Many Beauty and the Many Beast

by Felicity Collins

  I'll write you again later and thank you again for your support and updates.

  I'll tell Storm you said 'hi'.

  Take care

  Skylynn

  Dear Sky,

  I'm happy to hear Storm has been reintegrated in Drakora and is back to be your Commandant/ General/ or whatever he is in your ranking system. Mostly, I'm glad to hear that you two finally made up again. Don't be so harsh on him. Sky, Storm cares about you very much. You can put up all the masks you want, but he knows that you've been hurt by Father, and he's right when he says you need to let it go and put it behind you. This anger you have towards him is gnawing you on the inside and it's not good for you. I won't press the matter. This is between you and him.

  I've been meaning to tell you something regarding my stable boy duties, even if you already know, probably. Elsa had me 'promoted', instead of shoveling horse poop, from now on I won't just take care of horses I will also tame and train them. I'm telling you this, because when I got 'promoted' Elsa and I spoke. She's so much more different than I expected her to be. I knew that she was different from her sister, but I didn't expect her to be… you know, her.

  You know how much I love to read, but since I finished the five books I have in my room several times already, I kind of pushed my luck. As I told you before, Elsa usually spends a lot of time in the library to gather information for political or economic matters, sometimes even just to find a quiet place to read in peace and relax. The other day, while working in the library, Elsa was there working. I was supposed to clean the top shelves, so I took it as the perfect occasion to put back the latest book I secretly borrowed. Unfortunately, while going up and down the ladder, another book caught my eye. So, I stood still perched up on top of the ladder and glanced down at Elsa. She wasn't looking at me, entirely absorbed in her book and taking notes from it. I noticed that she must be so used to be reading and writing at the same time that she doesn't even look at the paper she's writing on to make sure she's writing straight. She has a natural elegance that makes concentrating on politics and writing for three hours in a row look effortless. The only thing that gives away that she's getting tired is when she either slowly runs her fingers through her hair taking a deep breath or puts her quill down and lightly stretches her fingers while reading, only to go back to writing a moment later. So, while she was busy reading, I quietly remained up the ladder and went through the pages of that book I saw. It is going to be my next read.

  Everything was going well, it was quiet and I was enjoying my read, glancing back at Elsa every now and then to make sure she didn't look at me. Then, she suddenly lifted her head up and stared up at me and I did the first thing that popped into my mind: dusting the pages and act like I was working. Stupid, I know.

  For a split of a second I thought she was going to remind me to go back to work, instead Elsa didn't say anything. She simply lightly shook her head and went back to her book. I took it as my cue to put the book back and return to my duties, but I won't hide that hearing her quietly laugh at me made me smile.

  Now, I know you're going to scold me so bad after you read this. Not too long ago there was an important dinner with the new ministers and I was told to serve the drinks for the evening and Kai had served one of the best Arendellian champagnes. I think that Kai had me serve on purpose to see me suffer! It was a 1598 Runic Sea! It had been terribly requested that year, even in the Southern Isles! Anyway, while serving the drinks (fighting the urge of tasting it), I kept glancing at Elsa. It wasn't a ball or anything too special, but I have to say, she looked beautiful in her formal attire. The incarnation of what a queen should be. The new ministers were looking at her with respect, listening to her every word and she listened back to them when they expressed their opinions. The only one not exactly behaving according to the savoir-faire was Anna, she has the bad habit of speaking a little too freely when she feels comfortable, fortunately, Elsa managed to get her to tone it down only with the regality of her eyes.

  At the end of the dinner, Elsa had to make a small speech. All eyes were set on her, I had only one glass left on my trey and… for some reason I felt like I was participating to this reunion and took the last glass. Elsa was the only one who could see me and she was looking at me. I was supposed to put the glass down, instead, I lifted it up in her honor and I drank it, tasting the champagne in two long sips. I did it feeling once again the prince I was born to be. It took me a moment to realize what I just did. Incredibly, Elsa accepted my gesture and drank her champagne with the elegance and composure of a queen in front of a prince. It lasted just for a moment… the next, my trey was submerged by trembling empty glasses to take back into the kitchen, but it felt nice anyway.

  Well, that's all from Arendelle! Send Storm my regards and my congratulations for his reintegration.

  Take care of yourself

  Love

  Hans

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  After reading Skylynn's response to my letter regarding her brother, I could do nothing but shake my head with a small snicker at her comment regarding Hans and I 'locking eyes while drinking champagne'. Typical Sky... always ready to tease you when given the chance. Like I said before she pretty much grew to be like a very annoying older sister to me. Not to mention that, being her queen herself, I realized I had pretty much sold Hans out. He was so getting one big lecture from her, once she returned.

  Unfortunately, I was not able to write her back immediately and she said that she was going to write me later today after Storm's final hearing, so, I sent the snowfalcon back to her and returned to my duties. I admit, I was a nervous about Storm, but he had nothing to hide and the fact that he went back to Drakora to clear his name for me was very noble, not to mention that it meant that he cared about me. I trusted him and Sky, if they said they were both going to be back, they will both come back.

  After sending the falcon back to Drakora, I went to some meeting with a few ministers and after that, I headed to the library, preparing myself for a council meeting I was going to attend to in the week. I think that I broke my record of book searching, because when I was done and found what I needed to know, I realized that the table I was sitting at was a mess of books and notes. Now, I know I have servants, but to me, leaving a mess like that for the servants to clean up means being disrespectful. Plus, I was taught that if you take something, you put it back in place, because the servants are there for the castle manteinance and services, not to clean your mess. Fortunately, when I heard well known a male voice asking if I could use some help and looked up finding Hans standing in front of me, with a shy smile on his face, I soon found myself with him on my tail and his hands full of the books I needed to put back in order.

  "Politics" Hans stated as he looked at the first book "I suppose you've been reading all of these not for your own pleasure"

  "You're right. I needed to see some stuff" I answered.

  "Was it satisfying?" he asked placing another book back in place.

  "I found what I was looking for, so yes, it was"

  "But boring"

  "You can say that" he chuckled putting away the book.

  "If I may ask, what is it that her Majesty was looking for?" he asked curiously, passing me a book I put back in place.

  "Nothing really interesting… I just needed to refresh my memory on our recent history with other kingdoms and some updates on the other realms' situation for, you know… trade and other stuff" I replied.

  "Ordinary updating sessions" he stated "… exciting"

  "Very" I added with his same sarcasm. He let a tiny smile play on his lips and then we were silent again as we kept on putting the books back. These silent moments weren't awkward, it actually felt comfortable. First of all, because now I got used to his presence and second of all, Hans did his job without a complaint, followed my instructions and did everything swiftly. I knew he was an analyzer, a trait his sister had inherited, so whether we spoke or not, Hans eventually learned some things about me
and the people he worked with just by observing or sneaking a peak at what they were doing, or in my case, the books I was reading. Speaking of books in reading process…

  "Are you enjoying your books?" I asked him, all of a sudden. Hans shrugged, as he put the last book on the high shelf.

  "I did when I first read them" he replied.

  "But?"

  "But they're the same 5 books I have on the shelf and I already read them all at least three times! And it's not like I'm really allowed to borrow books from the library" Hans said, giving me a glance as we both knew exactly what he was referring to.

  "At least three times already?"

  "I may work all day, tire myself out and have some free-time only after 9:30 p.m., but I am a fast reader like yourself. Plus, they are stories. It's true that with more than one read you learn more, but were they philosophy books it'd be much more entertaining"

  "Your obsession with philosophy shall forever remain a mystery to me" I stated putting another book up the shelf.

  "Yeah, well, your obsession with geometry shall forever remain a mystery to me. How are lines, squares and cubes entertaining? Or those annoying theorems that you have to follow to get to the solution because 'that's just the rule'? " he replied putting back the last book on the shelf.

  "Well, how do you find entertaining reading all those intricate reasoning processes that only someone who probably didn't have anything better to do could come up with? I admit that it is interesting to see how human ways of reasoning have changed throught the centuries, and I get why they would do that in the Ancient Culture, but those in the past few centuries? There's science and sociological studies as well as anthropological ones!"

  "Do not say such blasphemy!" he said almost indignant, pointing his finger at me, but he knew that I kind of had a point "Philosophy is the perfect fusion of literature and logic!"

  "Geometry is the perfect fusion of logic and art!"

  "Art?"

  "Yes, art. You just need to be a little creative. How do you think I created the ice palace you liked so much?"

  "And I'm the one who's got a big ego?" he said raising an eyebrow.

  "I'm not calling my ice palace is a work of art, but- oh, stop acting like you don't know what I mean!" we both huffed and looked away frustrated. Clearly we were getting nowhere with this conversation. I looked at him and for a moment we shared a glance. Hans didn't ask me. He didn't mutter a single word, but he really wanted a good book right now, without sneaking it into his waistcoat, especially after this little discussion. Then I made up my mind, though I knew that after our ride alone and the latest events at the stables, Anna was not going to approve, but whatever. I motioned him to follow me, Hans obliged, but he still had a hint of a cute pout on his face. He followed me into the philosophy section. I remember he had once told me that back in the Isles he didn't get to read most of the philosophers of the Ancient Culture, mostly those from the East, though he didn't tell me why as we shifted to another topic. As we got to the end of the corridor, I scanned the shelf until I found what I was looking for, took it and when I turned around I took a step forwards and bumped into Hans's chest and he instinctively gripped on my arm to prevent me from falling, if I was to, but didn't.

  "Sorry, your Majesty. I should have kept my distance" he apologized immediately.

  "No, it's fine. I'm sorry. I keep bumping into you" I apologized. Awkward silence, then Hans noticed his hand was still on my arm and clearing our throats, we took a step away from each other and he let go of my arm.

  "Anyway… you might like this one, it contains: Charmides, Hippias Major, and Laches along with Plato's biography. Apart from the biography it is in its original language" I said giving him the thick book in my hands. He curiously took it and read the title, or at least he tried to.

  "Thank you, Queen Elsa, but I can't read this. The Ancient Languages are not something they teach in the Southern Isles. Those philosophers I read where translated" he confessed.

  "You'll be able to read this one" I said taking the book and opening it to a random page "That is, if you understand my handwriting. Anna says I've got the 'wedding invitation calligraphy', and that is tiny as well" and handed him the book back seeing him play a small smile on his face. Hans took it and looked at me with what seemed like an impressed look.

  "Wait- You translated this?" he said as the information sunk while he read my translation between the lines of the text.

  "Well, here in Arendelle we do have to learn the Ancient Languages, along with Runic, and it's not like I had anything better to do when I was stuck in my room" I replied "Plus, I did it partly because of my studies and partly because I like translating these sort of things"

  Then I turned around, scanned the shelves and took another book. This one contained a few of Cicero's philosophical works. "I really hope you can read that handwriting" I said. Hans opened the book and gave it a look.

  "If you say that this is a bad, then you clearly haven't seen my brothers' handwriting, most of them write horribly" he replied, stealing me a chuckle "Who translated this?" he asked.

  "Anna" I replied proudly. His face fell into disbelief.

  "With all due respect, my queen… you're joking right? It flows perfectly and it's philosophy!"

  "What can I say? My baby sister has her hidden talents too" I replied "In all honesty, she only did it for her studies which she didn't really enjoy. Not for the subject itself, but for the sitting still for hours; but she did say that 'she feels powerful' when she manages to translate correctly these texts, and she's really good at it, especially with writers from the West Ancient Culture like Cicero and Virgil she's much better than I am. Those authors that to me are hard, like Tacitus, Lucretius… Persius!... they're a piece of cake to her. I'm way better with the East authors, especially those like Plutarch, Plato, Aristoteles, who are the most hated ones to Anna"

  "Which is weird, knowing Princess Anna" Hans said naturally "The West grammar is all logic, more math-like, while the East one is more of an aesthetical grammar" and I couldn't agree more.

  "That's what I always say. It's weird, I know" I said.

  "Well… thank you very much, Queen Elsa" Hans said suddenly becoming a little shy "I… I don't know what to say, really".

  "Thank you is good enough" I replied with a small smile "Now, I'm sure you have other duties to attend to so I suggest you go put those books on that shelf of yours and head back to work"

  "Yes, Milady" he replied "Thank you again, and, by the way, you should call your ice palace 'a work of art'. It's unique" he said sincerely. I smiled.

  "Thank you, Hans" I said with a small bow of the head and with that he bowed and walked away towards one of the exits, unable to hide the excited grin he had plastered on his face. I have to say, Hans is the first man I ever saw getting so excited about books, especially with something about philosophy. Sometimes, when I was in the gardens with Storm, we would spend some time reading as well, but unlike with Hans and I, Storm had a problem: he couldn't sit still for longer than an hour. Already after half an hour, he started moving on his seat, he had the urge to stand up and walk and I couldn't help myself but notice how Skylynn had that same problem, though being queen, she managed to stay still a little longer. The only times when Storm and I managed to stay sitting down on a bench in the gardens for more than an hour was when he borrowed a lute from the music room to play it for me. He was really good at it and I truly enjoyed it. Sometimes, if I mustered up enough courage, if I knew the tune I would quietly hum along a few words or a few notes that went along with the music.

  Anyway, I was about to make my way out of the library, but I heard some footsteps jog up to me, before hearing Hans's voice once more. I turned around and there was Hans with his books in a hand and another one in the other, handing it to me.

  "If I recall correctly you said you weren't that much into historical plays, even the Shakespearian ones" he started "But, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one, my Queen"

 
"Coriolanus" I read, taking the book "It's true, I haven't read this one"

  "Trust me, you'll love it and I'm sure your favorite character will be Volumnia" he added.

  "Thank you for the suggestion" I said "I'll read it when I have time" I replied. Hans smiled genuinely at my response and was about to say something else when we heard a throat clearing. We both turned around and saw Anna with her arms crossed glaring at Hans.

  "Anna" I greeted smiling "Are you looking for Kristoff?"

  "No, I wanted to speak with you for a moment" she said. Silence, but her glare was clear.

  "Hans-"

  "Thank you again, my queen, I'll go back to my duties, now" he said at the same moment as I was about to speak.

  "Yes, you do that" I said.

  "Queen Elsa, Princess Anna" he bowed and left. As soon as the door closed, Anna threw her hands in the air in astonishment.

  "What was all that about?" she demanded, her voice going half an octave higher.

  "What?" I asked

  "Elsa, don't play dumb. This book thing with you and Hans!" she said with her brows slightly furrowed.

  "Uhm... I lent him a couple of books, I don't see a problem in that" I replied calmly. I knew this was going to happen. I lent him a book, so?

  "And that one you're holding? Coriolanus. It's historical. You're not into historical genre, even if it is Shakespeare" Anna said.

  "Hans suggested it" I replied "He said it is a good read"

  "Since when do you listen to Hans's suggestions?!" Anna said like I had just thrown an insult at her.

  "Anna, is there something you want to tell me?" I patiently cut short. Anna let out an exasperated huff.

  "Elsa, be careful around him" she said with worry in her voice "I mean it. Especially be careful to what he says, believe me, I know he can be very persuasive, not to mention charming"