Linnea: A tale of the Snow Queen

Chapter 6, Hidden

I won’t lie about it. When I discovered my abilities I thought it was only ice at first. I didn’t know its full capabilities yet. During the weeks after my outburst only my brother knew. I trusted Ingrid, but not fully. We had just started to get along. This seemed like a delicate situation. I tried to keep it under control. My emotions seemed to get more volatile as time went on.

One day during January, something happened. Agnes came into the morning room. Ingrid, Astrid, and I had been waiting for her. She came in excited for the news she was about to give us “Girls, I have good news.” Agnes said
“What is it momma?” Astrid asked
“You three will be presented to the king and the royal court soon. It will be next month when your father returns.”
“Why are we being presented now?” Ingrid asked
“The king is trying to find a wife for his son. He’s not going to live forever. He said in his letter that Ingrid may be a good candidate.” She replied. Ingrid’s face lit up with delight. My sister, a queen, it would’ve been exciting. I would’ve been happy for her. I never thought that I would find love. I was told I was beautiful but I thought it was out of pity. Ingrid was far prettier than me, at least I thought so.

When Agnes was busy she had left the letter in their room. I snuck in and read it. She did not inform us of a visit from the king that day. He would be coming in a few hours. I left the letter on the nightstand and ran through the house. I had to find Ingrid and fast. I checked all the rooms. Then I finally found her “Ingrid!” I exclaimed out of breath
“Linnea, were you…?”
“Running around, looking for you. Yes.”
“Why were you running?”
“I needed to find you quickly. The king is coming today.”
“What?!”
“Mother didn’t tell us.” I replied. Just then Agnes called for the three of us. Ingrid and I looked at each other. It was time. This was a test of my control. I hadn’t had ice appear since the day I woke up. That day, I had to remain hidden.

After Agnes finally told us about the king we waited and watched through the windows. Since it was January the snow was melting. I put my hand on the window and frost started to form from my hand. I noticed and took my hand immediately off the window. Today I couldn’t risk my ice powers showing that day. Maybe one day I would be able to show them off and share the beauty of ice. That day would never come.
I sat and waited for the carriage to arrive. Then I saw the gate open. I ran to the entryway to greet the king. My father was his friend so I had heard about him. I remember meeting him at my mother’s funeral but never actually talking to him. Agnes had gathered all of us in the room by birth order. One thing about Agnes is that she wanted us all to feel like a family. It didn't matter if we were blood related or not. The order was Ingrid, Lucas, me, Aksel, Astrid, and then Markus. We were all lined up perfectly. Astrid held Markus’s hand to keep him there and make him feel better. Aksel, as always, had his face in a book. I remember standing next to my brother. No one noticed but we didn’t look similar anymore. I know I shouldn’t have been upset about this but I was.

Agnes had then gone outside to greet the king and introduce herself. My father often wrote letters to the king and had told him about Agnes. I think he knew about her before we did. Agnes came back in with king Emil. He was quite nice to us. I always thought it was a shame what happened to his wife. The queen had died years ago from an illness of some sort. I had seen the king multiple times, but never got to talk to him. He walked through the door and looked at me almost immediately “Well if it isn’t my favorite pair of twins.” he said
“Your majesty, I’m assuming you already know my husband’s children.” Agnes replied
“Yes, Astrid is a stunning young lady. I remember seeing her as a baby.”
“Your majesty, it is a pleasure to see you again.” Lucas said
“You two got so big. The last time I saw you two you both were his age.”
“That’s Markus.” Agnes said
“This young man with a book must be Aksel. That means you must be Ingrid.”
“My sisters and I are grateful we get to see you before father returns.” Ingrid said
“I look forward to spending time with you lovely ladies today.” He replied. That’s when I started to panic a little. The house was always colder in my presence, I’m just hoping no one would notice. Lucas looked at me and he could tell how I was feeling. This was a test and I had to pass.