Hans sat on the cold stone bench, waiting patiently for the Queen and his fate. Was it really just a week ago when she was here chained? When he was the one with all the power and control? Now their positions were reversed. He smiled grimly. And it was a gross miscalculation on his part.
"Prince Hans," she greeted him, a frown set upon her marked face. Her fury was cold, the most dangerous of all anger, he noted. She wasn't about to let emotions get in the way of this conversation.
"Elsa." He kept a cool attitude, knowing that he could very well lose this chance of freedom if he let his rage take control. He couldn't have what happened last time in this very room. The loss of control was devastating, but thankfully she wasn't in her right mind at the time to notice. This time, however, nothing would escape her. He had to choose his words carefully.
Her frown became more prominent. "You have no right to address me like that."
Hans smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Would you like me to add other more preferable titles to your name?"
"I don't have to do this, Hans. You could very well be on your way to the Southern Isles, receiving your punishment there." She sounded frustrated, more annoyed and tired than he expected.
"I could be, but I'm not. I'm here."
"Most people would be grateful, not acting in an arrogant manner."
"But I'm not most people."
She replied quietly, "Of course not. Most people don't try to murder a Queen."
Hans looked down at his pale hands, his eyebrows knitted. It wasn't supposed to turn out like this! He planned ahead and plotted all the outcomes. He was supposed to be King already! But that insufferable Anna and her stupid suitor ruined it all. "That was a low blow."
"Was it, Hans?"
He kept his eyes on the thin veins spread out, knowing that they powered the hands that held the sword. Where was his sword now? Probably destroyed by the Queen herself. "What are you going to do?" he asked evenly, his words gritty.
"I'll grant your request for a trial in front of the diplomats of Arendelle."
Hans looked up in surprise; he had not expected this. He thought she would dismiss him to his parents as she had every right to. "I knew you would be kind to me." He noticed her finger flexing and wondered if she wanted to hurt him. "You have a strong sense of justice; I read you perfectly."
Her eyes narrowed. "Your brother is here, waiting to speak to you."
"Gail?" He stood up, his stance defensive.
"Yes, I thought he should come here to keep an eye on you and make sure you don't try to do anything suspicious." Her expression was cool and collected. She was definitely enjoying this unexpected show of emotion after his previous comment about her. "I'll leave you to it then."
As she turned to leave, he asked, "It must have been awful to sit here, not aware of what will or did happen, wasn't it?"
"Worse than you expect." Her tone was icy. "Or perhaps exactly as you planned." She knocked against the door strangely, but Hans soon realized why. The door opened, revealing a dark figure who could only be Prince Gail of Southern Isles.
He bowed to the Queen's retreating figure whereas she only nodded in acknowledgement. As soon as she left, Gail's face hardened and his mouth was set in a scowl.
"What were you thinking?" he thundered, pacing furiously. "Were you thinking at all? Southern Isles will be in ruin because of this scandal. A prince, a lowly greedy prince, attempts to murder a Queen. How do you think they'll think of us now?"
"Gail-," interjected Hans, having never seen him this mad before. He always had a cold anger like Elsa's, not this hot furious rage.
"You held a sword at her neck, Hans! A sword! You were going to execute her! You! Not even an official executioner!"
"Gail, I only wanted-," began Hans, his voice feeble, not at all strong and confident as before with Elsa. Why did he have to yell? He could deal with disappointment, but all this emotions? So unlike Gail. So ungraceful. So commoner-like. How uncool.
As if he could hear Hans' thoughts, Gail lowered his voice, speaking urgently, "Yes, yes, I know. You wanted to be King. You wanted her position. But that doesn't help your case at all. No one will vote in your favor, Hans!"
"Do you trust me then, Gail? Are you on my side?" he asked eagerly.
"Of course I am. We can't have you imprisoned. If you can somehow convince the people of your innocence, then your life will be so much easier. The weight will be lifted from Southern Isles. I need you to win, but it's impossible. This isn't some small infraction; you attempted to murder someone."
"Don't worry about it. I got it covered."
Gail sighed, removing his crown to ruffle his hair. "I hope so." His impassive voice returned as he replaced the crown on his head. "But you still need to apologize."
Hans' eyes widened. "To her?"
"To all of Arendelle. A formal apology both in private and public." He grasped Hans' hand and pulled him up. "I want it to be done today though. Her Majesty is probably planning to have the trial tomorrow to be done with it, so we need you to make the first move. It might sway the people to your side. It's smart politically."
No, this wasn't right. Gail would be in charge of him and this situation once more. He couldn't have that. "Fine, but if I apologize, then I want a few favors in return." If Gail was here already, he might as well be put to good use.
"You're in no position to ask for favors," replied Gail sternly.
Hans chuckled. "Unless you want me to lose on purpose, brother. Think of Southern Isles, Gail."
Gail's face was deeply marked, but he said stiffly, "Go on."
"I need a room, not a cell. Get me one upstairs, somewhere where they place all the noble guests. And I want the day to myself after I apologize. Edward can see to me, but that's all. The rest of the day is mine. That is all. Think you can manage that, Gail?"
"I'll do my best," promised Gail, a frown apparent on his face.
"Then I'm sure I'll get what I want."
Hans and his brother followed the page escort into the throne room, where Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, and the blond suitor awaited. There was only fierce determination in Gail's face until the royal sisters came into view; then, his face smoothed over and became solemn. Hans was not surprised by his brother's personality change as it happened so often. He, on the other hand, shot a furious glare at the suitor.
He whispered into Gail's ear. "I want him out. He can't be here."
"How many times do I have to tell you? You're at their mercy right now until the trial is over; you cannot ask for any favors," he hissed in reply.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Gail of the Southern Isles, accompanied by His Highness, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles," announced the page loudly.
Gail stepped forward, bowing in direction of both the Queen and her sister. "Your Majesty. Princess."
Hans followed in suit, but did not address them at all. He waited instead for his brother's cue.
He cleared his throat. "I want to express my deepest apologies for my brother's actions recently. My father, the King of Southern Isles, wishes for Arendelle to know that we do not stand by what Hans did at all. Whatever you plan to do to him is proof of your generosity as what would have awaited him in our native land is much worse."
"The result of the trial may be harsher than expected by your father," replied the Queen.
Gail bowed his head. "We understand that, Your Majesty, but that is not the reason for this interruption. My brother would like to apologize to you both."
"Really? Or did you force him to?" asked Anna sarcastically, earning a nudge from her suitor.
Hans took a deep breath before standing near his brother. He looked up at Queen Elsa, taking note of her features. Was this the same person who cried in front of him? The helpless girl who begged for his help? "Yes, uh, what my brother says is true. I'm very sorry for what I did. My jealousy took a hold of me and I wasn't in the right mind. I shouldn't have done that." He kneeled once more. "I hope you can forgive me."
"It won't change the outcome of the trial," answered the Queen.
"I know. I don't expect it to."
"I was told that you wanted to apologize to my people."
He nodded. "Yes, I thought it would be right."
"I won't allow you to." She stood up, her posture powerful.
"Your Majesty, may I speak to you in private? The Princess may stay if she'd like, but I would rather not have my brother around," interjected Gail quickly. Hans snorted. So much for Gail's idea.
She sighed, a crack forming in her castle. "Guards, take Prince Hans to the library for the time being. Make sure he does not leave."
Hans glowered. "I don't need to have an escort, but if you're really worried, Edward can stay with me."
"My men will be stationed outside the doors. You may have whoever you like in there, but they will come with you."
"Fine." He retreated out of the throne room with the guards on his feet. "Where is Edward?" he asked them.
"He was waiting for you, Your Highness."
"Good." He marched through the hallway, feeling as though he had won the game already.
A shorter chapter than expected, but we finally get to meet Gail. The trial will be in the chapter after the next in case you're wondering. Next chapter, however, will shed some light on Hans, Elsa, and Gail.
Thank you!