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. “I wish you could come.” Yet she had gone alone.
With Papa, things were different. “I’m not thinking of anything important, Papa. Really.”
“Something is on your mind, Elsa,” he insisted. “What is it?”
She felt foolish saying she didn’t want them to go away, but that was part of it. With them gone, Arendelle was in her hands. Yes, the advisors and Lord Peterssen were there if anything important needed to be taken care of, but she was the face of the kingdom in their absence, and she could feel the weight of that pressing on her. Before long, they’d return and life would be as it had been before, but this trip seemed like a steadfast reminder that someday she would have to rule on her own. The thought was terrifying.
“Elsa?”
Two weeks alone in this large castle. Elsa wasn’t sure she could bear it. “Do you really have to go?” she asked. She couldn’t help it.
“You’ll be fine, Elsa,” he promised.
There was a knock on the door. “Your Majesty?” Kai entered. He’d been working in the castle since before Elsa was born. While the king ran the kingdom, Kai ran the castle. He knew where everything and everyone were always supposed to be. He was such an important part of the king’s and queen’s lives that he even had a room adjacent to their chambers. Kai pulled at a loose thread on the jacket of the green suit he always wore. “The Duke of Weselton is here to see you.”
“Thank you. Please tell him I’ll meet him in the council chambers shortly,” Papa said.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Kai smiled at Elsa and disappeared.
Papa turned to her. “You look like you have more to say.”
Too much to share in just a few short moments. “I was trying to decide what to serve at the session with the subjects,” Elsa said instead. “Do you serve food? I think it would be nice to nourish them after their journey to the castle to see us. Don’t you think?”
He smiled. “I think that’s a splendid idea. I’ve always been fond of your krumkake cookies.”
“My cookies?” Elsa couldn’t recall ever baking for her father. “You’re giving me credit for something Olina must have made, but I’m happy to request them.”
Olina was in charge of the kitchen in the castle and oversaw all the workers. When Elsa was a girl, she had often snuck away to the kitchen to sit with her. She hadn’t done that in a long time. And she didn’t remember ever baking cookies.
Papa’s brow furrowed. “Right. Still, they’d be delicious. Maybe Olina will make them for our guests.”
Elsa started to rise. “Is there anything else, Papa?”
“Yes.” He stood up. “Before you go, there is something I wanted to give you. Follow me, if you don’t mind.”
Elsa followed Papa to her parents’ bedroom and watched as he walked to a bookcase along one wall and pressed on one of the books. The entire wall opened like a door. A small darkened chamber was behind it. Elsa strained to see where he was going, but Papa didn’t ask her to follow. The castle was full of hidden hallways and rooms like that one. Papa and she had played hide-and-seek in a few once upon a time, but she knew now they were meant to shuttle the royal family to safety if there was an invasion.
Moments later, her father came out with a large green wooden box. It was the size of a breakfast tray and was hand-painted with white and gold rosemaling of the golden crocus, Arendelle’s official flower. The top of the box had a beautiful arch to it.
“I want you to have this.” He placed the box on the table in front of her. Her fingers traced the gold family crest etched into the rounded top. The box was identical to the lockbox her father kept on his desk and carried with him to meet with his advisors. It usually held important decrees to be signed as well as private papers and letters from the militia and nearby kingdoms. It had been instilled in her since she was small that the box should never be tampered with.
“May I?” she asked, her hand hovering over the latch. Her father nodded.
The lockbox was empty. The interior was lined with rich green velvet.
“This box was made for your monarchy,” he said, and she looked up in surprise. “As you are next in line to the throne and just a few years away from coming of age, your mother and I felt it was time you had your own for safekeeping.”
“Papa, it’s beautiful,” she said. “But I don’t need one now.”
“No,” he said softly. “But someday you will, and we wanted you to be prepared. Kai and the staff know the lockbox by sight and know its contents are private. Whatever you put inside this box is for your eyes only, Elsa. Your secrets are safe in here. For now, I suggest you keep this in your chambers.” His eyes searched hers for understanding.