An Understanding

(A/N: In which Elsa starts to get a more friendly with Edvard than she has thus far, and Carl and Hans borderline bond. History tidbit: The answer Hans gives Mael at the end, when Mael asks him what he thinks of Carl, is actually something the real H.C. Andersen said about Duke Carl Alexander when asked what he thought of him. I'm not overly happy with this chapter, but hopefully it's good. Seems slightly sudden in parts, and a little rushed, but I hope I've smoothed that over as well as I can so it doesn't seem as sudden.)

Only days later, Duke Carl's hunting party was assembled and their plan was in action. Or rather, it was supposed to be. Unfortunately, they had contracted some unwanted and unpredicted guests. Namely the brothers of the Southern Isles. Carl looked over the brood bitterly. Hans looked as annoyed as he was that they were here.

But his annoyance is a lie. You know it is.

"What are you planning, Carl?" a voice said from his side darkly and suspiciously.

Carl looked over. Edvard Collin. "How long have you suspected a ploy?" he asked.

"Long enough," Edvard answered.

"And you waited until now to ask about it?" Carl questioned.

"I had my reasons," Edvard replied.

"You want to be the queen's hero. How sickeningly saccharine and sentimental of you," Carl stated.

"We're all vying for her hand, Carl. And since it seems I'm cut out of this little plot of yours, whatever it is—and I doubt I would have wanted to join in anyway—warning her something is wrong isn't something I'm averse to doing," Edvard replied. "Or warning the victims I suspect you're after. Best I do it before Hans does."

Carl glared at him silently, then turned attention to the princes. More specifically, Hans. "You suspect he's putting on an act," Carl remarked.

"You don't?" Edvard incredulously asked. Carl 'hmmed', but gave no answer. Eyeing the youngest Westergaard brother, he scoffed. Oh, he suspected. The traitor prince's act would have fooled anybody else. It had, in fact, been fooling him, or rather he'd been giving the prince the benefit of the doubt. Right up until the time the brothers hoarded together. Then bells began not ringing true. He just hadn't had anything to back the suspicion.

Carl looked up at the sky. It was going to rain. Currently it was being discussed whether they should go or hold off. The young Duke looked towards Hans. Clan Westergaard's interference, thanks to baby Westergaard, made it apparent the plan wouldn't work despite what they attempted, and there was no reason to risk lives over something doomed to fail. He was less than impressed with this turn of events and gave Hans a dark look. Hans glanced over and caught his eye. Carl cursed the fact the Admiral gave no visible sign of agitation or surprise or worry. Even a tensing of the body would have told him all he needed to know, to be able to tell that Hans was scheming. There was nothing. So he would take nothing as the sign that the prince was up to his little tricks. That and Edvard's shared belief the young man was playing them.

"Call off the hunt!" Carl ordered. "We won't get anywhere with this looming storm overhead." The rest of the suitors, including the Westergaard brothers, grumbled in complaint, but nonetheless obeyed. Carl rode up to Hans. "We'll need to discuss matters, you and I. As to what to do about your brother now," he murmured to him. "Meet me in the library."

"Very well," Hans agreed, nodding. Good, Carl inwardly replied. He was averse to spilling the blood of an innocent man, but then Hans wasn't exactly innocent now, was he? He'd escaped a death sentence. Twice. He wasn't so against ending this young man's life, if need be. He would feel it out. As he said, delayed justice. He wanted the prince out of the way anyway… He'd seen the way he and Elsa acted around each other. He'd seen it all too plainly. The same could be said for Edvard Collin, but if he couldn't emerge victorious from this suitor game, and he would try, he would rather see Edvard win her than Hans.

Carl turned back to Edvard. "Inform her," he said. "Put yourself in her good graces… But omit that I was part of it, for now."

"I won't," Edvard said. "Tough love, my friend. I am determined to be the man she chooses."

"As am I, Edvard… But I would rather see you with her than Hans, and so if you must, go ahead," Carl said. "Do not hold back on the queen anymore. Hans and Iscawin are your greatest threats, if you're throwing me under the carriage. You must win… She is impressed by you, and thinks highly enough of you. Monopolize her time away from Clan Westergaard, and you and she may find yourselves falling in genuine love. Or at least developing feeling enough for one another that she is willing to choose you."

"I will do whatever it takes. I don't intend to let her go so easily," Edvard said. "I find myself quite enchanted with her, and so I intend to be bold, and I intend to take brazen steps no sane man would normally take. I may knock her off guard enough to fluster her and slow the advancement of the princes of the Southern Isles."

"Fools and angels," Carl said. He looked over at Hans and Iscawin. "Well, exchange 'angels' for 'demons' and you have a more accurate term."

"I don't understand your dislike for the Westergaard brothers, Carl. They've done you no wrong. But a clashing of personalities, I suppose. Or a butting of heads," Edvard said. Carl's jaw twitched. Actually, he found himself greatly admiring Hans. He would dare say he even thought enough of him that had they met at any other time, they may have become friends; but the fact remained they hadn't met at any other time, and now the prince was in the way. Edvard trotted away from the other, intent on informing Elsa of the plot. Or, considering she knew of it, letting her know it had been put on hold, and who the suitors conspiring were. He really should figure out the details before he went to her. Who better to find them our from than the Admiral? He rode up to Hans. "Admiral Westergaard, would you do me the honor of riding with me?" he asked Hans.

Hans eyed him incredulously then sighed. "Very well, Mr. Collin, I'll join you," he agreed. He gently urged Sitron into motion and the two men rode back towards the castle.

Frozen

For a time the two of them rode in silence. Soon, though, Edvard looked to Hans. "You are a chameleon," he remarked to the Prince. "You're playing Carl for a fool."

"I'm hardly sure either Carl or you could be considered fools," Hans replied. "You know, rather than plotting you two could try to be genuine."

"She has a past with you and your brothers. She has no such basis with Carl or I. Plots are all we have to try and show to her our assets. She's all but decided she will choose one of you as her consort, everyone sees it. We don't have a fair shot at her at all. That can't be allowed. Sorry, my friend, but I'm not letting her go without a fight. By the end of this month, this competition will be that much harder for you and your brothers," Edvard said.

"How about you and Carl do the sensible thing and withdraw your hands?" Hans replied.

"Because believe it or not, I am genuinely interested in pursuing a relationship with Elsa," Edvard replied. "And would like to be genuinely considered in turn. As would Carl."

"Carl is a snake," Hans replied.

"Carl is a good man!" Edvard immediately and sharply defended. "Which is more than can be said for you. At the base of it his heart is in the right place. Where was yours, Admiral?"

"Who says I have a heart?" Hans replied, icily and bitterly smirking.

"Then I fight all the harder to save the queen from a fate worse than death, should she choose you. Can you even love, Hans?" Edvard asked.

Hans glared at him dangerously. "You think I can't?" he asked.

"You are a sociopath. You are incapable of the emotion. At least in a true sense. Your love will always be you first and everyone else later," Edvard replied.

"You've been listening to rumors," Hans said.

"And I've seen you lie as if it doesn't even try you," Edvard said. "You want power and you want to be in control, and that is all I need to see to know your nature."

"You know, it's said that sociopaths like to be in total control, and that that's a sign of what they are. While I agree with that assessment, to a degree, do you know what I say?" Hans asked.

"Indulge me," Edvard replied coldly.

"I say who likes to be out of control?" Hans asked, smirking.

"A remark that only backs my suspicions about you," Edvard replied.

"Who likes to be out of control of themselves and their freedom and their thoughts?" Hans snapped. Edvard started, blinking. What now? "Who likes to be controlled like a puppet and forced down a path they don't choose for themselves?" Hans continued. "Damn right I like to be in control. Of myself and my decisions. I haven't been in control of my own life since I was fourteen, and that was for three months! It was enough time to figure out I was a slave and had no control of my decisions, and so I resolved to change it. For the first time I determined to be the authority on my own life! I am not the monster you seem to think I am. I was, once, but not anymore! I owe that solely to the queen and no one else, as much as I hate to admit it. Whatever you think I am, whatever you believe my motivations in being here are, you're wrong."

Edvard was silent. "I hardly know what to believe anymore," he soon said.

Hans was quiet. "It isn't like you're the first one. Anna is assuming probably exactly the things you are, and she always will," he soon replied. "And the both of you are smart in that you're guarded... I hardly know what to believe of myself anymore..."

"And that is when you have the potential to become most dangerous," Edvard murmured. He siged and looked at Hans. "Don't… Don't convince yourself that Anna will never forgive you. The Princess seems a good woman, and understanding," Edvard said.

"And stubborn, and hell-bent on seeing me as the monster forever after," Hans said.

"Now who's assuming?" Edvard asked.

Hans started and blinked at him. After a moment he smirked and chuckled, shaking his head. "You are good. When it suits you to be," he said.

Edvard smiled back at him, then looked serious once more. "Carl is a good man… Remember that," he finally said. "No matter what it is he does, or how you interpret his actions, he is a good man." Hans was quiet. He got a sinking feeling this was a warning. He would keep it in mind.

Frozen

"So, the plot against Kelin-Sel was put on hold. Good," Elsa said as report was made to her, Anna, Kristoff, and the Duke by, to her surprise, Edvard.

"I know not whether Hans's part in it is genuine or a ploy," Edvard said to her. It had been something he'd meant to determine during their conversation, but then the argument and the confession and all… Suffice it to say things had been sidetracked.

"It is a ploy," Elsa said honestly. She saw no harm in telling Edvard as much.

Edvard nodded. "Then more information should be given you soon enough. Somehow. Perhaps it will even come from my own lips, should her Majesty allow me to help her," he said, bowing low.

Elsa tilted her head, silently summing Edvard up. "I allow it," she answered finally. "And am grateful for it."

"Thank you, Queen Elsa," Edvard murmured. Elsa shifted slightly. The sincerity and gratitude in his tone touched her. He cared for her, she noted. She really should give him a fairer chance than she had thus far. Who knew? Perhaps something genuinely special could come of it.

Something that will make you forget the connection you feel with Hans.

She shook off that thought and focused on Edvard again. "I have another concern," Edvard said.

"What is it?" Elsa worriedly asked.

"Carl wants to speak with the young prince Hans. Alone. Either that means Carl knows Hans is playing both sides, which wouldn't be a shocker, or his next plot involves the Admiral and his brothers heavily and Hans is in the best position to work it out," Edvard answered.

"If it means he's figured Hans out?" Kristoff asked Edvard.

"Well then the prince is going to be in big trouble," Edvard replied dryly. "But he will go nonetheless."

"And we'll be close at hand in case anything goes wrong," Anna said.

"I will come with you," Edvard stated.

"This is so exciting," Anna said, grinning at Kristoff.

"As long as you're careful," the Duke said, frowning.

"We will be, dad," Anna teased affectionately.

"Let's hurry to find them," Elsa said, rising.

"I have a suspicion as to where they're going," Edvard replied. "I'll lead."

"Then we'll follow," Elsa answered. Edvard nodded, bowing to her. The Duke sighed, not liking this at all.

Frozen

Hans approached Duke Carl seriously, meeting him outside of the library. Carl nodded to him and opened the door to it, entering. Hans looked warily around, then followed him inside. Carl shut the door behind them, as Hans walked further into the room. Carl glanced after him then slipped a key into the keyhole and turned it, locking them inside. He dropped the key into a pocket and turned around. "We need to discuss what our next plan will be," he said, approaching Hans.

"Why with me?" Hans asked.

"Because of all my fellow conspirators, you're the only one with half a brain," Carl said.

Hans smirked and chuckled. "You flatter me, dear Duke," he said, bowing slightly. "So, what do you have in mind?"

"To send you into the midst of your brothers to spy on Kelin-Sel's actions towards Elsa. You will get information then report it back to me. I will, in turn, inform the others, and we can be ready to alter plots as needed," Carl said.

Hans eyed him silently. A near exact description of what he was doing for his brothers now… He chuckled, smirking. "You're clever," he noted. "I'll give you that. You think you're smart, don't you?"

"I haven't a clue what you mean," Carl replied.

"Really? Well then, allow me to leave. I'll think up a way to worm myself into the confidences of my brothers," Hans said, walking passed Carl and to the library door. He took hold of it and pulled. He paused. Locked. Of course.

"It isn't Kelin-Sel who is the main threat to Elsa's heart, you know… That is a tossup between you, Iscawin, and Edvard. Mael would have been one as well, I suppose. If he hadn't taken himself off the market. I've been brushing up on the history of the Southern Isles. It's your fault, isn't it? That he'll never marry again?" Carl asked.

Hans tensed up. "Stop while you're ahead," he darkly warned.

"He put the lives of his wife and children in your hands… And you failed," Carl said.

"You're playing a dangerous game," Hans threatened, looking back at him darkly.

"Very well, I'll leave the sensitive topic behind. After all, it's the matter of you that I'm here for… I wasn't going to kill your brother, as you well know," Carl said.

"I well know," Hans confirmed.

"He is an innocent man… At least, innocent of any crime deserving death," Carl stated.

"Recheck your history of the Southern Isles," Hans deadpanned. "More specifically its princes." Though to be fair, Kelin-Sel never had done anything so truly terrible that he could be sentenced to death. He'd done horrible things, yes, but nothing that bad. He was the most blameless, peaceful, and pacifistic of them all.

"I know enough of it," Carl said. "And I know of your crimes… Crimes you escaped execution for. Twice… I would not kill an innocent man, but a man who was supposed to die anyway? Well, that I can make an exception for."

Hans barely had time to spin and draw his sword before Carl was across the room, blade clashing with his own. Hans scowled viciously. "So what? This is a belated execution?! Hah! You think anyone else will see it that way. Murderer!" Hans furiously yelled, attacking him and forcing him back a few steps.

"You're one to talk!" Carl shot, catching the prince's sword and spinning him around, throwing him into a wall.

"Assassin! Assassin in the palace!" Hans shouted, spinning to face Carl again. He knew it was unlikely anyone could hear his calls. He also knew it was highly unlikely Carl would go through with killing him, but just in case… Besides, calling the man 'assassin' would get under Carl's skin. He had taken Edvard's words to heart. Edvard believed that at the base of it Carl was a good man. He would dare believe as well. A good man, albeit misguided and foolhardy. He could identify with those traits. Only difference was that at the base of it he hadn't been a good man. At least, not at the time of his attempted overtaking of Arendelle.

"Shut up!" Carl shouted.

"Hans? Prince Hans!" a voice shouted. Edvard. He was shaking the door, trying to get in.

"It's locked!" Anna exclaimed. "Something bad must be happening. Get it open! Hurry!"

"I'm on it," Kristoff said. He rammed into the door once. Twice. Three times.

Hans gave a battle cry, shoving Carl violently back and going on the offensive. No more playing helpless. He was turning this around. Viciously he cut and slashed and stabbed at the Duke, who was now shocked and visibly concerned. Hans smirked. "What sort of man did you think you were dealing with?!" Hans viciously demanded, cutting low and slashing his leg. The Duke cried out in pain, stumbling. "Did you think you were dealing with some helpless fool? A babe with a blade?! I don't think so!" Hans slashed swiftly, cutting the other. The Duke collapsed with a cry. Hans stabbed down at him. Fearfully the Duke blocked, looking up at Hans in horror. "Give me a challenge, you pathetic fool!"

"Hans, Carl, stop!" a voice shouted. Elsa. Distracted, Hans looked back. The Duke leapt on the opportunity and sliced with a battle cry. Hans caught the flash of the blade and leapt back just in time. He cried out in pain as the blade cut across his stomach, but thanks to his quick dodge he was still alive. He covered the injury in shock, looking down at it in disbelief. Oh that was too close. Far too close.

Hans looked sharply back at the Duke, scowling murderously. "If I die, I die! But I will do my damage to you!" Carl viciously said, lunging again. Hans cried out as he felt a knife in his hip, hand automatically going to it. Carl tackled him viciously. Violently the two began grappling. They threw one another down onto the floor and struggled for dominance.

It was Hans that came out victorious. He pinned the injured man down roughly, thanking his lucky stars the knife hadn't hit anything vital or anything that would have slowed him down or weakened him too much. He struck the man then staggered up, seizing his sword and slashing, knocking the Duke's weapon from the man's hand. Carl gasped, looking after it. Swiftly Hans pressed the tip of his own blade to Carl's throat, glaring down at the man at his mercy and panting lightly. Carl met his eyes icily but calmly. "I should kill you," Hans said. Carl was silent, just glaring up at him. He would make no move to stop the prince, should that be what the young Admiral decided. He had lost, fair and square, and so he knew it was in Hans's right to end his life if he so chose to. Carl wouldn't beg. He wouldn't fight back. He wouldn't plead mercy… He just waited…

For a moment Hans seriously debated ending the man's life. Finally, though, he sighed, lowering the blade. He was getting tired of bloodshed, he realized… So tired… He looked down at the Duke then tucked his sword away. He knelt, pulling the key from the Duke's pocket, and walked passed the obviously shocked man. Unlocking the library door, Hans opened it in time to see Elsa ready to knock it down with an ice attack. She froze, as did everyone else, on seeing Hans emerge with his injuries.

"Hans!" Kristoff exclaimed fearfully, going quickly towards the prince.

"I'll be fine," Hans assured.

"God, we have to get you to Mael," Kristoff said.

"Okay. But help the Duke first. He's at serious risk of bleeding out. I cut his leg too deep," Hans stated. Edvard started, worry coming to his eyes. "Move fast," Hans added to him. Elsa, visibly upset, looked up at the prince with lips parted in shock and worry. He bowed his head to her tiredly and closed his eyes. He let Kristoff whisk him away back to his room, where he could be tended by Mael. Elsa, Edvard, and the others, however, quickly went to check on the young Duke.

Frozen

"Carl," Edvard fearfully said, seeing the other dragging his injured body towards a table to try and pull himself up. Carl looked over at the approaching party and paused. Edvard and Elsa fell at his side and helped him quickly up. "My god, you're bleeding so horribly."

"He-he cut deep," Carl replied. Had Hans cut the artery, Carl knew he would have bled out by now. It was unlikely a major vessel had been damaged, but something had, and badly.

"We need to get you help," Elsa said. "Anna, find the physician!" Elsa called to her sister. "We'll be in Carl's room." Anna quickly left to obey the order. Swiftly Elsa and Edvard helped Carl back to his room and laid him on his bed. "Dammit, what happened?" Elsa asked.

"An-an argument escalated," Carl answered.

"What argument?!" Elsa demanded.

"It is between me and him, Your Majesty," Carl answered.

"If it might cost either of you your lives…" Elsa began.

"It won't," Carl cut off, looking lost in thought and confused. "It won't…" he repeated again. "He spared me. Why?"

"Perhaps he is not as wicked a man as he once was," Edvard answered. Elsa looked gratefully at him. A distressed expression crossed Carl's face before he hid it again and focused solely on the roof, waiting for his injuries to be tended. He needed to see the prince, he determined. As soon as he could manage.

Frozen

Elsa sighed deeply, falling back onto a couch looking disturbed. "Elsa?" a voice asked. Edvard, she knew. He had followed her here. She hadn't denied his company.

She looked over at him curiously. He sat on the table next to the couch. "I don't want any more blood spilled in my palace… What am I supposed to do to stop you all from killing each other?"

"There's nothing you can do, short of sending us all away," Edvard answered. "But I hope you won't."

"If any of you should die…" she began.

"My lady, if that should happen, it won't be your fault… Trust us to control ourselves," Edvard said.

Elsa watched him silently then looked up at the roof again. "Promise me you'll protect them, and yourself," she said.

"Why do you ask this of me?" Edvard questioned.

"Because the Princes of the Southern Isles don't exactly have a reputation for dealing with things in a manner that leaves their targets in good health," Elsa deadpanned.

Edvard chuckled. "My lady, my greatest rivals for your heart are them. I cannot promise it will never come to blows or battles," he answered.

"At least try," she answered.

"That I will vow," Edvard said. "The only one whose blood you need to worry will be spilled is my own or theirs, from this point forth."

"Don't… Don't hint that you might die. Any of you," Elsa seriously said. "I hear it enough as it is."

"It is never a pleasant thing to hear…" Edvard murmured. "But does that make it any less true?"

"No," Elsa admitted. "But to hear it makes is seem like it is."

"I won't make a promise to you I can't keep," Edvard said. "I respect and… and care for you too much for that."

Elsa blinked and blushed, sitting up and looking seriously at him. She was silent a moment. "I know you don't feel as if you have a fair shot," she said to him after a little bit. "I'm sorry… I'm trying, it's just…"

"You know them. I know," he said. "But please. Let yourself come to know me as well. Even if it should never become more than friendship, I will be content… You are an amazing woman, and your powers… They are so lovely and intricate."

"Thank you," she replied, smiling softly and approvingly at him. She sighed, looking towards the window. She turned to him again. "I will let myself come to know you," she soon said to the suitor. "In many ways I already have… I would very much like to hear more… Will you join me for dinner, Edvard? Just us and the Duke of Weselton as chaperone?"

"I would be honored," Edvard replied, grinning at her and taking her hands. Elsa smiled back.

Frozen

Carl moved through the palace, being as easy on his leg as he could. He looked around, frowning. Where was Hans's room again? He reached out to a maid. Gerda, he believed the name was. "Where is Prince Hans?" he questioned her.

"Prince Hans?" Gerda questioned, confused at why a suitor was more concerned about seeing Hans than Elsa. "In his room, sir. His brother is monitoring his injuries. Down the hall on the left side. One of the farther doors, thereabouts. I wish I could be of more help, but the maids were not to tend the suitor wing, as you know." She wasn't even supposed to be here now, honestly, but she and Kai had had something of a rendezvous set up... Carl nodded and let her go, walking onwards.

Evantually Carl found Hans's room and knocked on the door. "Enter," he heard Mael say.

Carl hesitated, but soon did so, opening the door and entering. Mael looked up at him and eyed the man warily and suspiciously. This suitor had only just been fighting to kill his brother, and so that he was here now set off alarm bells. "My reasons for coming are not malicious," Carl said to Mael, sensing the suspicion and hostility towards him.

Mael glanced at a curious looking Hans. "It's fine," Hans assured, allowing the presence of the young Duke.

Mael nodded and moved away from the bed. "Should he try anything, I will be outside the door," he said to Hans as he left. The door shut behind him, and the Duke and Prince were left alone.

For a time there was silence. "So, is there a reason you've come to me?" Hans asked finally, attempting to break the silence.

"Curiosity," Carl answered.

"Care to elaborate?" Hans asked.

"No, but I will," Carl replied. He crossed the room and sat on a chair next to the bed. "Why did you spare me?"

Hans eyed him dubiously. "Because it wasn't something worth killing you over," he soon replied.

"Wasn't it?" Carl murmured, head bowed.

Hans was quiet, watching him. "No. It wasn't," he stated. "You acted rashly. Everyone does at some point or another."

"How many plot the kidnapping of an innocent man so that they may have a higher chance of being the chosen consort of a woman who may never love them?" Carl bluntly asked. "And who they aren't sure they could ever love in the way she deserved?"

"Yeah… I've got nothing to say to that," Hans replied, grimacing. "Perhaps one of the reasons was because you viewed kidnapping my brother as more of a personal challenge to yourself, than a means to get to Elsa. I mean come on. There are very, very few people who would be stupid enough to incense the Southern Isles for the sake of a woman they didn't love with their whole heart. Personal pride, however… I know what lengths some men are willing to go to satisfy personal pride… They shouldn't be willing to go to those lengths, but they are. Every single one of the Princes of the Isles are guilty of that."

Carl nodded and eyed Hans curiously. "Are you… Will you be alright?" he asked.

"I should be," Hans replied. "Mael will be watching me. I have complete confidence in his abilities. What of you?"

"I won't be moving much, with this leg injury," he answered. "It could open the stitches."

"Then what are you doing hunting for me on foot?" Hans ruefully asked.

Carl was quiet. He soon looked at him. "Because I had to know. I had to hear. I had to see and understand."

"We all want to understand," Hans murmured, looking to the side.

"Yes… I suppose we do…" the Duke answered, nodding. "I underestimated you, Prince Hans," he said.

"You aren't the first," Hans answered. "A large chunk of my modus operandi hinges on people underestimating or misjudging me."

"I'm sorry, nonetheless," Carl said. "God only knows how often you've been looked down on and underestimated."

Hans was quiet. "Forgive and forget," he finally replied.

"Do you really believe that? Because I doubt that highly," Carl answered.

Hans sighed, looking down. "You're right to," he answered. "It isn't what I truly believe; but sometimes I try to let it be."

"But you feel some things shouldn't be forgiven," Carl said. Hans looked up at him in surprise. Carl smirked. "I've heard many of your cynical little sayings in the time we've been together in Arendelle. Really, your royal highness, you should invest in coming up with a few more positive ones."

Hans blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… I'm working on that," he admitted.

Carl chuckled. His smile fell to a more serious look. "You spared my life. So now I owe you it… I will not forget that. Should you need anything, you need only send for me," he said.

"Thank you," Hans said. Carl nodded and rose, leaving. Hans watched after him and smirked.

As Carl left, Mael entered and watched after the man warily. "What do you make of him?" he questioned his brother.

"To be honest? I quite love the young Duke. He is the first of all princes that I really find attractive," Hans answered. Mael looked offended. "Don't even give me that look. Growing up with all of you as my brothers? Yeah, my view on princes is forever marred. He's a step towards my maybe regaining a modem respect for royalty, but I wouldn't be making bets." Mael cringed but didn't try to defend himself or the others. He simply nodded and took it. At least, he noted to himself, Hans had the potential of making some new close friends among the suitors. He was already starting to bond more with Edvard, he hopes, and now Carl too. To say nothing of Kristoff, with whom he was getting along best thus far, aside from Harald. It was good to see his brother starting to make some friends. It seemed Arendelle brought out the best in Hans all around.

Or Arendelle's queen…