been carrying the weight of her kingdom on them all evening. She was starting to get a headache and she longed for the quiet of her room.
“I’m very proud of you,” Papa said, letting his guard down for the first time all evening. He smiled at Mama and placed his hand on her arm.
She loved watching her parents together. They still looked so in love. It was hard not to envy the connection they had with each other.
“You will make an excellent queen someday, Elsa,” he added.
“Thank you, Papa,” she replied, but didn’t think anything of it.
Becoming queen was a lifetime away.
“On Mondays, subjects are invited to meet with your mother and me to discuss any concerns they have for the kingdom. I think it’s best if we keep a standing appointment. You and Lord Peterssen can meet with them and listen to their concerns. Be compassionate and considerate and promise to pass any grievances on to us when we return. Now, on Tuesdays…Elsa? Are you listening?”
“Yes, Papa,” Elsa said, but in truth her mind was elsewhere.
They were sitting in the library, discussing his weekly schedule, but she was distracted. She’d spent a lot of time in that room over the years, and even as a little girl, she had felt her mind wander when she was around all those books. The dark room was lined with shelves filled with books from floor to ceiling. Her father was always reading and had several books open on the desk. That day he was looking at one that didn’t seem to be written in their language. It was filled with symbols and drawings of trolls. She longed to know what her father was studying, but didn’t ask.
What he wanted her to know right then was what to do in his and Mama’s absence. They were scheduled to go on a diplomatic voyage for at least two weeks in a few days’ time. Elsa couldn’t remember when they’d ever been away that long before. There was a part of her that was nervous. She knew she would keep busy between her own work and her father’s appointments, but she missed her parents already and they hadn’t even left yet.
Her father folded his hands in his lap and gave her a small smile. “What’s the matter, Elsa?”
Even when it was just the two of them, her father still seemed like a king. It wasn’t just that he always dressed the part, in his uniform with a multitude of medals, and with the Arendelle crest hanging from his neck. Whether he was speaking to a foreign dignitary or thanking one of the castle workers, his manner always seemed royal. He was powerful and in control even when he didn’t have to be—like during a game of chess with his only daughter. She still felt shy sometimes. Was that just who she was, or was it that she didn’t have many people her age to converse with? Speaking to the large crowd at Mr. Ludenburg’s event had made her nervous. Her father never looked uneasy. Did that kind of confidence come with time?
“Nothing,” Elsa lied. It wasn’t possible to put all she was thinking into a few words.
“Ah, but it is something.” He leaned back in his chair and studied her closely. “I know that look. You are thinking about something. Your mother says I get a far-off look in my eye when I’m doing the same thing. You, my child, are a lot like me.”
“Really?” Elsa brushed an invisible strand of hair out of her eyes.
She was proud to take after Papa. She adored her mother and loved spending time with her, but often she couldn’t tell what her mother was thinking. Sometimes Mama would lose her train of thought when she came into Elsa’s room, or start saying something and abruptly stop. There was a lingering sadness about her that Elsa could never put her finger on.
Take that day, for example. For years, Mama had always disappeared for one full day every other month. Elsa had no clue where she went, and neither Papa nor Mama ever explained. This time, Elsa couldn’t help herself. She was tired of the secrets, so she finally got the courage to ask Mama if she could join her on her outing. Mama looked surprised, then worried, then apologetic. “I wish I could take you, darling, but this is something I must do alone.” She had touched Elsa’s cheek, her eyes welling with tears, which only confused Elsa more.