Midnight embraced the sky in velvety darkness. The constellation of stars sparkled like diamonds, illuminating the kingdom underneath. Occasional hoots and incessant cries breathed life into the otherwise silent night. Anna would have spent all night admiring the otherworldly beauty if it was not for this project. The cool breeze was tempting; its gentle caress was lulling her to sleep. Her eyelids were already drooping from drowsiness. Anna had to pinch herself occasionally to stay awake.
"Now, for the finishing touch…."
Anna dipped her paintbrush into her colour palette. Once soaked, she stroked the bristles, sending splatters of white to the lower half of the canvas. They blended well with swirls of cerulean blue.
"Perfect."
Anna smiled proudly at her finished masterpiece.
Papa would love this.
There was nothing more fitting than a handmade painting of Papa's favourite fairy tale for his birthday gift. He loved The Little Mermaid so much that it had become his go-to bedtime story. Sometimes Anna questioned her father's taste. She hated the ending; it never failed to leave her in tears each time Papa finished reading it to her. So she'd taken it upon herself to give the mermaid the ending she deserved in her painting - The prince had his arms wrapped around his love, both watching the sunset into the horizon.
She gave her artwork a last look before concealing it with a satin cloth. It was time to move on to the next phase of her plan: gathering accomplices. She took the lamp and headed down to the kitchen. She spotted Gerda kneading dough. The woman was so focused on her task that she did not notice Anna's presence.
"Oh!"
A blanket of white filled Anna's sight.
"Princess!"
"You should know better to sneak up on me like that, Princess," she reprimanded. "I could have hurt you."
"I'm sorry, Miss Gerda." Anna lowered her head, feeling guilty. She tried not to squirm when the elder woman wiped excessive flour off her face.
Gerda shot Anna a pointed look. "Any good reason for you to wander around past your bedtime, princess?" She stole a glance at the opposite table, scrutinising the number of cookies resting on top of the baking tray. "I hope it's not to satisfy your midnight cravings."
"Miss Gerda! I would never!" she huffed, crossing her arms. "I'll have you know that I possess the patience of a saint...Ouch!"
Gerda flicked a finger to Anna's forehead, earning a yelp from the child.
"Nonsense! I know an imp when I see one. Now spill, Princess, or there won't be hot chocolate for breakfast tomorrow."
Anna grumbled in silence. Chocolate was Gerda's trump card. Nothing could be more horrifying than losing a meal of scrumptious chocolate (at least in Anna's mind).
She sighed.
"I need your help to set up a surprise for Papa."
"Now we're talking. What can I do to help?"
Anna grinned.
Patience was never Anna's strong suit. However, she would make it an exception for Papa. After all, today was his birthday. She wanted nothing but the best for her father. Even if it meant sneaking into his room and hiding under the bed to give her father a surprise gift. Her limbs were a little numb after lying in the same position for nearly two hours, clutching an envelope in her hand. The dying cinders at the hearth did nothing to help her situation.
I wonder how Papa would react.
Relief rivalled Anna's excitement. Kai's message that the Royal armada had entered the fjord had put her heart at ease. Anna had missed her father terribly. He had been away on official duty for almost a year in Grandfather's stead, following the latter's decline into poor health. Since his departure, Anna had only received a letter informing her of his safe arrival in Weaseltown and a promise to return before his birthday.
The limited communication had the Princess worried sick. Not a day went by without Anna thinking about his father. Waiting for another hour was nothing compared to the gruelling hours of uncertainty that had been plaguing Anna's mind.
Her ears perked up at the pounding footsteps outside the room. She heard the door open and saw Papa stormed in. Anna shuffled to the corner of the bed, ready to surprise him. She held back when she noticed he had company.
"Close the door."
She felt queasiness pooled in the pit of her stomach. There was something off with her father's monotonous address.
"I hope you have good news for me, Commander."
"Yes, Your Highness. I have disposed of the bodies as per your request."
Anna blinked.
What is the man talking about?
"Good. Please make sure you have the perimeter secured until I get there. That conniving man will do anything to take down Northuldra."
The other nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness. I will prepare your ride immediately."
Cold sweat trickled down her forehead. Her heart pounded wildly against her rib cage.
Northuldra? Why is Papa talking about the enemy state like he wants to protect it?
Sweat trickled down her temple as the conversation continued. The urge to make her presence known grew stronger as the duo's conversation progressed. Surely she had misunderstood. There was no way her loving Papa was the cold-hearted monster the Commander made him out to be. It sounded absolutely ludicrous that his father would conspire against his people. Her mind was trying to rationalise her father's actions with self-made theories until she heard her father's instruction.
"Remember, Commander. No one should know about this." Prince Agnarr warned. His eyes bore intently into the other. "Eliminate anyone who compromises our plan."
Colour immediately drained from her face, understanding Papa's implicit message. She knew without a doubt that her father would not hesitate to kill her if he found out. Anna instinctively shrunk back when she saw Papa approaching the bed. Fear was eating her alive. She did not want to think of the grave consequences should they discover her eavesdropping.
"As you wish, Your Highness. What should I tell the Princess of your absence? Kai had informed me she was expecting you tonight."
Pregnant silence filled the air. Anna held her breath in anticipation of her father's words. She observed a momentary change in the prince's demeanor. A flicker of emotion - a mix of uncertainty and guilt - flashed on Prince Agnarr's stoic face. His assertive tone softened a fraction.
"Tell her I have an emergency and will be back as soon as possible."
"Alright. Wait for me at the usual place."
Agnarr went to his desk and pulled a piece of paper from underneath the. paperweight. Anna's eyes widened when his father accidently knocked into his birthday gift and stepped on it on his way out.
Please don't go, she begged mentally. Her gut feeling told her that her father was not coming back. She watched helplessly as he disappeared from her view. The princess broke down in tears as soon as the door slammed shut.
Misty rain fell from the grey overcast sky, soaking up the barren land beneath. The cracked earth drank up Nature's blessing greedily, turning itself into muddy soil. This wet climate was not an ideal place for a ten-year-old to be, especially a member of the royalty. Yet here Anna was, impassive eyes peering at the men shovelling dirt into a freshly dug grave. Inwardly, her control was straining despite her bravado display as the remnants of her father slowly vanished from her view.
Anna let out a shaky breath.
How did it come to this?
The abhorrent sight of Arendelle's heir discarded like an insignificant insect made her blood boil. In the eyes of the law such punishment befit a traitor, yes, but imposing it onto one's flesh and blood? It was downright barbaric. The horror did not stop there.
King Runenard had openly denounced his son's treacherous deeds in public. The image of her father's corpse hanging at the arc of portcullis chilled her to the core. It was a grim reminder of the consequences for betraying the crown. Anything related to the ex-prince was destroyed; his records completely wiped clean. The King even forbade her granddaughter to acknowledge the disgraced prince as her father. Anna had obeyed her grandfather out of sheer terror. He had gone to great lengths to display his vendetta against his son's treacherous deeds. Who's to know what he would do to her should she defy his command?
"We are ready to depart, Princess."
Colonel Fritz's apathetic voice pierced through her lingering thoughts. Her stomach lurched at the realisation that her Papa was never coming back. Anna shook her head frantically; she refused to accept that this was the end.
"No…"
Anna ran past the Colonel and clambered towards the grave. She pressed her head against the earth, fingers clawing into the wet soil. The emotional lid she so carefully sealed for the past few days finally broke. Unchecked tears gushed out from her swollen eyes as she mourned for her father.
All the reservations Anna had had gone down the drain. Her hoarse voice cried out to him one last time.
"Papa..."
A loud sob tore from her scorched throat, thick with grief.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."
Guilt festered inside Anna. Deep inside, she knew she was partially blamed for her father's death. She had turned a blind eye and let her Papa stray from the path of loyalty. Had she summoned courage to confront her father on the night of his departure, perhaps this misfortune would have been averted in the first place.
"Please don't leave me again. I can't…" she begged, sobbing harder.
I don't think I can live without you.
She felt a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. Anna tilted her head. Her eyes connected with Gerda's equally puffy ones. The caretaker knelt down and opened her arms. Anna leaned into the woman's embrace without a second thought, wailing into her chest. Gerda hand cradled her small back, rubbing circles as she gently rocked the distraught princess.
"You are a brave little girl, Princess Anna. Your fath.."
Gerda paused, chastising herself for the near slip of tongue. The last thing she needed was to be drawn unwanted attention and set tongues wagging. Anna's situation was precarious. She was in a company of wolves, ones who would jump at any opportunity to stir trouble worthy of the King's attention. The princess had displayed too much weakness in the last hour, enough to make her a liability if the situation prolonged. As soon as the Princess calmed down, Gerda scooped up her ward and carried her in her arms like she had done many times when Anna was a toddler.
She gave a slight nod.
"We are ready, Colonel."
The stolid man nodded back and barked orders to his men.
Anna buried her face deeper into the nape of Gerda's neck, her body trembling in silent tears.
"I'm sorry."
Gerda smiled sadly and patted her back.
"You have nothing to apologise for, Princess. He would have been so proud of you."
Gerda's words made her cry even more.
Would he?
Anna truly wanted to believe in that woman. She wanted conviction that she was not the cause for her father's demise. Yet, the sinister voice protested inside her head, making her shiver inwardly.
You have blood on your hands, Anna.
Her father's grave faded into the horizon…
...and everything turned black.
xxx
Anna roused to a throbbing headache, nipping at the bottom of her skull. Her sensitive eyes screwed shut at the sudden light exposure. Her throat burned as though it was gritted by sandpaper. She smacked her parched lips in disdain; the bitter aftertaste still lingered. She sighed. She had drunk more than what she could handle and now she was left to deal with the aftermath. Hangovers were the reason why she had stayed clear from alcohol. In fact, the last time she had been this intoxicated was during her Grandfather's passing.
Anna groaned. It was a futile attempt to get up. The consistent grogginess plaguing her head made any coordinated movement impossible. Not to mention the creeping nausea threatening to empty the contents of her stomach. However, the mortifying thought of someone - Gerda especially - walking in on her motivated her to try. She reckoned her ears would not survive the head maid's lecture if she was caught wasted like a cheap drunk.
Small steps, Anna. You can do this
Anna slowly tilted her head sideways, not wanting to upset it further. The pillow she rested on was strangely comfortable. Surely, her mind was playing tricks on her as she felt the object rise and fall against her cheek, as though it was alive. She rubbed her face against the soft surface, seeking out the pleasurable warmth like a nursing kitten. For a second, she heard a soft whimper emanating underneath her.
"Master…?"
The timid voice broke through her hazy state. A familiar face came into her line of sight.
"E-Elsa? Whoah.."
Startled, Anna lost her balance and fell backwards.
"Master!"
Anna's fingers held onto Elsa's but it was not quick enough to prevent her fall. The momentum pulled Elsa with her, sending them both sprawling onto the carpet with a crashing thump. She groaned at her swimming vision. It took a few minutes for the swiveling room to become stationary. She felt the weight above her shifted.
"I'm sorry, Master. Are you alright?"
Anna caught a flash of fear in Elsa's azure as soon as the words left her mouth. Not wanting to antagonise her Master, Elsa quickly slid off Anna and dropped to her knees next to her. Her head hung low, trembling fists balled up against her lap.
Such a reaction was expected. Anna could not help feeling a cloying sense of deja vu. She was reminded of a similar scenario not long ago, one that snowballed out of proportion leaving her emotionally confused. Back then, Elsa had infruitated Anna when she had caught the Queen in her moment of weakness. As a consequence, Anna had lashed out at Elsa with an unforgettable punishment.
Now it seemed that fate was testing her again. What Anna did next would make or break Elsa. Her grandfather's warning replayed in her head, urging Anna to reassert her authority and remind the slave of her station. After all, Elsa did attempt to escape. The intention itself warranted some kind of punishment but as it is, Anna was too weak to do anything. However, she did not intend to overlook Elsa's errors. An idea came to her mind.
"Prepare the bath. I want you to join me."
