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Elsa Tomago: First I'd like to thank you for your continuous support of this story, and for your reviews. As for what will happen, you'll see that the Ambassador is not a simple person, but rather a complex one. Particularly, I enjoyed writing him very much, and even am considering adding him to HTLIG. I hope that you'll like this chapter.

Without further ado:

"Assaulting an ambassador of another island is a serious charge, one that could lead to a heavy fine being paid to my kingdom by yours. Assaulting a royal is enough reason for a declaration of war."

Anna felt horribly bad for her sister.

He either did not acknowledge the fact that it was snowing indoors, or did, but decided to ignore this fact. His face kept impersonal, and it would put Elsa's cold look to shame. "However I will be willing to brush aside this incident as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD for short." His tone was a tad gentler, but she only knew that because she was paying close attention to it. His face kept impersonal, however. "I am well aware of what you went through at the hands of my younger brother and, unlike him, my heart is not made of ice."

A burst of wind passed by them and though it could easily have been a breeze passing through the open doors Anna suspected that Elsa had actually unknowingly did that at the mention of a 'heart of ice'.

He took a step back. "I am Lars Weestergard, Prince of the Southern Isles, and its Ambassador as well." He bowed, and took her hand to lightly kiss her knuckles. Anna froze for a moment, unsure of what to do. Her mind then wandered to the customary greeting protocols Elsa had insisted that she would learn. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

She curtsied. "I am Princess Anna Vinterdahl of Arendelle." She gave him a defiant look. "I wish I could say the same." She could feel Elsa glaring at her neck, and knew that she was in for a chastising when they were alone. But she was not going to give him this pleasure.

Much to her surprise he chuckled. "So there was a hint of truth to his stories as well." She curled tight her fingers at the indirect mention of him. Whether Lars was doing it out or purpose to test her, or did not realise the full extent of the effects of mentioning, even indirectly, she did not know. "You truly have a wild spirit. It's surely a change from the usual nobles I meet on my travels."

He looked over her shoulder, and she had enough common sense to step aside so the man could greet her sister. She kept glaring at him as he slowly approached Elsa, and was ready to jump at him if he as much as laid a finger on her sister. "I am Lars Weestergard, Prince of the Southern Isles, and its Ambassador as well," he recited before bowing. Anna realised that this was how he properly introduced himself. However, much to her surprise, he did not even try to kiss Elsa's hand, nor made any move to grab it.

She curtsied, but, unlike Anna, she did not have to bow her head because she was technically superior to him. "I am Queen Elsa Vinterdahl of Arendelle." Her voice was stiff, and so was her posture. However, Anna was thankful to notice that it had stopped snowing inside, and that there was no visible ice around her.

"I am very pleased to meet you." His voice was as honeyed as Hans' had been, and it made anger boil inside Anna. "I've heard a lot about you, and, I admit I have been keeping a close eye on you." Her sister seemed to hold her breath, while Anna was starting to worry she'd pass out from lack of oxygen. "I must say, you have been doing an extraordinary work with your country."

"I try my best."

"I'm sure you do." She had to supress the urge of shivering, and of looking away as he seemed to stare closely at her. "I do wish, however, that we had met under . . . better circumstances."

"I doubt that there would have been better circumstances than these."

If he was annoyed by her short answers, or by the fact that her face was currently as expressive as a stone, he did not show. Anna wished she could at least hold her sister's hand, or even just be by her side. "I do hope we meet again. I'd wager engaging in a conversation with you must be quite interesting."

Elsa offered no reply. When the atmosphere around them seemed to grow tenser, Thomas cleared his throat. "I will have a servant escort you to your accommodations Prince Lars. If you excuse us, I believe my daughter and nieces ought to wish some time to rest before they have to attend dinner." His eyes linger only a second longer on Rapunzel than on the others. "You are also invited to dinner," he said stiffly.

Lars turned around to look at Thomas. He gave the man a nod, and left as soon as the servant asked him to follow. Thomas let out a deep sigh the moment the man was no longer within sight. "Elsa I-"

"I have to go," Elsa whispered, before darting off, likely to her room. Anna could see a glittering trail behind Elsa, and felt her heart pang with remorse. Thomas seemed ready to follow her, but he didn't, as Prim put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a look that meant this was not the best thing to do at the moment.

She felt horrible for putting her sister under sudden stress. While she was sure that Lars had meant it when he said he would bare no ill will toward them because of this misunderstanding, Anna was sure that her sister was blaming herself altogether for it. Bae nudged her leg frantically, letting her know how deeply troubled Elsa was. Even if he had not, Anna would have known anyway.

She felt the same way.

007

"Can I come in sis?" Anna said after knocking. She had given Elsa an hour by herself before searching for her. Whether that had been enough time, she did not know.

"Go away."

She felt as if her sister just jabbed a spear across her heart, but despite the pain she could see that Elsa did not mean it. Her voice had sounded weak, even, dares she say, hesitant. "Please Elsa? I need to talk with you." She hoped that he wasn't around, or that he was stalking her. She'd hate to be seen by him in such depraved state. "Please . . . ?"

She held her breath, and was momentously pleased when she heard the door being unlocked. When she entered the room, she felt her insides twist. It was much more similar to Elsa's room in Arendelle that it had been before, mainly because it was nearly completely coated with ice. There was no snow inside, but Anna knew that was only a matter of speaking the wrong words just once.

"I guess they won't be letting us come anytime soon after they see how much replacing the whole furniture inside this room will cost." Elsa's attempt at joking would have elated Anna, had it not been a self-depreciative joke.

She pursed her lips. "Don't say that. Family is above little things like replacing furniture. They only have two nieces. I think seeing them is worth a new bed. And a new wardrobe, and a new vanity." She glanced around. "And new curtains, and I'm speaking too much . . ." her voice trailed off, leaving a sad tone in the room.

It had started snowing.

"I'm sorry Elsa. I . . ." She pushed her bangs back and let out a frustrated sigh. "I saw him and my mind just blanked. I was in overdrive. I-I only realised what I was doing when you called me out." She looked at Elsa, who was curled in a corner, desperately trying to stop the falling snow. "I'm sorry," she guiltily said.

"I understand Anna." The smile she gave to said woman was not reassuring. "Believe me I do. I . . ." she looked at the ceiling, a frown etched on her face. "I think I just want to be alone for a while . . ."

"Are you sure that is wise?" She bit her lip and cursed herself when she was her sister's eyes flicker with guilt. "Sorry . . ."

"No," Elsa said, shaking her head. "You're right to worry. But . . . I'll be okay. I think." She sighed. "And no, I'm not trying it. I don't want to embarrass Arendelle any further." She looked at the window, a remorseful look plastered on her face. "How much to you think that he knows? Does he know about . . . it?"

Anna shrugged, not trusting her tongue to keep itself from saddening Elsa more. "I think he probably meant he has been keeping an eye on your political actions. Why would he be interested in our personal lives? He didn't seem like a freak to me." She let out a hollow chuckle. "But then again, I'm not exactly the best at reading people, am I?"

Either Elsa ignored her remark, or was feeling too horrible to even chastise her. "If you want to keep Rapunzel company, I won't mind." She turned to face Anna. "I'll meet you at dinner."

Anna knew it was a promise, and she sure hoped that her sister would fulfil it as she had fulfilled the last time she made a promise like this. Hesitantly she ran her hand through her hair. "Okay . . ." She slowly walked to the door, and stopped to look over her shoulder, at her sister. "I'll see you at dinner then?"

Elsa nodded, and soon she left her sister's room. She had said she wouldn't try it, and that she would be at dinner. She had never been a liar, so Anna hoped she would not start being one on this moment. When she was halfway to Rapunzel's room, she realise her sister had said nothing about cutting herself. "Please don't do it . . ." she mumbled, hoping that some deity being would hear her pray and stop Elsa.

The rest of the walk to Rapunzel's room she kept cursing herself.

007

Primrose had asked for Lars, and waited patiently for said man inside her office. "Your Highness?" her butler said, making Prim put down her paper. "Prince Lars is here. Shall I send him in?" She nodded, putting the paper inside a drawer. It was no business of his to know what laws she was or was not going to approve.

She had seen how he had a keen eye for details.

Standing as regal as he had when he arrive outside the room was Lars. The butler beckoned him in with a bow, and he swiftly complied. "Please, Prince Lars, do take a seat." Her tone was cold, and her glare would have been unnerving to anyone. But either he was unimpressed by her behaviour, or unfazed, as he didn't even seem to register her veiled hostility.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked. "I was under the impression that we would discuss about Bismarck's political forwardness with your husband, His Majesty King Thomas, and your heir as well." Primrose rose from her chair and started walking around. She noticed he did not have his sword and scabbard with him, and wondered if she should have posted a guard inside, in case he was anything like Hans.

"You are correct in assuming this, gentleman." For a moment she did not look at him, but at the window. The moment was short-lived. "However, I did not summon you to discuss this matter. Rather, I called you to talk about the unbecoming behaviour you showed with Princess Anna, and Queen Elsa, who, I'd like to remind you, is your superior as she has a higher title."

The was a hint of mirth in his chuckle. Primrose sat down, glaring at him. "I wouldn't go so far as to say that my behaviour was unbecoming, especially after the Princess' outburst. We are not here to talk about her, however." He leaned in, resting his head on his hands and his elbows on his knees. "Have you gotten overprotective Queen Primrose? It would be reasonable. You happen to be the only older woman they have as a relative. And given how this is, as far as my knowledge goes, the first time you see them in years, it seems only natural to be."

"I will not dignify your question with an answer. Our personal affairs pertain to us, and us alone. Not to any royalty of other kingdoms, neither any ambassadors."

"I already expected such answer." He leaned back, as if he was the one in charge of the conversation they have. "But history suggests I am likely right. You have been with your daughter for only a handful years, and with your nieces for even a smaller amount of time."

"You will refrain from speaking further about my family, in any manner."

"I will," he immediately complied. It puzzled Prim that neither his tone nor his eyes held any defiance. "I wish not to cause any intrigue during my stay, even though it seems that it happens regardless of my wishes. And, if I recall, we are in this position to talk about my behaviour, not yours." Primrose's nod could have been considered curt, but, again, he didn't seem to pay it any heed.

"It is only natural, as an Ambassador, that I test how receptive other nobles are regarding me. And considering I come from the Southern Isles, a place not quite known for its mercy, and that one of my brother happens to be a despicable would-be murderer, I have to be even more attentive and delicate with other nobles than a normal Ambassador would have to."

"Is that why we received no letters regarding your arrival? Because maybe your King, or even you, feared that we would deny a visit from an emissary of the Southern Isles?" She knew she shouldn't have spoken this way of Lars' father, but she couldn't bring herself to care.

He breathed in deeply. "Is that what you believe? Or is this as far as your knowledge extends?" Again Primrose decided to ignore his question. "No answer then, so be it. I will be kind to answer your questions however." He soothed a non-existent wrinkle in his sleeve as he spoke. "The answer is no to both. My King is likely only receiving news of my whereabouts at this moment. A representative of the Northern Isles, concerned about how quickly negotiations went with your emissary, Prince Eugene, asked me to personally come here gather insight about this matter with Corona's rulers."

"And," he added empathically. "To answer the question that is likely in your mind right now I assure you I can represent the Southern Isles' interests without being here by request of my King. While he and my older brother, Caleb, share many responsibilities, representing my kingdom in foreign countries befalls to me. They trust my judgement, and that I will beckon for them if the need arise."

"So you would be responsible for Hans' actions in Arendelle as well."

A smile appeared on his lips, irking Prim. He seemed to frustratingly become a bigger puzzle each time a word left his mouth. "Ah, I am happy to see that you are dubious, instead of presuming. Regarding your question, no, he would not be. I was informed that Hans would go instead of me only a few days prior to the Coronation, and by the King himself. However I had my suspicious, as Hans had seemed oddly interested in Arendelle's history prior to this day."

He seemed to consider the hardness in her eyes, the stiffness in her posture. As a Queen she had never met someone who didn't back down from her iron stance. It scared her in a way. In another, it also showed her why this man had been chosen to represent the Isles on foreign lands. "It is perhaps for the best that I care about our international affairs. His first judgement, perhaps in years, yielded disastrous results."

She leaned back, smirking slightly. "Is this defiance that I hear? Perhaps even a hint of treachery."

If her attempt at provoking a reaction from him that wasn't as impersonal as a cooking recipe was registered by him, then he did not show. Prim briefly wondered if Elsa had tried to act this way before chaos emerged during her coronation. "Merely my opinion . . . I am loyal to him through and through, and will never put any other interests above that of my home's. However I do acknowledge that it is past time that there is a new mind bearing the crown, as in that my home is more than ready for a new direction. 1848 showed us that the people are no longer to simply accept any ill intents or selfishness from its rulers anymore."

She hummed in agreement. The wave of rebellion that plastered many kingdoms and countries around Corona had not reached in it, and was probably because she had her husband had tried to fairly rule the place. It helped that Thomas' family had been very receptive, and taught that it would far benefit both them and the kingdom fairly ruling it than usurping it. Her father, however, had not taught her to be kind, but instead to have an iron grip. Must be why Agdar thought that concealing would be better than trying to go through that mess with the compassion of a father, she once mused.

"I believe we went astray from our topic," he said after clearing his throat. "As I told you before, I have to test how receptive people are of my persona. And so all affirmations I did in their presence were purely to learn whether or not their feelings regarding my brother would undermine how they perceive and judge me."

Prim pursed her lips. "And what, if I may ask, did you conclude?"

He smirked, showing emotion for the first time. Prim had half the mind of calling her niece to freeze him solid on the chair for the rest of the day. Perhaps even for the rest of his stay in Corona. "Princess Anna was pretty straightforward. She will judge me and be heavily distrusting, merely because he is a relative of mine. Many people, nobles too, do that, so I do not personally blame her."

He breathed in deeply, as if eager to see how Prim was curious to hear his opinion on Elsa. To her credit, she did not even twitch a finger at the suspense. "Queen Elsa, on the other hand, was far harder to read on. I was quite pleased at that. A good ruler knows how to mask his or her thoughts until deeming it is no longer necessary. However, one thing that struck me, as I've been observing her, is how keen she is to make Arendelle thrive. It seems reasonable that every ruler should wish this to their kingdom, but, alas, history proves us wrong."

He took a breath. "And so, based on that, I conclude that she will be neutral toward me until she either deem me a threat or trustworthy." He looked Prim deep in the eyes. "However I also concluded that she will consider her sister's feelings regarding me, even if she knows that they are biased by her past." He readjusted his seat on the chair. "Would you like to ask me anything else, Your Majesty?"

"Just one more thing," Prim said, her voice slightly less threateningly. "How do you know so much, and conclude so much? Our Ambassador is quite good but, dare I say, he does not reach conclusions with such depths as you do, even though they have yet to be seen if they are true or not."

He chuckled, a warm chuckle that seemed to have no malice behind it. Primrose blinked in surprise, then warned herself that malice could easily be hidden behind an amicable appearance. "I may only be twenty six years old, but I lived enough to study people, and to read them." He looked sideways, as if some imaginary thing had earned his attention, before focusing his eyes on her again. "However everywhere little birds there are. You can learn quite a lot if you only know how to listen."

"Would that be how you have been keeping a close eye on Elsa's reign?" She wanted to say he had spies working for him, but refrained from doing so. She was painfully aware of how she had burned her morality with him in this conversation, and was pretty sure that he was aware of this as well.

"You would be right to presume this. And, to add to your presumption, it is how I have been keeping eyes on other things as well." He looked at her as if he knew something that she didn't, or knew a secret that she vehemently wanted to keep hidden. "Before you reach any conclusion, I'd like to state again that I bare no ill will toward you, your family or your kingdom."

She nodded, not fully believing on his statement. Still, she would give him the benefit of the doubt, although she would not tell him so. "That is all. You may leave," she said, waving her head.

He stood up and bowed, his bow as calculated and precise as every action and word he has done and spoken this far. "If you excuse me Your Majesty." He did not knock the door so one of the guards would open it, instead he chose to open and leave. Her butler came in, worry and wariness etched on his face. She was aware of how long their talk took.

"Would you like me to bring anything, Your Majesty?"

She glanced at the window and sighed. "A tea would be pleasant."

Updated on January 14th, 2019