Hans was pulling the same kind of stunt he usually pulled this time of day. He was re-reading documents, making a point of making Elsa, or 'Jo' as she was now known, waiting. It angered her a bit to have someone else in charge, but, not being a queen anymore meant she could no longer dictate his schedule.
He cleared his throat.
Oh goody, she thought, he's ready!
Her sarcastic attitude wouldn't serve her well today.
"Do you know why you're here?"
"I didn't have you executed when I had the chance?"
She was pushing it and she knew it. Hans would overlook the occasional comment as long as her work was excellent, and her work was always excellent. But this might be too much, even for her.
Hans suppressed a smile, "...fine. Do you understand the role of being a personal assistant to a Westerguard?"
Elsa blushed, "Yes master."
She hated saying that, but came to terms with it when realizing he was master of the house, and a master of many of the subtler arts. That didn't mean she was her master. Oh no. She would never give into him!
"Would you like to elaborate?" He asked, smugness as thick as soup in his voice.
She shook her head.
"Very well," He said, "When you become... what you are... it means you have a role to fulfill, a..." He made a deeply disturbing noise. It was primal, like a lion warning off a competitor, "place to belong, so to speak."
Her eyes glanced to the bed. It was made up for two people. She swore mentally, but was determined not to go that far. Which... was not impossible. As aggressive as Hans had been, he only coerced, never forcing her decision.
Which was odd considering he currently had all the power right now.
"Yes master," She answered. He nodded, and continued.
"There are benefits to your role. And... responsibilities..." He removed his glove. Her heart quickened. She had read the history of Westerguards and understood the role of the assistant. Although books never truly portrayed lives accurately, it appeared as though the Westerguards grew fond of their underlings. It couldn't be helped, of course. Elsa had always liked Gerda and Kai, even though they turned out to be spying for Hans.
The glove, though, was a different issue. It was a way of communicating with the assistant. When the man married, he'd give her his gloves on his wedding day, fastening new ones on. After all, it was unacceptable for him to keep his mistress around as a married man. The gloves would then signify the place she had had in court. Thus, if ever she fell on desperate times, she could appear in court and ask for help. As long as the display of the pieces was kept subtle, the royal family would ensure her continued prosperity.
Of course, Hans had no fiancée. So there was no reason for him to-
smack
Ah, yes, another use for the gloves was as a disciplinary measure. After all, no assistant could be allowed to step out of line. It didn't hurt very much, but it was still insulting. She swallowed her pride.
"I... apologize for my earlier comment," She said stiffly. Then paused as a look of confusion passed his face.
"What are you talking about?"
Elsa then realized she had no idea why she was here.