Elsa had to deal with Ilyana again- for hours. She made snide comments, especially savoring bawdy inferences about Hans. 'Jo' tried to be civil when requesting help, but ran into… difficulties.
"Let me carry that for you," Elsa offered.
"Oh, please, let me. I'd hate for you to strain your back since you spend so much time on it. Let Mr. Westerguard know I'm ready when he bores of such a dull little thing…"
The maid even took a couple of shots at Elsa's sister.
"I hope this year's doesn't have some stupid red-head ruining the party for the rest of us."
Elsa inhaled deeply, wishing more than ever she had her ice back. The girl would be gone in a snap; a cold snap.
"I cannot believe this is your idea of Spring fun. What?" The maid quipped, "Do you honestly not know how to throw one of these? Haven't you ever gone?!"
Elsa did her best to ignore it, but it just wouldn't end!
"We need flowers, lots of flowers, but be careful with them," Insisted Elsa. Maybe if she got the music to play loud enough, and the fragrance of the flora was strong enough, Anna would feel like she was actually there. Even in her little cell, the princess could enjoy those things. Because Hans was a bit... softer lately, perhaps he would even let her have leftovers...
"Then again, I suppose, Jo," Ilyana said the name with venom, "That you may have gone to one; and I'm sure it couldn't be any worse than the one you're putting on. But I know the truth; you don't know how to put one on because you've never been to one. That's why you're so bad at this; you don't even know how to have fun."
Elsa took a breath, scratching off an item on her list. The barrage didn't stop.
"Everyone attending will see how stupid this is. Know who else will be unimpressed? Hans- your master. I pity him for being forced to attend this."
'Jo' thought it was pretty rich of this girl to reference the almighty Protector so flippantly, "Yes, get the band to the corner, we'll just have to make sure enough people get their seats ahead of time," Elsa kept working.
"People won't, though," Ilyana snipped, "Then again, at least this year's won't be ruined by that klutzy red-head. What was her name...? Savana? Banana?"
Elsa's eyes flashed as she got angrier and angrier.
"Oh... that's right. It's doesn't matter anymore 'cause she doesn't matter anymore!" Crowed Ilyana.
"It's Anna! And it matters!" Screamed Elsa, "What is it? What has anyone done to you that has made you so bitter towards me!?"
Ilyana grabbed the flowers that had just arrived and smashed the pots into the band's pit, "I don't think you understand just how far beneath caring I am," She smirked, "Why don't you go crawling back to our master on your knees and ask him how it works!" She got very, very close to the ex-queen, "Then he'll realize you're nothing in comparison. And he'll strip you of your clothes, because you aren't even a good whore!"
Elsa glared, announcing to the others, "...keep working," she turned, glaring her rival in the face, "I always deliver. And believe me when I say that the Protector wants me, and no one else- ever, to handle things."
"Ahem," Kai's timing couldn't have been worse, "You've been summoned to the Lord Protector's personal quarters." He at least tried to make it sound like he wasn't sending her to her boss' bedroom. Everyone watched the two women glare.
"I'm busy," Grit Elsa/Jo quietly.
"...I'm afraid he insisted," Explained Kai reluctantly. Elsa swallowed. Great, Ilyana had already won this round. And probably the next.
She walked angrily to his quarters. What would he demand next? Her outfit showed about as much bust as was legal in a civilized country, and her skirt was so far about her knees her coworkers could see the tops of her black lace nylons. The only advantage was the cowl, which helped hide her identity.
The only thing she had managed to do with thinking about all this was work herself up into a frenzy. Hans would want more, he always did. And she had do enough to keep him happy or...
Or he might hurt Anna.
She was his prisoner far, far more than Elsa was, and, likely, the only thing keeping Elsa anchored to Arrendelle. And currently, the ex-blond had less power than she had ever had in her life. She knocked lightly on the door. No answer. It was a sign that she ought to be in there already, and she knew it. Working for Hans required a steep learning curve. He had ways of enforcing his tough criteria that frightened her. Elsa opened the door a crack, stepped inside and shut it behind her. Hans was standing straight, waiting for her arrival. He motioned to the chair. Frowning, Elsa walked into the room and sat down in the seat.
"...Master?"
He paced. She could tell he was angry, but was unsure of what that meant for her exactly.
"Do you know how to obey, maid?"
She bit the inside of her lip. This was ridiculous. She was a queen! Still, she took a breath, "I do whatever you order me to do... master."
Hans stopped moving, "That's... not exactly true. You need to learn a bit quicker, then."
Elsa swallowed hard. Seeing that Ilyana was a result of Westerguard training, she didn't want to turn out anything like her, "...master?"
"Roll up your sleeves," He ordered, "You're about to learn why an outfit that shows so much skin allows its wearer sleeves."
She obeyed. After all, she was curious. They were nice sleeves; with designs cut into them. Not very practical for anything, really. She kept catching them on-
swish-thwak!
Hans brought down the belt. Elsa stared in shock before a scream burned up her throat. She caught it just in time.
It hurt. It hurt to an unbelievable degree. She squirmed in her chair, but refused to move from it. This was a test of some kind. But in all her reading, Elsa could not summon up one line that could get her out of this.
It took her a couple seconds of heavy breathing to get her mouth back under control. Her face was red, and she panted.
"...what?"
Hans continued, undisturbed, "You are to obey, Jo."
She nodded, that part she understood, "Yes, master, I have been-"
Slap.
She bit down hard not to scream.
"No... you haven't..."
Elsa thought as hard as she could. When had she overstepped her authority? She tried to keep within the bounds of reason, but maybe he thought she had told someone... or maybe... no...
Slap.
Elsa left the chair. The pain was getting too much.
"It's not my fault!" She put her hands over her head trying to shield herself.
"Get back in the chair," Hans whispered dangerously. Elsa obeyed, but started babbling.
"It's this Ilyana! I don't know who she thinks she is, but she hates me, so much I don't understand!"
The ex-queen panted for a moment. No more hits came, so she hugged her sore arms.
"Elsa," Hans said, "Did I tell you to inform me if anyone gave you trouble?"
She thought hard, "Yes, master."
"...did you?"
"No?"
The most bizarre thing happened. Hans knelt in front of her, and held her arms, the parts not sore, "I cannot protect you if you won't let me."
"You're hurting me," She cried.
His eyes were filled with more conflict that she ever thought him capable, "I don't know another way."
She looked down, "...okay."
He stood up. Elsa got bold, "...what about Anna?"
Hans snickered, "She's fine. Eating better than I am." He insisted.
"Prove it," Yes she was skating on thin ice, but she was a master at that.
"Very well," He said amicably, "Tomorrow, you will finish the Spring dance planning, and then go feed Anna. And don't forget the rules; no one can know who you are."
Elsa nodded. If Ilyana had guessed, then maybe Anna could. Her heart filled with joy; she would see her sister again!