“Elsa is so busy with her studies that we haven’t asked her to join us on many public outings yet,” Mama told him, and looked at Mr. Ludenburg. “But of course, we couldn’t have her miss the unveiling of our family sculpture. That is what this whole evening is all about: family.”
Elsa covered her mouth to hide her smirk. Her mother had a knack for keeping conversations focused.
This was Elsa’s first time meeting the Duke of Weselton. Already she could tell she preferred the Duke of Blakeston, who had kind eyes and always came to the castle with pocketfuls of chocolate, which he snuck to the princess during particularly boring dinner discussions.
Correction: important negotiations. As her mother kept reminding her, she needed to be ready for the throne when her time came. These days she divided her time between lessons on handwriting, science, and statecraft with her governess, and Papa’s meetings. She was also now old enough to attend the banquets held at the castle, of which there were many. Gone were the days when she was trotted out to say hello to guests, then sent to another room to have supper. Life was less lonely, but she still longed for someone her own age to confide in. The days of hosting playmates were long over.
“Agreed, agreed! But she is too much of an asset to be locked away.” The Duke pounded the table as if to make a point. He moved so much when he talked his toupee kept flipping up on the back of his head.
“Fine point, Your Grace,” said Lord Peterssen, joining the conversation. “She’s a young lady now and ready to take part in the kingdom’s conversations.”
Elsa smiled at him. Papa and Lord Peterssen were so close he wasn’t just an advisor; he was family. Elsa had always thought of him like an uncle. And like an uncle, he had warned Elsa before the dinner about the Duke’s tendency to pry.
“Exactly!” the Duke agreed. “Princess Elsa, I’m sure your studies taught you a lot about fjords and how instrumental they can be.” Elsa nodded. “Well, in Weselton, it was my grandfather who discovered the first fjord. It is because of him that we…”
The Duke droned on and on till Lord Peterssen cleared his throat. “Fascinating, Your Grace! Perhaps we can finish this conversation later? I believe dessert is being served.” He turned away before the Duke could interrupt him. “Mr. Ludenburg, I hope you are still hungry!”
As if on cue, the staff appeared at the doors with platters of fruit and sweets, which they placed on the table.
“We have all these treats and more in Weselton,” the Duke piped up as he helped himself to a piece of cake and two cookies.
Elsa knew it was wrong of her to think it, but “Weselton” sounded a lot like “Weaseltown,” and the Duke did have a weasel-like way about him. She glanced at Papa. Had he ever noticed this connection between the Duke and his country’s name? His thoughts were always veiled. At the moment, he was having a side conversation with Mr. Ludenburg’s wife. Lord Peterssen was speaking with the sculptor himself about his next project, which left the Duke, Mama, and Elsa unengaged.
“Your Majesty, you have a lovely daughter,” the Duke said, making Elsa immediately feel guilty about her thoughts. “She will make a fine queen.”
“Thank you,” Mama said. “She truly will.”
“My parents have taught me well,” Elsa added, smiling at Mama. “When my day comes, I know I’ll be ready to lead Arendelle.”
The Duke looked at her with interest. “Yes! Yes! I’m sure. It’s just a shame you’re the only heir. Why, in the Southern Isles, the king has thirteen sons in line for the throne.”
Elsa clutched her goblet on the table to keep from saying something she would regret. Strangely, the goblet was ice cold. “Sir, I hardly think that’s—”
Mama cut her off. “What Elsa is trying to say is, that is a lot of heirs.” Mama was seemingly unperturbed, having been asked about this before. “My fate was to have only one child, but the world is full of surprises.” She looked at Elsa, her eyes shiny. “I know that she will be fine in the future.”
“Our kingdom only needs one strong leader,” Elsa added, her voice firm. “They already have that in me.”
The Duke frowned. “Yes, but if anything were to prevent you from taking the throne—”
“We are fully prepared to lead Arendelle into the future, Duke, I assure you,” Mama said with a smile.
The Duke scratched his head, his toupee shifting slightly. He looked from the queen to Elsa over his spectacles. “She will be of age in a few years. Are there any potential suitors on the horizon? A match between our two nations or with another trade partner could be prosperous indeed.”
Elsa stared at the napkin in her lap. She felt her cheeks burning.
“Elsa has plenty of time to find a suitor,” Mama said. “For now, we just want our daughter to focus her attention on her duties to this kingdom.”
That statecraft test her governess was giving her in the morning was a lot more pressing than finding a suitor. “Thank you for thinking of me, Your Grace,” Elsa added. “When I do find a suitor, I’m sure you’ll be one of the first to know.” She was being wry, but the Duke seemed pleased with her response. Mama gave her a reproachful look, but Elsa couldn’t help herself.
When the Duke finally retired and Mr. Ludenburg and his family had said their goodbyes, the king, the queen, and Elsa headed to their private chambers.
“You handled yourself well,” Mama told her. “You were excellent at conversation and you impressed the Duke with your knowledge of trade negotiations.”
“He looked surprised I knew as much as I did,” Elsa said. Her shoulders felt tense, as if she’d 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.