Nathan kept his pace slow through the hallway and glanced over his shoulders to see the guards. As he moved around the corner, Nathan stopped short and asked them if they had seen the man ahead of him. Tensing, the guards moved to stand before him. One stayed close to him, while the other walked out ahead to check the hall. With them distracted, Nathan slowly backed up and pulled a candleholder on the wall. A section of the wall silently popped open, and he slipped inside, shutting the door with a soft pop in return. Just as it closed, the guard outside it, called out in surprise. "Highness? Your majesty?!" Smirking a little, Nathan followed the stone passageway to a room that sat across from the castle library. Creeping out and into the library, Nathan took the spiral staircase up to the third floor and quickly made his way into the attic door. The attic was dusty and was stacked with books and scrolls that hadn't been sorted or weeded out yet. Walking to the small circular window, he pushed on it to open it enough to let fresh air in. His hand leaving dusty prints on the little stain glass window. Coughing a bit, Nathan turned around to try and find some light. Only to jump as Hans suddenly appeared from the darkness to say playfully. "Boo!"

Nathan's back hit the wall and he felt the cold mist seep from under his gloves. Hiding his hands behind his back, Nathan panted out. "Son of a... Hans, don't do that." Hans flashed him a charming smile but winced as he said softly. "Sorry. I forgot how jumpy Kings are." Nathan straightened himself up, mumbling out. "We have good reason to be." Hans nodded, inching closer to Nathan as he purred out a bit teasingly. "Yes... You could be assassinated at any moment. What a shame that would be." Nathan kept his eyes over Han's shoulder, when he asked curiously. "You're a royal too. Aren't you afraid of that as well?" Hans huffed, his hand reaching out to touch Nathan's lower back with the back of his hand. Nathan moved forward to try and avoid his touch, but he only managed to do what Hans wanted. Moving in to stand behind him, Hans whispered over his shoulder. "As thirteenth in line for my family's throne... I'm hardly worth the trouble. They'd have to get through all my brothers before me. By then, I'd know that I was being hunted." Nathan cringed a little, trying to keep Hans from touching his cold skin. Quickly turning to face him, Nathan asked a bit shaky now. "We should make this quick. My guards will start sounding alarms if I'm gone for too long."

Hans nodded, his hand reaching up toward Nathan's chin. Nathan's heart raced in his chest. He wanted to be touched... but feared it. Backing up out of Hans's reach, Nathan bowed his head and mumbled out. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I'm sorry..." Nathan turned to rush toward the door, but just as he grabbed the handle, Hans's hands went over his shoulders to hold the door shut. Nathan swallowed nervously, while Hans whispered so beautifully into his ear. "It's ok. I was scared too. But you don't have to be... Don't you want to know? This could be your one chance to stop hiding... Don't you want that?" Nathan's grip on the door handle loosened. There was already so much that he was hiding about himself. Did he want to risk hiding this too? Slowly turning, Nathan put his back to the door and shyly mumbled out with unease. "You said the fastest way to know is a kiss...?" Hans nodded, bringing his lips closer as he told him. "Yes." Nathan exhaled heavily, locking his jaw before he leaned closer. Hans backed up before their lips met, his finger tapping Nathan's bottom lip when he told him. "Relax. It's just a kiss." Sliding his hand down the sleeve of Nathan's arm, he took his gloved wrist and pulled him away from the door a bit. Then brushing his knuckles under Nathan's cold jaw, he brought his lips to his in a light kiss.

Nathan closed his eyes, his heart leaping in his chest. He'd never kissed anyone like this, and his heart was aching for more. Placing his gloved hands on Hans's neck, he gently coaxed him into staying in the kiss. To deepen it. To help him feel more. He wanted all that he could give him. He was desperate for it. Nothing had ever made him feel so warm and wanted. Hans wrapped his arms around Nathan, deepening the kiss like he wanted. When he had Nathan's defenses down, one of his hands left Nathan's back to remove a thin blade from a hidden holster across his belt at his lower back. He just needed one good hit to bring him down and then he'd cut out his eyes. Carefully positioning the blade behind Nathan, Hans opened his eyes and calculated where to stab him. He'd only get one shot at this. He had to paralyze him with a single blow to his spine. Just as he was about to stab him, Hans felt his lungs seize up. Starting to shiver violently, Hans broke the kiss and started to cough loudly. With every cough came puffs of icy breath. Nathan jerked back from him, gasping out completely terrified. "Oh no... What have I done? Hans, I'm so sorry!"

Hans stuffed the blade up his sleeve before Nathan saw it, coughing a bit harder. Collapsing to his knees, Hans bent over and hugged himself as his body began to shiver. Hans raised a hand to try and calm Nathan, but Nathan was getting frantic. Shaking his head, Nathan blurted out. "I'm sorry... I'll... I'll go get help!" Yanking the door open, Nathan ran out of the room. Leaving Hans to cough out to himself. "Fuck..." Quickly removing a small bottle from his pocket, he snapped his fingers to heat it and rushed to drink it down. He could feel his lungs freezing until the warm potion entered his system to counter the frostbite. Falling to all fours to cough much lighter now, he groaned and grumbled out to himself. "Damn it..." With no time to waste, Hans staggered to his feet and ran from the room to chase down Nathan. He couldn't have him breaking up the party just yet. He needed more time. He had to stop him from alerting the guards. Nathan ran through the halls, calling for help. Reaching the guards that stood outside the ballroom, Nathan began to pant heavily. Seeing his distress, the guards moved closer and asked him. "Highness? Are you alright? What's wrong?" Nathan gasped in air and pointed, as he told them in a broken voice. "There is a man... he is choking in the-" Before Nathan could finish, Hans stepped around the corner and bowed to them.

Nathan straightened up in shock, while Hans calmly chuckled out. "Forgive me, Highness. I did not mean to scare you. Just too much to drink." Nathan's jaw dropped, while the guards relaxed. As other guards took notice of Nathan, the guards closest to him calmed them by informing them. "It's alright. We've found him. He was near the study." A few guards shared confused looks but were just happy to see him safe. One guard opened the ballroom doors, informing the others. "Thank goodness. I'll inform the King's Regent at once." Nathan stared blankly at Hans. How was he alive? He could have sworn that he was freezing to death a minute ago. Hans winked at him, then casually walked into the ballroom as Nathan was escorted back in. Escorted back to the throne, all the nobles and royals fell into silence to stare at him. Rubbing his thumb over his gloved palm anxiously, he tried to keep his eyes down as he made his way to the throne chair. His emotions were a whirlwind of confusion and worry. He couldn't even kiss anyone. Would Hans have died if he had kept going? His gloves protected his hands... but what if his power had grown enough that just touching his skin was a risk now?

Squeezing his hands tightly, he felt like running. His hands were shaking, and he felt like he was suffocating in this crowded room with so many eyes upon him. Just before he reached the throne, the Duke of Weselton walked into his path and bowed. Nathan reluctantly stopped as the Duke said aloud. "You seem unwell, Majesty. Perhaps all this excitement is taxing your strength?" Nathan puffed himself up to stand up straighter when he replied matter-of-factly. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." Nathan started to move around him, but the Duke casually sidestepped into his way, lightly commenting neutrally. "My pleasure, Highness. Anyway, I was hoping to catch a word with you." Nathan waved his King's Regent over, informing the Duke coolly. "Certainly. Make an appointment with my Regent and I'll try to work you into my schedule." The Duke ignored the Regent, and instantly began telling him in just as cool of a tone. "I shall. I will say that it is great to have the gates open again. As your closet partner in trade, I was a bit concerned that our business with each other would be strained. Thankful it is not." Nathan nodded, telling him as politely as he could. "Yes. Whether the gates are closed or not. I can assure you that Arendelle will run as it always has."

The Regent reached out to beckon the Duke away, but the Duke quickly followed Nathan, while stating curiously. "Speaking of business, Sire. I hear you have a monster among your sheep." Nathan stopped dead in his tracks, looking over his shoulder slowly as he asked defensively. "What...?" The Duke cleared his throat, moving back into Nathan's clear view and those of the guests, before saying clearly with a shrug. "I overheard it from some of the peasant folk this morning. Something about a Troll King that is wondering around your woods. Your people are quite scared of him. They say he rides astride a reindeer and attacked two of your Ice Harvesters. Yet... you've sent no one to collect him for the incident?" Nathan lifted his chin proudly, saying for all to hear. "I see no reason too. My sources told me they were trying to take his reindeer from him. It was a simple misunderstanding. Don't allow yourself to be fooled by suspicious gossip." Some of the nobles chuckled, prompting the Duke to say a bit louder. "Your highness, forgive me. But weren't the Northuldra people known for riding reindeer?" Everyone fell into a dead silence, letting the Duke smugly regal to everyone. "Sorcerers, if I call. Fighting the Northuldra cost Arendelle many fine men over the years... including your grandfather. Leaving your father, the king of Arendelle at such a young age..."

Nathan stiffened, asking more sternly now. "What are you trying to say, Duke?" The Duke bowed a little to Nathan before shrugging out. "I'm merely saying that your highness's illness could be the result of something more sinister and foul. A curse perhaps? The result of a surviving Northuldran child seeking vengeance for his monstrous people." Nathan inhaled slowly as Nobles began to whisper amongst themselves. Then letting a small smile spread on his face, he told the Duke with a convincing chuckle. "While my people are grateful that you supplied us during the war with the Northuldra. I fear you should tread lightly on this matter. People might think you are warmongering to remain useful to Arendelle." The Duke scoffed loudly, retorting a bit befuddled and insulted. "Warmongering...? How dare...!" The Duke stopped himself as Nobles snickered to calm himself, then straightening himself up, he stated aloud with dignity and a hint of malice. "I'm afraid it is YOU that is mistaken, Majesty. In fact, I came here to question your very right to the throne!" The entire ballroom broke out in gasps and startled looks. Nathan didn't move as he blurted out. "What? Have you lost your mind?"

The Duke leaned closer briefly to sneer out. "Hardly." Turning to address the Nobles, the Duke boldly stated aloud. "Most of you are too young to remember. And with King Agnarr dead, I feel like I'm free to bring this to light now! Since my 'Warmongering' might lose me my position as a valued trade partner." Nathan locked his jaw, unsure where the Duke was going with this. The Duke casually walked around the ballroom, causing Nobles and Royals to back up along the walls to keep a wide berth from him. Promptly pacing around, the Duke regaled aloud sternly. "As you all should know. King Agnarr, may he rest in peace, took the throne at the age of twelve. Right when peace talks with the Northuldran fell to ruin. Yet, mysteriously... the war just... ended. No one has even seen a Northuldran since King Agnarr took the throne." Nathan rolled his eyes, growling out. "That is not-!" The Duke cut him off, snapping out as he continued. "I'm not finished, Highness! But you know the most troubling thing about this... My sister was set to marry the late King Agnarr. You all remember! However, King Agnarr choose to marry the late Queen Iduna."

Nathan raised a hand to summon his guards to the ballroom, while the Duke quickly announced. "To this day, Queen Iduna was a mysterious woman! She could never answer when asked where she came from! Her marriage to King Agnarr didn't align a new kingdom with Arendelle! If fact, his marriage to her was entirely... mysterious! I've heard troubling reports of them being married in the woods under a full moon! No one in Arendelle had EVER heard or seen of her, until the day King Agnarr took the throne!" Nathan couldn't stop his anger from boiling over as he yelled out. "STOP IT! I WANT YOU OUT!" The guards started to approach the Duke, causing the Duke's sons to rush in to protect their father. The Duke pointed at Nathan, yelling out over the guards and Nathan. "YOUR MOTHER WAS A SORCERESS! Your mother was a traitor! She bewitched your father and polluted the throne! You're not sick! You're the spawn of hell!" Nathan shook with anger, yelling out to the guards. "TO THE DUNGEONS WITH HIM! GET HIM OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Some of the guards began to drag the Duke's sons away and two others grabbed the Duke. They started to drag him toward the door, when the Duke managed to twist himself from them.

Running back, the Duke stood before Nathan and snarled out to him heatedly. "Mark my words, Monster! When Arendelle learns the truth about YOU! They shall side with ME!" Nathan straightened up to his full height, his eyes finally locking with the Duke's. Within his eyes, Nathan saw the Duke lying and cheating to get his way in life. The false claims against his every wife in order to marry into higher and higher titles. When he saw the Duke make an advance toward his mother and get slapped for it, he saw him lie to King Agnarr of her hidden desire for him. Only to have his father chase him off. Clenching his fists, Nathan growled out to him. "I strongly suggest you go to the dungeon where I can deal with you later... before I really lose it and have you beheaded for treason against the crown of Arendelle." The Duke glanced behind him as the guards approached, but quickly said aloud for all to hear. "Is this why you've hide yourself away? Why no one has ever laid eyes on a FREAK like you!" From behind Nathan, the King's Regent snapped out. "You are out of line, Duke! Hold your tongue before it is taken from you!"

The Duke tossed up his hands, yelling out defiantly. "Threaten me all you want! But the people deserve to know what kind of monster they have just crowned as their king! Before I'm through, all of Arendelle will know your secret! And when they find out how dangerous you really are... You won't have to hide any longer. Because they'll lock you up and throw away the key!" Nathan shook with rage as he yelled out. "ENOUGH!" Nathan raised a hand to beckon the guards forward to take him. The guards put their hands on the Duke's shoulders, starting to pull him back. The Duke's eyes went to Nathan's gloved hand, then quickly grabbed it. Nathan tried to yank his hand back, but the Duke managed to yank off his glove as he yelled aloud. "SHOW THEM! Show them the ugly skin of a sorcerer!" Nathan backed up from the Duke, shoving him into the guards with his gloved hand. As the Duke was dragged toward the door, the Duke cried out as he thrashed around. "MONSTER! SAVE YOURSELVES! LOCK HIM UP! HE'S THE SPAWN OF HELL!" The Duke's words rang through Nathan's mind and made him anxious. Did the Nobles believe him? Was he exposed? Would this cause the fear that his family had been so worried about?

He couldn't bare to look at anyone else in the room. He was feeling overwhelmed and couldn't breathe. He was losing control of his kingdom. What would they do to him if they found out? The ballroom seemed to be shrinking around him, when Hans uttered out from somewhere close. "That would explain a lot..." With that one phrase, Nathan's nerves shattered. Would Hans tell everyone about the kiss that almost killed him? How he'd kissed a man, just to add fuel to this fire? Shaking his head, Nathan raised his hands to cover his face, stating out in a shaky voice. "Close the gates. The party is over." When no one moved, Nathan threw his hands out and yelled out angrily. "I said... OUT!" From Nathan's exposed palm a burst of frost shot out and drew a line across one side of the ballroom. The nobles and royals burst in screams as the frost rapidly shot out into a low wall of sharp icicles. A few nobles yelped as they were impaled in the arms or protected others from get impaled by getting impaled in the shoulders for them. Nathan couldn't believe what he'd down. He'd never made icicles like this before. This was new and people had gotten hurt because of him.

A shuddered breath left Nathan in the silence that suddenly filled the ballroom. Until the Duke yanked himself free of the guards at the door and broke the silence to say in complete shock. "Sorcery... I knew it. I knew there was something dubious going on here." Raising a hand to point at Nathan, the Duke yelled out. "MONSTER!" Nathan's heart twisted in his chest as all eyes turned to look at him with fear in their eyes. To Be Continued...