"Whoa!" A female voice cried out, followed by the sound of someone stumbling backward and landing against something solid-most likely wood. Before I could even think I saw Sitron's hoof inside a rowboat, preventing it from dropping into the water with the woman inside. She spoke up, her voice sounded rather annoyed. "Hey!"
As soon as I saw the woman-she seemed younger, perhaps seventeen or eighteen-I found words coming out of my mouth. "I'm so sorry, a-are you hurt?" By her dress I could assume she was of some importance-it seemed far to intricate to belong to a commoner-perhaps the daughter of some Lord here. I certainly couldn't have a bad impression on her if this were the case. One bad impression could foil my plan if I wasn't careful.
To my surprise her expression softened, becoming quite embarrassed-perhaps enamored-and she let out a nervous laugh. "Hey...uh, ye-no, no. I'm, I'm okay." It seemed I got lucky this time, although it really was no surprise that her mannerisms changed when she had caught sight of me; I always did find that young ladies of the court or the daughters of lords acted similarly around me back home.
"Are you sure?" I replied, worry in my voice. I swung my leg back and over Sitron's rear, dismounting to get a closer look at this young woman. She seemed fetching in her own way, though clumsy-and the seaweed that had landed on her head did nothing to enhance her features. I stepped forward and into the boat, listening to her speak.
"Yeah, I-I...I just wasn't looking where I was going but I'm great...actually."
Of course. She was acting just like the young women back in the Southern Isles, stammering and blushing. Just another girl who was easily flustered by a pretty face.
I feign a sigh of relief and smile at her, lending her my hand. "Oh... Thank goodness." She stared at me for a short moment before taking my hand to stand up. If she was indeed a daughter of a Lord then I could definitely use this to my own advantage. I stare back at her for a moment before speaking, acting slightly worried about not introducing myself. "Oh! Ah...Prince Hans of the Southern Isles." I give her a polite bow, waiting for her response. However, what she said next was not something that I expected.
She curtsies slightly and speaks. "Uh, Princess Anna of Arendelle."
I felt surprise and shock shoot through my body, almost in disbelief as I speak to her. "Princess?" Was this the one who would become queen? Yet, she looked too young. Despite my doubts, I spared no hesitation and dropped to my knee, kneeling before her. "My Lady." I heard a nicker from Sitron and soon felt the boat tilting. The stupid beast must have taken my kneel as a sign to kneel himself. Cursed animal, I knew I never should have taught him that gesture.
The tilting stops and I find myself over Princess Anna, who seems quite flustered with her words. "Uh, hi." Suddenly I feel us being jerked back, a 'Whoa' escaping my throat; Sitron must have put his hoof down to keep us from falling.
It took me only a split second to realize that Princess Anna was on top of me as a result of the sudden motion. "Oh...boy..." Despite how much I loathed it, I had to keep this act up. Each word left a bitterness in my mouth every time I had to utter them. She pushed herself up, giving a short, embarrassed laugh. "This is awkward, heh..." The princess pushes herself up and moves off of me, her face too close for my own comfort. Yet I pressed on, not daring to ruin this opportunity.
She began speaking again, as if to correct herself quickly to avoid insulting me. "Not 'you're awkward', but just 'cause...we're, I'm...awkward. You're gorgeous." There it was again, that stuttering and girlish whimsy that made my stomach churn. A second after she uttered those words, she seemed to be taking them back. "Wait what?" Instead of pressing her on it like I'd expect any of my elder brothers to do, I change the subject quickly.
"I'd like to formally apologize for hitting the Princess of Arendelle with my horse." Not that it was my fault entirely, even if I had gotten lost in the sightseeing of what I would make my future kingdom. "And..." I added. "...for every moment after." Surely this would get me on her good side. This girl seemed the type to apologize for all hiccups in her life, something I could reflect to gain her trust. I suppose I could describe myself as some sort of mirror, able to copy the movement and personality of those I face. Throughout my childhood it had proved quite useful with the nannies.
As expected, she quickly tries to fix things. "No, no, no! It's fine! I-I'm not that Princess. I mean...if you hit my sister Elsa it would be yeesh!" She moved around me, her hands moving about as she talked. I never liked that in a person-talking with their hands-it was distracting and, to be frank, annoying beyond belief. She continued talking, moving closer to Sitron. "'Cause, y'know..." When she turned to be face to face with Sitron, she recoiled slightly, gasping a bit in surprise. She relaxed and smiled at him, placing a hand under his chin and scratching it. "Hello." Sitron let out a whinny, expressing his happiness with the attention.
Princess Anna turned back to me and shrugged her shoulders to punctuate her words. "But..." She stepped outside of the boat, myself staying in place as she continued. "Lucky for you, it's just me." She shrugged again, smiling a little in my direction. I let out a chuckle, and slightly furrowed my brow to feign confusion as I spoke. "Just you?" Her reply was wordless, just a smile and a soft laugh. Perhaps this young woman-Princess Anna-could be my ticket to becoming King of Arendelle.
Silence fell between us, broken by the sound of bells. Her gaze didn't break away from me until a few seconds after they had sounded. Her expression of infatuation changed to one of a rabbit before it scurried off. "The bells...the coronation." She started to back up in a panic. "I...I-!" She bumped into a post behind her and moved around it, lifting her hands up to rest in front of her. "I better go-I have to go!" She pointed her index fingers behind her. "I better go, uh.." She turned around to leave, but looked back to me. "Bye!" Princess Anna continued on her way and I lifted my hand up, waving goodbye to her.
To anyone unaware of my plan-of my true self-the look on my face would be one of infatuation. But truthfully, I was relieved-relieved to find a way to set my plan into action.
I could feel the weight of the boat giving, tilting back. Confused and suspecting, I looked to Sitron whom had raised his hoof to mimic my wave. The stupid animal... "Oh no..." The boat creaks against the brick of the ground, a sound of distress escaping my throat as the boat fell with me. In what felt like an instant, I was submerged in the water, the boat having flipped over and fell atop me, bottom-up. I swam up and broke the surface of the water, spitting out the salty liquid that replaced the bitter taste the words that I spoke moments earlier had left as I lifted up the boat to see my surroundings. Gasping a bit for air, I relaxed and looked up. I could see Princess Anna running off towards the gates in the distance. I cracked a small smile as I watched her. This would be too easy.
I took my seat within the church, making it in time to find a spot near the front. Much to my dismay, I was sopping wet still. It had been clear that I wouldn't have had enough time to go back to the ship and change, let alone make it to the coronation freshly dressed. If that foolish horse of mine had allowed me to step out of that damn boat then I could have attended dry and presentable. I thanked the heavens that my parents weren't here to see this. They'd probably send me back home, saying I had made a fool of myself in front of everyone. I felt grateful that they were too busy grieving over the loss of my brother and caring for the sick kingdom.
In fact, if this fat slob wasn't laying on my shoulder as if it were some pillow he could use as he slept I wouldn't even be this upset over my current appearance. It took much of my will to not push the man off of me, I would have to put up with this disgusting fool drooling on me during the coronation.
Any noise that was in the church soon silenced, the soon to be Queen, whom I had learned was named Elsa, had walked in, walking towards the steps to become the new ruler of Arendelle.
She was far more attractive than Princess Anna, whom was standing next to the Priest. Anna and I met eyes and she waved a little at me. As anyone in my position would do-anyone not putting on an act-I waved back. My eyes returned to the eldest sister, carefully analyzing her every movement as best I could. She seemed fidgety, clearly nervous; perhaps she was nervous about becoming Queen? Yet...it seemed to be more than that. Elsa seemed very stiff and reserved. I remember hearing about what prompted the need for Elsa to become Queen; apparently when the two sisters were younger, the King and Queen were headed to a wedding when a storm capsized their ship. Both were said to have died and I would not fight that conclusion. It would make sense as to why Elsa was so scared looking; an event like that was likely traumatic for her.
As Elsa reached for the Sovereign's Orb and Sceptre, I noticed something peculiar. Gloves? How odd, especially in summer. And when I saw the priest softly speaking to her, I could see her hesitation in removing them. Perhaps it was something about dirt? To my knowledge, an aversion to dirt was something that many people had.
Choosing to ignore it, I continued to watched the ceremony. Elsa seemed...tense as she held onto the orb and sceptre, her eyes glancing at her hands every so often as the priest spoke. I furrowed my brows, trying to focus on the items in her grasp. Then something caught my attention. Was that...?
The priest finished the coronation, naming Elsa the new Queen. Just as quickly as it was over, I saw the new Queen hurrying to put down the items and desperately pulling her gloves back on before she relaxed at last.
I nudged-quite hard-the man to me next with my elbow in order to rouse him. I could hear him snort with surprise, feeling his weight finally removed from my shoulder.
I was sure I saw something.
I put on a smile as I rose, applauding for the new Queen. What I saw kept itching at the back of my mind. When in her grasp...I swore I saw ice forming on the orb and sceptre. Perhaps it was nothing. I chuckled, pushing the thought aside; my eyes were clearly playing tricks on me.
After the coronation had ended I didn't hesitate to return to my ship. The feeling of wet clothes sticking to my skin had gone far past irritation. As soon as I had entered my cabin I shed the sopping wet clothes from my body, tossing them aside.
Looking at them with disgust, I turned to the dresser and opened the drawer where a set of towels were kept. I grabbed the first one I saw and began to dry off my body, my bare skin still wet from the fall into the ocean. How I was still this wet escaped me, it had been over an hour already since that.
As the soft towel dried every inch of water I could find, I thought to myself. Just what would I do next? I feel foolish to have let myself dive into this plan with only bits and pieces of it, I had too much excitement with this opportunity. I grumbled to myself, placing the towel on my hair and ruffling it dry. Such a fool...a stupid fool!
My movements stopped for a moment, my eyes catching my reflection in the mirror. I removed the towel slowly and took lithe steps towards the mirror. My feet stopped when I was about half a yard away from the glass surface, my eyes staring at the reflection of my naked body. "A fool..." I heard myself say, followed by a short and empty chuckle. How could a fool even get this far? Luck? I shook my head and finished drying my hair squeezing out the last drops of water in it. "No...no fool could ever get this far."
I dropped the towel on the floor, eyes never breaking from the gaze of my own reflection. I reached out and touched the mirror, thinking to myself. Princess Anna seemed like a true fool...if I killed her now then it would be one less problem to deal with.
I shook my head; no, that would never work. I would be hunted down, clearly. Murder would have to wait. My hand left the glass' surface and fell to my side. The best course of action was something I was hoping to avoid; marriage.
A treaty I could handle, something I could take advantage of, but marriage? Marriage was something I didn't want to do ever in my life, at least not permanently. Yes, I could marry Elsa and kill her to rule alone, stage an accident. Then there would just be Anna to take care of. But clearly Elsa was not one who I could easily woo or trick into marrying me. She was too closed off-nobody was going to get anywhere with her-I could just tell from how she acted in the church. Anna, however...yes, Anna could be easily won over and manipulated into marriage. She seemed so infatuated with me, it would be no surprise if she was desperate to marry someone, even a stranger-a man she just met.
I saw a smirk on my reflection's face, one I wasn't entirely aware I was making. It looked like my plan was starting to come together now. All I would have to do is marry Anna, then stage an accident for Elsa's death. Once Elsa was out of the way Anna and I would become the new Queen and King. And after waiting for some time, earning the trust of the kingdom...I would poison Anna. With patience I will become King. Then I'll be respected at last, no longer perceived as a fool.
The time of the coronation party was drawing nearer, my chance to put my plan into action nearly within my grasp. Of course, the first step would be easy: get inside the castle and find Princess Anna. The next step, however, might prove difficult. Were Anna truly desperate as she seemed then it would be easy. If she were not, though...that would just provide an obstacle I would have to overcome through time.
As I mulled in my own thoughts, I sat upon Sitron; escorts were leading me towards the castle gates and I hardly noticed when we entered the gates. It was the sound of one of my escorts that tore me away from my thoughts. "Prince Hans, we're here."
I cleared my throat and smiled, giving the man a nod. "Ah, yes, thank you for your work." I dismounted from Sitron and watched as he was brought to the stables before turning to enter the castle. I lightly placed a hand on the hilt of my sword which rested in the sheath hanging from my side. My thumb lightly ran along the handle before I let my hand drop to my side. On to the first step in the plan.
It was no trouble getting inside the castle, just a name check and being directed to the ball room. For the time being, I acted as a wallflower, scanning the room slowly to see who was attending. I noticed a rather short old man, rather familiar I might add. With some quick thinking I recognized who he was. He was the Duke of Weselton, and if I was correct he attended a party not too long ago in my own kingdom. I can still remember how he made a fuss over the pronunciation of his Kingdom, it often being called-
"Your majesty, may I present to you the Duke of Weasel Town." A voice sounded.
The whiny voice of a rat-no, a weasel-of a man quickly followed. "It's Weselton! Eherm...Weselton, your majesty."
I chuckled, yes that was it. Weasel Town. And such an appropriate mispronunciation, too, from what I've seen and heard. The Duke surely proved that at the last party he attended-the one hosted by my kingdom, of course. Such a mistrusting, arrogant old man, always coming up with conspiracies and trying to weasel himself into other people's business. And it seemed he was doing that just now.
I hadn't failed to notice Princess Anna standing next to Queen Elsa when the Duke was introduced. Now it seemed that he was dancing with Anna, trying to pry answers out of her. Instead of asking to cut in for a dance, I simply stood there and watched, grabbing a glass of champagne from a tray carried by a servant that passed by.
Watching the Duke's erratic movements he called 'dancing' was certainly the show. Really, he looked like he had gotten a hold of some sort of intoxicant and was just flailing about. And as soon as their dancing had started, it ended.
Princess Anna was clearly exhausted, possibly sore from the dance. I thought about approaching her now, being introduced to the Queen, but quickly decided against it when I saw the two interact. It seemed like the two were arguing, something I was all too familiar with myself. As I lay in wait, I pondered just what it was they were arguing about. I wasn't about to pry Anna about it of course, that would just limit my chances of marrying her. Instead I would just act oblivious, like I never saw the entire ordeal.
As soon as I saw Anna walking into the crowd, I began moving. Pushing people aside-gently-I kept my eyes on her and ignored any attempt at conversation. Her movement changed, arms starting to flail a bit as she teetered and fell back. I quickly pushed through the few people in front of me, my arm darting forward and quickly grasping Anna's hand to stop her from hitting the ground. "Glad I caught you." I said with a chuckle, pulling Anna up. She sounded rather relieved when she greeted me with my own name, glad that I could attend. Another tray passed by and I set the glass on it before pulling Anna in. Without hesitation, I began to dance with her. Lucky for me, she made no objections.
The evening passed by rather quickly, Princess Anna and I spending the time dancing and talking to each other. So far it seemed my plan was going perfectly; by the look on Anna's face I could see she was starting to trust me more and more. I could feel my heart racing as I spent time with her, not out of love, no; I no longer feel that for anyone. The excitement I felt, it was for how perfectly my plan was going. No interruptions, no obstacles-yet. The next part would prove how difficult it could be.
We eventually made our way to the balcony to escape the crowd, the members of the party growing as the night went on. We laughed as we closed the doors to have a private talk, free of too much noise. The taste of chocolate was still in my mouth, having found it actually quite delicious-but nothing compared to the sandwiches here, of course. Those were quite a delicacy, even for such a food.
Anna and I both sat down to rest, the both of us quite tired from the activities going on inside. I exhaled and let my shoulders relax-both to make it look like I was letting my guard down and to rid myself of any aching that I felt. This young woman was surely a handful, very energetic. At one point I even found myself questioning if I should really attempt to marry her.
My thoughts were cut off by Anna's voice. "So, Hans...do you have any siblings?"
I felt a pang of hatred in my chest. How I hated that question, and with the current situation I had caused back at home... I cleared my throat, finding myself starting to speak. "Yeah, I actually have twelve older brothers." Eleven. I have eleven brothers now.
I could see the surprise in Anna's face, her brows shooting up and her eyes wide with bewilderment. "Twelve?" It wasn't too surprising to see that sort of reaction. It could be explained simply enough, though. My father married three times, and I was born of his third and current wife.
I nodded. "Yes, twelve. I can't begin to explain what it's like, either. In fact, three of them acted like I was invisible, literally. For two years." The annoyance was apparent in my voice, the memory of those two years still angered me today.
"That's horrible." I heard Anna say. Of course she would say that, they all did.
I let out a small laugh and leaned back. "It's what brothers do."
Anna replied almost immediately. "And sisters." I, of course, never had any sisters so my experience with them is next to nothing. Yet something about what Anna said piqued my curiosity, and she gave her answer without me even having to ask. "Elsa and I were really close when we were little but then..." She paused for a moment, looking confused and slightly upset, before continuing. "...one day she just...shut me out and...I never knew why." Her gaze fell and I found myself...perplexed.
Her explanation only caused more questions to rise up inside me. What had happened between these two? Perhaps an accident? If it was one then it certainly would be a laugh if it had something to do with what I thought I saw at the coronation. But of course, that was just me seeing things, it had to be.
The silence between us only lasted a few seconds before I reached for her hand and gently took hold of it. "I would never shut you out."
Anna slowly looked up at me, a smile forming. "Okay, can I just...say something crazy?"
I gave her a smile, the feeling that I was reaching my goal easily starting to fill my chest. It felt warm, but not enough to defrost my heart. "I love crazy."
Time almost seemed to stop, I was questioning reality as I saw the face of a excitable young woman change. Anna...Anna was no longer the happy young woman I thought she was. Before me seemed to be a completely different person from before, it was almost like...looking in a mirror. That same bitterness that consumed me all those years was in her ice cold blue eyes, the same loneliness. I felt my heart stop when she leaned forward, her voice-barely above a whisper-carried over to my ears and sent a chill down my spine. "I'm going to kill Elsa so I can rule Arendelle."
As if by some sort of magic, I could feel the mask I put on start to melt off. The cold smirk I grew to know, the bitterness returning to my green eyes. I finally could wear my true face.
I only replied with six simple words. "That's what I was gonna say."