Chapter Thirty Two: Parameters

Hans opened his eyes to the view of an empty white pillow. The faint scent of pine still lingered upon it. He breathed it in then reached his arm out, fully expecting his fingers to touch the origin of the scent. Instead, his hand met empty sheets. He sat up and realized he was completely alone in bed.

"Elsa?" he whispered, half expecting her to be standing somewhere in one corner of his bedchamber, perhaps invading his wardrobe for something more modest to wear. In the faint daylight, he realized his bride could just be a little shy. His imagination was already conjuring up an image of her wearing one of his white shirts and nothing else.

He shook his head and dismissed the thought as he remembered Elsa didn't need his clothes as she can create her own clothes at will.

And make them disappear too, he thought happily as memories of the feel of her skin against his came back at him. He got up from bed, eager to find her and savor her touch once more. However, he realized she was not in the room at all. He found his basic clothes on the floor and hurriedly put them on before heading to the hidden corridor that led towards her bedchamber. He found her room empty but the chains that had been attached to the wall were no longer there. He couldn't hear voices outside the door but he wasn't taking his chances of exiting that way when Holford might be there. He returned to his room, hurriedly dressed in a fresh uniform then headed back the hidden corridor. It didn't take him long to find another exit from the corridor that led to the servant's wing. It ended in the castle kitchen where he heard the voices of maids talking together as they chopped vegetables and prepared the meals.

"Queen Elsa and the General must be having quite a night. No one's heard a stir from their bedroom all night," said one maid that reminded Hans of those gossiping nurses who used to talk about Anna in the hospital back in Warsaw.

"You think she could have frozen him last night? Has someone bothered to check?" asked an older woman who sounded quite concerned.

"I saw the doctor leave sometime last night for his chambers in the other wing," piped a younger girl. "He wouldn't have left if there had been an incident. I say the Queen and the General got it on last night all right. They've probably been getting it on his ship long before. They were certainly doing the deed in the library just before they announced their engagement."

"We'll find out soon enough!" said a fourth girl excitedly who seemed to have just run in from outside. "I heard there will be a party that will be waking up the newlyweds in about fifteen minutes! Prince Holford says it's tradition in the Southern Isles to rouse the bridal couple with as many people bearing cake for good luck. Go get that cake now. We can join the party if we hurry!"

Hans cringed at the raucous laughter that followed. So Holford planned to catch me and Elsa off-guard with one of his invented traditions. Joke's on him. I'm not in that bridal chamber. But Elsa is not there too and an empty bedroom is just the kind of scandal Holford can use to spin that Elsa and I failed to consummate our marriage. I need to find my wife!

He tried to double back towards in the same corridor he came from but tripped over something that suddenly appeared right in front of him. He caught himself in time to see a familiar snowman.

"Hans?" Olaf greeted noisily which effectively silenced the kitchen. People turned to his direction and he knew there was no use hiding anymore.

"What are you doing out here?" Olaf asked. "Holford said we're supposed to wake you and Elsa."

"Errr…" Hans hesitated. "I'm already awake…"

"I can see that," Olaf said. "Where's Elsa?"

Hans stared back at the group of servants watching him and forced himself to calm down and reassess the situation. If he said anything that could indicate he had no idea where his wife was, people could think he never even spent the night with her.

"We woke up early together… to take a walk."

"Oh that's nice," Olaf replied in all innocence. "So where is she?"

Hans was still deciding which obscure part of the castle he could say when another familiar male voice replied for him.

"In her study, where she is waiting for the General." It was Kai who spoke. The steward looked more harried than usual and gave him a knowing look.

"Quite right," Hans quickly caught on as he hurriedly racked his brain for an excuse. Two can play the Southern Isles tradition game Holford. I can make up as many traditions as you can. "I'm here to get Queen Elsa some cake as part of errr… Southern Isles tradition,"

"The cake was sent to her chamber, General… err… your highness," the girl who announced about the party said. "Prince Holford said it should be all of us who should be bringing you and her majesty cake in bed."

"Ahhh, that is true in tradition, but only if the married couple had an arranged marriage and are complete strangers to each other," Hans replied without missing a beat. "But for couples who have bonded for quite some time and have grown in affection, the husband is supposed to bring it to his wife alone and in compete privacy," he emphasized. "It's so much more romantic and I would be remiss as a husband if I let everybody give her cake when it is my duty to show her how much I esteem her. Having everybody there might make her think I do not care for her at all. We would not want that, would we?"

The girl giggled and a few of the maids looked just as dreamy-eyed before they all volunteered to chase after the cake to give it to him.

It was at this point that Kai intervened and ordered that the cake was to be retrieved and re-diverted outside Elsa's study. The maids all happily rushed out with an equally eager Olaf, while Kai led him away.

"Thank you," Hans whispered to Kai once they were back in the main hallways.

"I apologize for them disturbing you so early," Kai replied gravely. "I did manage to disperse them last night but Prince Holford returned this morning with a new crowd. I was unable to stop them in time and they managed to eject the guard I ordered outside her majesty's bedchamber door early this morning. They would have invaded her bedchamber by now. Luckily, her majesty was up before dawn this morning and has been in her study since. She asks to have a word with you there."

Hans couldn't help but smile at that thought of Elsa asking for him. His imagination was suddenly painting a picture of himself and Elsa continuing on what they started last night in her study. He remembered she had a couch in her office… and a bookcase. It wasn't as big as the library but… well there would be plenty of opportunities to fulfill what they never finished in that library.

"I'm glad things went well last night, General," Kai said as they walked together in the direction of Elsa's study. "I am certain the queen is grateful for your… consideration for her."

Hans couldn't help but chuckle at Kai's hints. "So she sent you to retrieve me so she can show her thanks. In the future Kai, she doesn't need to. She can come to me whenever she wants. We're married now. I suppose it will take her some time to get used to the idea and I'm glad you're a go-between until she gets used to it. I want to thank you again for your discretion last night."

"You can trust me Sir, to always do so."

Once outside her study and Kai motioned for him to go on.

"I'll stand outside and wait for that cake. I'll knock once I have it."

Hans nodded once more in gratitude and went in.

For a split second upon entering, he imagined Elsa seated at the couch, or on top of her desk, or maybe even leaning against that bookcase—waiting for him in some alluring dress she can dissolve in front of his eyes.

In reality, she was sitting behind the desk. She was fully dressed in a modest gown, her hair neat in a braid, and her head bent over something she was writing on some piece of paper. A higher stack of papers lay on one side of her desk. She looked up when he entered. "Thank you for coming, General."

The use of his title threw him off and dissipated whatever fantasy was playing in his head.

"You're working?" he asked.

"Yes, I thought it would be best to catch up on the paperwork. I've been behind since yesterday," she replied slowly.

"You mean during our wedding."

She nodded nervously. "Well yes, but I do have some important matters to attend to and they pertain to you. I thought it best that we get this right at the start. Would you please sit down?"

Hans carefully sat on the chair across her desk but he noticed she avoided meeting his gaze.

"I… I wanted to thank you… for last night. It was… "

"Enjoyable?" Hans couldn't help but tease her.

Pink surged through her cheeks and Hans wanted to reach over the desk and kiss her but she pulled away.

"I am grateful," she said. "And I wish to reciprocate."

He wanted to tease her again but the seriousness in her tone stopped him. She pushed a few pieces of paper towards him. He took it and opened the first one.

The words in her handwriting were written in cold legalese. She was granting him the title as Prince of Arendelle, ownership of an estate, several other land titles in the Arendellian countryside and a regular income of a significant amount. It took him a long time to digest it all, but once it sank in, he felt his blood run cold.

"What is this?" he asked her.

"As I said I am grateful for last night," she replied. "I am also willing to grant you a public coronation as prince."

"A public coronation?" he asked incredulously.

"And if the sum is not enough, I could grant you more for your income," she added. "You realize, at this point I cannot name you king. However, in the future should matters go well between us, I could consider it."

Hans dropped the paper and faced her. Hot anger flooded through him that he could feel his heart pounding in his ears. I'm just her breeding stud. That's all I've been to her, just like what my family has planned for me. I was just deluding myself last night. Nothing's changed. She married me because she needed to. She made love to me out of duty, not because she cared.

"You think I did what I did last night because I wanted money? A title? A stupid coronation?"

She looked startled and at a loss at his outburst. "I thought you would be pleased. I just wanted you to know you would be looked after in this marriage. I wanted us to be in good terms."

He stood up and furiously paced across her desk.

Of course that's all she wants. That's why she married me! She's doing it for an alliance and mind-blowing sex with her last night is not going to change that. What was I even thinking? Did I actually thought we would end up falling in love with each other? I'm in lust with her but it is Anna that I love. It's Anna I am doing this for. But I will be damned if I didn't clear that up with Elsa.

"You still don't get it, do you?" he said. "I don't want your money! Or a title! Or a coronation! It's not why I married you!"

Elsa shrank down in her seat and stared down at her desk. "I'm… I'm sorry… I didn't mean… I thought…"

"Thought what? That I was your whore to be rewarded for last night's pleasure?"

"I didn't mean it that way. I just… I just wanted to show my appreciation." She looked closed to crying that he turned away so he wouldn't see. She was silent for a moment before reaching into the desk drawer and producing a piece of paper. She gently handed it to him. He recognized the note immediately and realized it was Lars' letter.

"I didn't mean to pry. It fell off your pocket last night and Anna found it and gave it to me," she explained.

She thinks it's what I wanted when I consented to marry her because Lars said it in his stupid letter. No wonder she thinks of me as an opportunist. Does Anna think the same thing to? I have to clear this. I can't let her think about me this way.

He took the letter, crumpled it with his fist and tossed it in the fire on her grate. "Elsa, whatever Lars said there, that's not what I wanted. I may have in the past, but I don't anymore. I am not after your kingdom or here to replace you. Just to prove it, I'll make a vow to you now: I will never ask you to make me your king. If you want me to write that down and sign it officially—"

"I believe you."

Hans stopped, not trusting what she said. He was prepared to lengthily argue to prove his sincerity. He never imagined she would just believe him. He quizzically eyed her.

"I believe you," she repeated. "You don't need to write down anything. I know you're doing this all for Anna, for her protection. And you were good enough to treat me well last night. You protected me when you didn't have to and you're doing it because you value my sister."

She stood up and made to go towards his side of the desk but stopped herself. "I apologize for offending you. I didn't mean to imply that I am treating you like someone who has to be paid for being kind. I already know you are inherently kind. The mere fact you stood by me in that altar yesterday even when I deceived you proves that. You deserve to have whatever happiness you can have."

Something in him felt light at her words. He never expected her to call him kind. Acknowledging his happiness was something he never thought to hear from her, or anyone else. Aside from Anna, no one else voiced such desire for him in his life.

"You don't have to worry about what Anna thinks," she went on. "I told her Lars' letter meant nothing and that you only have the best of intentions with this marriage." She paused for a moment before heaving a sigh and speaking once more. I cannot give you Anna. But whatever it is in my power to grant within reason, I am prepared to give."

Hans felt himself smile. Maybe there is hope in making this marriage work and there are some things I do want from her.

"Alright, let's sit down and talk about this," he said.

She made to go back into her own chair.

"Not behind that desk please," he said and motioned to the couch.

She nodded and followed him to where he sat down on the couch but remained a good distance away from him.

"I suppose I would like to begin by asking what would you prefer, General?"

"You can start by not calling me 'General'," Hans told her.

She let out an embarrassed little smile. "I'm sorry, Hans then. But only in private. Protocol does call for it, if you're not going to accept the title of prince."

Her demeanor finally seemed to break the ice. "I can live with that, Elsa. I'm not calling you, 'your majesty' or 'Queen' when I am alone with you. That's a privilege I want."

"Granted," she said and this time her smile felt more relaxed. "What else then?"

"I will not accept a title of prince, but I want a place in your court as an official advisor for military and security affairs. Our alliance will Sweden still holds and I want to further that relationship. I want to be involved with helping you secure this kingdom for the future."

She was silent again and he could see the wheels in her head were turning, wondering if he had any ulterior motives.

"You brought me into this marriage, Elsa. Now you need to trust me with it and you did offer to give me what I want."

"I did say within reason," she replied.

"Am I being unreasonable for asking this?"

"Not yet."

He didn't know whether to laugh or be angry about that reply. It was so typical of Elsa to be so cautious in what she gave him. That utter defiance of hers to not completely submit to his demandsreally made his blood race, and right now most of that blood was racing south.

"Let me prove I'm not being unreasonable then. Put me on your council and let me continue my military program expansion. Fire me if you're not… satisfied."

He heard her breath hitch at the last word and knew she understood his innuendo.

"Uhhmmm… very well," she said almost breathlessly. "The council position is yours. For now."

"Good."

He stood up and moved away from her to shake off his arousal. This was a negotiation with his life in this kingdom and this was not the time to be thinking about her in any way other than what she can offer him.

"I also wish to continue with the military training I started and expand that within your kingdom. We need to recruit more people to join in," he told her.

"You know you have my full support in that," Elsa replied earnestly. "And if you remember, you mentioned before that you plan to undertake a tour of the kingdom with Anna? Should you wish to still do so, you have my blessing. You and Anna can visit all those regions together. That would probably be a good way get to know them more and recruit more young people in the program."

Hans was glad she brought that up for it was precisely what he had in mind. However, there was a slight modification he wanted to the original plan and one he realized was essential to help himself, Elsa and Anna move forward in their new dynamic together.

"I was about to say that and I am glad you approve, but Anna should not be the one touring with me. You should go."

"Me?" she asked.

"Why not?" He sat back down on the couch but remained at his original distance. "It's your kingdom. You're the queen. You should see your own kingdom and we still have to deal with the Purification League. We need to root them out in whatever villages we find them and regain your people's trust. Get them involved in the national security goal. Hit two birds with one stone with a tour. You and I could do it together."

"Together," she repeated as a smile lit her face wistfully for a moment. "But… what about Anna?"

"Appoint her as regent," Hans replied. "Give her a job as a minister while she's there too."

"Anna, a minister?"

Hans felt a bit annoyed that Elsa sounded surprised at the idea of Anna taking a higher position of power within Elsa's court. It was just like what Anna told him on how Elsa doesn't really let her get too involved in political affairs. Hans realized that even though Elsa had opened up more to Anna over the years, some remnants of her habit of shutting her younger sister out still remained.

"Elsa, Anna's an adult and your immediate heir. In the Southern Isles, Caleb's first five heirs have been ministers in his court by the time they're fifteen. Isn't it about time you give Anna this opportunity?"

Elsa was silent for a moment and Hans realized this was something that Elsa needed time to take in.

"Anna's capable of doing some great things. She is a trained nurse and she's passionate about things she loves doing."

"Hhhmmm… I never thought of that," admitted Elsa. "Maybe I should put her in charge of health care?"

"I was going to say finance and budget…" he began as Elsa's mouth fell open and gave him an odd look. The expression on her face was so incredulous he burst out laughing.

"I was joking! No, do not put her there unless you want Arendelle to go bankrupt. You do know that Anna is terrible at accounting."

Elsa snorted. She tried to hide it but couldn't. Finally, she just let out a full laugh that had Hans roaring back with her. Hans couldn't help but love the sound of her laughter. He realized he enjoyed hearing it.

When they finally recovered, they had somehow moved closer to each other on the couch.

"We shouldn't be talking about Anna this way," Elsa said.

"No we shouldn't," he replied half-dazed. He was distracted by the sight of her lips that seemed to invite him to come closer.

A knock sounded on the door and Hans pulled away. "It's Kai with the cake," he explained as he headed towards the door.

"Cake?" she asked.

Hans opened the door and found Kai, a tray of cake in his arms, and standing like a sentry against the crowd of curious servants. The steward handed the tray to him before shooing the rest of the onlookers away. Hans closed the door and brought the cake back to the couch.

"What was that?" Elsa asked.

"Something Kai and I came up with on the fly to keep my brother and some nosey gossips off our tail." He then explained to her how Holford had planned to embarrass them on the morning of their wedding night with some made up cake tradition.

"Let's give it some time until they all leave the corridor, shall we?" Hans said as he reached for one of the forks and helped himself to the cake. It was chocolate. "It's still good. Want some?"

Elsa nodded and took her own fork and began nibbling on smaller portions of the cake.

A full minute silence stretched on as Hans watched her eat. He was tempted to feed her, but stopped himself. The whole idea of their intimate relations hung uncomfortably in the air. He wondered if he should be the first to breach it. They settled that they want to keep a civil relationship, but he wanted more than one intimate night with her and it wasn't just to keep appearances with Holford.

"Hans… I think, given the errr… Holford is on the watch, should we… should we just tell him the truth?"

"You mean that last night we…"

"Yes…"

"Oh definitely," Hans agreed rather quickly. "But you know he's just going to keep on the watch right? Any sign that our marriage is in any way problematic he'll take advantage and spin it in some negative way."

"Yes, I'm fully aware and it's not just him that we need to keep appearances for. I mean Sweden would need to be completely confident in this alliance. And… I need… we need proof…"

"An heir, I know." Hans couldn't understand why it was so difficult to discuss this now. Somehow in the light of day, the easy intimacy they shared in the dark was replaced with politeness and political terms. He was glad Elsa was at least going in the direction he wanted. "As I said, I'm willing to honor our agreement and all the conditions you require in this union."

"Then I agree that we should continue…"

Hans' heart rejoiced.

"But I think we need to have some parameters."

Of course, there will be parameters but I will take what I can get.

"Last night…" Elsa said haltingly. "It was rather… well it went well. I would like to suggest that we continue on the way it did."

"The way it did?" he asked.

"I meant the circumstances. Your bedchamber was very… welcoming and I would like to… I would prefer… if we pursue activities of that nature in your chamber only."

My chamber only? No study couch? No desk? No library bookshelf?

He felt a little disappointed but he could see how uncomfortable Elsa was by the situation and he was inclined to agree for now on whatever she preferred.

"I would come to you at nights in your chamber. You may at any time refuse and you need only say so and I would honor your wishes. I only request that you do not light a fire or a candle and keep the drapes on whenever we engage in such activities."

So intimacy only in my room and in complete darkness.

The idea intrigued him. Certainly there was an exciting aspect to it, but there was so much they would be missing out. But no matter. If this is where she was comfortable, he could not possibly refuse her.

"I have no objections to those."

"Do you have a preferred schedule?"

Hell no! I want you all the time you want it even if it's only at night! "I think a schedule will be too cumbersome to follow. Just knock whenever you wish."

"Thank you, I appreciate your… openness to the arrangement." She rose from the couch. "We should go to the wedding breakfast now. We're already rather late for it."

He wanted to tell her that she need not worry. She could be as late as she wanted for her own wedding breakfast if she wanted to and her people would understand. However, it would be too awkward to say it. He rose with her and they walked together out of her study and down to the castle courtyard where their guests had all gathered. As soon as they appeared, the crowd erupted in cheers and they were soon caught up in accepting the well wishes as they made their way up the table.

"Congratulations little brother!" Holford suddenly sidled up to him. "You play the charming groom well enough among the crowds. But it seems though that you have neglected to change your name back to Westergaard. I wonder why?"

Hans bristled but didn't want to rise to the bait. They were in a crowded hall and he didn't want any of the gossips getting new fodder.

"Make what you want out of that Holford. I don't really care anymore about the Westergaard name."

"Why? Did your new Queen offer you something much more valuable perhaps? I heard you were in her study early this morning. Seems like an early business meeting just happened. I hope it went to your satisfaction."

"I'm satisfied enough," he replied curtly as he pretended to smile at some young recruits who were wishing him congratulations.

"But were you satisfied alone last night Hans? I was up all night outside the royal bedchamber and didn't hear a peep. That steward of Elsa's has given me the roundabout somewhat but I did inspect her bedchamber with a few people and I know Hans. Whatever you're playing at, you weren't in that bed chamber with Elsa last night, were you?"

He said the last part of the statement loud enough that some of the people near him had stopped to stare at them. Hans could feel his blood rise at his brother's crass remark. He wanted to respond, but held his tongue as thoughts of Elsa came at forefront of his mind. He was not about to divulge the most private moments he had with her just to defend himself.

"Oh Holford, of course Hans didn't spend the night in my bedchamber last night."

Hans riveted to his right in surprise. It was Elsa who spoke and she didn't lower her voice.

"It was sweet of you to have honored us with a vigil right outside our bedchamber but you need not have done so. I wasn't in that bedchamber last night too," she said and gave Hans a secret little smile before continuing: "Because I was in Hans'. And I will be there again tonight and for many more nights to come."

Hans didn't know which one gave him more satisfaction: the dumbfounded look of defeat on his brother's face or the idea that come nightfall, Elsa would come to fulfill his every desire once more. Whichever it was, he was desperate to kiss his wife for making his day.

As much as he wanted to, he controlled himself. Elsa may be willing to defend him verbally, but she would not appreciate such a public display of intimacy so soon. Instead, he ignored Holford and focused on the task of being the perfect host with his bride.

The wedding breakfast lasted for hours for not only did he and Elsa had to endure an endless line of well-wishers, but the village put together several entertainment performances that lasted well into lunch. By afternoon, he and Elsa had a short respite only long enough to change clothes, before a council meeting was called. It initially puzzled Hans that Elsa would still hold a council meeting on this day, but he realized that Elsa was not one to procrastinate on matters she considered important. Elsa used this important meeting to introduce him to each member of the council, assign him as the new advisor for security affairs, nominate Anna for a new department in charge of health care, and set up the plans for the royal tour. He suspected he was doing all this haste on his account so he let her go on.

He did quite enjoy the excitement of being suddenly part of a royal council. As a child, he had always been delegated to little more than an observer in his father's council. He had so many ideas he had wanted to share but he was never given the chance. It was flattering to know that he could now have a voice in her court. He looked forward to starting on this new significant role.

He could have gone on all day in this fashion but as dinner rolled on, he could see that Elsa was beginning to tire. He noticed that a lot about Elsa. His wife moved with quiet dignity, attentive and courteous to everyone she met. However, as the day ended, he could sense her exhaustion in the way her smile no longer reached her eyes and her gaze would set into a far-away look for a moment when she thought no one was looking. He could sense she wanted to get away from all this, but she soldiered on like a well-trained dignitary during the lengthy supper.

When he noticed she barely touched dessert—which was chocolate truffles and he knew as much from Anna it was her favourite—he decided to step in. With a tap of his glass, he raised a toast to his bride, uttered a short speech of thanks to all their guests, and hinted quite definitely their need to retire. The crowd took the initiative and bid them goodnight.

He offered his arm to Elsa and they moved to their private wing together in silence, only to be met by Anna at the hallway once they were out of earshot from the crowd. He realized she had not been present at all during the afternoon council meeting or at dinner. Hans only remembered seeing Anna briefly during breakfast and she seemed to have disappeared with her children for the rest of the day after the village performances. It surprised him that he had completely forgotten her presence for an entire day, so absorbed was he of his new duties and worrying over if Elsa was getting tired.

"Elsa, I heard you proposed I become a minister in your council today," Anna said excitedly. "Of healthcare! I didn't think you would consider it."

"It was Hans' idea," Elsa replied as she offered him a smile. "I should have given you a role a long time ago in my court. He asked me—"

Elsa didn't get to finish what she had to say for Anna had given him a bear hug. "Oh you remembered!"

And I heard from Gerda, you and Elsa are going on a tour of the kingdom too. Oh that is just the perfect honeymoon!"

"Well errr… it's not exactly intended as a honey—" Hans stopped abruptly as he caught a look from Elsa that told him she didn't want Anna to know a honeymoon was not really on plan.

"That's right Anna and I need to count on you to keep the kingdom together until Hans and I get back," Elsa went on.

"You know I'll do my best Elsa. But when you go on your visit to the villages, and you happen to see—"

"Anna!" Elsa suddenly cut her off. "There's something I need to tell you. Hans, please go and get some rest, I need a word with Anna."

Elsa didn't even wait for him to reply and quickly pulled her sister towards the opposite end of the hallway where Anna's bedchamber was located and shut the door.

Hans felt the sting of her dismissal. Clearly, there were still things he was not going to be privy to in the case of the sisters. He wondered if it had something to do with Lars' letter and if perhaps Elsa still harboured suspicions on his motives.

There was nothing else to do but head off to his room and refresh himself. Nevertheless, he kept his drapes shut and only a single candle burning on his bedside as he waited for her. Her teasing promise in front of Holford that she would be in his chamber again tonight gave him hope. However, almost an hour passed and yet she did not come.

Did she really mean it that she would come to me tonight? She did agree to come to me but should it be every night? Perhaps she's too tired or whatever it is that Anna wants to tell her but she doesn't want me to know will keep her away all night.

He was about to blow out the candle and just go to sleep, when a soft knock came at his door. He rushed to open it.

Else stood there in a simple blue nightgown, with her eyes downcast on the floor.

"Hans, I… I'm sorry…" she said, without looking at him. "Anna tends to be a little excited over her new role. I had to speak to her for a bit to calm her down."

He noticed she carefully avoided the fact she pulled Anna away so she would not speak about something in his presence. He decided to just play along with her for now. "It's alright. I understand."

"Well I just… I came to… well…" Elsa hesitated as her fingers began to fidget and were absently twirling the end piece of ribbon that dangled at the lacy end of her bodice. "I want to ask… if well… I never got to apologize for being so forward as to tell you brother so publicly that we spent the night…"

Hans stopped her by putting a gentle finger at her chin. He tilted it so she would be forced to look up at him. She eyed him shyly, a blush tinting her cheeks. He felt his heart pound as he realized Elsa wanted him at this moment but was too shy to ask for it outright.

He slowly bent down and kissed her briefly before whispering huskily in her ear: "Don't ever apologize for that. In fact, you have my express permission to tell off my brother anytime you wish."

He felt her shiver at his touch and she avoided looking at him when she whispered almost breathlessly:

"So I guess, you want to… proceed tonight?"

He pulled her into his room and shut the door behind her.

"Blow out the candle, Elsa."

With a flick of her hand, she sent a blast of ice in the direction of his candle. The fire snuffed out, plummeting them both in darkness before he claimed her lips once more.

A/N: I couldn't resist writing an extra horny Hans on the day after his wedding. He will be obsessing about Elsa and that library bookshelf for quite some time, but we're not getting there just yet. They still need to get over that initial shyness and they are taking baby steps towards a full-on loving relationship. There will still be some sizzling in the sheets in the dark, but it's a start on their mutual sexual exploration in this first bloom of their marriage.