Author's Note: Hi, guys. Thank you for your patience in getting another chapter out. Trust me, I wish I could write this story more often, but with my Peter Pan fanfiction and school, I just don't have enough time. But at least I'm uploading on a schedule, even though it's monthly. Anyway, this chapter gets a little away from Elsa/Hadyn and to other things that are prominent to the later plot. I don't have much to say, except enjoy and let me know what you think. See you Nov. 7 with chapter 8!

7. Shadow of a Doubt

"All men do it."

—Frozen, Kristoff

"Princess, the tables need to be precisely situated in the reception hall, and you need to carefully think about the place settings and who will sit where."

Anna rolled her eyes as the steward pestered her with things to do. She had other things to prioritize, without having to worry about place settings. Like finding Elsa someone she could love as much as Anna loved Kristoff. Waving her hand, she dismissed the man with the words, "You're the steward, decide for yourself. I'm sure you can figure it out."

Turning away, she got two feet before a big puff of hair moved in her way. Anna glanced down to see a poodle standing before her. No, that wasn't right, this thing was definitely human. It just looked a bit like a poodle. But no, it was a girl. The nose was too small to be a poodle. The lady was probably not much older than Elsa, but she was so powdered and primped that it was hard to tell. Being so close to her, Anna sneezed at the smell of all the powder on her face. Plus, the huge, corseted fuchsia dress hurt her eyes to look at.

"Pardon," Anna muttered, trying to move around the girl while stifling more sneezes.

As she moved, the girl grabbed her arm. "Princess Anna," the girl started in a nasally, hoarse voice. "I am Lady Gabbri Trully South. Perhaps you've heard of me."

Anna shook her head slowly.

"No? Oh, I am surprised to hear that. I happen to be one of the best wedding planners in the south. The moment I heard of your need, I dropped my vast amount of work to come here, to aid you in your distress."

Blinking twice, Anna tried to stifle a laugh. This doll looked so strange, and her old woman's voice was even weirder. What was she supposed to make of this? "Um, actually, we've got everything covered. My sister Elsa is helping and—"

"Oh, you mean the ice queen?" Lady Gabbri leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Isn't it scary living with her? I mean, knowing at any moment she might kill you?"

Anna wretched her sleeve out of Gabbri's grasp, crossing her arms. "For your information, my sister is the best person I know. She'd never hurt anyone!"

"That's not what I heard. But oh, well, if you're willing to take the risk. I know I wouldn't. I mean, what would the world do without me? Anyway, you may not think you need my help, but trust me, you do. First, I'll start with changing the theme. I heard you want the theme to be ice."

While Anna really didn't want anything to do with the pompous twit, she didn't want to be rude either. "Yes, our country's main income comes from the manufacturing of ice. So it seems a perfect theme."

"Nonsense, it's so not vogue. Instead, we should do something else, like roses and chocolates. What do you say? It's classic, never gets old, and perfect for all kinds of weather. I mean, I personally love beach theme, but you don't really have a beach, do you?"

"I like the theme of ice."

The unexpected male voice made Anna and Gabbri turned in unison. Prince Hadyn sauntered towards them, looking just the way he'd done when Anna had seen him last in the library. Really, she liked him. Not in a romantic way, or anything, but she kept wishing Elsa might like him. She couldn't help but smile when she saw him.

Gabbri, on the other hand, gasped. "Hadyn, is that you?"

Hadyn continued, "Look what the cat dragged in. Hello, poodle girl whose name I never remember. I see you kept the hair…probably not the best choice." He glanced at Anna, his dark eyes sparkling. "This puppy bothering you? Because I'd be happy to remove her."

Anna's grin widened, although Gabbri looked aghast. Shaking her head, Anna stated, "Thank you, Prince Hadyn, but I think I can handle her. Oh, and by the way, Elsa is organizing a riding party tomorrow. You will come, won't you?"

Hadyn shrugged. "As long as a certain someone doesn't throw ice shards at me."

Anna laughed. "I promise, Elsa will get to like you."

Smiling, the southern prince bowed and strutted away.

"Hadyn!" Gabbri exclaimed. "Come back!" When he didn't turn, she rounded on Anna. "Oh, I had no idea he was here."

"You know him?" Anna asked, curious to know more about this mysterious man.

Gabbri nodded quickly, apparently unaware that said prince had just insulted her. Unless she liked being called a poodle. "Of course I know him. He's prince and heir of Hariq. I mean, that's one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the world. But I've never seen him out of his country. Whatever could he be doing here? But, anyway, isn't he handsome?"

Anna tilted her head. She wondered why he was here too. Did he also come to try to marry her sister? It didn't seem like it. After all, he didn't seem to be like the other groveling princes surrounding her.

"Oh, speaking of your fiancé," which they hadn't been.

Anna turned to find Kristoff. When she spotted him, her heart sank.

Kristoff stood far down the hall with the most beautiful woman she had ever seen clinging to his arm. The woman's long, ebony hair shone in the sunlight and her figure was perfect accented with a tight, mermaid gown. Kristoff was smiling. Anna blinked twice. She must be seeing things.

"Oh, there's Princess Bao. I didn't know she was coming. Anyway, I must get going with the theme. Was that your steward earlier? I'll have to go find him. That, or see if I can catch up to Hadyn. Oh, Hadyn!" Gabbri trotted away.

Anna bit her lip as Kristoff and the princess moved down a side hallway and vanished. He hadn't even seen Anna, and yet she had been less than twenty yards away. She shook her head. I was just seeing things, wasn't I? She told herself, her heart feeling heavy.

But Kristoff didn't pay any attention to girls. He never had. And to walk smiling with one on his arm? Impossible.

"Anna?"

Anna turned to see Elsa approaching. In her hand, Elsa held a writing pad with a quill. She looked tired.

"I've been looking for you. I'm planning the ride tomorrow and I'm wondering what kind of food we should bring for the picnic."

Shaking her head, Anna gulped down her tears and jealously. "Whatever you prefer. I'm tired…I think I'll go rest in my room."

Turning, she left her sister standing alone in the hallway.