"You knew about this?!"

Anna winced and pressed herself further against the wall, watching with bated breath as her mother paced back and forth before the King's desk. Her father sighed, resting his chin in his hand as he also watched his wife, every once in a while chancing a glance to the side, towards Anna. "Iduna, please, you're overreacting."

"Overreacting?!" The woman came to a stand still, turning fully to Agnarr. Her entire body seemed to almost shake with the annoyance radiating off of her. "How dare you! Matheus tried to set our daughter up with another woman. A woman, Agnarr! Do you understand the implications being thrown at her right now? If this was to come out-"

"Then we would deal with it." The King lifted his head up, dropping his hand to the desktop to drum his fingers. "I know that this isn't conventional, but-"

"Oh, it's not conventional? It's barbaric, Agnarr! It's disgusting! I will not allow you or your fiends to taint Anna or this kingdom," Iduna spat.

Agnarr sighed, but before he could try to speak once more Iduna was turning and storming out, the door slamming shut behind her. Even though she knew it wasn't possible, Anna could have sworn the very walls shook at the Queen's display of anger. But with her gone, the room settled into a quiet sort of restlessness; the King sighed and leaned back in his seat and Anna shifted on her feet, turning her eyes to the floor. A moment passed.

Then, "Love, can you sit down a moment?"

Anna couldn't bring herself to look at her father as she nodded silently, shuffling over to pick back up the chair her mother had thrown onto its back and sit down before his desk. She could feel his gaze burning into her the entire time. When he spoke again, it was in a voice she hadn't heard in... years. Not since she had snuck into the kitchens to steal sweets and been caught with her hand literally in the cookie jar. It wasn't angry, or disappointed. Simply amused.

"I know that this isn't what you were expecting." Anna allowed herself to look up, only to find her father smiling at her gently. Reassuringly, almost. "And I understand if you have... a similar stance as your mother. This isn't something I ever expected, either, but we've always tried to give you the space you needed to grow and learn for yourself. I know we've been going through princes, and that you're still young and still looking. Which is why, if you allow, Matheus and I would like you to get to know Elsa."

"But she's a woman." Anna couldn't help the words from tumbling free of her mouth, looked down in shame instantly. "N-not that that's bad! I mean she seemed lovely but, I mean... You've always told me that a kingdom needs a king."

Her father was silent a moment. Her belly tightened in anxious discomfort. Then, "Anna, love, times are changing. Elsa, as you know, has openly announced her preferences for that of the... fairer sex." He cleared his throat, shifted, showing, on some level, a similar feeling of discomfort. "That's not to say I'm assuming the same of you. To be frank, you've never shown any attraction to anything other than boys. But, I suppose, this is more or less a chance for you to get to know yourself. And, if nothing else, to make a friend. Aside from your cousins, you're fairly distanced from others your age."

The redhead raised her sights, gave an equally awkward simper as the one she found on her father's features. "But, mother seems so adamantly against this. Won't there be a similar uprising among the people should I... That is to say, if I were..."

Agnarr chuckled quietly, leaned forward to reach his arm out over the desktop. Anna only hesitated a moment before doing the same, taking his hand and letting him squeeze her fingers. The awkwardness across his face drained away until there was only open affection and earnestness. "Should that day come, we will deal with it. Just like anything else. But this kingdom loves you, Anna. No one could testify against that."

Anna sighed quietly and reached with her free hand, running her fingers through her unkempt hair. She hadn't bothered fixing herself up after the ball, mainly because she knew the only thing that would happen would be a long talk with her parents then the night in. A tiny huff left her lips as she shook her head and glanced over towards the bookshelf. "I know. Thanks, daddy."

"Of course, love." Their eyes met, and he squeezed her hand again before letting it go, leaning back once more. "I'll talk to your mother, don't worry. Now, get to bed. We'll be eating breakfast with our guests, tomorrow, so I actually expect you up." There was humor to his tone but she looked away sheepishly and nodded.

"Okay. I promise I'll be up." She stood from the chair, swept her hands over the back of her dress to straighten it out. She would be grateful to finally be out of it; she'd already kicked her shoes off somewhere - Heavens knew where - and had been going barefoot for nearly an hour. "Good night."

"Good night, love."

She left his study quietly, closing the door behind her and delving herself into the gentle darkness that permeated the halls as they snaked their way all the way to her room on the other side of the castle. The only light that gave her eyes something to see by was the streaming moonlight through the half covered windows, enough so that she could make out basic shapes without much else.

But she knew these halls like the back of her hand - after all, she'd grown up weaving her way along them. They were as much a part of her as her hands or her feet were.

She passed where she knew a guard would be posted come morning, passed a side table she was fairly certain had chipped one of her teeth only a year or so ago, passed the suit of armor she had played princess and knight with when she was still a child. Made to turn the corner, only to come face to, well, throat, with a lithe figure.

"Oomph," she muttered as she found herself stumbling back, the yelp of surprise hidden by her indignant exclamation. Had she still been in her heels, there was no way she would have been able to find her balance along the carpeted floor, but for once luck was on her side.

"I'm sorry," a quick, quiet murmur sounded out, and Anna had to blink and squint briefly to allow her eyes the chance needed to really look at and decipher the image before her.

Slender, tall. A woman, obviously. Rounded shoulders, sharp chin, hair let down into a tight braid... Anna floundered a moment as it hit her who was looking back at her.

"E-Elsa. I'm sorry," she jerked her head down, almost bowing. "I swear I didn't see you. I mean, I wouldn't have bumped into you if I had, obviously. But I should have been paying more attention or-"

"We should really stop running into each other like this," Elsa interrupted, and when Anna dared to lift her head she caught sight of what appeared to be a genuine smile flitting over the woman's features. It made her look somehow more and less intimidating all at once, which only managed to make Anna's head reel even more.

"Oh, uh, y-yeah. Yes. Definitely." Gods above come smite her and her stupidity now before she threw herself from the highest steeple.

But Elsa... laughed. Or, maybe it was more accurate to say she giggled. Bringing a hand up, quieting the sound before it could really grow. It still sounded... beautiful. Anna wasn't even aware that her own lips were pulling up at the corners in response.

It took a moment, but finally Elsa lowered her hand and cocked her head, looking at the redhead with that same, strange intensity. "So, Princess Anna, may I ask what you're still doing up?"

The redhead opened her mouth, shut it. Brought a hand up to scratch at the back of her head as she gave a wry, half smile. "O-oh. My father wanted to talk to me. Or, my parents did, really. But then my mom went to bed so it was just me and my dad and-"

"My father and I," Elsa interrupted.

Anna paused. "What?"

"My father and I. You used the wrong grammar. But please, continue."

Anna furrowed her brow. Floundered a moment. "Okay? Um, where was I? Oh, right. So my dad and I," she emphasized by waving her hand, and though she couldn't be completely sure in the darkness she almost thought she saw Elsa's shoulders shake with another quiet laugh, "were discussing a few things. And now I'm on my way to bed. What are you doing up?"

Elsa huffed and brought her arms up to cross over her stomach loosely. "I couldn't sleep, and I thought most people would already be asleep by now. To be honest, this is what I do back home. It's... become something of a nightly ritual. Being cooped up in a bedroom makes me anxious, even if it is just for a night. I'm sorry if I overstepped or did something wrong, Princess Anna."

Anna immediately shook her head, letting her smile grow. "Not at all. But we really should head to bed. May I walk you back to your room?"

She could have sworn she saw a flicker of hesitation across the blonde's face, before a tiny smile was taking its place. Still, there was something unsteady about her voice when Elsa responded. "Of course. Please, lead the way, my lady."

Anna hummed and stepped past the woman, beginning the trek to the guest wing. Elsa walked just shy of her side, more behind her than anything, which made her a tad uncomfortable but not enough so as to speak up. Still, it was odd. Being treated like she was better than the blonde. Even the servants had began referring to her as simply 'Anna' per her request. She had never seen her status as something to hold over anyone, least of all someone on the same level as she.

They were silent the entire walk, which in itself was awkward. But upon reaching the blonde's door, Anna turned to her and gave a genuine smile that only had a slightly uncomfortable undertone. "So. I guess I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow, then?"

"Yes, I suppose so." Elsa nodded once, stepped past her to the door. Her hand was turning the knob as Anna cleared her throat and fought to claim any and all courage she could find.

"Um, can I... Is it okay if I ask you something?" she muttered just as Elsa was slipping past the doorframe.

The blonde turned to her, a noise of question her only response.

Anna swallowed and looked down the hall, into the dark. Wondered if it was possible to just slip into the nearest shadow and disappear. "I-it's just that... I mean I..." She silently cursed and sighed, looking back to Elsa. The blonde simply waited patiently, which gave her some sense of comfort. "Why didn't your father tell me you were a girl?"

Elsa leaned her head against the door, looking out at the redhead with eyes that seemed endless and somehow reflected light that wasn't even there. "Perhaps we were afraid you'd reject our offer should you know beforehand," she murmured.

Anna let out a quiet laugh. "And I couldn't have done so upon meeting you face to face?"

This time there was a real smile across her features as Elsa straightened, and Anna's eyes unintentionally flicked downwards at the motion. She was only just realizing the blonde was in little more than a shift when Elsa responded. "Well, you still haven't, my lady." Anna stared openmouthed and silent as the blonde brought a hand up to cover her mouth as she laughed. When she lowered it, she was back to stoic, but her eyes danced. "Good night, Princess Anna."

Anna simply watched as the door clicked shut behind the woman, leaving her standing in the middle of the hall alone and staring at a wooden structure. When she found her voice at last, it was unsteady but light in a way she couldn't explain away. "Good night, Elsa."

"No, no, skip it," Anna gushed, frantically running a brush through her frizzed hair as her handmaiden began to put on the one and only necklace she ever wore, a gift from her mother several yuletides past.

The young woman opened her mouth as if to counter, but upon seeing the princess' haggard look only nodded mutely and set it back on the dresser. Instead she gently reached for and grasped the brush as it began another downwards stroke, stopping the girl in her frenzy. Anna caught her eye in the mirror but didn't object, simply letting go and allowing her to take the reigns. With as finicky as she was this late morning, she knew it was better that way.

Anna exhaled through her nose and closed her eyes, letting the feeling of the brush running through her hair be enough to sooth the anxiety clawing at her gut. She knew breakfast was underway. She knew her parents and their guests were waiting for her. She knew Elsa was waiting for her. And truly she had attempted to do as her father asked and get up on time but her bodily clock didn't know the difference between noon and sunset. She prayed her father wouldn't be too sorely disappointed in her.

"Would you like me to braid it as well, Princess?"

Anna blinked and opened her eyes, found her new handmaiden staring at her expectantly in the reflection. She wished she knew the woman's name but time really wasn't on her side at the moment.

"No, thank you. I need to go."

The woman nodded once, bowed lowly as she stepped back. "Of course, my lady. Forgive me." She reached across and laid down the brush before clasping her hands and lowering her head. "May I be excused, my lady?"

The redhead nodded, running her fingers through her bangs in an attempt to fluff them out. Even if her hair was a frizz cesspool it could at least look somewhat decent. "Yes, go," she spoke. She caught the end of another bow and then listened as footsteps brought the woman to her door and out of earshot. She huffed and let her hands fall to her lap.

"You can do this, Anna," she told herself, staring at her eyes in the reflection. "What's there to be afraid of? Daddy will understand. Elsa, though..." She frowned, dropped her eyes. "That doesn't matter." A sharp inhale, steady exhale. Then she looked back up and smiled at herself. "Nothing to worry about at all."

All eyes were on her. She could feel it, she hated it, she wished she could bolt back upstairs and never leave her room ever again. A sheepish, embarrassed smile tugged at the corners of her lips and the tiny wave she gave to the table made her want to slap herself. "H-hi, everyone."

On one end, there was her father. Goblet in hand and a cheeky smile fighting to remain hidden as he watched her flounder. On the other end was King Matheus, unfazed, it seemed, by her entrance as he brought another forkful to his mouth. Her mother sat next to her father, giving her what could only rightly be summed up as a glare, and looking more sullen than she had even last night. Then, there was Elsa. She was bringing her own goblet up to her lips and Anna couldn't read her expression. She looked amazing regardless. Had the same tight braid as when she went to bed.

"Anna, how lovely of you to finally join us," her father spoke, raising a hand and motioning. Kai immediately stepped forward from where he had been standing at attention, pulled the other chair next to the King out as Anna shyly shuffled over and went to sit. He pushed her up to the table and turned, departing.

"Y-yes. I am... very sorry, about my late entrance," she murmured, more addressing the table than the people at it. She cleared her throat and brought a hand up to the back of her neck. "I seem to have... overslept."

A low chuckle from beside her. A hand along her shoulder. When she looked up, her father only winked at her playfully before returning to his meal. "It's alright, love. We were just discussing trading agreements between Arendelle and the Southern Isles."

Anna blinked, perked up. A safe topic, one she was fairly certain she knew at least a little something about. "I thought we cut ties after the fishery incident."

"We did. However, they're being quite persistent in their desire to rekindle lost allies."

Anna reached for and took a single piece of buttered bread from its basket, pulling it apart with her fingers over her otherwise untouched plate. "And what of Bulschia? Are you trading with the Southern Isles or no?"

King Matheus shook his head as he lowered his cup, but Elsa interjected before he could voice anything. "Not as it stands. We also had an incident with them, though it was more on a political platform."

Anna furrowed her brow, chewing slowly before swallowing and asking, "What happened, exactly?"

"They wrongfully accused a visiting dignitary of treason against the crown. He was quartered and hanged." Anna nearly choked on the mouthful of water she had been trying to drink at that. The very real emptiness to Elsa's tone when saying that had caught the younger girl more than a little off guard.

"O-oh."

"Is this really the appropriate sort of conversation to be had whilst dining?" Queen Iduna suddenly proclaimed, and Anna subconsciously winced at her tone. One that she had heard far too often for offenses far worse than conversing over breakfast.

"Elsa was simply answering a question, dear," Agnarr murmured.

"Then perhaps we should find a different topic to discuss," came the sharp retort.

Anna bowed her head and chewed on her bread carefully, once small appetite fully abandoning her. Thankfully, King Matheus found the opportunity to speak up.

"That sounds like a fine idea, Iduna. How about we discuss our daughters? As it stands I'm still unsure as to whether or not you both approve of Elsa remaining here to try and woo Anna."

Elsa's eyes shot up from where she'd begun to push food around her plate. "Father, please."

Matheus chuckled but Anna would have had to have been blind to not catch sight of the way her mother's fist clenched around her fork. She swallowed thickly and straightened, turning her head when her father set down his goblet and made to steeple his hands above his plate. There was a wry smile along his lips that only strengthened when he glanced at her from out the corner of his eye.

"We approve," he spoke, ignoring when Iduna scoffed and plowing onward. "However, only for the remainder of the month. After that, if Anna deems it unacceptable any longer, we must insist that the matter be laid to rest."

Matheus nodded his understanding, breaking apart a piece of bread. "That can be arranged. How do you feel about that, Elsa?"

The blonde straightened somehow even more so upon reference, gaze darting across the table to land on Anna. The younger girl found that those deep set pools of endless blue held nothing to potentially give away any sort of reconsideration. She nodded once, resolutely. "As long as Princess Anna agrees, then yes. It is acceptable."

The entire table seemed to turn to the redhead. Her father's smile became more giving. "What's say you, love?"

Anna couldn't tear her eyes away from Elsa. From this woman that was being placed on a pedestal she'd never imagined any woman having a slot to. Suitor. Potential partner. It felt like it was happening too fast or maybe shouldn't be happening at all but, for the life of her, she couldn't find the will in a single bone throughout her entire body to object. Instead, there was only this welcome sort of nausea that she gave nervous excitement the credit of.

Perhaps this wouldn't be all bad. She let her lips quirk up in what she hoped was a smile.

"I agree."