Numb: The Postscript

III. Recall

I took a deep breath as I laid on the bed. I was in a storage room. In Arendelle. With people who don't know who I am.

I must be in great trouble, escaping from the Southern Isles and from the punishments I was supposed to face there. By acting upon my evil intentions, I was supposed to be exiled. I suppose not now.

I already returned the razor and cream moments before but Étienne said that I could just keep it. He didn't need it anyway.

Quite fatigued, I closed my eyes to rest like how Étienne said. The hours went by fairly quickly. I was startled by the noise of the door creaking open.

"Uhm, excuse me... Sorry," It was Noèle with a small lantern in one hand, "Supper is ready."

"It's evening already?!"

"Yes... It should be almost nine. We went to the plaza while you were asleep, and came home late. We apologize..."

"No, it's fine. Just shocked by how swift time is."

She had a light giggle. I sat up and half-smiled at her.

"Shall we?" I suggested, pointing at the door.

"Oh, o-of course..." she slowly moved, "Please pardon me."

"Pardon what? I don't mind."

We both walked in the dark, trudging through the grass and dirt path. She opened the door to a fireplace and to the left, Étienne sitting excitedly with fish, boiled potatoes, and vegetables on his plate.

"Young man!" he beamed, "Come sit!"

"Will do, Étienne! Everything smells greatly appetizing!

We all settled in, and I began to serve myself some of the potatoes.

"Have as much as you'd like! We don't eat much of the potatoes even though we always cook too much. Heh," Étienne chuckled, "Well, I did say we would talk about our origins. Your name?"

I hesitated whether I should lie or not.

"Hans. My name is Hans."

"Ah, I see. You must be around here then. As you can tell, Noèle and I aren't. My ancestors were French and lived in the kingdom of Royaume. They were all merchants. My father came here to Arendelle because he wanted to expand his horizons," he spooned some vegetables to his mouth and swallowed, "My wife came from a neighboring kingdom to Royaume. We knew each other from trade routes. Since we are both French, we gave both our children French names. 'Tis a heritage thing, even though I was raised here."

"That's very nice... Where's your son and wife?"

"My son went to England to do more mercantile duties... And my wife," he looked down, "She passed. From hemophilia," his eyes started to moisten, "Internal bleeding, the doctor said. It was many years ago."

Silence descended upon the table.

"My condolences," I pitied Étienne, but I admired his courage. He remained to be good-willed no matter how unfortunate the circumstances were. I wished that I were the same.

Étienne wiped his eyes, "Heh, it's all fine. She isn't suffering anymore," he held a smile but I still saw pain in his eyes and Noèle's too. He cleared his throat, "So... You must not be from here. From where do you originate?"

"The Southern Isles."

"The Southern Isles, I've been there. Quite beautiful infrastructure!"

"I guess so," I simpered as I recalled the somber castle. The still atmosphere. My father leaving me.