Autumn had settled in Arendelle as red and orange leaves glided idly around the kingdom. Some of these leaves floated into the castle's council room, causing Anna to brush a leaf off the large blueprint that was spread across the council room's table. The town's carpenter, John Gray, and his two apprentices stood next to the queen as they stared down at the sheet of paper. "As you can see, the new school will have three classrooms, along with a mess hall and a music room that can be used for other activities as well," said John, his finger running along the blueprint. "If everything goes as planned, we should have it ready by midwinter."

Anna cupped her chin as her eyes flitted over the plan. "Where is the old schoolhouse on here?" she asked.

John gripped his hands behind his back as he stood up straight. "It's not on here," he explained. "We plan to tear it down."

"No," Anna snapped. The three men looked at each other in alarm. She took a deep breath. "No," she repeated in a softer tone. "I want the old schoolhouse and loft to stay."

"But they're old!" one of the apprentices blurted out.

John cleared his throat to silence them. "Your Highness, what Clide is trying to say is that keeping the old schoolhouse intact will take major repairs over having it torn down and rebuilt."

Anna looked him in the eyes, her own gaze unwavering. "I want it kept." She assumed a regal pose and nodded. "Come back when you have a new blueprint that includes the old schoolhouse."

John bowed, his apprentices following suit. "Your Highness." Anna turned and went to stand in the archway of the open balcony doors as the carpenters left the room. Another soft breeze blew past Anna, and she shivered slightly. She soon let her shoulders droop as a familiar heaviness overcame her. It had been over a month since Elsa had crossed over into Marie's world, but it felt like a lifetime. There was no definitive way to know if Elsa was okay or not, and that aching stress consumed Anna.

The sound of the doors opening met her ears, and a gentle hand rested on her shoulder. "How did it go?" Kristoff asked from behind her.

Anna leaned into his touch. "They wanted to tear down the loft," she stated. Kristoff joined her at her side. She watched a leaf dance in the wind. "Her things are still there." Kristoff shook his head, and Anna relaxed slightly when he hugged her.

That afternoon, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf sat in the mess hall for some tea. Even though Anna did not feel as much pressure to hold back her true emotions in front of her current company, she still did it regardless. She cleared her throat when she noticed that she let her shoulders droop once again. Olaf and Kristoff cast a glance at one another. "Olaf, what was it that you were saying earlier?" Kristoff suddenly asked the snowman. "Something about being able to feel Elsa?"

"You can feel Elsa?!" Anna piped up loudly as her teacup rattled against its matching plate. "Why didn't you say something earlier?"

Olaf sipped his tea, even though the cup was empty. "Because you didn't ask."

Anna groaned. "Olaf…"

He let out a giggle and set his cup down. "If I focus really hard, I think I can feel what she's feeling. Stepbrother could do it with Marie, too."

Anna stood up abruptly, her chair emitting a loud screech within the hall. "So, she's okay?"

Olaf held up his stick arms. "Shh! I need to focus!" He took a deep breath and positioned his fingers as though he was meditating. "Om…" Kristoff and Anna waited with bated breath. Olaf nodded. "Yep, yep, she's there…Oh. Hm…"

""What is it?"" both Kristoff and Anna asked.

"I'm feeling…" Olaf waved his arms in a circle. He smiled. "Love! And also, tension."

Quiet laughter soon filled the mess hall. Olaf opened his eyes to see Anna's once tense shoulders now bouncing up and down as she laughed. She wiped a tear away. "Yep. She's definitely with Marie." Kristoff chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"Are you talking about Elsa?" came a curious voice from the mess hall doors. Anna turned to see Daniel in the doorway. His hand was raised in a way that indicated that he was about to knock upon entering. Anna nodded and he entered, visible relief covering his face. "I'm glad," he said cheerfully. "Can you sense anything else?" he asked Olaf.

The snowman frowned. "I'm not a magician."

"Thank you, Olaf," Anna said genuinely. She turned her attention back to Daniel. "Did you need something?"

The knight stood up straight. Anna could not help but feel as though he had matured greatly in the past year, but she wondered how much of that was really grief rather than personal growth. "Dominic is wondering if the two of you can play a game of chess after his exercise," Daniel said. Kristoff stood and went to stand in front of a window, but not before Anna caught sight of the displeasure that came over his face.

She sighed and rubbed behind her eyes. "Not today," she answered incredulously. Kristoff let out a "tch" but said nothing else. "Will his exercise be sparring with you?" she asked. Daniel nodded. "I have news regarding his sister that I want to tell him."

Daniel took a step forward. "Lady Julia? Is she planning on visiting after all?"

"Yes," Anna replied. She brushed some crumbs off her dark green dress. "I thought he should know."

"Ooh! Company!" Olaf clapped his hands.

Daniel bowed slightly. "I will let him know." He departed.

Olaf stood and began to make his way out of the hall as well. "I'll be in the library. All this love tension that Elsa's feeling makes me want to read another romance novel." He giggled as his little body waddled. "Although, I don't know if there is one that quite matches what I sensed."

Anna went to stand by her husband once they were alone. She sighed when he did not acknowledge her presence. "It was good to hear that Olaf could sense Elsa," she said, her tone rising in pitch.

Kristoff ran a hand over his face. "Yeah, it was." He shook his head. "I'm just worried about that guy," he explained gently as he looked at Anna. "He's gotten way too comfortable around all of us. You especially. What is he tries something?"

Anna squared her shoulders. "Then I take this sword and run it through him like last time."

Kristoff let out a chuckle. "Just be careful," he warned his wife, kissing her on the forehead.

It was one affair after another. As Anna made her way from one scheduled meeting after another, her mind organized each event to keep the heaviness from consuming her. Her boots echoed on the wooden floors of her castle as she eyed a pocket watch from a pocket in her dress. It was 2:30, and she found her feet guiding her to the castle square. So, Elsa was okay. Anna thought for sure that the information would make her feel better, but it did ease the heaviness that she carried with her. It was true that since Elsa had chosen to stay in the Enchanted Forest Anna did not see her sister as often, but this felt different. There was no Gale Mail, no weekly visits for charades, no gentle guidance from Elsa. Anna approached the square and rolled her shoulders. She would have to set aside her feelings for now.

The sound of scuffling met her ears, and Anna walked up to the square to see Daniel and Dominic sparring. Five guards were positioned around the area, and even though there had not been an incident since Anna had allowed Dominic to have some exercise, she kept the guards regardless. Daniel swung high with a beat-up wooden sword which Dominic blocked. The two chuckled. Anna found her mouth curve into a slight smile. Daniel caught her eye. "Anna! Er, Your Highness," he sputtered as he bowed.

Dominic turned and met Anna's gaze. Anna bit the inside of her cheek when his gaze lingered longer than she was comfortable, and she had to force herself to not roll her eyes when Dominic bowed as well. "Your Highness." Ever since Marie had been ripped through the rift, Dominic had grown more compassionate, or so it seemed. Even though she had allowed him to partake in exercise and labor, he was still guarded around the clock. There was no room for Anna to return his supposed compassion. Dominic looked at her and cocked his head. "No chess today, huh?"

Anna did not hide the irritation that came across her face. "No," she replied flatly. She gripped her hands in front of her. "I have news about your sister."

"Ah, yes," Dominic said as he flicked his sparring sword to the side like a cat flicking its tail. "My beloved sister will grace us with her presence."

Daniel tapped Dominic's sword with his own as though he was smacking him on the shoulder. "Be happy," Daniel scorned. "She's the first one from Weselton to visit you."

Dominic shrugged dramatically with his hands. "Yes, the place where they want my head. I'm ecstatic." Anna huffed in amusement, but rolled her eyes when Dominic noticed and smiled widely. "I got her to laugh!"

"Enough," Anna hissed. She gave him an emotionless expression. "She should be arriving within the next two days, but if she chooses to visit you, the visits will be monitored. You are not allowed to share any information about anyone in this kingdom or the events that have passed. If I find that you have violated this command, your exercise and labor rights will be taken away for an extended period of time. Do you understand?"

Dominic smiled and flicked his sword once more. "I will do as you command, my queen." Anna felt her stomach twist uneasily within her. His tone held no sarcasm or mockery, and it was the same tone that he now used regularly with her.

She bid them farewell and departed the square. "Please be wrong about this," she whispered to herself.

A day had passed. Anna stood with Kristoff on the docks of Arendelle as a swift wind brought in a large ship. Its mahogany wood and cream-colored sails spotted the fjord like a pesky stain. Anna gripped her hands in front of her, the gesture reminding her of her sister. Kristoff squeezed her hand. "Aren't you excited to have some guests?"

"Some guests," she replied. Kristoff looked at her in surprise but said nothing as the ship pulled up to the docks.

Soon, a young woman around Anna's age emerged from the ship, her brunette locks being tossed in the autumn wind. The woman frowned as the wind tried to take her purple hat from her head, but the frown vanished as soon as she set eyes on Anna. "Anna!" she said in a high-pitched voice. She approached the young queen and kissed her on the cheek. "How are you?" Anna opened her mouth to respond, but the young woman interrupted her by saying, "Is this your husband?" The woman held out a hand. "Hello, sir."

Anna thought she was going to break her knuckles by clenching them so hard. "Kristoff, this is Julia of Weselton. Julia, this is my husband, Kristoff." Kristoff held out a hand awkwardly to shake her hand, but she put her hand in his as though she expected him to kiss it. Kristoff looked at his wife for help, but when Anna glared, he immediately dropped Julia's hand. He cleared his throat. "It's nice to meet you," he greeted in a hushed tone.

Julia smiled widely, and Anna could not help but see Dominic in her shared mannerisms. "Forgive me. It was a long boat ride." Her teal eyes fell on Anna. "You've gotten so beautiful! I'm sure Elsa has as well." Julia scanned the docks. "Is she not here?"

"She had matters to attend to outside of the kingdom," Anna replied levelly. "She won't be here during your visit."

Julia moved aside as some of her servants brought forth her luggage. "Pity," she said. Another huge smile spread across her face. "More time for us to catch up, then!" Anna nodded as the group began their way to the castle. Julia went ahead of them as Kristoff and Anna lingered behind.

Kristoff stretched his arms above him. "She seems nice!" he said hopefully as he noticed Anna's silence.

The young queen scoffed. "Follow me." Kristoff grunted in surprise as Anna grabbed his hand and yanked him to the side. They entered the castle from the servants' door that Elsa had closed off during her reign. Anna coughed as she slammed her shoulder into the door, nudging it open and causing dust to fly everywhere. She pulled Kristoff up the narrow stairs until they were on the second-floor balcony overlooking the castle entrance. They watched as Julia entered the castle ahead of her servants.

"Put those in the finest guest room you can find," Julia snapped, pointing up the stairs. "If I find a nicer room than the one you picked, I'm cutting your pay! Oh, and Louisa, stack my things vertically but not touching." She flicked her hair over her shoulder, not caring that she smacked one of her servants in the face. "It's not that hard to understand. Now go!"

Kristoff blinked. "Ah."

Anna sipped from her China cup as she observed everyone at the dinner table. Julia was staring at Olaf, who was poking his foot and giggling when he got his mashed potatoes to look like Elsa's ice palace while Kristoff ate silently. Julia had not received Olaf very well, and Anna was reminded that her family hated magic, and Julia's prejudice was evident by her behavior. Anna cleared her throat and set her cup down. "So, how is your family?" Anna asked her guest.

Julia wiped her mouth with her crimson table linen. "They're doing well! My father is doing his best to deal with my foolish brother's consequences." The young woman looked at Anna. "On behalf of Weselton, we apologize greatly for his actions." Anna nodded her gratitude. Julia said, "Speaking of my brother…"

"You are allowed to visit him, but your visits will be monitored," Anna explained as she was cutting into her ham.

Julia nodded. "I understand. I'd like to visit him tonight."

Anna held back a laugh as Olaf made childish noises while playing with his food. "Okay. My general will accompany you."

Before Julia could respond, there was a knock on the mess hall doors. Anna called out for them to enter, and Daniel came into the hall carrying a dinner plate. "Hello!" Daniel greeted everyone as he settled into some seats around the table. Daniel bowed slightly upon seeing Julia. "Lady Julia. It is so nice to see you."

"What is this?"

Anna set her silverware down after Julia spoke. "What is what?" the queen asked, already knowing the answer.

Julia looked at Daniel, her eyebrows furrowing with disgust. "Why is a servant joining us at the table?"

"Because I have always allowed him to if that is what he wishes," Anna replied, trying desperately to hold her voice in a neutral tone. "And he's not a servant. He's a knight who has acted valiantly to protect those that I love.

Daniel stood. "If it makes Lady Julia uncomfortable, I can leave."

"No," Anna said firmly. "I'm not going back on my word. You are allowed to stay." She looked at Julia. "Like I've told your brother, prejudice of any kind is not allowed in my kingdom."

The entire dinner party shifted uncomfortably as Julia stood. She scoffed. "I'll be in my room. Have someone bring me the rest of my dinner. Good evening." She exited the mess hall, slamming the door behind her.

Olaf stopped playing with his food. "Someone is cranky."

"Your Highness, I did not intend to cause any trouble," Daniel said anxiously. "I can leave so Lady Julia will return."

"She needs to accept the way things are in our kingdom," Anna answered, her tone unwavering. She gave him a soft expression. "Please, enjoy your meal."

Daniel scooted closer to the table. "I'd like to accompany Julia during her first visit," he said.

Anna cut into her ham again even though she had reached her plate several strokes ago. "Are you worried about him?"

Daniel nodded. "I get the sense she will not be gracious toward him."

"He deserves it," Kristoff muttered.

The knight scratched his head. "I figured she wouldn't be happy with me for not returning to Weselton, but…" Daniel paused and looked down at his lap as he tried to push down his emotions. "I want to stay here."

Everyone smiled at him. "You are more than welcome to," Anna said. "You will always have a place in Arendelle."

It was slightly damp in the castle dungeons as Anna closed a set of heavy, old wooden doors that barred the entrance. She turned around to face her company, which consisted of Julia, Kristoff, Daniel and General Mattias. Anna wiped the dirt and grime off her hands. "Daniel and General Mattias will be accompanying you during your visit," the young queen explained to her guest. "You aren't allowed to touch the prisoner for your protection, and should things go wrong, do not hesitate to call upon these two to help you." Julia nodded. She was in a slightly better mood than before, but Anna noticed that this only changed when Mattias appeared. Anna held back a sigh. "Alright. Try not to be over two hours."

Julia began to descend the stone stairs. "I won't be that long."

Kristoff stayed with his wife as they watched the trio go down the stairs. He cast a glance at her, his lips soon forming a smile. "I know that look," he said quietly in case the others could still hear them. "You want to eavesdrop, don't you?"

Anna began tip toeing towards the stairs. "Don't you?!" she asked excitedly. "I know she hasn't been totally honest about her intentions." She motioned with her head. "C'mon!"

Kristoff joined her, his eyes also sparkling with curiosity. "We have to be quiet," he said. Anna hushed him as they began to follow the trio. Once she was sure the previous party had rounded the corner, Anna and Kristoff began to descend the stairs. The air was stuffy despite the chill that had begun to fall on the kingdom. The couple tip toed down the stairs and slowed when they heard conversation.

"…You look awful," Anna heard Julia say. "I guess prison hasn't been kind, dear brother."

"Really?" Dominic's voice answered. "I feel well."

They heard Julia scoff, another shared family trait. "Is this really what you wanted? To be stuck in some damp cell like this?"

Anna and Kristoff looked at each other as Dominic sighed. "What I want now is much different than what I wanted then."

"Which is what?"

There was a beat of silence. "Come now, dear sister," Dominic said, his voice sounding guarded. "You didn't come here to ask such questions, did you? It's never been of interest to you before." Anna could see Mattias standing near the wall perpendicular to the stairs. His brown eyes scanned up the stairs for a moment, and Anna put her pointer finger against her lips when his eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the couple. He continued to scan the dungeon as though he saw nothing.

Julia let out a cold laugh, one that caused a slight chill to run through Anna. "Do you know how our family has suffered because of your actions? Father wanted to set up trade with Arendelle, but because of you, they will never want that ever again. We've had to run around cleaning up the mess you made. Father doesn't sleep anymore, Mother doesn't speak your name because of how ashamed she is, and I have had to suck up to people just to keep our reputation alive." Anna could feel Kristoff nodding as Julia spoke. "You're nothing but a disgrace. A failure. You had one job, Dominic. One. But you let your foolish indoctrination from Father cloud your mind. You attacked the royal family from the kingdom we wanted to set up trade with. You deserve to rot in this cell."

"There's no need to be so cruel," Daniel piped up. "He's accepted his punishment."

"I don't want to hear anything from you!" Julia snapped. "You, who decided to throw away his career to stay with this failure! For what? To grow wet behind the ears and pampered? You've gained weight, I see. Seems like you don't do a lot here."

Anna nearly rushed down the stairs in anger, but Mattias cleared his throat as though he sensed his queen's impulse. "You're misinformed," he said evenly, clasping his hands behind his back. "Daniel is a knight who helps train new recruits. He protected the royal family during the attack and has continued to protect the kingdom ever since."

"Don't attack him," Dominic said fiercely. "Say what you will to me but leave Daniel out of this."

"Oh, I will," Julia seethed. "I'll say whatever I please."

Mattias left the wall. "No approaching the prisoner," he warned Julia.

She scoffed. "You're pathetic. You don't deserve what Father has offered."

Anna and Kristoff glanced at each other once more. "Which is what?" Dominic asked.

"You're allowed to return to Weselton, but will remain imprisoned for life," Julia explained. Her voice dropped in pitch as she said, "You should know that Father barely agreed to this. It was Mother who asked. She at least cares enough to spare your life." She paused for a moment. "So, get your things. I'm bringing you home. You and your knight."

Mattias grunted in surprise. "You must discuss this with Her Highness before-"

"No."

Everyone grew silent after Dominic spoke. Julia scoffed again. ""No?"" she repeated.

"I don't want to return home," Dominic stated firmly.

"What makes you think you have a choice?" Julia spat. "You're not in a position to choose anything for yourself anymore! You'll do as Father says!"

Laughter rang against the stone walls. Dominic laughed for several seconds, silencing his sister. "I've done wrong. This I know. But regardless of this, I am treated with more grace than I will ever deserve. Queen Anna has spared my life after I tried to take her sister's and Marie's." His voice softened as he continued to say, "I will always be grateful for that. I want to become a better man because of her. So, no, I will not return with you. I will stay here to try and return that grace that she has bestowed on me."

"What is he saying?" Kristoff whispered, but he was ignored by Anna as she turned and began to make her way up the stairs.

She reached the top and shut the doors behind her, a sinking realization that she had tried to ignore now swarming throughout her being. "I wasn't wrong," she whispered to herself. She placed her forehead against the castle wall and muttered, "Damn it."