him back from the window. “I am not sure the kingdom will be happy to know they have a queen who can make ice.”
“Anna always liked it,” Olaf offered.
That was what he’d do sometimes. He’d drop Anna’s name into the conversation as if they should both know who he was talking about. But the minute she tried to pull at the loose thread, the conversation unraveled.
“When did I make snow for Anna, again?”
Olaf clapped his hands excitedly. “Ooh…well…” He frowned. “I don’t remember.”
Elsa smiled sadly. “It’s all right. One day you will.”
Olaf nodded. “Let’s see you practice for your coronation again.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to do that right now.” Elsa hesitated. “Gerda is waiting.”
“You can do it this time!” Olaf cheered her on. “I know you can.”
“All right.” Elsa walked to her desk and looked down at the small porcelain jar and candlestick. She had been using them as stand-ins for the orb and scepter she would have to hold, like her father did during his coronation. As she had many times before, Elsa closed her eyes and tried to imagine herself inside the chapel where the ceremony would take place. She thought of the choir that would be singing in the balcony, and she could see the pulpit she would be standing at in front of the priest and all her people, as well as nobles and visiting dignitaries. With no family, she’d be up there alone. Elsa tried not to think about that as she imagined the priest placing the jeweled tiara on her head. Then he’d hold out the pillow with the orb and scepter for her to take. She couldn’t wear her teal gloves during that portion of the ceremony, so she removed them now for practice. She wore gloves all the time these days. Perhaps it was silly, but she thought the gloves helped her conceal her magic. This was her battle cry: Conceal it. Don’t feel it. Don’t let it show.
“You’re almost there,” Olaf said encouragingly.
This was the hardest part. Elsa reached down with trembling fingers and lifted the porcelain jar in one hand and the candlestick in the other. She repeated the prayer she knew the priest would say while she held the objects. “Sem hón heldr inum helgum eignum ok krýnd í þessum helga stað ek té fram fyrir yðr…Queen Elsa of Arendelle.”
Then she would need to turn around with the orb and scepter in her hands as the people chanted, “Queen Elsa of Arendelle!”
“Queen Elsa of Arendelle!” Olaf shouted.
Elsa held her breath. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this, she told herself. Her hands trembled despite her attempts to keep them steady. Olaf watched her anxiously. I can do this.
The bottom of the porcelain jar began to crackle with ice. The candlestick froze in her fingers. She quickly put them down and pulled on her gloves.
“You almost had it.” Olaf smiled toothily. “We’ll try again later.”
She couldn’t tell Olaf it was hopeless. How would she get through the ceremony without giving herself away?
But Olaf had already moved on. “Look at your beautiful flowers!” Olaf said. “Don’t they smell great?” He took a whiff and sneezed all over them. “I wonder who they’re from?”
Elsa picked up the card that was tucked inside the bouquet of purple heather. “I have a pretty good idea.” She read the note.
I enjoyed spending time with you yesterday. Could I entice you with another walk around the garden this afternoon? I think it will help put your mind at ease about your big day.
Elsa smiled to herself.
“The prince really does like you!” Olaf observed, looking over her shoulder. “I think.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed.
“He’s asked you for a walk every day since he arrived!” Olaf reminded her. “And he’s sent you chocolates, flowers, and all those books.”
“That’s true.” The prince was always talking to her about the books he read—he loved to read as much as she did—and whenever he finished another one, he had it delivered to her room with a single flower pressed inside the pages.
The prince had accompanied the Duke of Weselton on a trip to Arendelle a few months earlier, and she’d been surprised at how well she and he had hit it off. Unlike the nosy duke, the prince was polite and seemed to know she needed time to warm up to people. He asked thoughtful questions about her studies and training and liked to discuss history and architecture. They’d spent hours talking about her family’s rule in