Kristoff/Christopher sat nervously, waiting to be admitted to see the queen. He was... extremely reluctant to be here. Always had been. It felt unnatural-dirty. His heart ached with guilt.
Anna...
He was like a love-sick puppy. It had taken all his self-control not to ask her to marry him when he followed her into the mountains. She had been so frail then, but surprisingly strong. Wearing that ridiculous party dress, so determined to save her sister...
He had watched her, acted like he didn't even recognize the princess, the boldest lie he'd ever told was the truth he'd never said.
"Mr. Bjyorgman?"
Kristoff looked up.
"The queen will see you now."
He nodded firmly before taking the necessary steps into her drawing room. The door shut behind him formally. He'd hated palaces, even the one he'd been born in. When he moved to Arrendelle, he had moved to the country; free air, endless wilderness. That was the life.
Now, here he was, stuck in a palace, lying, cheating and scheming like every other Westerguard ever.
He shot Queen Elsa a smile. She reciprocated lightly, gesturing for him to seat him. The big man threw himself into the seat like the backwoodsman he was.
"I'll never get used to this place," He spoke with honesty. It was a fabrication, of course. He had been to the palace before, plus, he had lived in his own until he was four.
"Neither will I," The queen stated through narrowed eyes. He met her gaze nervously. She undid her hat. His eyes went wide with shock for a moment before settling on her face, determined not to make her feel any more self-conscious.
"You said you wanted to see me?"
"...yes. This," She took a breath, indicating herself, "Is the real me. No decorations, no fabrications. Generally, 'ations' itself is out of the question. And you, you are an honest man, Kristoff, so... why are you lying to me?"
"Lying, your highness?"
"Hans... whenever he lies, he always looks deep into someone else's eyes. It tricks them into thinking the truth isn't right, and that he is. You have a habit similar to his; you tell people how to think."
"Is that a crime?"
"...no. But I need to know if you're hiding anything from me."
He let out a comical scoff, "Like what?" My true parentage? My mission here? How long I've truly loved Anna?
"Like what happened to Anna. She was on a ship, then we found a flag and her bow. How did they find her?"
"I don't know how they found her. But it may have something to do with the fact that Anna isn't a very subtle person."
Elsa glared at him, "I will say this for Hans; he never gives up, ever. And yet he's missing. I've been led to believe that he's left the country, but do you know what I think?" She waited for him to shake his head, "I think this whole thing is a trap. They came for him. They came for me. In one fell swoop, Arrendelle was almost gone."
"I don't know where Hans is," He said, genuinely, "But I believe him to be dead."
The queen regarded him silently for a moment. Nothing about his attitude betrayed even the slightest sense of guile. That's what made her so wary. He'd appeared, then taken Anna away.
"Have you ever heard the history of the house of Westerguard?"
Kristoff remained silent. She continued into their supposed ancestry, back before anyone had written record of them.
"They have some particularly interesting sayings about plans," She turned and faced the window, "About how the first plan always crumbles, but that it is the plan that one must always return to."
Kristoff remained silent.
"...what was the first plan, exactly?" She wondered, "Because that is the plan he will return to."
"Excuse me," He said, realizing that, dead or alive, he was next on the agenda, "I have some... ice to carve."
Elsa nodded.
"...I love her." He said, "I would do anything for her."
The queen turned to him, "I know..." That was what made her so suspicious.
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