It had been a little over a month since I had last been in Arendelle. After the coronation party had ended I stayed the night on the ship until morning. It actually surprised me that Anna hadn't asked for me to spend the night in the castle. On the other hand, it could have risked our plan being further delayed if her sister said no. Elsa was more than likely to rethink on the agreement that was to be made with Arendelle and my own country.

But no matter, something about staying in the castle felt off putting, as if I would in danger had I slept there for the night. I only stayed there for one day but here I was, back in Arendelle, this time not alone. With me had come my father and mother, the rulers of the Southern Isles. In the nine hours that we were aboard the ship my father made some effort to speak to me, aking me about the princess that had caught my eye. It was an odd change for me, actually seeing my father trying to be a father for once. Mother, however, didn't change from her usual self.

Only once did my mother speak to me, and even that one comment was made with little care from her.

'To think you found a princess that actually finds you worthy of bonding with her.'

Those words had struck my icy heart, another crack forming on its surface only to be closed up with my distaste for my mother. She had never cared for me, this much I knew while growing up. I knew that she despised me, it was clear in her pale eyes.

But still, what she said continued to bother me well on our way to the castle. Mother hardly spoke kind things to me while I grew up, even when she did she would soon crush any hopes I had about her loving me. Not once did she say she was proud of me. Not once did she tell me that she loved me. Not once has she held me, cared for me like she did my brothers.

I despise her as she despises me.

To much of my disdain, it was her voice that broke through the barrier of ignorance that I put up.

"Hans, we are here. Now get that head of yours out of the clouds and back to reality." Her voice felt like venom in my veins, hushed yet so loud to me. I could never find peace when hearing her speak.

I look up, the castle right in front of us. Odd, it looks so foreign even though I was only here a month ago. I was about to tear my gaze from the castle when something-or rather someone-in a second story window caught my attention: a pale freckled face, strawberry blonde hair with a pale blonde streak in two braids that were draped over small shoulders, and a pair of ice cold eyes that pulled the image together. In a hushed tone, I found myself speaking.

"Anna..."

The room that we were led to was quite spacious. Although it was decorated rather simply, what stuck out to me the most was how the curtains decorating the windows were closed. As I had observed earlier, it was a rather sunny and warm day, so seeing the curtains drawn was far beyond odd to me.

I redirected my attention to the table that was located in the middle of the room. From what I could see, I would say around twenty people could be seated at it. But for this occasion, only five of the chairs would be occupied.

The servants that had escorted my parents and I to the meeting hall each stood behind a chair, pulling them out for the three of us to sit in. Once we were all seated, I glanced to my parents. My father-curious as ever-was glancing about the room. His curiosity didn't die down with his age, rather it grew as he neared his seventies. It still astounded me how the man was still alive at sixty-eight years old. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if he died soon but somehow I felt that wasn't likely to happen.

My gaze shifted to my mother, whom was keeping her eyes forward. No doubt she was growing impatient, even anxious. I knew from the start that she only came to see what sort of foolish girl had agreed to this plan. As soon as she tore her eyes from the walls and looked to me I quickly glanced away. I only remember a few times that I've made eye contact with my mother, and each time I hated it. It was far worse than staring into Anna's-it couldn't even compare! Mother's eyes were nothing like Anna's, nor mine. They held contempt and disinterest; every time I looked into them I could see how much she didn't want me.

I turned my face away from my parents, chewing my lower lip a bit. The silence that hung over us was eerie, I was starting to hear a feint ringing in my ears. I felt slightly stressed, starting to feel like hours were passing as we waited for Princess Anna and her sister, Queen Elsa, to walk into the room. Even as I hear the doors opening I am convinced that it was all in my head. I hate being in the same room as my parents, sitting next to my mother for so long. Even on the ship I had spent my time alone.

I quickly realize that I wasn't hearing things, that the door truly did open. Without sparing a moment's time I stood up, only a second later than my parents had. Both doors to the room had opened and walking in was the Queen.

Queen, what a laugh.

Her outfit was not much different than the one she had worn the day of the coronation. A different design and cut, yes, but the color scheme was recognizable.

Followed not far behind her was Anna, her hair braided the same way that I had seen moments earlier from outside the castle. Her gown was simple, nothing too elaborate. But really, did that really matter right now? I'm silly to even bother taking in every single detail of her outfit.

As she did at the coronation, Anna waved at me. And as I did then, I returned the wave and smiled. I could feel my mother's eyes boring into me, judging my every move. It felt like this entire exchange would rely on me remaining calm and believable and it truly did.

As Anna and Elsa take their seats, I return to mine, shoulders tense and pushed upright. I can see my parents sitting down from the corner of my eye. I pray that nothing goes wrong during the meeting.

I here Elsa speak up, my attention once again on the two sisters. "King Stefan and Queen Ylva of the Southern Isles, thank you for taking the time to come up to Arendelle to discuss the matter that my sister Princess Anna and your son Prince Hans had brought up. I hope that we didn't invite you at a bad time, though."

Her words made me remember something rather important.

'Oh no...'

I can feel my parents looking at me before my father spoke up. "Well, Queen Elsa...we are actually nearing the end of grieving. You see, our eldest son Gustav died a little over a month ago."

I saw Elsa grow anxious, as if she had made a terrible mistake in inviting my parents and I over. And I knew that whatever came could potentially ruin the plan. Now I could not only feel my mother's eyes on me, but Anna's.

"You did not inform them?" Mother's voice sent a shiver through my spine. I couldn't bear to speak as all eyes fell on me. I could feel all the color leave my face, a cold sweat wetting my brow. My heart pounding in my chest, as if it wanted to burst out and lay in a pool of my blood on the table in front of me. If anything I wish for that to happen. This foolish mistake that I had made! I can't do this, I just can't. I find myself staring at Anna, looking at me with knowing eyes.

Anna knew full well that I would do anything to became the King of Arendelle, it was no surprise that she could figure out that my brother's death was caused by no illness. I can't bear looking at her any longer, staring at the table as a way to escape any judgment cast on me.

I hear the sound of footsteps and my head snaps back up; Anna was no longer in her seat. It's only seconds after I see she's gone that a feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. On impulse, I look at the hand and up the arm to see Anna looking down at me. Her expression was one of condolence, one of compassion and understanding. But her eyes said everything for me: I had to come up with an explanation quickly.

Tears start to pool at the corners of my eyes, slowly rolling down my cheeks. My hands quickly cover my face as I bring forth more crocodile tears, my gloves getting wet as I did so. Choking back a fake sob, I force the words out of my mouth. "I-I'm so sorry, mother...father... I-I did plan on telling the Queen but..."I inhaled sharply, my shoulders shaking a bit. "I didn't wish to sadden her on the day of her coronation. It...it didn't feel right to bring sadness to such a joyous celebration. Please...please forgive me for my foolishness."

Silence followed, neither of my parents said a thing and I could only imagine that they think less of me than initially-and even then I'm quite sure that is quite impossible for at least one of them. Nobody spoke, not even Anna. I felt her squeezing my shoulder still; it was starting to hurt. It felt like she was digging talons into me, like a punishment for not mentioning this earlier.

Minutes passed before Elsa spoke up. "Prince Hans...it's okay, I...I can understand why you didn't tell anyone. Please, try to ease yourself. I can have a glass of water brought in for you if you need."

Something about how she spoke made my stomach churn; she spoke as if she knew what I was feeling. Had I been alone I'd laugh, the thought of Elsa believing this farce and knowing what I "felt" amused me.

"Hans, lift your head up now." My mother's voice, cold as ever, commanding me to stop crying like a child. Once again, I shivered, wiping away the crocodile tears as I sat myself up straight. "I...I'll be fine...I'm still rather shaken up by my brother's death...thank you, though." I see Elsa nod in understanding.

Such a fool.

My father, who had remained silent during my little act, finally spoke up. "Well...we should probably move on to the matter at hand. My son has informed us that he and your sister, Princess Anna, have taken a liking to one another." He looks over to me, as well as Anna who still stood behind me. I slowly reach up and touch her hand, pursing my lips.

"Yes...the two actually asked about the possibility in arranging visits to our respective countries. Ah, how did you put it, Anna?" Elsa looked to her sister. I could see her chewing a bit on the inside of her lip. Nervous, no doubt.

Anna's voice piped up, sounding rather chipper but soft. "Well, Prince Hans and I thought that once a month one of us would visit the other for a week in order to get to know each other and their family more." I spot my mother raising her brow slightly, either intrigued or baffled. "So I would visit the Southern Isles for a week, then the next month Hans would stay here in Arendelle for a week." Her grip on my shoulder loosened a bit, the pressure change causing my muscles to spasm.

"And what if it turns out you and Hans don't decide to marry?" My father inquired as he scratched his chin through the mass of hair he called a beard. Eugh, that thing bothered me to no end with how scraggly it looked.

"If it does come to that then there's still the bond that was built up between our countries. Think of it as forming an alliance whether or not Hans and I get married." Anna's words seemed to echo off the walls, so loud and powerful. I could see my father's attention captured even more because of it.

"Hrm, well I really see no harm in trying...your thoughts, love?" His attention had turned to my mother whom had kept her eyes on Anna and I. Her thoughts were being collected no doubt, trying to choose the best course of action. For a moment I felt that she would say no, putting our efforts in the trash. What she says startles me quite a bit, though.

"I feel that it would be a good opportunity in strengthening the bonds between our countries, so I will allow it."

Quickly, I look to Elsa, whom nods in agreement. This was all going so smoothly. Perhaps my act had worked. Perhaps...Anna truly did lie that night about me being transparent. Yes, she had admitted she was lying back then, but doubts had lingered within me since then.

My performance was flawless.

The next few moments begin to blur as the agreement is made with pen and paper. A scribe was brought in and wrote down the contract as told, noting down that the visits would go into effect two weeks from tomorrow. I remember feeling hypnotized by the quill's movement, then by Anna's icy and bewitching eyes. Oh, if only I could take the quill and drive its tip through them! But alas, that would have to wait.

With the agreement signed, the foolish "Queen" had retreated to her room. Anna, on the other hand, followed us to the dock in order to say our farewells.

As soon as my parents boarded the ship, I felt myself pulled into a hug. Anna had wrapped her arms around me, and to keep up appearances I returned the embrace. "Have a safe trip home, Prince Hans."

I chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I'll try."

Anna began to lean in close, her lips by my ear. "And remember..." Her voice fell below a whisper. The words she spoke made my chest tighten, my spine tingling. With our farewells I boarded the ship, her words echoing in my head.

Had I heard right? There was no doubting I did. I gripped the railing of the ship, staring off at the dock as it faded into the distance.

"Betray me and I'll kill you myself."