Frozen Hearts
By- An Unknown Foreign Beauty
Chapter 32- Summer
Hans did not bother with sleep. Who cared if you had dark circles under your eyes or were too drowsy to properly get through the day? His appearance was not going change anything at all.
How it would be like to spend rest of his life behind the bars, he wondered. What would his brothers think? He found his brother Henry sitting among the audience. He was there because he was one of the defendants. Rest of them did not even bother to attend the trial. Probably they were too ashamed to address him as their brother. Probably they had not noticed the news of his trial at all. He was always an insignificant part of the family. He was never counted.
He was led to the convict's box. The courtroom was already full of people. Lawyers in dark robes were discussing something among them, journalists with cameras were recording the whole trial process, and rest of the audience was too excited to wait for the sentence to be announced.
He was glad Anna was away for it all, he could not bear her looking on him with hate again. But he was not so grateful that Elsa was here.
The trial went on in usual pace. The witnesses repeated their statements. Henry repeated the tension between two of them involving Sofia. Duke's men stated about Hans' deal with Duke. Hans watched them with bored disinterest; his eyes were on Elsa sitting among the audience, her hands fidgeting in her lap nervously.
He was hurting her. He was causing her unimaginable and extremely cruel pain but he wanted her safe. He needed her to be happy. He needed to know she was free of all burdens even when he was not.
He actually jumped when his lawyer touched his arm. His eyes riveted on Elsa as she walked into the witness box. Their eyes met. Her name rose to his lips, and he bit down to stop himself from crying out her name. He tore his gaze from her, trying to concentrate on the arm of his wooden chair, but it was too hard to steady his mind now. He escaped a glance of her face, and a teary smile touched his lips, because everything about her-even the nervous way she was standing-was so achingly, beautifully familiar.
Elsa repeated the oath that was being read to her, then the defendant lawyer strolled forward. "Do you agree with rest of the witnesses that Mr. Westergard really murdered Mr. Weselton to cover his association with the murder of Sofia?"
She swallowed tearing her gaze from Hans, and said as firmly as she could, "He only tried to save me."
"But you stated before that he tried to murder your sister Anna." The lawyer persisted.
Hans saw her hands clutching the wooden edge of the witness box, unable to believe that the lawyer hit her weak point.
Lying would be like betraying Anna, Hans knew. She would never forgive Elsa if she lied about her attempted murder. He closed his eyes to remember Anna's unforgiving face. Imaging Anna looking on her with hate because of him made his stomach go raw. He never wanted Elsa to lose her sister again. Her gaze snapped to his face, and his entire body stiffened . . . and then he hardened his face into a mask of indifference.
"Don't deny it." He whispered.
She did not.
Her silence only brought advantage to the defendant lawyer. "My lord," Turning back to the jury, he said with extreme courtesy, "It was confirmed by the postmortem report that Mr. Westergard killed Duke Weselton. Miss Kingsley's silence only proves it. Besides all of the witnesses confirmed that Mr. Westergard it was not his first murder. He murdered Sofia Westergard because she tried to reveal his plan of murdering Miss Anna Kingsley. And then he murdered Mr. Weselton to cover his crime. I believe we can resolve the entire issue at hand without further debate or calling of witnesses, and give the guilty his due punishment."
"But it was only an act of self defence." Elsa cried to the court, but and white-wigged heads of the jury tipped toward one another while the chief judge called sharply for silence.
It hurt him to see her fighting all alone. How could she be so noble? He always tried to break her, use her for his own benefit. Instead she gave him her love. She loved him despite his faults. He was not worthy to be loved by such an extraordinary woman.
The punishment for his crime would be lifelong imprisonment. But he was not worried about his punishment right now. All he could think of was regretting the pain he had inflicted on Elsa.
The judge turned to look at him and asked, "Do you Mr. Westergard, agree with all the charges brought against you?"
He escaped a glance of her and then slowly shook his head in complete surrender, "Yes, I do."
His confession made Elsa gasp. Tears streamed down from her big blue eyes.
But it was the only way. He wanted her to move on so badly. He did not want to ruin her life with his presence. She deserved someone better.
Maybe someday she would realize her mistake.
That was the thought that was comforting him. He would spend rest of life in the isolation of a prison cell. He would not picture her face or remember how wonderful she felt in his arms. He would be stone and he would be ice. He needed to walk away from her life. This was his chance.
Forget what is you leave behind...
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Kristoff knew it was the best time to fix the things between the sisters. If he never did it now, maybe he could never fix it. He had seen her suffering enough. He could not let her suffer anymore because of a lie. He did not give Anna any time to ask questions when he practically smuggled her out of the hospital, shoved her into his car and drove straight to Olaf's house. He ignored her curious gaze as he knocked the door impatiently. A moment later, Olaf's sleepy face appeared at the door.
"Good morning." Olaf yawned.
"Where is Kristina?" Kristoff asked without any introduction.
"She was ill since yesterday. She is not allowed meet anyone." Olaf was closing the door, but Kristoff slipped his foot between door and the doorframe, stopping him from shutting the door in his face.
"But we don't have much time." He glanced at his wristwatch and nodded impatiently. There was so much urgency in his voice that made Olaf narrow his eyes suspiciously. "What's wrong?"
"I need to talk with her." Kristoff said impatiently. "It is urgent."
"Sorry mate." Olaf was closing the door again.
Anna imagined a hysterical version of Kristoff hopping about and invading Olaf's bedroom. Her own mind was already messed with so many worries, now Kristoff's weird behavior was annoying her. Whatever caused Kristoff acting so weird; Anna thought it was time to interrupt. "Kristoff," She said irritably, "She is sick, you heard that. You can meet her later."
"That is what I am trying to say." Olaf chimed in.
"No…" Kristoff understood her annoyance. Anna was not doing better than Elsa. She was suffering as much as Elsa was. If not he could clear up this misunderstanding today, maybe he could never do it again. Looking into Anna's bright blue eyes, he said gently, "We need to see her. Because she is…"
"What's going on in here?" Their conversation was interrupted by Kristina appearing behind Olaf. Then her gaze riveted to the people standing at the door, and her eyes narrowed in anger. "I told you I need to be away from people…." She said, turning her gaze furiously to Olaf, "You know what the doctor…"
"I tried to explain that…" Olaf tried to explain, but Kristoff shoved him aside and walked inside. He grabbed Kristina by wrist and shoved his hand roughly in her short blond hair. Kristina tried to twist free. Anna and Olaf rushed to stop him, then the wig fell to the ground revealing a mess of long golden hair. And the girl who was standing in front of them was no longer looked like Kristina. Instead she looked exactly like ….
"Sofia…" Anna recognized her immediately. She stood there, wide eyed; she felt she might faint now. Wasn't she dead? She had seen her lifeless body in her backseat in that fateful night. A scream of hysteria and denial rose in her throat; her gaze glued to the woman standing in front of her. "No," she said, shaking her head in wild disbelief. "No," she said to the room. "No!"
Olaf would never be so surprised if a bolt of lightning hit him now. "No," He muttered, still not believing his own eyes. "It is not true. You are dead."
"No, I am not." Sofia said with a mirthless smile.
Only Kristoff looked unfazed. "You were just using Olaf as your cover, aren't you, Sofia?" He said in a calm voice. His eyes were fixed on the woman named Sofia who was formally known as Kristina to all of them. "You tried to use me as your cover. When you failed, you choose Olaf."
"Is it true?" Olaf was at the verge of tears. His trust was shuttered into pieces, and now he felt nothing but betrayed.
"Yes, it is." Sofia shook her head looking at Olaf, her eyes had no hint of regret for this terrible lie.
"Why? "Anna interrupted. It was true that it hurt Kristoff to see his friend breaking like this, and he felt nothing but anger towards this woman. But Anna's reaction was extreme. She looked angrier, she looked wild. It was like she felt more betrayed than Olaf. Kristoff sensed that she was going to do something desperate. He placed his hand on Anna's arms, trying to stop her, but Anna brushed his hand off casually. She walked near Sofia, "Why?"
"I needed to hide." Sofia said desperately, "I needed to make Hans believe that I was really dead."
It was at that moment that Anna realized for the first time that Sofia must have known that Hans would not kill her because he never had so much courage to kill people. He was a great schemer but never been a murderer. The idea that she knew and hadn't told her was almost as unspeakable as discovering that Hans was being accused of a false murder. "Why?" she began in a sudden burst of anger, "I thought you loved him."
"Loved him?" Sofia snapped. "How can I love that beggar?" She screamed, "When I realized he has nothing but his name as a Westergard, I dumped him. I ran away with his brother Henry and realized that he was no better than his brother. He was worse. He was a terrible gambler. He spent his entire share in gambling, and I was left in poverty. My father found me and promised me to make me happy. My father tried to use you and made you to sign the contract with the Southern Isles Company. But Elsa stopped you. Meanwhile I leaned that Has had gone mad for money. You know the rest."
"If I signed the contract with the Southern Isles that day with the trusty board acting as my regent," Anna began, "I would hand my power virtually to the trusty board, and Duke will become the president . . ." She broke off as a realization hit her. Duke would take over Arendelle if Elsa refused to take the position of the president of Arendelle. The old, familiar feeling of fear began to hammer in her mind. Hans always tried to protect Elsa, for his own benefit of course. But he cared for Elsa too. He always did. So Duke planned to kill both of them. He would have if not Hans killed Duke that night.
His love for Elsa was real. He loved her even before he realized it.
She still hated Hans for being such a pathetic liar, for making Elsa falling for him, for deceiving her. But there might be some good in him.
No one is born evil.
He was just a product of his circumstances- like her, like Elsa. He was no good than any of them. Maybe he deserved a second chance. Maybe just for Elsa's sake, she could forgive Hans.
"What?" Anna cried, then she realized she didn't have time to debate the technicalities with her.
"You have to tell this thing in front of the judges."
"Tell it," Sofia jeered. "I never will. He can hang for my murder. I hope he does, the bastard! He killed my father."
"Well, he did it to save my sister." Anna said with a calm that belied her rioting feelings.
"Yes, he did. But he will not again." she gritted, walking toward her with menacing steps. There was the sudden softness of her tone, her complete indifference that made her heart freeze and an awful, unformed suspicion begin to tear through her. She stepped back as she grabbed her shoulders in a vicious grip.
"He never loved me. He always fancied Elsa. Even when we got engaged he did not forget her. He killed my father to save her. Now, you sister has to suffer." She shoved her backward, as if the touch of her skin suddenly burned her hands, and Anna landed on the bed, clutching her chest. Pain shot through her body, and she coughed, struggling for breath.
"Anna…" Kristoff fell to his knees beside her. Through the pained haze Anna saw Sofia making her way towards the open door.
"Don't let her go…" She screamed, fighting back the darkness trying to consume her. "But…" Kristoff hesitated.
Right then a painful scream startled him. He looked up to find Sofia sitting on the floor holding her bleeding ankle. There was a fruit knife protruding from her leg. And Olaf was standing beside her with a murderous glare in his eyes.
"Take Anna to the court before it is too late." He said. "I am calling the police."
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Elsa was asked to go back to her seat. The juries gathered in a corner, discussing their decision based on the evidences. But she knew it was over. The battle was lost.
She could see an empty life waiting for her without him. Maybe not so empty. She would watch Anna's children grow. If falling in love was so painful, she could not bear to feel any more pain.
"I told you, you can not save him." Henry said in a low voice, "You can't save a murderer."
His words surprised Elsa. She turned to look at look him to find a slight amused expression in his face. "But he is your brother." She said in an annoyed voice, "How can you do that to him?"
"Step-brother, Miss Kingsley." He put so much emphasis on the word step brother that made Elsa cringe. "He is my step brother."
"So what?" Elsa snapped. "You have same father."
"But not same mother." Henry looked a bit annoyed with her accusation. He turned to look at Hans sitting in the convict's box, then he looked back at Elsa. His eyes were full of hate. How could one person hate his brother this much? When he spoke, his tone was firm,"For him my father divorced my mother. You may have feelings for a bastard like him, but I don't. I always hated him. "
How easily he could say this, Elsa wondered. She would die to save Anna. How could one be so happy when his brother was going to be punished for murder? Now she realized what made Hans act like this. If she had a brother like Henry, she had no idea what she would do. Once again her heart flooded with affection for Hans. All she could see a sad little boy, begging for attention, and being denied again and again.
Closing her eyes, Elsa leaned her head wearily against her palms. The image of Hans being accused as a murderer forever dug viciously into her battered senses.
Her gaze snapped to Hans, and her body stiffened, waiting for his reaction. But he looked unafraid, as regal and dispassionate as he always was. He looked disinterested and completely in control. She waited for him to say her name, but he did not. Instead he looked away from her. Did he really erase her out of his mind forever? How could he be so cruel?
Two tears rolled over her cheeks. She understood why he was acting like this. He was angry. He was in denial. She tore her gaze from him; she could not bear to see him like that anymore.
"I will not love again." She whispered.
"The juries, witnesses, and the audiences who observed this trial today…." The judge began.
"Wait." A familiar voice cried. All head turned towards the entrance to find a young girl standing at the door, supported by a burly young man. "We have a witness."
"Anna…" Elsa gasped. Waves of shock and tension seemed to scream through the huge chamber. Everyone leaned forward in their seats, but Anna did not see it. Her eyes were on her sister. She met her teary gaze and smiled. "It will be alright, Elsa." Anna shook her head and walked into the witness box.
"I've found Sofia Westergard." She announced.
No doubt the girl who was presented in front of the court was Sofia Weselton Westergard. Henry Westergard's face fell at the sight of his so called dead wife. When the defendant lawyer asked him to confirm her identity, Henry only shook his head, "Indeed." Elsa could say that he was not that happy. He only threw a hateful look at Hans and swiftly left the court.
A faint hope raised in her mind. Nothing is not finished yet...
From that point on, the rest of the proceedings seemed to move with the swiftness of a necessary, but meaningless ritual. Obviously realizing that there was not a chance of discrediting the testimony of Sofia Weselton- Westergard, the defendant lawyer put only a few perfunctory questions to her, and then allowed her to be dismissed. After that, there remained only the closing statements of both lawyers, and then the chief judge called for a vote.
In renewed tension, Elsa listened and watched as the chief judge called out the name of each juries. One after another, each jury arose, placed his or her right hand upon his or her breast, and declared either "Not guilty upon my honor," or "Guilty upon my honor."
Elsa was shaking and sweating. She could not believe it really happening. She turned to Anna trying to guess if she had done this out of pity, but instead she saw a smile in her lips.
"Why?" Elsa asked.
"Because I found the truth, Elsa," Anna said, " I know he loves you. And I love you Elsa."
Anna sounded as shaky as Elsa felt. "Don't you hate me for being so selfish?" she whispered.
"No," Anna smiled teary-eyed, stroking her face and pushing back a few sweat matted strands of silver hair from her face, "I will never let you fall again."
How was it so easy for Anna to forgive what she would never understand? She had taken so much away from her that no number of lifetimes could restore or fix. Anna must be angry somewhere, Elsa searched for it desperately, she needed to see it, she didn't think she could handle it all if it wasn't there. Anna's blessing was pure and she started to cry.
"Look," She heard Anna saying, "The judgment is being announced."
The final vote was 324 to 14, in favor of acquittal. Elsa scarcely heard that. All she cared about was that the majority were for acquittal, and that the chief judge had finally turned to pronounce judgment and was speaking.
"Hans Westergard," the chief judge was saying to Hans as Hans slowly rose, "it is the finding of this commission that you have committed Duke Weselton's murderer out of self defense which is forgivable according to the law of the country. You are free to leave."
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There were journalists outside the court, snapping pictures and taking interviews. Anna found Hans standing with Eugene, surrounded by journalists, trying to find a way out. He started to walk away when he saw her, but Anna hastened her pace and caught him by the wrist. He tried to twist free, but Anna grabbed his shoulders and made him turn.
"Where are you going?" She demanded.
Hans was not expecting this. He was accepting his fate, he never expected Anna to step forward to rescue him. He was too hesitant to meet her eyes first. But when he looked up, he found her smiling.
"Somewhere to find my own place." He looked away from her. How could she be so kind to forgive him so easily? He did not deserve to be treated so well, not by the woman he wronged most.
But Anna was not letting him go so easily. He felt her grip tightened around his wrist as she spoke, "Without my sister?"
Hans' head snapped, and he raised his eyes to look at Anna. He followed her gaze to find Elsa standing behind her, her arms wrapped around herself protectively.
"Hi," She smiled.
The sound of her voice was so sweet, Hans almost wanted to pull her down into his arms. Instead, he looked at Anna for her approval. Anna shook her head approvingly. Hans took a hesitant step towards Elsa and smiled, "Hi."
Elsa bit her lip, trying to hide her sudden wayward smile. "How are you?"
"I'm perfectly fine," he assured her, his gaze level. "Remarkably well, actually, for a man who hasn't seen the sun shine in more than a month, or been able to sleep without thinking about being thrown in jail for life."
His tone was so frank and unemotional that Elsa didn't immediately grasp what he was saying. When she did, tears of joy and relief sprang to her eyes as he continued: "I thought I could achieve my happiness by taking advantage of you love. Unfortunately, I rarely get anything right, and when I do, it's generally wrong. When I realize, it is too late."
Hans saw the tears shimmering in her magnificent eyes, and one of them traced unheeded down her smooth cheek. But none of them dared to cross the distance between them. Hans watched her beautiful face endlessly, thinking what he was about to lose. With a raw ache in his voice he said, "If you would take one step forward, darling, you could cry in my arms. And while you do, I'll tell you how sorry I am for everything I've done-" Unable to wait, Hans caught her, pulling her tightly against him. "And when I'm finished," he whispered hoarsely as she wrapped her arms around him and wept brokenly, "You can help me find a way to forgive myself."
Tortured by her tears, he clasped her tighter and rubbed his jaw against her temple, his voice a ravaged whisper: "I'm sorry," he told her. He cupped her face between his palms, tipping it up and gazing into her eyes, his thumbs moving over her wet cheeks. "I'm sorry." Slowly, he bent his head, covering her mouth with his. "I'm so damned sorry."
She kissed him back, holding him fiercely to her while shattered sobs racked her slender body and tears poured from her eyes. Tormented by her anguish, Hans dragged his mouth from hers, kissing her wet cheeks, running his hands over her shaking back and shoulders, trying to comfort her. "Please darling, don't cry anymore," he pleaded hoarsely. "Please don't." She held him tighter, weeping, her cheek pressed to his chest, her tears soaking his heavy woolen shirt and tearing at his heart.
"Don't," Hans whispered, his voice raw with his own unshed tears. "You're tearing me apart." An instant after he said those words, he realized that she'd stop crying to keep from hurting him, and he felt her shudder, trying valiantly to get control. He cupped the back of her head, crumpling the silk of her hair, holding her face pressed to his chest, imagining the nights he'd made her weep like this, despising himself with a virulence that was almost past bearing.
He hurt her for countless times, he refused her so rudely, and still she loved him. She was twenty one years old and she had loved him. In return, he had hurt her publicly scorned her, privately humiliated her, still she fought for him in the court bravely.
Self-loathing and shame poured through him like hot acid, almost doubling him over. Humbly, he whispered, "Can you ever forgive me?"
"Yes." She nodded, her cheek rubbing his chest, and he swung her into his arms, cradling her tenderly against him, brushing his lips against her forehead. They kissed again ignoring the cameras clicking around them.
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There was so much happiness in the air that it was hard to breathe. Elsa was holding Hans' arm, waving at the journalists. Everyone was congratulating them. Anna spotted Rapunzel making way through the crowd with Eugene. She hugged Elsa. She was crying. Cameras were clicking all around them. Anna clutched her chest and inhaled deeply. She felt so light. She was so happy that it hurt.
"Are you alright?" said a familiar voice behind her. Anna turned to find Kristoff standing just behind her. He looked at the reunited couple and smiled fondly. "They look so happy."
"Yes." Anna agreed. Finally her sister found her happiness. She could never do this without him. With his help she overcame her prejudice and finally found her the joy of forgiveness. She looked back to meet his eyes.
'What about us?" She whispered.
"What is your opinion, Fiestypants?" He said in a familiar, teasing voice. She could see the smile on his lips and blushed. His eyes were so warm brown, like melted chocolate that Anna wanted to get lost in them. She grabbed his collars and pulled him down to her.
"I like to hear yours first."
Her message was clear, and Kristoff pulled her in his arms. She felt every part of his torso flush against her own. She felt her pounding heart going and his answering right back. Kristoff hugged her tightly as well.
"I am thinking about kissing you." He whispered in her ears.
She just squeezed to him tighter, burrowing her face into the place where his shoulder met his neck. She was certain now. All she needed was this to know. He could never leave her, she never wanted to be in another's arms. She never wanted to know he held other women. She was the only one, she would be the only one. And he would be the only to her as well. She only wished it hadn't taken so long.
They kissed endlessly. It was not like other kisses they shared before, full of lust and longing. It was mostly innocent and warm. They only surfaced for the need of air. And then suddenly a thought crossed her mind.
"The auction will be held tomorrow." She said, a but unsure. "Will you come with me?"
"Where?"
"Arendelle."
He agreed.
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There goes the final chapter. Should I write an epilogue?
Errors are all mine. Consider them nicely.