As Anna's eyes slid open to greet the day, they were met by sunshine beaming in through her window. Somehow she couldn't find the joy in today's sunshine or birds chirping. Not with the knowledge she now had.

"Anna." The tone sent a chill down her spine, her mother was most certainly not happy with her.

"Good morning mother." Anna groaned as she struggled to sit up in her bed.

"You must have been terribly ill with nerves last night." Her mother was stationed in the chair across from her bed, looking as if she had eaten some sour fruit of her own.

"Oh yes."

"But not so terribly so that you couldn't run off with your friend."

Anna's mouth pinched together, so she had been caught.

"I hope you have not done anything stupid, that might cost you the engagement. Given what your father's health concerns are, you'd be wise to marry Prince Hans."

"Mother, I have not done anything. I wanted one last night of freedom before my life became someone else's." Anna snapped at her mother. She wasn't in the mood for her mother's lectures, nor for her to use her father against her.

The look her mother gave her didn't look completely convinced, but she let out a heavy sigh. With grace she stood from the chair and smoothed her skirts.

"Very well then, I suggest you get out of bed and get ready for the day. A carriage will be here for you shortly." As if on cue, Anna's door swung open and a young woman came in, dressed in a clean and pressed uniform.

Anna let out a surprised "epp" and jerked her covers up to cover her from the new person.

"The palace has sent this young lady over. She is going to be your handmaid throughout your engagement." Her mother explained.

"I don't need a maid," Anna argued.

"I am here to help you in anything at all you may need." The woman curtsied.

Anna looked from her mother to the woman, still clutching her covers.

"We must get you ready, the carriage will be here soon. The whole town has gathered to watch the proposal!" The uniformed woman clapped.

"What?!"

"Anna, watch your tone!" Her mother scolded.

Anna withheld her next comment and looked at her mother defiantly. It was bad enough she had to live the rest of her life in the public eye, she could have at least gotten a private proposal.

"Fine." Anna jerked her covers back and forced herself out of bed.

With no further words her mother departed from the room, leaving Anna at this woman's mercy.

"My name is Drea." The young woman curtsied once more. She seemed to be about Anna's age, she had dirty blonde hair that was pulled back into a tight bun and she had a stout form.

"Anna." She offered her hand, it wasn't Drea's fault she had been sent here. Being rude to her wouldn't profit Anna anything.

She accepted it with a cheerful smile; then instantly began to speak on how they would design her hair for the proposal and what they would find for her to wear.

"I'm thinking light colored, possibly lilac. That it shows you are both humble, yet can hold a royal title. " Drea grinned, forcing Anna onto her vanity chair so she could begin working with her hair. "A braided crown possibly?"

"Eh, preferably something that does not involve pulling and tugging in excessive amounts." Anna's head ached from her crying fit last night.

"Perhaps just letting your natural waves fall, with only part pulled back?"

Anna nodded and watched in the mirror as Drea went to work on her knotted hair.

To her surprise she didn't feel much tugging at all as Drea worked through her hair. She had nimble fingers and worked fast freeing knots from Anna's mane and combing through with ease.

"Isn't it exciting?"

"So very." Anna's tone was flat.

Drea just laughed, "Not much of a morning person are you?"

"Not much of my life choices being decided for me person."

Drea didn't respond, though Anna witnessed her eyebrows squeeze together for a quick second in the mirror.

"Perhaps, you would like a different color dress or hair style?" The woman offered softly.

A different dress wouldn't change things. Neither would a different hairstyle.

Anna had hoped that Kristoff would confess feelings for her while they were in the meadow last night. She had provided so many opportunities, but he never did. Her own confession of feelings had been on the tip of her tongue most of the night. If he had just given her an ounce of hope that he felt the same she would have spilled everything to him. But the blonde kept to his usual manner and didn't display much emotion.

When he brought her home for the night, she fought back her tears. Maybe it was only her who felt anything romantic. When she hugged him, she almost swore he squeezed her a little tighter than normal. But still, nothing.

"No. Just do what you think is best." Anna stiffened her lip and set her feelings aside.

Despite her ill feelings and distaste for the entire situation, Anna had to give Drea her due credit, Anna felt beautiful. Most of her hair hung loose and free, aside from the bit on the crown of her head that had some lavender colored ribbon weaving through it, meeting in the center back of her head to tie together. Her dress was not the puffy nightmare she was dreading. The color matched her ribbon and made of the same georgette material. The body had a snug fit but flowed out elegantly from her ribs down. The sleeves were flowing and came to her elbows.

"You look like a princess." Drea admired her work.

She really did.

"Anna!" Her sister's voice called from her shut bedroom door, "Someone is here for you."

It was time. She could no longer hide from fate.

When Anna exited the door, Elsa gushed on how beautiful she was and lavender was an absolutely stunning color on her.

"It's easy to see why he wants to be with you."

Anna noted her sister's pointed word, but ignored it.

Thank goodness her parents had stepped out for the time being to go pick up the perfect wine to toast the engagement too. When Anna made it to the bottom of the steps, it wasn't any kind of palace official or a prince waiting for her. It was Kristoff.

He was facing away from her, studying a new piece of art that was hanging in the foyer.

"Lovely, isn't it?" She asked once she had managed to sneak up on him.

He only jumped slightly at her voice.

When he turned to look at her his eyes went wide at first.

"I know it's a bit much. But I swear if you-"

"You look beautiful."

He had stolen her ability to speak with just that small comment. Her mouth just bopped.

"Kristoff," She wanted to pour her heart out, but something was stopping her.

"He is a very lucky guy. Er, Prince?" Kristoff squirmed, the emotional load of the situation was a bit too much for him.

Anna's face soured and she was going to argue with him but the sound of a carriage arriving sealed her mouth.

It was either her parents or the Prince. Neither arrival would bode well for her.

A formal knock was the next sound and it answered the question as to who.

Anna sucked in a hard breath and looked to Kristoff.

The blonde wasn't sure what to offer her, his eyes fleeting between her and the door.

Seconds passed but it seemed like an eternity. That small little knock brought the end of them, whatever they had together.

"His royal highness Prince Hans has arrived." A voice announced from the other side of the door.

"Anna!" Elsa quickly but elegantly made her way down the stairs, "Go back up stairs. I'll get the door."

Anna bit down hard on her bottom lip, with one last regret filled look; she excused herself up the stairs.

Kristoff released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding captive.

"Did you tell her anything?" Elsa smoothed her hair and skirts.

"Yeah, that she looked beautiful."

Elsa's mouth pulled to one side and she sighed, "very well, I suppose there is no point in delaying this."

With her usual grace, she pulled the door open. Greeted by the sight of a palace official and a royal carriage behind him.

"Hello." Elsa greeted him.

"May I announce the arrival of Prince Hans." The official proclaimed, stepping aside as the carriage door opened.

Anna watched from her bedroom window as Hans stepped out from his carriage. He looked handsome, debonair, princely. Everything a girl should want.

"Anna?" Elsa's voice called for her.

"You look perfect, miss. Don't be nervous." Drea was beaming when Anna turned to face the rest of the room.

She wasn't nervous. She was heart broken.

Setting those emotions aside, she straightened her spine and took a deep breath. There was no sense in delaying this. She'd given it her best shot to see if there was something there was Kristoff.

"Thank you." She gave a firm nod and smile to Drea before she exited her room.

She took a deep breath at the top of the stairs. She could see Kristoff had moved to the wall closest to the staircase. He was standing with his back to her, arms crossed over his chest, watching whatever was taking place in the foyer.

She could hear Hans and Elsa exchanging formalities from their positions in the foyer.

Kristoff must've heard the stair whine when she put her weight on it to begin her descent, because his head turned slightly to follow the noise.

He held as still as a statue, never losing focus on her.

She should be walking down the stairs to him, not another man.

As she walked down the last few stairs, she let her fingers graze over the middle of his back. It was seamless enough that despite everyone's attention turning to face her, no one noticed. Perhaps thinking she was holding the railing he was leaning against.

She was almost proud of herself for the bold move, with an audience no less. She dared herself to make eye contact with Kristoff as she reached the bottom of the stairs. It was a fleeting second, their eyes met and her heart squeezed so much she felt the pain physically.

"Anna." Her name was spoken in a proper and almost breathless word, drawing her attention to the man she should be focused on.

"Prince Hans." She curtsied to him.

He bowed to her in return, when he stood back up a smile was radiantly displayed on his face.

"You are stunning." Hans took Anna's hand and kissed it softly.

"Thank you. You look very nice as well." Anna complimented.

He was wearing a navy suit with gold trim. His sword at his side.

"Welcome to our home. I trust you've met my sister Elsa?" Anna made a small motion to her sister who had made her way to stand next to Kristoff.

"I have. And the family friend, Kristoff."

Anna looked over at Kristoff who simply shrugged off the acknowledgment.

"I'm sorry my parents aren't here. I don't know what could be keeping them." Anna heard a snicker come from Kristoff and Elsa's direction after her comment.

"There was a rather large herd of reindeer we passed on our way, perhaps they have been caught waiting for them to pass?" Hans offered with his brilliant smile.

Anna wanted to question Kristoff if he knew anything about the herd, but she would save that for later.

"Perhaps. I suppose we should make our way to the palace before all of poor Miss Drea's efforts at making me look presentable falter."

"To the palace?" Hans auburn eyebrow arched. "I was hoping you would join me for a stroll around your grounds before we left. But if you like we could go."

"No!" Anna's word may have held a bit too much excitement. "I mean, I would love to show you around."

Anna, despite feeling very grateful at the delay, was confused at what was happening. Hadn't the whole town gathered to watch their proposal? Wasn't she supposed to start her life of being marched around like some kind of trophy as soon as possible?

Hans offered his arm to Anna who slipped her own through it. She stole a glance back at her sister whose expression matched what she felt. She had a tight smile and offered a small shrug of her shoulders.

"You do truly have a beautiful home, Anna. If I may, this garden and pond may be my favorite part." Hans commented when their tour had finally come to an end.

"Thank you. Yes, this garden is my sister's pride and joy. She struggled getting anything to grow here for such a long time," Anna did think her sister had done an amazing job in what had been a useless little dirt patch.

She sat carefully lowered herself onto the stone bench just next to the small pond in the center of the garden. Drea would probably scold her if she got dirt on this beautiful gown before the Prince had ever even mentioned proposing. With care, she reached out to stroke the bright blue flower to her right.

Hans had joined her on the bench now, "The flowers are remarkable."

"Mhm, I couldn't even tell you how many hours she spent in the dirt, looking at what kind of herbs might help flowers grow, even sometimes going as far as reading to the buds." Anna half laughed.

"Wow. So much love and time. And look at the end result."

"Yes, people come and ask for her flowers for their wedding bouquets, courting presents, and other things. She has made quite the profit for herself. Though she has never charged much for her flowers." Because that's who her sister was. She grew the flowers because they brought her joy, not because she wanted money from them.

"Anna?" Hans called her attention away from the flowers.

"Hm?"

Anna felt more at ease with him now than when their walk had started.

She'd only met him in passing at the castle and at that time she was not allowed to be anything but seen and not heard with him. He wasn't the horrible person she'd made him out to be. He didn't drag her off the second he saw her. He was the one who suggested the delay, who wanted to get to know more about her and her home.

"This place goes to show that no matter what you start with, it's the effort you put into it that matters." Hans drew in a deep breath and slowly let it back out. "I know we don't know much about each other yet and I know I'm the 13th son so there is a fairly good chance I'll never be king."

Hans shifted off the bench, kneeling in the dirt in front of the bench, holding one of Anna's hands.

"But just like what your sister has done here, I believe we can make something beautiful out of our lives. So, if I may be so bold as to ask, Anna will you marry me?" With his question he produced a ring out of his jacket pocket.

Anna hadn't meant to gasp, but she couldn't help it. This wasn't the spectacle she'd prepped herself for.

The ring looked older and just like everything else today, it wasn't what she expected. It was a slim silver band with two smaller emeralds nestled next elegantly cut diamond.

"I don't understand. I thought we had to be in front of everyone."

"Well, if you were going to tell me no, I would have rather it been in private." Hans chuckled. "So what do you say?"

Her mind and heart screamed 'no'. Just like he said, they knew nothing of each other. Shouldn't that be reason to not?

The conversation with her mother rang through her mind, the concerns for her father's health. Then she thought of how Kristoff didn't act bothered by the fact someone else wanted to be with her.

"Yes." It was the weakest, most unconvincing word she'd ever said.

Hans didn't seem to notice, because he was now smiling and sliding the ring onto her finger. Once it found it's place, Anna's stomach turned to lead.

What had she done?

Looks who is back...

Lets hope I've not lost you all or that you have lost interest!