Memories [OUAT/Helsa]

Dinner

Arendelle
Four Years Ago

Anna was a Princess full of cheerful chatter in any given situation, but ever since the auburn haired Prince has resided in the same castle as she was, she had been noticeably less chatty, especially around his presence.

Hans did not mind, he appreciated the quiet time without excited babbling he knew Anna was capable of doing. The quietness kept his mind clear, that was also the reason why he also preferred to avoid coming across her, other than the unpleasant and awkward moment of receiving glares from both the Princess and her husband. It was also why he chose to come to the older sister instead if there was something he had to speak about, yes she was bitter and cold, but at least still has her calm and composed expression he very much enjoyed to tease just to see it change into one of annoyance.

She was also the Queen, afterall.

And the Prince also tried his best to avoid eating together with the royal family, muttering lies and made-up reasons just to have himself allowed to not attend breakfast, lunch, or dinner with them, they deserved a little peace away from him. He could always come to the kitchen to claim for his food later, just like he usually did back in the Southern Isles, even with a whole different reason.

But there were times he could not avoid Arendelle's royal family, just like this one.

It was time for supper and Elsa has frowned upon his excuse to join her due to him needed in the docks, saying that he could go there later. And the Queen's order must be fulfilled.

Thus, instead of the bubbly chatter he often overheard whenever he walked passed the Dining Hall, the only sound heard was the clinking of the silverware.

Apparently the Queen's mood was one interested in socializing that night.

Her brows furrowed at the quietness as she, who sat at the head of the table, darted her eyes from her sister, who sat at her left side, the Mountain Man sitting beside his wife, and last to the auburn haired man sitting at her right side. "Kristoff, how is the ice delivery to the kingdom of Corona?"

The blonde haired man jerked his head, clearly did not expecting to be addressed first by Her Majesty. "It uh... It's fine. Flynn--I mean Eugene, told me that the ice that we have shipped for Corona really helps the kingdom, the fishes caught can be kept fresh longer now and will not rot during it's trip to be traded."

"I'm glad." Elsa nodded, pleased with the report from her brother in-law. Hans has found out that Elsa created ice with her magic to preserve the cold temperature of the natural ice that Kristoff harvested from the frozen lakes up in the mountains, thus they would not melt into puddles in the ships. Such a clever way to distribute trade goods, he must say. "How about you, Anna? Did the children like the gifts we have prepared for them?"

"Uh-huh." The strawberry blonde haired Princess said as she nodded, poking the sweet carrot on her plate with the fork in her hand. "They were very excited about it."

Clearly, the Princess' half-hearted answer was not what the Queen has hoped as she looked at her younger sister. "Is there something wrong, Anna?"

"Of course there is." He could hear the younger muttered as her eyes stared down at the vegetables on her plate. "How did you not notice, it is a wonder."

Elsa, who also has heard what her sister muttered, raised an eyebrow. "Would you mind telling me?"

The strawberry blonde haired Princess finally looked up at her sister before she pointed an accusing finger directly at the man across of her at the table. "Him, Elsa! Why is he even here?!"

"He's our guest, Anna. He is supposed to sit down and eat with us, he just seemed to always finds a way to avoid it. But I did asked him, personally, this time."

"But why?" Anna groaned, throwing her hands up in the air to dramatize her point. "He has been lurking around the castle for a whole year! I think it's time to drop the formality, don't you think?"

"Because," the older sister started, "I do expect everyone in this castle to show hospitality toward our guests, no matter how long they have been staying here." She said simply, looking at her younger sister, not pleased with how she acted. "And you, as my younger sister, have disappointed me, Anna. I do not like the attitude you are showing right now."

"Maybe, if he's not such a jerk and tried to harm us and take over our kingdom, then I would have shown a different 'attitude', Elsa." The younger sister retorted, "Right, Kristoff?"

The Mountain Man, who has been trying to not have the attention toward himself, scratched the back of his head as he looked between the two sisters. "Well uh... You two are both right, at some point."

"See? He's on my side." Anna declared as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Even when it's not entirely."

"Perhaps," Hans spoke up after he avoided getting involved in the family argument that has unfold before him, standing from his seat as his hands both placed firmly on the table. "To decrease all of these conflicts between you all, I should take my leave now." He turned toward the platinum blonde haired Queen. "Your Majesty, may I be excused?"

"Yes, if that is what you wish for." Elsa nodded, waving her hand at him in a gesture of allowance. "Thank you, for joining us, Admiral."

"The pleasure's all mine." He bowed, right arm crossed over his stomach while the left over his lower back, before he left the Dining Hall.

And though he has exited, he could hear, as the door closing, the angry muttering of the Princess. "And to think that he would stay like a parasite."

Forgive me for Anna's attitude in this chapter, I think she was having a bad day