Disclaimer: This work of fan fiction uses characters from Rise of the Guardians, The Guardians of Childhood, and Frozen which are trademarked by DreamWorks Animation, William Joyce, and the Walt Disney Company respectively. The author of this story claims no ownership over them. The story the author is telling is of her own invention and it is not purported or believed to be part of the canon storyline. This story is made for entertainment purposes only. The author is not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story.

People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes,

and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome.

–George Orwell

Chapter Soundtrack:

Back to Work – Sherlock Season Three OST

Unfavourable Incident – Vampire Knight OST

Nocturne – The Second Movement – Part V

As the ship docked on the port two days ago and his small company left Hestia's windy shores for the main city inland, Jack's mood was instantaneously more irritable. It was hot: too hot for Jack's liking – even in the early mornings.

He spent most of the two days hiding from the blazing sun; the high temperatures drained him of energy and left him sluggish and ill-tempered. The castle servants offered to find an attendant who could take the Prince on a tour of the city, but he quickly declined, trying to play his refusal off as weariness from the journey rather than aversion for the weather.

The 25-year-old Prince had tried to combat the heat by wearing clothes of the lightest and thinnest material, rolling the sleeves of his blouse up to his elbows, and even discarding the formal silk cape bearing the emblem of his country. But it was to no avail, the heat would not relent, forcing him to remain inside the castle.

"It's too hot," Jack hissed.

He sat on a bench out in the courtyard, lounging in the cool shadow of an enormous, orange-leafed maple tree with artfully contorted and twisted moss covered branches. Beside him, his dear friend and – on political missions – personal guard, E. Aster Bunnymund, snorted at the Prince's childish complaint.

"I find the weather nice actually." Aster stated, snapping the sketchbook in his hands shut, "It's quite a change in comparison to the Western Isles' constant chill."

Jack threw a swift but half-hearted jab at the 29-year-old man, scowling "You were obviously born in the wrong country."

Aster grunted in surprise. "You knew what you were getting into, Jack. Now you have to face the miseries that come with it."

"Oh, I knew what I was getting into," Jack replied, sighing, "I just expected the weather to be cooler. Hestia is beautiful, indeed, but I can't appreciate the scenery because of the blasted heat! I turn bright red in after just a few minutes in the sun, Aster, bright red!"

Aster rolled his eyes at Jack's dramatic complaint, putting his sketchbook down onto the stone bench, and slid closer to the white-haired Prince.

"Woah!" Jack cried as Aster pulled the prince into a headlock.

"You didn't seem to have a problem with it back in Arendelle." Aster stated nonchalantly, tightening his grip around Jack's neck, "Come to think of it, you never complained about the weather even once in your letters to me."

"Oh, please. Arendelle would never get this hot – you'd enjoy it – spring in Arendelle is beautiful."

"Are you sure that spring is the only thing that's beautiful in Arendelle?"

"Oh, now you're just fishing for details." Jack snapped, trying to wrestle his way out of the headlock.

"Am I going to hear some?"

"I'm certain that –" Jack took a jab at Aster's side, "that the entire world knows what is going on at this point!"

"The world knows but rumours and gossip. If you want me to believe what the world knows then you two are already married and Olaf is your son."

"You're as persistent as Emma!" Jack cried.

"Oh, it's not just the Lady Princess who wants to know. I swear, Frost, if I didn't know you for as long as I have I would never ever let you visit my niece again. Sophie is utterly infatuated with you. Your famed relationship with Queen Elsa all she can talk about: 'Is Jack in love with Elsa?' she asks. 'Is Elsa in love with Jack? Is Jack going to marry Elsa?' 'Does that mean Jack won't be mine anymore?'"

"Awe, I'll always be Sophie's." the Prince of the Western Isles cooed, his amused chuckles were cut abruptly short when Aster grinded his knuckles against Jack's skull. "Ow! Aster, stop it!"

"You little Casanova!"

"Are you jealous, Erbert?" Jack teased, using his friend's hated first name. Aster dug his knuckles even deeper into the Prince's skull.

"I was just kidding! Ow! Ow!" Jack yelled, attempting to pry Aster's fingers off his head.

"I told you never ever to call me that!" Aster hissed.

"Alright, alright! I'm sorry!" Jack exclaimed, his aching skull finally ruining his fun, "Just let me go already!"

Aster finally released his friend and Jack quickly shoved the dark-haired man away before nursing his throbbing head.

"I can't even believe your audacity." Aster grumbled.

"If you had just told me to begin with, I would never have gone through the military records. And besides it isn't a bad name –"

"Um…" a soft, hesitant voice called, cutting Jack off. Both Prince and General spun around to see a young servant girl wearing a deep maroon yukata (1) adorned with small white flowers around the hem.

She stared at the two of them, fiddling with her fingers nervously before quietly speaking up. "Lord Prince, Lord General," she greeted, bowing deeply to each in turn, "His Imperial Majesty the Emperor is waiting for you at the tea house on the eastern side of the castle."

Jack cleared his throat, standing up smoothly as he grabbed his cape and draped it over his arm, trying to retain what was left of his dignity. Aster rose to his feet as well, a stern authoritative frown replacing his previous exasperated sneer.

"Right," Jack said, nodding as he walked up the stairs leading out of the courtyard, Aster trailing behind him, "we'll be on our way, thank you."

The servant bowed once again, before turning and marching away, one hand covering her mouth in attempts to muffle the soft giggles. Jack and Aster exchanged glancing, cringing as they both wondered just how much she saw of them roughhousing as they strolled towards the eastern end of the palace.

"Jack, you might want to straighten your hair…" Aster suggested, pointing at Jack's head. The prince reached up with one hand and horror dawned on his face as he tried to smooth the horrendous bedraggled mass of white down.

"Thanks, Aster," Jack mumbled sarcastically, straightening his dark blue vest while he was at it. "You could have told me before I made a fool of myself."

"Were you trying to impress her?" Aster scoffed.

"What? Of course not," Jack said, absentmindedly as he flipped the blue and white cape over his shoulders and tied it over the left side of his chest.

"Why not, is it because you're courting someone else?"

Jack stopped, glancing back at Aster with an amused smirk. The 29-year-old was pretending to act casual, admiring a decorative scroll on the wall as he expected Jack to answer the question without thinking. Jack grinned: the answer was obvious – to him at least – but there was no way he was going to miss out on the fun of teasing his best friend.

"We have affairs to attend to, Lord Bunnymund," Jack said, flamboyantly, "There is no time for such conversation when there is an important meeting to be had." With that, Jack turned on his heels and sauntered away. Aster stared at the retreating prince dumbfounded for several seconds before sighing exasperatedly grumbling lowly, but loud enough for Jack to hear.

"Frost, I swear, I am going to beat the smart aleck out of you one day."

Jack threw his head back in laughter.

There was a soft breeze in the air, thankfully blowing Jack's cape back behind him and rustling through his silvery-white hair. Without it, the Prince would be sweating profusely, and that would not make for a good impression.

The teahouse was an intricately built mahogany wooden structure sitting in the middle of a calm, turquoise lake. A dark green roof with a rising, sharp curvature on each corner marked the architecture as distinctively Hestian. Inside the pavilion, the Emperor of Hestia, dressed in robes of yellow adorned with patterns of black and brown, sat at an elaborate round table, reading through a scroll while a man with pale, almost grey skin spoke quietly over his shoulder.

The attendant standing in front of the pavilion turned around and bowed smoothly at the sound of Jack and Aster marching across the dark wooden bridge leading out to the teahouse. Jack nodded for the attendant to announce them.

"Your Excellency, may I announce, His Highness Prince Jackson Overland Frost of the Western Isles and Ambassador of the Alliance Six; and Lord E. Aster Bunnymund, High General of the Armies of the Western Isles."

The Emperor rolled the parchment back together just as Jack and Aster walked inside the tea house and bowed deeply with their right hand over the left side of their chest.

"I present: His Imperial Majesty, the Heavenly Sovereign, Emperor Hirokazu Maki of Hestia," the attendant declared, gesturing respectfully at the regal man dressed in yellow.

"Lord Emperor," Jack and Aster both greeted in unison before standing. The Emperor smiled lightly, nodding his head in greeting.

The attendant then drew his hand towards the man standing behind the Emperor. The man was garbed in dark grey coloured robes and the colour of his skin was the only seemed to be a lighter shade. Jack nearly flinched in surprise as the man rose from his bow to reveal a set of eeriegold irises.

"And His Royal Advisor, Lord Kozmotis Pitchiner Black."

Their eyes met: curious crystal blue against dull but sharp yellow. Jack quickly broke eye contact, by lowering his head in acknowledgment. He was strangely uncomfortable in the present of the Emperor's Royal Advisor.

"Lord Prince, Lord General," the Emperor addressed in turn, pulling Jack from his thoughts as he gestured to the two chairs across from him. "Come, sit."

"Thank you, Lord Emperor," Jack said, smiling brightly as he pulled the chair out and sat with a furl of his cape.

"I hope your stay has been pleasant?"

"Oh yes," Jack started, "Hestia is beautiful."

"Thank you for your gracious hospitality, Lord Emperor." Aster said nodding in thanks as he absentmindedly straightened his blazer.

"It's privilege to have you here, General. Have you and the Lord Prince had a tour of the city yet?"

Then a young servant-girl quietly entered the teahouse, cutting of their conversation. She set a tray down onto the table before bowing to both the Emperor and his two guests. She then set in front of each individual a small white, porcelain cup painted with a dark blue flower. Jack watched as the girl place a white cloth over the handle of a ceramic teapot and gracefully pouring tea first into the Emperor's, then Jack's and Aster's cup. As she poured the soft green, fragrant liquid, Jack turned his eyes towards Aster, exchanging a look that conveyed a clear message: if Jack was irritated before, then he is going to be even more frustrated now. Aster subtly winced, expressing his pity for his friend within his bright green eyes. Jack tried to keep his exasperation from showing, trying to keep the light smile from falling.

The Prince of the Western Isles absentmindedly thanked the servant as she set the black ceramic pot down onto a small burner in the center of the table before taking the tray, bowing, and shuffling out of the pavilion.

The Emperor raised his cup and both Jack and Aster were quick to do the same. The white-haired Prince cringed internally as the heat of the cup burned his cold fingertips. He held the cup by the edge, raised it to eye-level before respectfully turning away from the Emperor and pulling the cup to his lips. Jack took a small sip, trying to play the burning of his tongue off casually.

Emperor Hirokazu exhaled peacefully, before telling Aster and Jack about the tea. It was one Hestia's most well-known teas he told them. The leaves are grown and harvested on the highest mountain range and it was Hestia's main export. The Emperor had completely emptied his cup and Aster was half-way finished his, but Jack's cup still appeared untouched. The Prince wrapped his fingers around the cup, holding his hands in a way that covered the cup, but far enough to avoid touching the burning porcelain. He pretended to nurse his tea while his thoughts wandered from the Emperor and Aster's conversation.

He hated this about himself: his inability to tolerate hot substances, even before the incident. It wasn't as if it poisoned him or anything, but foods and drinks of high temperatures did not provide the comfort and warmth that it does for others. Instead, the tea burned and blistered inside him – leaving him breathless and feeling unwell. But Jack couldn't voice his discomfort; it wouldn't look good if the Ambassador of such a powerful alliance to be so fragile. No. He will bear with it. He will endure for he is in a position of high authority and the weight of an organization rests in his hands.

"Lord Prince," a new voice called, Jack glanced up from his cup to see the yellow-eyed man gaze at him with strange concern, "I apologize for taking part in gossip, but I have heard rumours about your legendary escape from death." Jack scoffed as the man continued, grimacing apologetically.

"I have also heard rumours that you have an aversion for hot drinks and foods. If you would like, Lord Prince, perhaps I can find something cooler for you to drink?"

"Ah, yes. You mustn't dehydrate in weather such as this. Go, Kozmotis." The Emperor ordered as the man glided out of the tea house. The Emperor returned his attention to the Prince and General. "But, I must say, the stories of your condition is quite intriguing, though I am certain that most of them are untrue. How did it come about?"

Jack smiled, "I have also heard rumours about how your powers came to be."

"Combating a question with another question?"

"My apologies, Lord Emperor, but despite my trust in you I am not comfortable speaking of my own weakness."

The Emperor laughs, "That is wise, Lord Prince. A man's weakness should be known to none but him."

Kozmotis returned to the tea house moments later with a servant in tow, carrying a tray with a single black tea cup and teapot.

"Allow me, Lord Prince," Kozmotis said as he set the set the cup down in front of the Prince and reached back for the teapot, pouring a soft yellow, aromatic drink into the tall but thin cup. "It's a chrysanthemum tea; it's very good for cooling the body down." I hope you enjoy it," bowed and placed the teapot down beside the cup, Lord Prince."

"Thank you, Lord Kozmotis," Jack said to the man, as he bowed and placed the teapot down beside the cup.

"I do hope," the man says, pausing to directly lock eyes with the prince, "you enjoy it, Lord Prince."

Jack smiled at the tall, lanky man as Aster refilled the Emperor's cup and his own with tea. The Emperor raised his cup, as Aster and Jack did the same. The Prince took a sip, happy that the tea not only tasted good, but it was cold and refreshing.

"It was very considerate and observant of you to notice my discomfort."

"Hestia is fortunate to have such a man serving its Emperor." Aster commented.

"Indeed," the Emperor agreed, smiling warmly at his advisor, "It is a blessing that Kozmotis showed up when he did when my last advisor passed away several months back. His counsel is most useful."

"My Lord, you flatter me so." Kozmotis said, small smile playing on his face as he bowed.

There was a comfortable silence as the three of them drank their tea, enjoying the scenery of the cool lake and the castle beyond it.

"Shall we proceed with the matter at hand?" The Emperor asked, thus begun the Prince of the Western Isles' first official political mission as an Ambassador. They discussed Hestia's economic, political, and social stance as well as the Alliance's vision and mission. Jack stressed to emphasize that the Alliance of Six is a democratic partnership between the countries. The Emperor's thoughtful and calm demeanour darkened as his brows furrowed and a frown appeared on his face.

"Is there something wrong, Lord Emperor?" Jack asked. The Emperor looked up, staring pensively at Jack.

"Though I understand all the countries within the Alliance of Six are equal in power, the leader is Arendelle is it not?"

Jack paused, taking a sip of his tea as an excuse for not replying. He realized where the conversation was spiraling towards: the controversial and mysterious isolation of Arendelle that ended only after Elsa's coronation. Jack had traveled on behalf of his father ever since he had become of age and he heard countless rumours. Elsa had yet to tell him what happened but she knew that he made the correct assumption. Jack knew that it was not his place to judge or share information of such caliber – nor would he want to share it. The Prince of the Western Isles placed his teacup down and took a deep breath before continuing.

"It is true, Lord Emperor, that Arendelle is the leader of the Alliance of Six though it is only for show. Queen Elsa, and therefore Arendelle, does not bear more power than the other countries do. Though I believe your concern is concentrated around Arendelle's previous isolation from visitors. I believe that it had nothing to do with the country's ability to lead and manage and healthy economy and political stance within the Alliance and with the world. Through Arendelle did shut the doors to the castle, they did not close the doors to the country – trading still occurred and the people lived in prosperity under the rule of the late King and Queen and now under Queen Elsa's."

"Oh no," the Emperor said, "It isn't Arendelle's isolation that worries me: it is the Queen herself."

"What do you mean, Lord Emperor?"

"Queen Elsa was born with formidable powers of ice and snow, was she not?"

"Yes, Lord Emperor but –"

"Have you ever considered the consequences of opposing someone with such level of magic? Queen Elsa has the ability to create ice and snow with a flick of her wrist; she can destroy a nation within minutes. I fear that the Queen of Arendelle has the Alliance of Six controlled by fear – all she has to do is hang a threat overhead. I fear that she will exploit her powers."

A breath escaped his lips, as he starred, stunned by the Emperor's accusations. Jack blinked quickly, casting his eyes on a pole to the left as he tried to sort out his thoughts. Memories flooded through him, memories of Elsa's coronation. It was difficult to forget. He was on the other side of the room when he heard the commotion between Anna and her sister and only seconds later he saw Elsa's horror as magic flew from her fingertips. He saw her fear and then the shear loathing and abhorrence in herself when she heard the word 'monster' cross the room. Jack memorized it and promised to himself that he would do everything in his power to stop Elsa from hating herself. He could still see her caution and weariness in using her powers now. Jack knew that Elsa would never abuse her powers.

Anger drowned him under a sea of wrath. He closed his eyes, only for a few seconds before words formed on his lips.

"Your Majesty," Jack started his syllables slow and deliberate, "I mean no disrespect but I cannot just stand and watch as you slander the name of Arendelle and their ruler. Queen Elsa is a righteous and just leader of her kingdom; she wouldn't ever abuse her abilities."

"Are you certain of that, Lord Prince?" the Emperor questioned, "If Arendelle was in danger, Queen Elsa, as the ruler, would have no choice but to use her powers would she not?"

"As would you, Lord Emperor."

"Ah, of course I would. For safety of my country and people I would do anything. However, I am not as powerful as the Snow Queen. My powers do not have such an extensive reach nor can I create life as she can."

"Then what do you propose, Your Majesty?"

"I would like to appeal for the eviction of Arendelle from the Alliance of Six."

Jack's eyes widened and his heart took off at a pace that he never thought was possible. This meeting did not go as he planned – not even in his worst nightmares did he ever imagine such an event occurring. He could never even consider bringing this up with the Alliance but he couldn't lie about this either. Hestia would be a powerful ally... His thoughts flew incoherently and nothing made sense in his mind.

"Queen Elsa knows better than anyone the consequences and extents of her powers. She would never –"

"Of course, you would leap to Queen Elsa's defense.

"Why would I not? Arendelle is a member of the Alliance Six, powerful ally to the Western Isles, and Queen Elsa has committed no crime. I have no reason to not defend her."

"You are courting the Queen of Arendelle, are you not, Lord Prince?"

Jack spluttered as a chocking laugh flew from his lips, "Lord Emperor, I fail to see how this is relevant to –"

"Do you deny it, Lord Prince?"

He hesitated, considering the consequences of telling the truth. He glanced momentarily at Aster, finding the situation darkly amusing as now his best friend was going to get an outright confession right here at a political meeting.

"No, I don't deny it."

"Then you are such a fool, Lord Prince," the Emperor stated, his calm and gentle demeanour gone, replaced with a condescending tone, "If you believe that you could simply court the queen of another country with impunity then you are sorrowfully mistaken. Have you even considered the consequences of your actions? How it would affect not only you and Queen Elsa but both your nations as well?"

Aster tensed, ready to say something. But then Jack kicked him in the shin, glaring at him. This was Jack's battle to fight.

"You are the Western Isles' Crown Prince, the future king! And now? Are you to give up the throne to be but Queen Elsa's swain? An heir apparent cannot marry a queen, Lord Prince." The Emperor continued, "You do your country no respect."

"Don't patronize me." Jack hissed.

"And now your once worthy opinions about Arendelle and the Alliance have become utterly subjective because of your affairs with Queen Elsa."

Jack glared at the Emperor of Hestia, his once great respect in the man vaporized within minutes.

"My opinions effect whether or not you get into the Alliance."

"You would not dare."

Jack rose to his feet, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the Emperor. It was a rash and irrational decision – but one that he will make regardless.

"Watch me."

The fuming Emperor slammed his fists onto the table, a large flame erupting from the burner, engulfing the teapot, and illuminating the Dominion of Fire in a ferocious glow. Aster stepped in front of Jack, pushing his friend back as his hand flew instinctively towards his sword. Jack's heart pounded painfully in his chest, threatening to stop all together as he glared at the enraged Emperor.

The Prince of the Western Isles fought against the desire to recoil from the flames and struggled to maintain eye contact. Red embers sparked from the blaze rapidly soaring towards the Prince and landing on his sleeves.

"Lord Emperor," Jack started his tone monotonous and cold, "Your message has been delivered loud and clear. I will be certain to convey it to Alliance. Thank you for your generosity, we will be off before sundown."

He bowed, turning on his heels and sweeping his cape around as he callously strode out of the pavilion. Aster bowed stiffly before following after Jack.

"She's a queen and you are a crown prince." The Emperor called after them, "How far do you expect this relationship to go, Prince Jackson? Will you give up everything for her, your title, your inheritance, your kingdom for love?"

The Emperor was right.

Wasn't he?

"Lord Prince!" someone called, Jack glanced back to see the Emperor's Royal Advisor running after them. He stopped a couple feet away from the pair and bowed hastily. "I cannot apologize for His Imperial Majesty but I hope that the flames did harm neither you nor General Aster."

Aster shook his head at the inquiry as Jack inspected his clothes. The sleeves of his shirt were singed but other than that, he was fine.

"No, we aren't," The man smiled – but the look didn't suit him or reach his eyes. "Thank you," Jack continued, a smile playing on his lips despite the previous event, "you have been very kind and considerate, Lord Kozmotis."

"I am glad," Kozmotis said, "I am terribly sorry about the situation, Lord Prince, but I hope that both you and the Lord General have a safe journey home."

(1) yukata: a casual summer Japanese garment usually made from cotton

Author's Note: The culture and traditional in Hestia is a huge mesh between Chinese, Japanese, and Korean culture. The architecture was modeled after Nagoya Castle and traditional Japanese homes, Emperor Hirokazu's robes were modeled after the Emperor's robes in Qing Dynasty of China, however fashion in Hestia was more traditionally Korean. Traditions in culture were really just a mass of all my knowledge combined into one condensed idea that I thought… kind of made sense.

Thank you to: PianoPanda, charahs, Zerlinda, JoPoGirlsKickAss, Flamin'Skym PriscilaOrglene, crazyeights4ever, I am Nikita Daughter of Apollo, CaptainBeer, WickedgreenPhantom, Guest, corde amare, DeniseAgron, Hyesui, Yuffa, Guest234678, Love-PRN, Miki Fubuki, Dragowolf, JuannahBee36, fearthetree, xiel22, engineergirl86, Guest#1, Guest 34567890778, Guest#2, Guest FTG, DarkbladderX66, SunriseImagination, Allie, Crestiabell, and Elsaba for reviewing.

I am so sorry if I missed anyone or spelt anyone's name wrong.

I'm so sorry for taking so long updating, final exams came and took up all of my time.

Lately I haven't been able to thank you guys individually for taking the time to read Ouvertüre in Snow and comment to say such encouraging words and praise. It honestly brightens my day when I see how much someone likes my work and I sincerely and genuinely am so thankful.

Till next time!

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Cordially,

EireneHarmonia