The Prince of Arendelle chapter 2

I never went back into the palace which had become my second home. I felt it was my responsibility to comfort the kings in their grief, but I simply wasn’t able to. I wasn’t strong enough. I had enough dealing with my own pain, and struggling to believe that I would never see the fearless boy again… nor the part of me that belonged with him.
I did hang out with his sister, Lana, some times. We matured together. None of us mentioned the taboo words: “frozen”, “never again”, or “dead”. Instead, we continued to play the same games we used to when Jack was with us, pretending that nothing had changed, until we had to admit that the childish part of us had died with him. I felt especially sorry for Lana, for she was only 10 back then but, yet again, there was nothing I could do. Our meetings were gradually turned into silent walks, hours of sitting around looking into the emptiness and, finally, not seeing each other again. It was simply unbearable. We had to let go of the past. Lana was never able to.
I was.
My parents had been two wealthy nobles, but had passed away when I was a child. That’s why I had spent most of my time with Jack and Lana’s parents, because I had somehow become their adoptive child. But that was all gone. Even though I was related to a princess, the recently found Rapunzel, I was no heir to the throne. I had to find myself a job and learn to live by my own.
I had to put on the mask that all grown-ups wear, pretending that they can still smile, when it’s only make-up covering their scars. But I was somehow able to move on.
Life had to continue in Arendelle despite the circumstances. Alliances were made with near-by kingdoms. The Southern Isles was one of them. One of the 13 princes himself came to pay a visit to the kings. He was the youngest of them. He was about my age. His name was Hans. Even though I knew nothing from him, from Corona, or even from Arendelle’s royal family for months, Hans seemed to have heard about me and paid me a visit.
Back then I was living in quite poor conditions, and all the villagers were amazed to see a well-dressed prince come right into my humble home. I was as impressed as them. My heart swelled with gratitude.
“It is an honour to meet you, Elsa. I’ve heard a lot from you. You seemed to be very attatched to the kings of Arendelle”, he began
“Oh, well… That was some time ago. Their son and I were best friends… He… deceased almost a year ago.”
“Oh.” He made a pause. Silence built between us as he digested that information. “I’m sorry to hear that.” He finally said.
Hans quickly changed of topic by telling me recent news. He talked about my cousin, Rapunzel. He told me that he had visited Corona a few months ago in order to meet The Lost Princess and rejoice with the kings and found, to his surprise, that she had just married. Apparently, the man was called Eugene, and he had been the one to find her. The kings accepted to their union because of this and of his love for her, although he had no royal background whatsoever.
“Some even say that he was wanted thief who had been escaping from justice throughout his entire life.” Hans didn’t seem very pleased with this.
“Well, I guess that Rapunzel was his redemption. I don’t think the kings would have allowed their marriage if he had been a bad person.” I didn’t want to hate the little family that I had left.
Hans quickly changed his expression. “Yes, I suppose so.”
We spoke about many other things, and his visit turned from being a formal to a personal one. We spoke about transcendental things. About ourselves. It was fun. It was nice to feel that somebody actually cared for you, despite what you had done. And that it was somebody who didn’t look at you with pity, but with respect and even admiration.
“I will be staying around for some days.” He said “Would you mind if I came and visited you some other day?”
My eyes sparkled with joy, although I tried to hide it away.
“No, it’s perfectly okay. How about tomorrow?”
I bit my lip. I had sounded too impulsive.
Hans hid a tender smile, and simply answered: “Tomorrow it is. Good night, my lady.”
And, to my surprise, he bowed at me. My cheeks flushed. I had never felt so good since Jack had gone.
I felt happy.
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The days that Hans was meant to stay in Arendelle turned into weeks, into months. He never left. It was me who was keeping him here.
“I lied to you, Elsa”, he confessed one night, as we stared at the stars “no business is retaining me here. I… I am actually here out of my free will.”
He looked at me. My heart stopped, as it tended to do whenever he looked at me in such a way. Hans couldn’t be about to say what I was thinking.
“…I’m still here because of you. I can’t keep myself away from you, Elsa.”
He was.
He held my hand with both of his, always covered by elegant gloves. I blushed even deeper. With his free hand, he caressed my cheek. A warm smile spread across his face, apparently liking my reaction.
“I’m in love with you, Elsa.” He said ever so softly after taking a deep breath.
Once I reunited enough courage, I looked up at his eyes. They were a peaceful green; quiet, calm. The peace I needed. The peace I loved.
“And I love you too, Hans.”
I closed my eyes, unable to stand his burning look. I felt his fingers drawing a lock of hair behind my ear. For once, he wasn’t wearing his glove. His contact burned my skin. I opened my eyes in time to see his closing, his hand drawing my chin closer to him, and I let my eyelids fall.
His lips were warm, tender and sweet. We hugged each other and I promised myself that I would love this man and no other forever.

Human decisions don’t tend to last long.