Complications (Hans and Elsa)

0.8 Square-one

“Your reservations have been revoked, darling.
Don’t you see? We’re back to square-one.”
-❄-

   The queen hadn’t seen daylight for the past few days, hadn’t seen people, and was quite possibly invisible to everyone except the little princess of the kingdom. The doors to her study, the library, and her room were always kept shut and locked, sending the people who bustled around the castle walls a message; a message that she was not to receive any human contact or whatsoever from anyone, barring her sister. The queen was too quiet as well, too quiet that it had left unanswered questions and words afloat the kingdom. Some even concluded that she was upset about an argument the former queen and king had started whilst some said that she just needed some space – having heard that her parents were alive and that the queen had let the betrothal go. But none of them had hit home since the only thing that was keeping her out of everyone’s reach and sight was because of the ball that was due in a matter of months. True she had all the time in the world to stop and breathe for a while, but she could not help but fuss over a one day occasion due in a hundred and two days. It was her first as queen, and first after thirteen years of complete isolation. People will expect something grand, something exquisite, and at the same time something to look forward to. And she could not help but try to outdo what was expected of her, even if it meant staying up most of the nights and eating stale food.

   The queen sighed as she tapped the tip of the quill with her finger, directing her gaze from the unfinished parchment towards the settling sun under the clouds’ wake. Another day huddled in the sheets of thick paper works and ideas yet to be settled before the end of the month, she mused and shook her head. She’d had appreciated a stroll with her beloved sister in town, would appreciate small talk about everything her sister would bring up. But the importance of the ball was nagging at her for she knew that not only dignitaries would attend, but other royals from far kingdoms as well. Surely as the elder daughter of the beloved king and queen who had brought such pride and reputation towards Arendelle, they would expect her to do so as well, to uplift the kingdom’s once resonant silence into jubilant shades of vibrancy and pride. And as queen, she made sure that she would outlive each expectation that will be served in front of her in a silver platter with a side dish of talk and town gossip. Not to mention that her parents are alive to witness every effort she would make for the kingdom’s sake.

   Another sigh escaped her lips as she returned her attention back towards the parchment that was demanding to be signed. She would give everything just so she could stretch her legs outside the sultry breeze. Knowing that was too selfish of her, she dismissed the idea and lazily signed her signature at the bottom.

   Just as she was about to start with the usual, “Your majesties”, a knock sounded across the room. She smiled to herself as the thought of a distraction – namely Anna – came to her mind. She so badly needed a break from all of the paper works that were ruefully handed to her by none other than Kai with a shake of his head.

       “Come in,” She whispered. “Thank God you’re here.” She said without lifting her gaze. “You don’t know how much I want to burn these papers and take a hike. They’re giving me neck pains, not to mention that my hand feels cold and numb. Listen, do you want to build a snowman?” She asked as she continued to address the letter with stoic formality.

        “Actually, Anna, dear, is outside with Gerda.”

   Elsa shot her head up in confusion as sweat slid down profusely at the back of her neck. She silently cursed herself as she met her mother’s and her father’s gaze. She’d been putting a lot of effort into avoiding them. She was not ready yet, not even close to it.

   Conceal, don’t feel, she ordered herself as placed the quill back to its place.

      “My apologies,” She addressed them quite formally it almost made her mother’s brow twitch in question. “What brings you in my study? You could have told Kai that you wanted to see me. I could have stowed the paper works away for you and rescheduled such matters for the next days. After all, the grand ball isn’t due until winter.”