Chapter 2: Preparations

-October, 1842-

"Anna?" Elsa asked as she knocked on the open door to her sister's bedroom. "I was wondering if you needed help pa—" the young queen's mouth dropped open as she glanced around the bedroom. Packing trunks were open and spread about the room, most empty. There were a few garments tossed at the extreme foot of the bed, and Anna was lounging across the rest of it, flipping lazily through a book. "Hey, aren't you supposed to be packing? You leave first thing tomorrow."

"I've got plenty of time. It's only two-thirty."

"Try half-past-five." Elsa said, leaning into the door frame and crossing her arms. "We'll be eating dinner in an hour."

"Wait, what?!" Anna rolled over to glance at the clock sitting on her bedside table. "Yeesh! Why didn't you come sooner?"

"Why didn't you just pack like you were supposed to?"

Anna smiled sheepishly and stood up, smoothing out her skirts. "I'm sorry, Elsa," she said and rubbed the back of her neck, "I suppose I got a little distracted."

"With what, may I ask?" Elsa walked into the room and picked up one of the balled-up garments at the end of the bed.

"I've been reading up on Rheland." Anna said as she watched her sister fold the petticoat. "…well, what I could find about the kingdom in our libraries, anyway. It's my first time visiting there… actually, my first time visiting anywhere, really. O-on my own, I mean. I want to make a good impression."

"Is that so?" Elsa asked, a coy smile forming across her features. "Now is that in representing Arendelle or… to impress your newest admirer?"

Anna felt her face immediately flush. In order to hide the redness of her cheeks, she quickly crossed the room to her wardrobe and opened the doors. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I think you do." Elsa grinned. "I seem to recall one charming foreign prince who was absolutely fascinated by you."

"First of all," Anna began with the slightest of huffs, "His name is Prince Oscar. And he's not just 'a prince'. He's the crowned prince of Rheland—"

"—and second?"

"He was not absolutely fascinated. He was merely being friendly."

"Anna, men are friendly to me." Elsa replied and placed the folded petticoat where it belonged in the trunk. "That man couldn't take his eyes off of you during his entire visit. Not to mention all of the times he tried to pull you back onto the dance floor during that one reception…"

"Alright, alright!" Anna shot her sister a look and started pulling dresses out of her wardrobe. "He was being very friendly."

Elsa picked up another garment and placed it in the trunk, "I'm surprised he hasn't asked to court you yet. He's certainly a charming man."

"You say that about every man who dances with me." Anna dumped her new wave of clothes onto the bed. "I've gotten a lot of potential suitors over the last three years."

"Yes, but he's the only one who seemed to capture—and keep—your attention."

"That's not true." Anna started sorting through her chosen clothes, "he's just the first one that I liked that you also seem to like."

Elsa paused in her folding and glanced at Anna. She recognized her sister's tone straight away—the one used whenever he was mentioned.

"You can't possibly be comparing Prince Oscar to Hans…." Elsa balked. "That man didn't make the same mistakes that Ha—"

"Hans didn't do anything wrong!" Anna protested. Then, realizing how stupid that statement sounded, she held up a hand to stop her sister from interjecting. "O-okay, not at first. He was a gentleman and perfectly charming to me—"

"He purposefully seduced you and proposed within a few hours. No proper gentleman pulls that type of stunt—"

"Fine, whatever." Anna sighed. She really didn't feel like arguing. It's only been the same points back and forth for the last three years. For the small handful of qualities Anna thought were pleasant about the Southern Isles prince, there was at least twice as many foul ones, and as time went on, it was too much effort and energy trying to make arguments in Hans' defense. If Elsa didn't talk sense into her first, her own bitter anger towards the man took over and put an end to it. And since she had no plans of seeing him again, what did it matter?

"Well, as you say, since Prince Oscar is such a charming gentleman—a real one-, you won't have to worry." Anna continued, "Maybe he really is very, very friendly, but I don't plan on falling for his little charms. I'm not so easily taken in anymore. Especially after what happened with Hans. I don't let men just weasel their way into my heart anymore. And it's not like anything could really benefit from us, anyway."

Elsa nearly dropped the blouse in her hands. "What do you mean?" She asked.

Anna perched herself on the only clean spot near the end of the bed and started fiddling with her clothes, "I dunno, isn't there a rule or something about a girl being the crowned princess of two separate kingdoms?"

Elsa merely shrugged and placed more garments in the nearest trunk. "I believe that's how lands become united."

"Well, I don't think I could handle all of that." Anna sighed. "And I'm not looking for that kind of attention. I'm happy being on my own." She immediately hopped off the bed and turned on her sister. "Anyway…" she began, in an effort to steer the course of the conversation somewhere else, "I'm going to be gone for a few weeks—"

"—over a month," Elsa nodded.

"What sorts of shenanigans will you get up to while I'm away?"

"Oh, probably none," Elsa smiled wistfully and handed her sister another folded garment, "You and I both know that between the two of us, you're the fun one."

"Now that is not true! C'mon, you're the one with the magic!"

"Maybe so, but you're the one who initiates almost all of the adventure." Elsa replied. "I'm far more reserved than you—I have to be. I'm the queen. And I'm sure while you're away I'll only bury myself in kingdom matters."

"ugh." Anna sighed and shook her head, "that's just sad. A-and boring! Will you at least have some stories for me when I get back?"

"Oh, I'm sure. Though I can't promise how interesting they'll be. I'll be the one more intrigued with the tales of your adventures in Rheland. The Fall Harvest festival sounds like it'll be a grand time."

"I'm very excited for it!" Anna smiled and moved a full trunk over towards her bedroom door. "This is taking place during prime apple season, and according to Prince Oscar's letters, it's going to be the theme of the festival." She started counting off her fingers, "There's going to be tours through some of the farm country, apple picking, food tastings…mmmm…."

"It sounds like you'll be eating your way to bliss for a month."

"Right? I love apples." Anna glanced down at herself and tugged at her skirt. "I'm probably gonna need bigger clothes by the time I get back!"

Elsa smiled fondly, "just don't forget that you're also representing me in an official capacity. At some point during your stay, you promised to meet with the ambassador about renewing our trade agreements."

"I know." Anna nodded. "I'll do that early on. Then the rest of the stay is all about fun." Back at the bed, she continued to pack, "you've probably heard by now who's attending this thing, right?"

Elsa nodded. "Yes. Most of the kingdoms in the realm are sending some official representative. Us, Vallacia, Malengrad, Maldonia, Armensgrad, Osterheim, the Southern Isles…." Elsa continued rattling off kingdoms when Anna suddenly put her hands up in the air.

"Wait… who's attending from the Southern Isles?"

"I believe Queen Charlotte is."

"O-oh!" Anna exhaled a sigh of relief. "I like Charlotte. We got along really well during her visits to Arendelle." She rubbed her nose. "Though, she was just a princess then. Gosh… I haven't seen her since her wedding to Prince Frederick! What a wonderful time. I've never seen a pair more smitten with each other in all my life."

"Considering their courtship was only a few months, yes." Elsa added. "But it's been what, two years since the wedding? According to all the gossip columns in the inter-kingdom news, they're just as love-struck as they were before. The honeymoon phase is still alive and well."

"Yeah…." Anna sighed dreamily reminiscing about her own past dreams of finding her true love and that one special connection, then she snapped back to reality. "Anyway, since she's coming, at least I'll have one friend to talk to."

"Oh, don't be silly. Even if you don't get a chance to spend time with Queen Charlotte, there will still be Kristoff—" Elsa cut herself off and glanced towards the open door. "—that reminds me. He should have returned to the castle by now. I should see if he's ready to go."

"Actually, about that…" the princess shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other.

Elsa slowly turned back to Anna. Her sister's body language was not at all encouraging. "Yes?"

Anna bit her lip sheepishly. "He isn't coming."

"…what do you mean, he isn't coming?"

"I mean, I never told him."

Elsa's jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"

"Okay, let me rephrase." Anna's hands waved out in front of her. "He obviously knows I'm leaving tomorrow. Only, I never told him that he was supposed to come along. I… I wanted this to be my adventure. You've always had Kristoff accompany me to every little activity I do. And for a while, I liked it. I liked his company. But things aren't the same between us anymore. We're no longer courting, and I think it's time we both had some time apart."

"I don't know how I feel about that. You are going off on a long journey alone—"

"You don't trust me…." Anna crossed her arms and frowned. "C'mon… admit it."

"It's not that." Elsa sighed. "your penchant for fun has also gotten you into some trouble in the past…"

Anna waved a dismissive hand, "All purely coincidental. Besides, how much trouble can I possibly get into while indulging in delicious autumn treats? I'm going to be among allies the entire time."

"And nearby some enemies, too." Elsa shook her head, "Aren't you the least bit concerned, being so close to Alvania?"

"No? Clearly King Wilhelm isn't concerned about their neighbor, so why should I be?" Anna responded, "And I can handle myself just fine. I'm twenty-one years old! I don't need a chaperone to keep an eye on me all the time, and I know that's most of the reason you've made Kristoff go with me everywhere. I'm not so naïve. My diplomacy has improved in the last few years. I know my limits when it comes to Prince Oscar and any other potential suitor. And I've certainly gotten better at thinking before speaking."

"But—"

"But nothing!" Anna exclaimed. "I've waited so long for my chance to shine. Don't take this away from me."

Elsa shook her head slightly, knowing this was a battle she wasn't going to win, "Just promise me you won't do anything foolish."

Anna offered a reassuring smile as she walked over to give her sister a hug. "I promise to be good. Really though, you're going to worry yourself over nothing. This whole affair is about an apple harvest. What could possibly happen?"

-The Southern Isles-

The royal bedchamber was abuzz with activity as maids rushed about gathering clothing from the various wardrobes and laying everything out on the large bed to sort through. A few manservants were also navigating about to bring packing trunks into the room.

"Agatha, I believe you were right…" Queen Charlotte said to her most trusted lady's maid as the women stood off to the side, out of the way. "I don't know why I thought this would be a simple afternoon chore." With a frustrated sigh, she pulled a loose lock of her honey-brown hair back behind her ear. "I should have listened to you and started this this morning…."

"I believe yesterday would have been preferable, Your Majesty," the plump, elder woman replied softly, wiping her hands on her apron. "But we have a lot of help."

"Yes, but look…" the queen waved her hand about her bedroom. All she could see were piles of clothing everywhere, and the stacks were only increasing in height. "I feel like I'm preparing for a new home, not a one-month excurs—careful Clarissa!" She gasped suddenly when one younger maid nearly backed into one of the footmen. "Oh my…this is not working."

"Sorry, Your Majesty!" the girl squeaked as she scurried out of the way.

"We just need fewer hands. And feet about the room." Agatha suggested. "Perhaps with your help, Milady..."

"Whatever you think is best." Charlotte sighed again. Watching so many people move about and get in each other's way was only stressing her. "I just want this to be complete before dinner. It won't do well to transport so many trunks in the dark."

"Yes, Ma'am." Agatha stepped forward and gathered her maids and moved everyone to the far side of the room to talk.

Once the room cleared away a bit, Charlotte walked over to the bed and began surveying the mess. Blouses, dresses, formal gowns, undergarments, each type of garb had their own pile atop the bedding.

"… I don't even know where to start…" she mumbled to herself.

Suddenly, an arm shot into her peripheral vision and reached down to grab at one of the pairs of stockings about to slip off onto the floor. "Christ, you have a lot of clothes."

Charlotte jumped at the surprise company behind her and turned around to see her husband, King Frederick, standing mere inches away with an amused smirk on his face.

"Frederick!" She gasped, putting a hand to her chest. She could feel her rapid heartbeat and took a few deep breaths to calm herself. Her violet eyes locked with his blue ones for a few moments before his attire caught her eye. The decorations on his royal tunic were all disheveled. "My goodness, what happened to you?"

He merely shrugged and glanced down at his chest as her hands came up to fix the medals and aiguillette. "I was nearly knocked to the ground when these young lads came whipping around the corner carrying a bunch of chests. They seemed to be in a bit of a hurry, though I—"

"-Oh, Your Majesty!" Agatha gasped and suddenly dropped into a low curtsy, the other servants immediately following suit. "My apologies, I didn't see you come in—"

Frederick turned his head to address the staff, "It's alright, carry on," he said with a wave of his hand, before turning back to his wife, "On my way in, I had envisioned you in charge of this whole ordeal with everything under control. But uh… you seem out of sorts, and the maids and staff are all over there having a conference."

Charlotte shook her head. "They're organizing themselves. It was a mess before." She gestured to the bed covered in garments. "That's where this came from."

"Mmm…" Frederick nodded slowly and stepped forward to get a closer look at the bed. "And here I thought you were actually taking all of this." He chuckled.

"I hope not…" her eyes widened, "I'd need a lot more trunks." With a sigh, she started looking at some of the nightdresses pulled from the wardrobe. "I guess I should start with something simple."

"Would you care for an extra set of hands?"

Charlotte raised her eyebrow curiously but didn't spare him a glance. "You want to help?"

"Why not?" He offered, "the sooner you finish, the sooner they can all leave our bedchamber."

"And why does that matter, hmm? It's the middle of the afternoon. I'm sure there's plenty for you to take care of elsewhere." She retorted and sucked in a breath when he stepped closer and his arm snaked around her waist.

"Does a man need an excuse to be alone with his beloved bride on the eve before her departure?" He more-or-less whispered back.

Charlotte scoffed and nudged his side. "You just want to fool around some before dinner."

"I believe the proper phrase is 'bestowing affection', my darling." He replied and picked up one of the nightgowns, running his fingers delicately over the fabric. "Ah… I remember this one from our honeymoon…."

Charlotte's cheeks instantly flushed as she snatched the garment back. "Agatha?!" Her voice strained with desperation and she could hear Frederick chuckling softly beside her.

"Yes, Milady! We're here." The elder woman said as she rushed to the other side of the bed with her fellow maids. Her gaze shifted briefly to the king as he took it upon himself to browse eagerly through another pile of the queen's nightwear.

"Agatha," Charlotte said, regaining her maid's attention. "We need to get a move on. You will help me sort." Her eyes then traveled to the younger maids. "Clarissa, if you would please go downstairs to my sitting room. I left my itinerary on my desk. Fetch it for me?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" She said quickly, and with a curtsy, she hurried out of the room.

"Liesl," The queen continued, "do you know where Agatha stores my regalia?"

"Yes, Milady."

"Please fetch it. When you and Clarissa return, you may assist Agatha with the packing." When the maid left, Charlotte let out a sigh. "What an ordeal." Her eyes then glanced to her side and immediately smacked Frederick's hands away from her clothes. "Stop it!"

"What?" He asked innocently. "I don't get a say in which unmentionables you can wear abroad?"

She felt her cheeks redden all over again. "No. You're not going, so what does it matter?"

"What if you pack the one you need to wear tonight?"

Agatha couldn't help but giggle, and she covered her mouth to try and hide it from the regal couple. It didn't quite work. Charlotte stared wide-eyed at her maid before rounding on her husband.

"And what makes you certain I need to be wearing anything like that tonight?"

A teasing smile formed across his face now. "Well… if you prefer to sleep in the nude, all the better for—"

"FREDERICK!"

"Ah, to be young and in love…" Agatha sighed softly with a knowing smile to the queen.

"Don't be so embarrassed, my dear," Frederick shrugged and nodded to the lady's maid. "Agatha's a married woman, too. She knows all the delightful little secrets that go on behind closed doors."

"That's it." Charlotte hissed and pointed harshly to the adjoining sitting room in their royal suite. "You're only going to be a pest. Go sit over there and read the newspaper or something. Your valet brought it up earlier."

Frederick glanced over to the armchair near the roaring fireplace before returning his gaze to his wife, "I thought you wanted my help."

"I don't ever recall asking. You're the one who volunteered—" she paused when Clarissa came back into the bedchamber with a dossier in her hands.

"Is it this, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, thank you." Charlotte took the documents gently and then shot a glare to her husband. "Clarissa is back," she uttered softly so only he could hear, "If you insist on helping, stop it with the filthy talk. She's only a maiden, and I won't have you corrupting her."

Clarissa leaned over to Agatha. "…. did I miss something?" she asked softly, "Her Majesty is all flustered!"

"No, dearie. Nothing at all." Agatha smiled innocently. "Come now, there's work to be done."

Knowing the immediate fun was over, Frederick casually stepped back. It was apparent that Charlotte regained a sense of command over the task at hand, and he retreated to his chair. Propping his feet up on the nearby footstool, he snatched up the newspaper off the side table and scanned through the headlines. Every so often, he would glance up from his reading to peer back over into the bedroom to see the ladies' progress. A few times, he managed to lock eyes with his wife, and she managed to flash him a brief, reassuring smile before returning to her work.

"You don't have to announce me, Josiah. He's my brother."

"I'm only doing my duties, sir."

The voices in the corridor caught Frederick's attention and he sighed. Seconds later, there was a swift knock at the doorframe and his personal valet, a lean middle-aged man stepped into the room and bowed.

"Your Majesty? This arrived for you moments ago," The valet said, handing the king a closed envelope. "Also, Prince Hans is here to see you."

"Very well, Josiah. Send him in." he replied and went back to his reading. Out of the corners of his vision, he could see his youngest brother enter the room and stand before him. "Yes, Hans? What is it?" He asked without looking up from the paper.

"I uh, just finished helping load my trunks onto the ship."

"Yes….and?" Frederick glanced up briefly. "I needed to hear this?"

"Well," Hans swallowed, "Captain Hostetter was wondering when the Queen's luggage would be arriving."

Frederick blinked and made a point to look right into the bedroom. "Well… obviously not for a little while yet. It's a work in progress."

Hans briefly glanced over to the ladies at work and sighed. "O-oh." He said nervously, his hands fidgeting. "I was hoping to have a definitive answer…." He instinctively took a step back once the newspaper roughly dropped onto his brother's lap and his eyes caught Frederick's harsh gaze. Usually when Frederick or some of the other brothers grew irritated, they either chewed him out or struck him. And today he was not keen on receiving either of those for just being a mere messenger.

"Charlotte?" Frederick called, turning his head towards the other room.

"Yes?"

"How much longer will you be? Apparently, your ship captain is very impatient."

"Oh dear… well, we're about half way through and—oh!" Her voice grew louder when she happened to glance over and see the visitor in the room. With a warm smile, she walked over to the sitting room, "Hello Hans!"

"Hi." Hans offered back with a shy wave and glanced between her and Frederick.

"Are you set for the journey tomorrow?" she asked politely.

Hans nodded. "My luggage is on board. I'm only here to deliver the captain's message."

"Ah, I see." She smiled and idly folded the skirt she was holding in her hands. "Hopefully by sundown. I want to be finished and able to relax before dinner this evening. You may relay that's the best I can offer."

Hans nodded and was about to open his mouth to reply when Frederick cut him off.

"Anything else?" he asked shortly.

Hans could tell when he was no longer wanted, and so he merely shook his head and turned on his heel to leave.

Charlotte watched him go and sighed. "Was that really necessary?"

"What?"

"You're always so rude to him." She shook her head. "What has Hans done to deserve that?"

Frederick offered an incredulous stare in return. "Are you seriously asking me that?"

"Today, Frederick. In this exact moment, what has your brother done to warrant your attitude?" She frowned, "And don't say because he interrupted your afternoon reading. You're only sitting there because I kicked you out of the bedroom."

With a heavy sigh, Frederick only shrugged. "Lingering frustration, my love. There's just a deep anger towards him that will never go away."

"If that's anger because of something far from his control—"

"No. This is nothing about our mother." Frederick waved a dismissive hand. "He turned a sacred, celebratory event for allied kingdom into a usurping circus and soiled our family name. He shamed our kingdom, and thanks to him, my father had to do everything to make sure Queen Elsa didn't declare war on us. The undo stress and disgrace claimed him years before his time."

"Your father wasn't exactly of excellent health, either." Charlotte countered. "Everyone could see that."

"But Hans didn't help the situation any. If he just went to the coronation, behaved, and came back home like he was supposed to, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"And what mess is this?" She asked, pushing his feet off the footstool and perching herself onto it to face him. "Your father punished him, you and your brothers punished him—"

"And the first thing you did as a newly crowned queen was pardon him." Frederick shot back. "And just like that, you led him to believe all is forgiven."

"Trust me, Frederick. He knows that's not true. I freed him so he wouldn't live out the rest of his life as a punching bag for you and your brothers. I feel no shame in what I did. It's obvious he lives in the shadow of you and the rest of the family. He's treated like a second-class citizen in his own home. That's enough weight on his shoulders." She held up a hand. "And before you go off on me, that's exactly why I asked him to come along. It's been three years. I think he deserves some time for himself. Some small freedom to get out into the world again."

"Why, so he can foul up another kingdom?"

"He's not going alone. I promise to keep a close eye on him." She sighed and stood back up, smoothening out her skirts. "How do you ever expect him to do better if he isn't given a chance? Perhaps while he's gone, the rest of you will reevaluate his worth to this family." Before he could retort, she swiftly moved back into the bedroom.

The king shook his head. He and Charlotte would never see eye to eye on the subject of Hans, and today it was certainly not worth another argument. No longer interested in the paper, he set it aside and retrieved the delivered message from before. He pulled out the parchment inside and his eyebrows furrowed after reading halfway down the page. News from his agents abroad did not bode well, and it left an immensely sour feeling in his gut. Glancing back over, he watched his beloved and her maids scurry about. While the queen did keep herself somewhat up-to-date with the foreign affairs of the realm, there were certain sources that she didn't have access to, and she relied on him for the grittier news of their neighbors. Looking back at the missive in his hands, he felt himself torn, trying to decide what he should tell her—if—he should tell her. The information could be important. Or, he could be overreacting about nothing. It wouldn't make much difference. Trying to make a convincing argument at the eleventh hour was never an easy nor successful task.

He could hear laughing, and his gaze went back over towards her. The younger maids were giggling madly while holding up some of the queen's more formal wear, and Charlotte had a beaming smile across her face. She always did have a much better relationship with the staff. Even now as the queen of the land, she was still far more laid back with her closer maids than he would ever be with his personal staff. He told himself it was a product of their environment and upbringing. Their different natures didn't bother him. So long as she was comfortable being friendly with her servants, he wouldn't complain. Her happiness was his happiness.

And her attendance at the Fall Harvest Festival was something she had discussed with him extensively, and with immense enthusiasm.

It still didn't make his predicament any easier.

Rising from the armchair, he tossed the missive down onto the seat and moved to lean against the doorframe. "….Lottie?"

"What is it now?" She asked, glancing at him.

"C'mere…" he said, beckoning her with a wiggle of his index finger.

"Frederick, I'm busy…" She sighed and stalked back to the doorway. "What?"

Gently taking her hands, he led her off to the side and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace. He could feel her hands slide up his chest and wrap around the back of his neck and he smiled weakly to himself. At least, when she was here in his arms, there was nothing to worry about.

"Frederick?" She asked softly, glancing up at him. "What is it? What's bothering you?"

"…Nothing…" He sighed and rest his head atop hers. "I just…need a moment with you." He didn't offer any further explanation, only held her closer. With his gaze over her, he could see the missive on the chair. The grim headline echoed in his mind, and he felt at a loss of words how to explain his worries to her. He closed his eyes and rubbed his hands up and down her back, hoping her mere presence would shake his fears. Instead, the very thought of her departing in the morning amplified them. It felt like he could still read the harrowing title as if he were staring right at it.

Alvanian military camp construction near northern Rheland border. Soldiers to assemble in upcoming weeks.

Frederick woke the next morning to the sun shining right through the narrow gap in the curtains and onto his face. His hand quickly emerged from under the bedsheets to block the light in his eyes and he then let out an exhausted sigh. He barely slept at all that night. Most of his dreams involved some unpleasant scenario based on the information from his missive. His discussions about it with Charlotte before bed didn't help any. Despite his begging and his reasoning against going, she still insisted on venturing to Rheland for the festival. And holding Charlotte in his arms while she slept didn't even help him fall into a calmer, restful cycle.

He rolled over and sprawled out into the other side of the bed, eager to cozy up to her while it was still early enough. Only, instead of his arms and legs bumping into and then tangling with his wife's, they hit the mattress and empty pillow.

That certainly got his attention, and he blinked away some exhaustion to glance to his right. Charlotte wasn't there, and he instantly went into a panic. Did he oversleep? What if she had already left for Rheland? He shifted his hand to rub over the sheets where Charlotte would lay and found them still warm. Movement then caught his eye across the room—a shadow on the wall behind the arched changing screen. Frederick smiled slightly. She was definitely still here.

Quietly, he slipped out of bed and tied on his dressing gown before sneaking over to the changing screen. There she was in just her pantaloons and a loose corset. Her back was to him, and her hands were pulled to her back as she struggled to tie the laces of her corset tight. He eagerly came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, his face burying into the side of her neck.

"You snuck away from me…" he whispered to her, placing a few kisses onto her skin.

She gasped at his surprise embrace and then immediately settled into his hold. "Good morning," she smiled and tilted her head to the side to give him better access.

"No Agatha today?"

The queen shook her head, "I didn't want her coming in here, not with your bare body practically on display," she said in a teasing tone, "the bedsheets were barely covering you up when I rose."

He only shrugged. "You know, you nearly gave me a panic attack when I woke up without you. You've never been one to sneak off so early."

She managed to turn around to face him and wrap her arms around his shoulders, "I didn't want to wake you. You looked exhausted."

"I was. I am—"

"Well, I'm sorry I disturbed you." She offered him a weak smile, "I only knew if we woke up together, neither of us would have the ambition to get up."

He flashed a devious grin, "You're not wrong there. And you know…" he leaned his forehead onto hers, "it's still early…. say I carry you back off to bed for another rou—"

Charlotte instantly blushed and one of her hands came up to cover his mouth. "aha…I don't think so."

"And why not? We did spend a good portion of the night enjoying various…intimate activities—"

"-That was all your idea…"

"—Judging by the constant moaning and purring of my name, you took great pleasure in it. So, what's one more, hmm? This is my last chance to lay with you for well over a month. You can't blame me for desiring you as I do."

"You just want to keep me from leaving." She pointed out. "It's only delaying the inevitable."

His eyes searched hers as his face shifted into a sad frown, "I miss you already, and you haven't even left. I don't know how I'll function without you."

Charlotte pushed her lips up against his for a brief kiss, "You're a strong man. I'm sure you'll manage."

"But how will I sleep at night without your warmth?"

"Find an extra blanket?" She gave a teasing smile.

"A blanket won't satisfy the throbbing of my loins."

"Oh please," she rolled her eyes, "there shouldn't even be throbbing if I'm not here."

"You can't stop me thinking of you every night, hoping you're safe and alright, wishing you were here…" he trailed off and gave her a pointed look, "don't tell me you won't be doing the same. Feeling the same…"

"I… I will." She admitted. "I'll miss you terribly. But that doesn't mean I won't enjoy my time away. Just think," she tapped his nose, "It'll only make our reunion that much sweeter."

"It can be even sweeter if you remained by my side."

"Frederick." She said a lot sterner than before, "We've been through this. You will not talk me out of this trip." She gently pushed him back and then turned around. "Now be a darling and tie my laces for me?"

He sighed and obeyed. "it's not just the lack of intimacy I worry about, you know. On the greater scale of things, that's hardly important." His eyes went down to the corset laces as his hands worked, "The business with Alvania bothers me. I still can't shake the feeling that something is very wrong."

"Because they've built another camp? What difference does it make?" Charlotte asked and squirmed when he tugged too tightly on the laces. "You are in command of the strongest navy of the realm. Do our allies feel threatened when you gather your vast fleet around one or two of our islands? Of course, they don't."

"The difference, my darling, is that we are a kingdom surrounded by sea. Alvania is land-based, and it can't be a coincidence that these military establishments are so close to their borders. And everyone knows the relationship between Alvania and Rheland had soured ever since Beker became Chancellor."

"Has he done anything recently to suggest ill will towards Rheland?"

Frederick shrugged. "Not outwardly…" he finished tying her corset and dropped his arms back to his sides, "but that doesn't mean he isn't up to something."

"I'm sure King Wilhelm is keeping a close eye on his neighbor. If something foul were afoot, the festival would have been postponed or canceled. And though they won't be attending as far as I know, Alvania was still invited to the festival. King Wilhelm is extending a hand of friendship in spite of relations." She replied and reached for her petticoat. "Are you going to stand there in your robe all day or are you going to get dressed?"

Frederick sighed and walked off to his wardrobe. "That won't stop me from being concerned."

Charlotte tied her undergarment strings around her waist. "You can't let fear take over your every action, my love."

"My only fear is that something will befall you during your stay."

Charlotte raised her brow curiously. "Befall me? Just me?" She pulled on her blouse and started buttoning it closed. "I'm not going alone, you know. What about Hans?"

"Well, if he's along, there definitely will be trouble. Unlucky brother and all." He snorted as he tugged on and fastened his trousers. "Though he has enough decent skill to take care of himself should the need arise."

"Oh, and I can't?" She paused in her dressing to peer around the changing screen.

Frederick couldn't help but chuckle. "Somehow, I doubt your father or brother bothered to teach you how to engage in combat."

Charlotte scoffed and fastened her bodice closed and stepped back out from behind the screen to help her husband. "I may be sweet, but I'm tougher than I look." When she approached him, he stopped buttoning his shirt and raised his hands to run them gently through her long tresses. She could see the sad look of desperation across his features, "look at you…" she sighed and finished closing up his shirt front and the buttons on his sleeves. "You're a mess…"

"Lottie…" He exhaled and brought a hand up to cup her cheek, "Please…. I'll never forgive myself if something were to happen to you. You are my wife, and also my queen. Your safety is paramount, not just for my own sanity, but for the sake of our kingdom."

"And by visiting foreign lands, I am forever strengthening the bonds between our friends." She traced her fingers along his shadowy beard. "That's important, too."

He searched her eyes, studied her face, hoping for a miraculous sign that she would relent but instead only saw strength and determination. "Promise you'll write to me? it'll…" he sighed sadly, "It'll be a long month without you."

Charlotte nodded. "I promise. I absolutely promise." Standing on her tippy toes, she gave him a lingering kiss. "I'll send something at least once a week."

Frederick nodded and pulled her closer. "And… should it seem that Beker is up to no good—"

"—Hans and I will leave at the first sign of trouble. We will look after each other. I promise." She tried to give her husband a reassuring smile. "Be strong, and don't fret. Everything will be just fine…"