Well hello there, my fellow readers, and welcome back to my 'Chess' series. This third installment will follow closely to the 'Frozen II' movie so be aware that it will serve as a major spoiler to those who had not seen the movie yet. Other than that, happy reading everyone!

"I am replaceable and you are not."

"You are not replaceable for me!"

- Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, the Young Victoria (2009)

"-and a powerful mist covered the forest, blocking everyone out."

Head perking up at the familiar verse she had heard years ago, her eyebrow rose when eyes met with a pair of turquoise ones, though the Princess of Arendelle had merely turned her attention back at the boy sitting on her lap who had been listening intently at her tale. She had not heard of this tale in so long, if she had to be honest the night she and Anna had heard it from their father was the only night she had ever heard of it. When the two girls had to go their separate ways during their childhood and half of their adulthood, she had refused to be told of the tale before her bedtime anymore, for it was not as fun and fascinating without the expressive sister by her side.

"Next!" Wilhelm's eyes were wide with wonder as he looked up at his aunt, voicing his demand for the continuing of the story as he patted both his palms against her thighs impatiently. "Next, next!"

Anna blinked, as both she and the Queen knew that was the end of it, there was nothing else to tell. "Well," scratching the back of her head, the Princess chewed on the bottom of her lip as Wilhelm waited. "The mist still stands, to this day, and no one can get in or out."

The ending did not seem to satisfy the young Prince, whose lips began to purse in annoyance, and that prompted the Queen to get up from her seat across the room, leaving the book she had been reading as she lifted her son up and held him against her hip. "And now, it's time for bed."

The deepening of his frown was expected, as Wilhelm had been a tad more difficult when it comes to bedtime, but the pulling away from her was what she did not expect, for he usually loved to cling to her even during tantrums. His body had turned instead toward the strawberry blonde-haired Princess, both hands reaching out. "Auntie Anna!" his feet kicked against her, a form of force for her to hand him back to the much-preferred royal sister.

"Fine, Auntie Anna will take you to bed then."

"Don't be jealous, Elsa." The Princess teased as she got up with the young boy in her arms, which had only prompted her to roll her eyes in annoyance. Her own son choosing to be with his aunt instead of her would always pose as a slight irritation in her way no matter how many times this had occurred before. "As soon as milk-time comes, someone will definitely come back into your arms."

Crossing her arms over her chest, she let out a huff of breath as she watched Wilhelm's arms clinging around Anna's neck. "Just get him straight to bed, Anna, it's late."

As soon as the two had left -after a goodnight's kiss from both parents to the young Prince, she could feel Hans coming to stand behind her even before his arms come around her waist, his breath warm against the crook of her neck and sent a shiver down her spine. "That tale Anna told," he began as he rested his head on her bare shoulder. "I've never heard of it before."

"The Enchanted Forest." Leaning back against him, she let her own body to relax in his embrace. "My Father told us about it, once."

"Was it real? The people, the spirits, the mist?"

Nodding her head, she separated herself from him, taking his hand in hers as she tugged him along into the halls, telling him of the tale once more as they both made their way to retire back into their bedchamber. "Many good people of Arendelle was lost in that battle, including my grandfather King Runeard." Moonlight shone through the tall windows as they walked toward the door they were heading. "That night, my Father came home as King of Arendelle."

"It is fortunate that your father was able to return."

Once again she had nodded her head as both climbed into bed with Hans pulling the covers over them after she had settled in his embrace. "Someone had saved him and brought him out and into safety." Whoever that person was, she was forever thankful for them and their kindness, for never once did the person ever reveal themselves as the King's rescuer.

His fingers combed through her loose hair, running smoothly through the strands before his palm came to rest against her back. "But we are safe now."

"-the forest could wake again. And we must be prepared for whatever danger it may bring."

Her Father's word echoed in her mind, bringing a lump in her throat that she had to shallow heavily as she buried her face against her husband's chest. The forest, the magical spirits… all may be too much for her kingdom and her family, for her. She was tired of the dangers that had come their way into her life, endangering not only her but her family, she had a responsibility to protect them, to shield them with the powers she was born with.

"I sure hope we will always be."

"Mama!"

Turning around at the excited squeal that came behind her, a wide smile had graced onto her face the moment her eyes laid on the sight of Wilhelm stumbling into the room -as he had been learning how to walk properly on his own lately, kneeling down as her arms opened to greet him, catching the energetic boy when he let himself fall into her embrace.

"Have you been having fun with your Papa, my dear Prince?" she cooed, as she scrunched her nose and brushed the tip against his, making him giggled delightfully. He had been spending time with Hans after breakfast, as she had another meeting to attend to, though she had made a promise that he would spend the rest of the day with her after that when Wilhelm had whined in protest. "Did he take you to see Sitron?"

"Yes!"

"Prince Wilhelm is such a good boy, Your Majesty." Servants loved the young boy the same way that they had loved the two royal sisters when they were young, often expressed their joy of having pitter-patter of a pair of small feet through the halls once again. "You remind me of your mother, you look so much like her."

Smiling at the Governess that had been standing and watching the two mother and son, adjusted Wilhelm to better sit comfortably against her hip as she stood. "Thank you, Gerda."

"Perhaps," one of her ladies-in-waiting, Ida, had started. "Wilhelm may have a younger sibling someday?" she was immediately bombarded with elbow nudges and low yet sharp hiss of her name from the others, as they feared she may have offended the Queen, who stood silently without word after the suggestion was voiced.

She had never really thought of having another child. The thought had passed through her mind and briefly in her conversation with Hans, but never truly being considered. She could remember just how hard she and him had tried for a child before having Wilhelm, two years to be exact, and even after that her pregnancy had been nothing but uneventful. Many things had occurred, some were even dangerous for them and their son, she had almost lost her life in labor too. To have gone through another pregnancy, one that they would have to gamble on what would happened then, made her never truly urge herself to have another child, at least not now.

Wilhelm was their sole focus for now, both wanted nothing but the best for the boy, to give him as much love and care that they were lacking during their own childhood, to see him grow to be a good Prince that Arendelle -and even the world, deserved.

But the thought of having Wilhelm to be able to grow up and play with a younger sibling -the way she and Anna had no matter how brief it was, was warming too. She remembered how happy she had been when her parents had told her that she would be an older sister even when she did not quite understand what that was, how excited she had been when she had peeked into the crib to see her newborn sister.

"Forgive me for being so foolish in my words, Your Majesty."

"It's alright, Ida." Giving her a reassuring smile, as the poor woman had looked so frightened after realizing her bold words toward the Queen. "I-"

"Pretty!"

Thoughts of her having another child was completely forgotten when Wilhelm had squealed excitedly, and this time it was not for the golden crown sitting on top of her head that he often tried to reach and grab onto, instead his eyes were locked toward the lilac dress on display, one she and the ladies had been overseeing before he had made his appearance.

"You like it?" she brought him close until curious hand could touch the neckline that connected with the off-shoulder sleeves. "Mama will wear this tomorrow at the festival." The harvest festival had been held each year in Arendelle, where the people would gather in town to share food and joy and laughter as the autumn breeze blew. It would be Wilhelm's second festival, though she doubted he remembered much of the first one considering his young age. "Do you think Mama will look pretty in that?"

Auburn head bobbling excitedly, the young Prince had pressed both of his palms against her face, and she soon realized that he must have mirrored the gesture after seeing Hans cupped his hands against her face countless times, though he had no grasp of how gentle he was supposed to do it and had pushed against her cheeks a little too hard until her lips pursed rather forcefully. "Mama pretty!"

Chuckling at her son's innocence and his attics, she leaned forward until she could press a lingering kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, my dearest Prince."