, the hotter the flames."

"Interesting... Have they ever shifted hues as they intensify?"

Hans hesitated. "Yes."

"Very intriguing. How are the flames produced?" he asked, checking Hans' fingers for residue.

"I don't know. It's not a controlled chemical reaction. I just kind of will it to do what I want. This is magic, not science," Hans told him.

"I still want to observe as much as I can."

Hans rolled his eyes. "Fair enough."

Raoul scribbled a few more notes, then flipped the page. "You believe Elsa's powers are similar to yours?"

"It seems like it. Just ice instead of fire."

"I'd like to observe her as well, if she doesn't mind. Your magic is astounding!"

The hair on the back of Hans' neck bristled at the thought of handing her over to someone else to be examined, but he knew his brother meant no disrespect. It was all in the name of science. "I'll ask her about it later."

"Thank you!" he wrote down a couple more things, then set the clipboard aside. "Alright, show me."

Hans held out an upturned hand, and an orange fireball bloomed in his palm. Raoul looked closely at Hans' forearm, his veins glowing with the supernatural magic. His gloved hand reached out to touch the flames, but Hans pulled back. "Don't touch it."

"It is indeed hot," Raoul confirmed, waving his hand to banish the emanating heat. "But it doesn't affect you?"

Hans bounced the flames between his hands like a ball, then stuck one hand directly into it. When he removed it, his skin was pale and unaffected.

"Fascinating!"

"I'm not sure what makes my fire special that it can't be treated like a normal burn," Hans muttered, half to himself.

"It make perfect sense that a magic prophecy foretells of magic powers that can only be healed by magical means."

Hans thought for a moment. "Elsa had suggested trying the tears for myself. If mermaid tears can heal the burns I cause, do you think it could get rid of the curse?"

Raoul contemplated the suggestion. "It's possible...but very dangerous."

"I know the risks," Hans snapped. "But the more I think about it, the more I think it's worth it."

Raoul looked down at him over his nose and glasses. "Let's not be hasty. You should have an escort or two."

"Bjorn and I can get a mermaid tonight!"

"No," Raoul protested. "The wedding is tomorrow. We should wait until after."

"No, we should do it tonight," Hans insisted. "I want to go to the wedding as a normal person."

"But what if something goes wrong?"

"It won't," Hans said confidently.

"But what if it does?"

Hans stopped to think about it. If Raoul thought that curing the curse was possible, then he wanted to try right away!

But his older brother also had a point. This theory needed further planning before he could attempt to catch a mermaid. They were well known for seducing men, eating their faces off and drowning them. Even if Hans could resist their allure, mermaids didn't cry for a fallen comrade or just any kind of pain. Supposedly, it took heinous torture. Who knew how long it would take to make one cry?

"Fine," Hans grumbled. "Two days. Let's have a plan by then."

Raoul, nervous of Hans' conviction, added, "You know, there's no guarantee it'll work."

"All I need is hope."

When Hans went to his room later that afternoon to freshen up before dinner, he stepped on a note that had been slipped under his door.

"Dear Hans, I really do appreciate you inviting me to meet your family. I want to thank you properly with a romantic night on the beach, just the two of us. Meet me at the Serene Shore after dinner. Love, Elsa."

Hans' heart soared. He couldn't wait until they were alone together. His pulse was racing throughout dinner. He could barely focus on eating. Elsa kept shooting him sexy glances from beneath her full lashes. He could feel the electricity building between them.

Finally, they were excused, but Elsa started heading the wrong way. Hans grabbed her arm, and when she turned with a coy smirk playing on her lips, his heart nearly stopped.

"I'm just going to freshen up quick," she explained, kissing his cheek. "I'll see you soon. You go ahead." Hans smiled and sighed with relief. He watched her walk away, enjoying how the material of her blue dress flowed about her elegantly, her hips swaying with each step.

Hans swallowed hard and snapped himself out of his trance. He went to the kitchen and grabbed two goblets and a bottle of wine. He carried them to the Serene Shore as the sun descended.

The sun painted the sky soft hues of pink and orange. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, listening to the sound of the calm tide rolling into shore. He could smell the salt water and feel the sand against his feet. He opened his eyes, and the night couldn't have been more perfect.

Hans watched as the edge of the world gobbled up the sun, the sky bruising purple as night crept in. He looked towards the palace, but didn't see Elsa, or anyone else for that matter, coming his way. He wondered what was taking Elsa so long...