Author's Note: hi everyone! I'm blown away by all the attention this has received in such a short amount of time. Thank you all for your support! Just a heads up, there's a verrrrrry long reply to the fantastic The Chronicle at the end of this chapter (we're talking around 1,000 words). You're welcome to skip it, of course, but if you want to see me get nerdy about Pride and Prejudice and talk about how I am making it work with Frozen, or just want to see some in depth character analysis of the past few chapters, you're in for a treat!

'Well, you've really gone and done it this time.'

Anna groaned into her pillow. 'I do not need this right now, especially coming from you!'

'I'm not saying "I told you so", but I'm not not saying it.'

'...Joaaaaaaaaan.'

'My dear sister, only you could agree to sleep with a man you'd only just met. If I didn't know you better, Anna, I'd think you had loose morals. No doubt that's what the rest of the town will think when this news spreads like fire.'

'I loved him,' Anna whispered. 'And then he just left me…'

Joan softened.

'He is a very wicked man,' she said, rubbing Anna's shoulder. 'Many people will talk about how you are now no longer a virgin, yet still unmarried, but he did us good when he fled. A lifetime stuck with him is no life at all.'

'I don't think it would have been a lifetime,' Anna said miserably. 'Even if Kai had forced him to marry me, he'd leave the second he thought he could tempt a richer woman.'

'All the better that he did run like a coward, then. Oh, cheer up a little, Anna. It's not all bad. You're finally free of the respectable society you hated so much!'

'I wanted to shun respectable society, not have it shun me.' Anna sat up, and looked at Joan. 'How can you be so flippant about this? What man will want me now! My life is over before it ever really began!'

'The right man will want you. I personally have an inkling about Mr. Bjorgman.'

Anna snorted, despite herself. 'Mr. Bjorgman and I would make quite a pair, I agree. Husband and wife both pining over other people!'

'You will have forgotten about Mr. Bösewicht-Kerl three months from now,' Joan told her. 'There are plenty more fish in the sea.'

Joan glanced up at the sound of hooves. 'Speaking of which… is that a handsome man pulling up outside right now?'

'No. No it is not,' Anna said, as they watched a man who looked to be around two-and-sixty step out of the carriage. From his big round glasses to his comical moustache to his protruding ears, he was many things, but handsome was not one of them.

Joan was silent.

'Who is he?' Anna asked.

'I regret to inform you, Miss Smith, that he is your second cousin, the clergyman Mr. Weaselton,' Kai murmured beside her. Anna never seemed to hear Kai approach.

'What's he doing here?'

'He wishes to discuss your inheritance. His letter arrived yesterday, whilst you were…'

Anna had run back and told Kai everything that had happened between her and Hans, and Kai had responded perfectly. No words, just a big, warm, respectable-society-be-damned hug, and he held her until the tears stopped, because no one else could.

'...Whilst I was out,' Anna finished, heat rising to her cheeks. 'Did he not ask if he could visit first?'

'Yes. But it appears he simply could not wait.' Kai sighed. 'I'm sure he's a charming gentleman...' They watched Anna's cousin wave his walking stick at a servant for offering to lift his belongings out of the carriage. 'Or perhaps not.'

'Hello, Mr. Weaselton,' Anna said, in her politest manner.

The man paused, coat half off his body, and raised an eyebrow at her. His features contorted into something that could be described as a smile, if the individual giving the description was an optimist with poor eyesight.

'...Sir?'

Mr. Weaselton twitched.

'It's Weselton,' he snapped. 'Why can no one say my name correctly!'

He tore off his coat and threw it at the maid, who yelped and ran to hang it up.

Behind her cousin, Kai's shoulders were shaking, and Anna just knew it was with laughter.

Thanks a lot, Kai.

'Mr. Weselton,' Anna said, even throwing in a curtsy for good measure, 'my deepest apologies. It is so good to finally meet you!'

Mr. Weselton was mollified. He gave Anna a small bow. 'A shame that it has not occurred due to better circumstances, my dear. Had your parents invited me, I could have seen your beautiful face many times before.'

Ew.

So now that Mother and Father are gone, you believe you can just waltz in here without permission?

Conceal the resentment, conceal the resentment…

'Shall we sit down?' Anna asked through gritted teeth. 'Kai can make us some tea.'

It became apparent that the inheritance talk was going to come later. What Mr. Weselton seemingly wanted to discuss was how much Anna really needed to tie the knot.

Well, I thought I was happily engaged yesterday…

He got right to the point, in a long-winded, rambling way. There was no exchange of niceties, and Anna had barely got a word in before he'd launched into a long speech about his parish and how marriage brought one closer to God, because in matrimony there were actually three, not two…

Anna had read a couple of stories in which two women and a man (or two men and a woman, but that was rarer) all loved and slept together as three, but it didn't seem appropriate to bring that up, so she just nodded in the right places.

'You are fond of Church weddings, I take it?' he asked.

'I'm not really religious anymore,' Anna admitted.

Mr. Weselton nearly dropped the teacup in his lap. 'Whatever for? Such blasphemy!'

She looked him straight in the eye. 'My parents are dead, Mr. Weselton.'

Mr. Weselton nodded, stroking his mustache. 'Yes, I see. It is very common- I dare say normal- for faith to waver after such loss. I see it all the time in my parish. But God will find you again, Miss Smith, do not be afraid.'

Anna was silent.

Not that that phased her cousin, for he just continued to list the many benefits of marriage...

Anna felt her eyes droop.

How much time had passed before Kai came over and collected her empty teacup, Anna did not know. She only knew that there was a strong chance she had died yesterday, and was now in purgatory.

Kai gave Anna a Look. It said:

I have hidden the parasol where you will never find it, because though I completely understand your urge to bash his brains out and just take your rightful inheritance without the fanfare, you will lose all your money in prison, and it will not be worth it.

Additionally, following your incarceration, Mr. Weaselton may very well move into Arendelle, and it wouldn't surprise me if he came across your book collection and either set them aflame, or himself became aflame. Yes, I know you read those. I would tell you not to be embarrassed about it, but they are an abomination. Afterwards, once we pretend this eye conversation never happened, you may find a few more… well written ones under the crack in the floorboards. It's not the content I disapprove of, but the execution. Write well, or don't write at all!

How do I know about them? You left the floorboard ajar one evening and the maid nearly twisted an ankle, so don't blame her. Also, the Cook also knows. We all find this hilarious.

'Stop staring at Miss Smith like a gormless idiot!' Mr. Weaselton- sorry, Weselton- roared. 'I could have you fired for such incompetence!'

'Don't talk to Kai like that! He's my friend!'

Mr Weselton stared at her.

Kai slunk off, smiling.

Mr Weselton kept staring.

Why does everyone keep looking at me like I'm an idiot?

'You cannot possibly go through life believing everyone is your friend,' Mr, Weselton declared. 'That is a foolish, naive position. There will always be ungodly men and women acting for evil, and to be ignorant of this is to invite pain and hurt.' He paused. 'I suppose this lesson has come too late to be of use. No sooner had I set foot in this town than I heard the most dreadful stories about you.'

Kai is my friend, Anna thought bitterly, but she couldn't deny the wisdom in her cousin's words.

'What if someone appears to offer the hand of friendship?' Anna asked, 'what if they deceive you? How can one see through such a disguise?'

Mr. Weselton did not reply straight away.

Then he said carefully, 'The snakes are forever offering many delicious apples, Miss Smith. Whether it be what you desire, or what you do not even know you want, they will offer it to lure you in.' He fixed his beady eyes on her. 'Someone who is pure of heart will not offer such things, because friendship and love are not business transactions.'

'But if my friend was sad, or- or even a lady I did not know whom I saw in town- I would offer comfort and support. Does that make me a snake?'

'No, because you expect nothing in return, beyond a word of thanks, and perhaps that they do the same to you if you find yourself in the same situation. For better or for worse, you are selfless.

'Many snakes will play the long game, Miss Smith, only revealing their true selves and hidden goals when they have coiled themselves tight around your body, or because they realise you are not the prey they desire, and have no reason to keep up the act. That is why first impressions are so dangerous. You often can only tell a good soul from a snake after you really get to know the person.'

Anna thought of Hans, and sighed.

'Let us move on to cheerier topics,' Mr. Weselton said, putting down his cup of tea. 'Largely, my proposal.'

He said it so casually that Anna didn't react at first.

By the time she did, Mr. Weselton was in full-on speech mode again, and she feared it was too late to stop him.

'...I decided in that split second of waiting for your servant to open the door, that I must do this out of respect for your parents. You are a fallen woman, Miss Smith, but I offer you a life-line: in return for your hand in marriage, I will give you your full inheritance the day we become one in the eyes of the Lord.'

Anna was frozen.

'How do I know you're not a snake?'

He laughed. 'I'm family, of course. Now, do you accept the terms of the agreement?'

'You just said that love wasn't a business transaction!' she cried.

'Foolish girl,' Mr. Weselton spat, 'Only the fortunate can afford to marry for love! Your luck ran dry when you gave yourself up to a man you had not even know a week, let alone married. You cannot afford to decline my offer!'

'I cannot marry you!' Anna said. 'I will be miserable if I do not marry for love.'

Her cousin sat up straighter. 'Listen very carefully. Your parents would have been shocked and appalled at your conduct, and would no doubt have thrown you out onto the street-'

'They would have done no such thing,' Anna hissed, but her chest was tight with shame and guilt.

'I am giving you the opportunity to save the family name from disgrace. Manners aside, I find you an enticing young woman, and I feel that once you become more mature, you will be a pleasure to be with. Surely you can see that this is your best option?'

Anna stared at him, trembling.

A life with Mr. Weselton?

She would rather starve.

'I must reject your proposal, kind Sir,' she said stiffly. 'I hope you are not too offended by this.'

His eyes flashed.

'Perhaps I have not made myself clear. Either you marry me, and get your inheritance, or you get nothing at all!'

'I will return in six months,' he said, after Anna made no reply. 'Women often say "no" when they mean "yes".'

The door slammed shut.

Anna buried her head in her hands.

She felt a hand on her shoulder.

'Your parents had nothing but unconditional love for you, Anna,' Kai said. 'Do not listen to that weasel.'

Anna sniffed.

'I made some enquiries whilst you were sleeping this morning. Take this. We can discuss it at lunch, if you wish, or at dinner, if you feel you need more time.'

Anna lifted her head up, and stared at the leaflet.

'Smiling Oaken's Finest Hotel And Gardens,' she read.

'All of this will blow over in 6 months or so. I think it might do you good to get away from this place.'

6 months… a chance to clear her head, and decide how she was going to survive without her full inheritance.

'Okay.'

'You could make a friend,' Kai said, so earnest it made Anna's heart ache. 'When was the last time you had a friend?'

'You're my friend, Kai,' she said weakly.

'You need a friend your own age… it would bring the smile back to your face, I am sure. Oaken's is a very small hotel, so there will be two other guests there at most. Who knows who you might meet?'

Author's Note: Hi, The Chronicle! I hope this is going to clear a few things up for you. I'll work through your concerns in a kind of linear order- some elements make more sense if I address them later on.

Firstly, in this fic Anna and Elsa are not sisters. That's not down to any disgust or prejudice on my part, as I have enjoyed many stories where the two are related, but it's how this story came to me. Were they sisters, the series of events would be completely different to how I have planned.

I wouldn't class this fic as an 'adaption' as such, or a 'retelling'. To Austen purists, I suppose what I am doing is best described as 'butchering' Pride and Prejudice. I'll go into more depth about which Austen character inspired which Frozen character throughout this reply, but I just want to make it clear that this is not going to follow the classic narrative in any full, linear sense. There will be elements you may recognise, like Anna's parents discussing Hans in the first chapter as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet do with Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Weselton proposing to Anna as Mr. Collins does to Lizzy, but that is as far as it will go. Hopefully this makes you more curious and excited then disappointed!

Secondly, my choice of Pride and Prejudice over other of Jane Austen's works comes largely down to confidence. I have not read Sense and Sensibility, so I cannot say much about your comment, only that it sounds like a very interesting novel. I have read Emma, however, and I absolutely adored it. So much so that I would be loathe to change any aspect of it, and I fear that that would result in a very poor imitation. I am nowhere near the skill level of Jane Austen, so twisting Pride and Prejudice hopefully gives me a chance to shine in my own way. I studied Pride and Prejudice in English Literature, and so am quite confident that I know the characters and plot enough to twist the rules of its universe. If this fic really takes off, who knows, I might attempt to do the same for another Austen novel, but let's see.

As for the pacing, I am partly torn as well. I will, however, say two things: the pacing slows down a looooot in the next few chapters, so much so that you might be complaining about it being too slow ;) additionally, Hans Being A Dick™ is the inciting incident that causes us to learn more about Kristoff, and meet Elsa. I could have kind of info-dumped it in, but I reckon it's worth the wait. We're working from Anna's limited perspective, and as such are at her mercy as to when we learn new information, and how in-depth that information is.

Now, the extremely fast pace of these chapters is the result of my (internal) conflict between Frozen and Pride and Prejudice, or Hans VS Wickham.

In Frozen, Hans mirrors Anna's impulsive, almost reckless behavior, in order to entice her. He proposes after they've only spoken for an evening. I believe that Hans, as his true self, plans things with great care. He isn't always so hasty and careless.

You mention that Hans in this fic is already being villainous and 'having his way with Anna and abandoning her.' I did this for two reasons. The abandonment is largely down to the elements of Wickham in his character- Wickham lost interest in Lizzy when he realised her small fortune. Hans has no reason to play Mr. Nice Guy anymore- he has to find some other richer woman to pay his debts for him. As Mr. Weselton wisely says, (how can a man be both so wise and so stupid?) a snake will only drop the act when the time comes to either make the kill, or abandon the prey.

Secondly, the premarital sex may seem a bit shocking and unrealistic, but at the end of P&P Wickham elopes with Lydia and they sleep together. He must be forced to marry her. Hans has scarpered before he can be made to do the same, and a good thing too. How miserable Anna would have been!

Now's a good time to discuss who Anna 'is', as such. I see a few parallels between her and Lizzy, namely that they are both kind and passionate. At this stage, however, I very much agree with you about Lydia. Now, no one really wants to be Lydia (sorry Lydia), so what you will slowly start to see (I hope) is Anna's progression from Lydia to Lizzy, as she grows and matures. Anna will not be Lizzy, though. You may see veins of Lizzy in her, like marble through a rock, but she is very much Anna at heart. I hope that isn't too confusing.

My final comment on Hans is that, whilst we as readers know that Hans is a really terrible guy, unless Anna spreads the word far and wide other characters are at his deceptive mercy. What does that mean? Well, let's just say that abandoning Anna was not his only act of villainy...

All I will say about the Joan thing is that it made me laugh, in a 'mwah-ha-ha my plan is working perfectly!' evil writer way. The questions you asked and the feelings you've shown are exactly the ones I wanted to provoke. By the way, you have a brilliant eye for detail, so trust your gut on Joan. All will be made clear.

Just as Hans has stolen some elements from Mr. Bingley (okay, just Netherfield), so has Kristoff. The woman at the ball was indeed Kristoff's sister, and she is an allusion to Caroline Bingley. We both know what that means (i.e. big trouble). No wonder Anna doesn't like her...

Elsa… Elsa is gonna annoy you for quite a while I think. Where Hans vomits up his life story if merely you look him in the eye, she is gonna take time, but that's all part of the fun. I like to think she's going to be woven in nicely, despite being one of the few characters not inspired by an Austen character.

I hope that didn't come across as defensive, I was going for explanatory! Please feel free to ask any further questions you have, The Chronicle. Maybe we can even get a discussion going, though I feel your knowledge of Austen definitely trumps mine. Finally, your review really brightened my day, so thank you so much for being so in-depth!