"You seem distracted tonight, Dear." Hans commented as they danced.

She was distracted. She kept replaying Kristoff's word over and over in her head.

'Wait'.

"I'm sorry. I just feel a bit tired."

All this spinning in a cloud of entirely too strong perfumes and colognes wasn't helping.

Hans guided their dancing to a halt, leading them from the dance floor.

"Would you like to join me for a stroll along the grounds? Get away from the masses for a bit." Hans' hand didn't have a firm grip on hers, so when he took a step towards the door their hands began to part.

Anna debated for a second. To stroll would mean them being alone. It was almost a scary thought, but Kristoff's question that followed his command to wait plagued her.

"Are you sure you can't be happy with him?"

She never answered Kristoff. She gave him a bewildered look and just said she had to go.

She was more than aware she wasn't giving Hans' a fair chance. She had no idea if she could form any kind of affection for him, because she had been so set on not forming any.

How long could she wait for Kristoff to tell her something that he may very well not even feel?

She offered a small smile and regained a grip on his hand, "A stroll does sound lovely."

"I know these gardens do not hold a candle to your sister's, but they are still great for a stroll about." Hans had been making small talk for most of their walk.

There had only been a few people outside and they had long since left them behind. The path they were walking was lit by lanterns, paved with smooth stones that winded and curved along the flowers.

"I have been told that my mother could often be found here. No matter the season, she just loved being outside and hidden in her own little world out here." Hans stopped his story for a moment.

Anna looked to him, almost expecting a sad emotion to be displayed over his face. From what she had gathered, he never actually knew his mother. She passed away when he was very small. So all he knew of her was stories he'd been told.

So when Hans chuckled it completely caught her off guard.

"I suppose with having 13 sons, I might expect any woman to run off and hide from time to time. Any moments of peace would be appreciated."

Anna had never noticed what a nice laugh Hans had. He seemed to be more carefree when he wasn't around his family and other members of society.

"Bless your poor mother. I couldn't imagine all those boys!"

"Yes, I have been told she is somewhat of a saint."

The next corner they rounded led them to a much more open area of the garden, a fountain sat in the center of the opening. Anna couldn't make many details out of it because of the dim lighting. But from what she could tell it was an exquisite fountain.

How had she never noticed it before? She knew of the garden, though never ventured through it, but had never heard of this fountain.

"This place," Anna awed at the flowers that covered the stone walls like a canvas around them and how all of it beautifully led to the fountain. "It's breathtaking."

Now that they were standing by the fountain Anna could see some flowers that were in the base of the fountain, constantly shifting in the ripples of the water.

Neither said anything for a few moments. The water's sounds and crickets offering their symphony to fill the silence.

"I'm glad you like it." The corner of his mouth twisted up into a smile.

"How have a I never learned of this place before?" Anna's vision had shifted up to look at the thousands of twinkling stars that were scattered throughout the heavens above them.

The only place she'd seen that many stars was on her late night escapes into the meadow with Kristoff.

Thinking of the blonde took away some of the awe and wonder she was feeling.

"Not many people are allowed to come here." Hans' words brought her attention back to him, he was standing a couple paces in front of her, one leg propped up on the fountain edge.

At first he wasn't looking at her. Instead he was transfixed on the water in front of him, but he soon noticed Anna's stare.

"Only family can come here, for the most part." Hans removed himself from his propped position and extended his hand to Anna.

"Only family?" Carefully she placed her hand in his. She hoped the small shiver she had done wasn't noticed.

The night itself wasn't chilly, but the wind that swept through every so often made it feel so.

Apparently it was. Hans removed his dress coat and draped it over Anna's shoulders. Pulling it together at her front.

Though she wanted to give his coat back, she was actually thankful for it.

"Yes, because this was mother's favorite place." He looked around at their surroundings before his eyes landed back on Anna's face. "My father wanted to keep it beautiful and sacred."

Anna's mouth felt dry suddenly. She didn't know what to do or say. The way Hans was looking at her was a contrast in itself. It was intense yet soft. Hopeful and hesitant. It locked her in place.

"It makes me happy that the place she enjoyed so much can bring joy to you as well." He was so close that when he whispered the words she could feel them skirt across her cheek.

Was this that moment that Anna had been dreading? Yet somehow being in it, it didn't feel as scary or dreaded.

Then, as if Anna had no control over her body, her eyes closed and she pushed up onto her toes.

"Hans!" a voice Anna recognized as one of the other princes' boomed into the serene quietness.

The sudden noise caused Anna to jerk away before any true contact could be made.

She knew Hans and his brother were talking, but she couldn't hear them. Blood was rushing into her ears and her mind was trying to process the fact that she had almost kissed Hans.

"-we have to go back in." Hans' voice finally broke through her thoughts.

He looked pained by saying it.

She found herself feeling quite the opposite. She was extremely grateful for the intervention.