cont. w/ @immorals
Once it became clear that their Queen wasn't going to throw anyone out (or throw any punches, deserved or not) many of the onlookers turned their curious faces back toward the night's festivities; their drinks, their dances, their laughter. It was the background noise to a conversation Anna wasn't sure was going to go her way. She wasn't ever sure of anything when it came to the thirteenth prince.
He was so stiff. Formal. His hands seemed to be glued to his sides, his spine molded to its most linear position. She found herself wishing he was more comfortable here, and then found herself why she was concerned that he enjoyed his time.
When he confessed, openly, of his ignorance at her recent accession to the throne, Anna couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Surely a notice was sent to the Southern Isles?" she questioned, more to herself and her staff than to Hans himself. But perhaps it wouldn't have mattered anyway -- invitation or not, it was clear he had more pressing things on his mind than her status. Why should he care about you, Anna? she thought, surprised at herself. Her desire to be known to all, even those who least deserved to know her.
"Well, I would be remiss if I didn't thank you for coming," she went on, if not to help ease the pressure of the conversation. "Even if you were forced to attend, you still traveled quite a long way -- and the recent weather hasn't helped sea voyages, or so I hear from some of the other guests." Was she seriously talking about the weather? To him? As if they didn't have any other topics of conversation, or points of contention to discuss?
Suddenly, she couldn't stand herself for making such mundane remarks, and blurted, "Of course, you didn't want to come -- I'd be surprised if you'd planned to even stay for the whole week? I know the last time you came to an Arendellian coronation you ended up staying quite a bit longer. But, then again, there were extenuating circumstances that visit..."
