GTG: Hiya! Thank you, DarkraiSP and Guest for the reviews. And thank you for everyone who's reading this story! A little spice in this chapter. And please, don't be afraid to leave a review or ask questions! Enjoy!
She couldn't bring herself to look at the Prince without heat flooding her cheeks as they walk back to the ballroom.
Prince Hans had surprised with a tap on the shoulder and ask for a dance. Anna had already danced with four men and was starting the boredom was starting to sink in, but that didn't stop her from saying no to this handsome man. Their dance only lasted for a short moment when she and he had escaped the party without anyone's knowledge. Together, they sang and danced around the village. It was fun and sensational for Anna.
(—she forgot that her biological half—)
He was exactly what she wanted from a prince! The perfect prince from the stories she read. Though— it was towards the end, when they were lost in each other eyes, breathing heavily. He took a move, closing the distance between them.
And their lips never touch, because, at the last second, Anna duck her head, thinking of Elsa.
Prince Hans isn't Elsa.
And— she couldn't kiss him and think of her sister. It— it just doesn't settle right with her.
Anna realized her last-second decision affected Hans greatly because he removes from her personal space and apologized. Anna countered, with her own set of apologies, assuring out the blue, that she does love him, but she can't kiss him now. She couldn't offer a reason why, but he nods, saying he completely understands. Before he could start rambling, Anna planted a kiss on his cheek, then suggest quickly they should return to the party.
So here she is, back at the ballroom.
No one has noticed her absence. Not even Elsa, who is listening to a group of women talking eagerly. It's great to see Elsa's around others. Growing up, Anna knew she couldn't be around people. That was a forced matter. Elsa, on the other hand, had a choice matter, to be amongst people. But Elsa enjoys her introverted times. Anna understands that, but it's truly a sight to see Elsa smiling and around people.
Anna decides to go and talk to elegant girls seemingly around her age and eats lots of chocolate.
But soon, she can feel her energy crashing.
Standing to the side, Anna drinks something fruity— but not an alcoholic drink. Elsa would freeze on the spot if she ever caught her little sister drinking spirits.
Men offer their hand for a dance, which Anna kindly declines. Hans wouldn't like that right? Even if he's not in the ballroom now (she has no idea where he went). That's fine that she is not dancing; her energy is low and she enjoys watching people dance. They're so beautiful! And lively! She wishes this can happen every day! No more days of the palace being so empty and bland. Anna makes a mental note to ask Elsa about more parties— when speaking of the Queen herself,
her sister gracefully slides next to her, ice furries following behind her. "I think this is my calling."
"Your calling for what?" Anna inquires, turning to her. With her strong sense, Anna can smell the light alcohol on Elsa's cool breath. The Queen's face is blushed and her eyes twinkle. She's been DRINKING?! Anna screams in her head.
"My bed," whispers Elsa, giggling.
"What about the party? Don't you have to end it?"
"We have servants, my dear sister, to do that for me! They do lots for me! Like cook, clean, clean my room…Lot's!"
Anna shakes her head, laughing. She definitely likes slightly drunk Elsa.
"Well, I come to bid you goodnight. So, goodnight," Elsa nods (quite a few times). "Oh, and I am going to tell you to go to bed at a decent hour— otherwise Gerda will fetch you!"
"No need!" Anna eagerly says. "I'll go to bed with you!"
"Really?"
"Yes!" Anna grabs her hand and hurries out the ballroom.
"Not so fast, Anna!" Elsa yells, laughing.
Anna stops and smirks mischievously. "Maybe you should lead the way." She moves behind her sister. "When was the last time you gave me a piggy-back ride?"
"No, Anna, really—"
Anna ignores her sister's protests and jumps on her— "And up I go! Oh, I hope I'm not heavy,"
"I'll manage." Elsa strains to say as she grips her sister's leg and struggles to move forward to her room. "It'll be much better if we were switched. You're a lot stronger than me."
At this close proximity, Anna gets a full scent of Elsa's in her nose. She smells great! Like lavender and flowers and dark chocolate and of course the blood— because, well, y'know— but it doesn't bother her as it did before. There's another scent, unidentified, lying under all the rest. She could guess; if it's possible, that the scent is cold. No, it's snow, definitely snow. Elsa smells like snow. Anna smiles and rests her forehead on Elsa's shoulder.
"Anna…" Elsa groans. "You're adding more weight,"
"You're close to your room— now move faster!" Anna playful orders in her tough tone whilst kicking her feet. Again, Elsa groans, nevertheless, she shuffles to her room. Anna removes herself from her sister's back when they're inside. Personally, she like Elsa's room much more than her own. Everything is so simple and neat. Just a little cooler.
Kicking off her heels, Elsa yawns, and stretch. She delicately takes off her crown— needs more designs, I could work on it later— and place it one nearby dresser. Elsa quietly takes out the pins holding up her braid and dropping on the same dresser but from her crown. She then collapses face down onto her bed. Anna closes the door and undoes her braid. Her hair falls effortlessly in loose curls, down her back. She adds her pins to the small pile on the dresser. Anna plops next to the queen, sighing happily. "Well, that was fun."
"Your type of fun," mumbles Elsa as she turns to her side and tucks her hands under her head. "Not so much of mine." She squints. "Oh! My head feels funny!"
"Wait— you didn't have fun? The gates opened, so many people came, and you've become queen and there were dancing and laughter and… fun!"
"Ah, social interactions can be exhausting!"
"But you seemed to enjoy yourself," counter Anna.
"Only because I had something to drink." Elsa giggles. "To calm me. Everything was warm, but, but honestly, without that drink, I'd probably be here. Sleep. I think I'm sleepy now. I don't see how people aren't drained after, um, parties."
So, Elsa does not like large crowds. "Oh, well, that's too bad because I was planning to ask for more parties… like the one tonight."
"Wait, why? What for?" you can hear the uneasiness in the Queen's voice.
"No reason. But it would be nice. To show Arendelle we're fun and warm."
"There are two more festivals planned, Anna. And then your birthday in less than a week."
"I know, but the ballrooms are so fun! And fancy." Honesty, she likes seeing new faces in the palace. Anna shuffles closer to Elsa and moves around like an excited worm. "Please! Please! Please! Please—"
"Okay, okay! I'll think about it, okay?"
Anna pouts.
"That's better than a no," yawns Elsa. "Tell me about your day," she says, closing eyes.
"What's the point? You're gonna go to sleep anyway."
"I won't, I'm just resting my eyes," she says with her eyes remaining closed.
Anna squints at Elsa. "Oookayyyy. Well— for starters, the air is so different from the inside! So many busy people! They're very simple, y'know. Wearing simple clothing— which is okay. I saw children too! They're really small, like tiny hugable people. Ooh! We should totally host an event that involves children. And I met a ma- ma— male horse." She was going to say 'man'. "He was very handsome and nice. We should train our horse to bow. That would be so cool! Then, of course, there was your coronation— you look quite beautiful. I explored the village more, and then the dance at the ballroom. I, uh, I…."
It's not fair really, to omit such information. It brings guilt to Anna's soul. She feels as though she'd would betray Elsa if she keeps the knowledge about Hans to herself. Elsa would be more angry about that than if Anna tells her now. Besides, she's quite sleepy. She wouldn't be up for an argument at this time of night.
"I— I met a man. Actually, he's a prince. He's…" Anna giggles. "He's very stunning and charming. He likes what I like. Dancing, singing and eating ice cream, I wonder if he likes chocolate the way we do… probably so! You'll definitely like him! We're so much alike, that's why we love each other— which I know is quite sudden— but, I mean you can say it's love at first sight. That's true love, Elsie— and it's completely normal." Her voice is quieter when she says, "I just want to be normal. You understand right, Elsie? Elsie? Elsa?"
Anna faces Elsa and rolls her eyes.
Elsa sister is sound asleep, her breathing even. Seeing her sister peacefully sleeping brings a yawn out of Anna. The princess was quite serious when she said she will go to bed with her. They had slept in the same bed many times when they were children. Those were great adventurous times. Way before Anna developed this attraction.
Now… now is just an opportunity to snuggle with her. She can control herself tonight, and not being aroused by the scent of Elsa's blood. She had two of those emergency blood meals— though it was not needed at that time. She can enjoy the closeness of Elsa.
Anna plants a kiss on Elsa's cheek (so close to her soft lips). Elsa murmurs something and turns around. A tight feeling flourishes in the princess' heart. It's similar to the sensation she felt with Prince Hans. She thinks that he can save her; save her from indulging these affections for her big sister to grow. Anna sighs and shuffles closer to the sleeping queen. "You don't understand, Elsa," she whispers, placing her forehead in the middle of her back. "I should love him the way I love you. I have to."
Hans humorously bangs his head on the wall. Never again. Never again. He grimaces. Never again will he sing a duet and prance around like a happy blind prince ready— desperate— for love. He's not blind. She is a vampire. The vampire mentioned in the prophecy. What a surprise. The princess is the key to the 'end times'. He knew it was her when she was on top of him that morning. It took all his power to not burst in a ball of flames. The air did heat up, and the princess did take notice. She took notice of his charming looks, immediately falling for him. Hans bangs his head against the wall again. A vampire— once again— is in love with him.
"What are you doing, boy?"
Hans keeps his head against the wall. He doesn't have to see to know who's asking. Curtis' voice is the only voice that annoys him. "Attempting to end my suffering."
"Your suffering?"
"Embarrassment," he mutters and faces Curtis. The man's age is starting to show. He's already bald. Has been bald since Hans met him. Strangely though the baldness fits his appearance. It never made the assumption that he was an elder. And even if it did, never underestimate the man's power. He's quite intimidating. "I had to sing with her."
Curtis snorts. "But you like to sing."
Hans blushes, "Not with people." And definitely not in front of people! Curtis only knows that he has a talent for singing because he caught the prince in the act a handful of times.
"I'm sure it was not bad," Curtis assures him, brushing some dirt off his hands (Hans suppress a shudder at how dirty his hands are, the hell was he doing?) and moving to the doorknob.
"Oh, it gets worse. She's the one. She's the key."
"She?"
"Princess Anna."
Curtis hand abruptly stop reaching for the door. He slowly turned to the prince. "What?"
"Anna is a vampire and she's— hey hey hey! Watch the coat! The coat, Curtis! You've got dirty hands!"
Curtis push to him to the end of the corridor. "Are you sure?" the man hisses.
"Well yes! Have you seen the state of your hands?"
Curtis slaps the back of his head. "No, boy! The princess!"
"Yes?" Hans raises an eyebrow, rubbing the sore spot. Curtis has always trusted his instincts. What makes this different? "She's a vampire."
"Are you sure—"
"What is it? You know my skills of tracking vampires excels."
"This is the princess you're talking about—"
"I know!" Hans shouts. Curtis clamps his— dirty fucking!— hands on Hans' mouth. The redhead man hastily brushes it off.
"Shush boy!" Curtis glares at him. "Do you have any idea of what you're saying?"
"That the princess is a vampire," says with no emotion in his voice.
"Yes! But not only that, but a royal is involved with a prophecy that threatens mankind. If she truly is the key, how do you suppose we fulfill your part? Knowing that you'll have to… dispose of the princess?"
oh. Well, he hasn't thought of that.
"But…" Hans starts, knowing his voice has gotten a little weak. "But this is everyone else fate's… Vampires can— if I don't, if we fail— if she's—"
"Yes, I know." Curtis removes himself from Hans' personal space. "That's why you need to be sure. Find out if she is."
It's an order from the leader of the Ignis. And while Hans is perhaps stronger than this man, Curtis is very wise.
But… the prophecy…
Hans rubs the back of his head. "I've seen my accommodations in the palace," he says, changing the subject. "It's large enough to support you all."
Curtis smiles at Hans' unspoken offer. "The hotel is cozy enough for us."
"Even for our sisters?" Hans press. "They were chatting excitedly about the party inside the palace. I think it would be nice if they could sleep—"
"Hans." Curtis interrupts. "We are fine. The hotel is fine. There's even an inn around here that we planned to visit for our investigations."
Investigations, meaning gather stories of people who were potential victims of vampires from drunken men and women and finding any clues of vampire activities. Vampires' best stealth tactic are luring people out of bars and into the woods where they can feed. The Ignis isn't sure if this tactic is done in Arendelle, but it's very popular in the Southern Isles. Only vampires with the most self-control can blend well within the crowd. The others remain somewhere in the woods. Often coming out to take meals in barbaric methods.
But Anna… the previous king and queen had hidden their children behind closed doors. They knew their daughter was a vampire (—but how and why remains the question—)
"You should focus on your investigation," Curtis says and turn for his room.
Hans nods. "Well, I bid you goodnight. Send word to our brothers and sisters." He turns and heads for the palace. It's already set in his head. Hans begins to steam. Why would Curtis doubt his findings? She is the fucking vampire in prophecy. The fucking key to stopping or starting the fall of mankind. And he'll make sure she'll be the stopping.