The Thirteenth Prince Chapter 11: Untitled.
The moment the door closed, Elsa turned sharply. Her eyes were blazing.
“What on earth is wrong with you?” Her voice trembled with restrained fury. “How dare you interrupt a Council meeting to accuse, before everyone, one of its members of manipulating me? Have you lost your mind?”
Hans did not reply at once. He drew a long breath, bracing himself for the storm.
“It was the only way to tell you the truth. No one else will.”
Elsa straightened even more.
“And do you take me for a fool, unfit to rule? Do you think I need you to open my eyes? That man is the grandson of one of Arendelle’s most loyal lords. Gustav Kaas gave his life to this crown: he served my grandfather, my father, and me in his last years. I have no reason to doubt his only heir."
Hans narrowed his eyes, but he didn’t hold back.
“You owe loyalty to no one, Elsa. Least of all to him.” He stepped forward, his voice lower now and more firm. “He hasn’t lived in Arendelle for years. You don’t know who he serves, or who he answers to. And today, before your very eyes, he lied. Deliberately."
Elsa pressed her lips tight, her breathing sharp. “I am Queen Elsa to you,” she snapped, her words like ice. “Do you think just because we kissed you have some claim over me or the right to challenge me?”
Hans froze. For a heartbeat, confusion flickered across his face. Then he let out a bitter laugh, dragging a hand down his face.
“Good God… do you really think this is about that?”
“Does it not? Otherwise I doubt you’d care much about what Kaas does or doesn’t do.”
Hans stepped closer, hurt written plainly across him.
“You think this is about us? About that kiss you pretended not to feel? About the things I said, the ones you didn’t even dare to answer? No, my Queen. I no longer care about that.”
He took another step, his composure fracturing beneath the weight of his pain.
“I know you don’t love me. I know that to you, that kiss was a mistake, an impulse you now regret. Very well. I swallowed it. We promised never to speak of it again. I warn you now because I care about what is to come. Because I care for your people. And yes…” his voice trembled, just faintly, “…because I care for you. But not because of that damned kiss. Do not confuse the two.”
