Aquaria was painting a picture of Ruddiger when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Aqua called and Anna poked her head in.

"Are you hungry? Lunch is ready," Anna said and Aqua hummed.

"Alright! I'll be out in a minute. I'm almost done," she replied but Anna walked over to see what she was painting.

"Oh, that's Rud- what was, oh, Rutabaga, right?"

"No," Aquaria said with a little giggle, a smile crossing her lips. "His name is Ruddiger."

"Never thought anyone would be friends with a raccoon," Anna remarked with a little laugh.

"You're friends with a reindeer," Aqua pointed out with a grin.

"Touché," Anna said as Aqua finished her painting. "I wanna meet Ruddiger one day."

Aquaria giggled and nodded. "Alright! Now I'm ready for lunch!"

"Come on!" Anna ran with her to the dining hall.

🧪

Varian listened as Andrew explained the plan.

"So this wand will make the king and queen forget everything?" Varian questioned.

"Yes," Andrew answered before continuing, "that's when we can take advantage of them and they'll give out our orders."

"But why stop there? What if we make the whole kingdom forget? Then we'll be able to rule without anyone going against us," Varian said to which Andrew hummed in thought.

"The wand won't have enough power to erase the whole kingdom's memory."

"But that's why you have an alchemist on your side," Varian reminded making Andrew raise an eyebrow.

"You can make everyone in Corona forget everything?" Andrew questioned.

"Well, not yet. However, if I were able to get to my lab, I'm positive that I could create a compound that would erase the memories of all the citizens of Corona." Varian nodded.

"Even your little princess?"

"No. I want her to remember everything so she understands that it's her fault that her kingdom fell. I want her to watch," Varian sneered.

Deep down he really just didn't want her to forget all the time they had spent together. Even though he blamed her, he was still in love with her. He hated that she was always on his mind and that he felt empty without her.

Ruddiger chittered quietly in the corner before he darted out of the cell.

Varian gasped and ran to the cell door. "Ruddiger?!"

The little raccoon scampered out of the dungeon and the guards chased him.

"Stop that raccoon!" One guard shouted and they chased Ruddiger through the palace.

Arianna was walking through the halls of the palace with Frederic when she saw Ruddiger dashing passed her, followed by a group of guards.

"Gentlemen, stand down. I'll handle this," the queen said.

"But-"

"She said that she'll handle it," Frederic said sternly and the guards nodded, going back to their posts.

Arianna ran in the direction that Ruddiger ran off in. She found the little guy chittering and trying to get into Aquaria's room.

Frederic followed behind and Arianna frowned, opening the door for their daughter's little friend.

Ruddiger dashed inside and looked around for Aquaria before burying himself under her blankets.

Arianna sighed and sat on the bed. "Aquaria isn't here, darling."

"His name is Ruddiger, right?"

"Yes, love, it's Ruddiger," Arianna said to her husband as she uncovered the raccoon. "He must miss Aqua..."

"I miss her too..." Frederic said softly and Arianna hummed softly.

"I'm going to speak with Varian," she said and Frederic stiffened.

"Ari, are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I'm sure, Fred. I'll be fine," the queen said as she stood up. "Stay here with Ruddiger. I'll be back."

🧪

Varian paced in the cell as Andrew fell asleep.

Varian had noticed that Ruddiger seemed very unhappy and he wasn't fed that often. He was worried about what trouble his friend could've gotten into.

"Varian?"

He whipped around to see the queen.

"Your majesty," Varian said bitterly.

"I came here to talk about Ruddiger," Arianna replied gently and Varian walked over to the cell door.

"What about him? Is he hurt? Is he with Aquaria?" Varian asked quickly.

"No, he isn't hurt and he isn't with Aquaria. That is what I would like to ask. A cell is no place for a raccoon and he has noticeably become much skinnier from the last time I saw him. I was wondering if you would allow him to stay with Aquaria. I know you two aren't on speaking terms, but I only with to help Ruddiger," Arianna explained and Varian bit his lip gently.

"Fine... only because I want Ruddiger to be safe and happy... but how is Aquaria? Is she alright?" He was honestly curious as to why Aqua hadn't come down to see him again.

"She's fine. I can send her to talk to you when she comes home."

"No, I don't want to see her ever again. I just want to make sure she is okay. If she's gonna take care of Ruddiger, she has to be okay. Ruddiger is the only thing I have left and I need to know that he is safe, even if he is with a traitor. Aquaria is the only other person who knows how to take care of Ruddiger," Varian grumbled and the queen sighed softly.

"Well then, I will be on my way. I'm sure Ruddiger will be safe with Aquaria. Goodbye, Varian," Arianna said before she left the dungeon.

💧

Aquaria was walking through the streets of Arendelle aimlessly when she caught sight of a Coronan ship pulling up to the docks. She gasped and ran to the docks immediately.

Aqua sprinted to the ship and when she saw her mother and father, she practically jumped into their arms.

"Aquaria! Darling! We've missed you!" Frederic hugged his youngest close to him.

"Wait, who's running the kingdom?" Aqua asked with worry.

"Nigel and the Captain. They are capable of taking care of Corona for three days," Arianna said and Aqua frowned.

"So you aren't staying?" She knew that the journey from Corona to Arendelle was a day and a half and vice versa so they weren't staying long.

"Sadly we aren't. Three days is long enough. However, we did bring someone who has missed you," Frederic said and Aquaria was expecting Varian, but when Arianna opened the door to their royal quarters, she was met with the next best thing.

"Ruddiger!"

Aquaria fell to the ground and Ruddiger chittered happily as he scurried up onto her lap. Aqua started to cry happily as she picked him up and hugged him gently.

Ruddiger closed his eyes and purred as he nuzzled into her chest.

"Wait, does Varian know that Ruddiger is here?" Aquaria asked curiously.

"Well, he knows that he is with you. He said that you are the only other person who knows how to take care of him," Arianna said and Aquaria hummed as she stood up.

"How is Varian? D-does he miss me?" Aquaria asked but her heart clenched when her mother frowned.

"I'm afraid he doesn't, darling. I offered to send you to speak with him when you came home, but..."

"He never wants to see me again..." Aquaria finished for her mother as tears filled her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart," Frederic comforted as he hugged his little girl again.

"I just... it really hurts... I had everything..." Aqua cried softly into her father's chest.

Arianna joined the hug and rubbed Aquaria's back gently.

"We know, darling. He'll come around eventually," Arianna said gently.

Aquaria looked down at Ruddiger as the tears slipped down her cheeks.

❄

"I'm not sure what it is, but Aqua asked for a basket of red apples," Elsa said and Anna hummed in thought.

"I wanna know why she needs all these apples. I mean she couldn't possibly eat them all herself, right?" Anna pointed out as they approached Aquaria's room.

"I guess we'll find out," Elsa said with a smile as she knocked on Aqua's door.

Aquaria opened her door and smiled brightly.

"We got the apples!" Anna said before realizing that there was a raccoon on Aquaria's shoulders. "Wait! What?!"

"I believe you said that you wanted to meet Ruddiger," Aqua said and Anna tilted her head to the side.

"Your painting makes him look chubbier," Anna pointed out.

"That's why I needed the apples. He wasn't being fed properly," Aqua explained as she gently pet Ruddiger's soft fur.

"He is so adorable! Can I pet him?" Anna asked curiously.

"Of course," Aquaria said with a nod.

Anna reached her hand out and stroked Ruddiger's soft fur.

"He is so soft," Anna gushed and Ruddiger purred softly.

"He likes you," Aqua said with a bright smile. "Now, this little guy needs to be fed."

Elsa handed Aauaria the basket of apples and Ruddiger's eyes widened.

Aquaria laughed a little as she gave him one of the apples. She was so happy to have him with her, though she couldn't help but feel like Ruddiger shouldn't be there without Varian.