Linnea: A tale of the Snow Queen

Chapter 17, Someone for Ingrid

Even though she preferred women I was determined to find someone for my sister. I offered and she accepted. As much as I wanted her to be happy the way she was, it was just the custom of those times. I only offered once and told her she didn’t need to if she didn’t want to but she surprisingly said yes. Finding someone for her would be especially difficult. She told me what she wanted and then Agnes stepped in. She wanted to help me. I tried repeatedly to get her to stop. I knew it was her job but none of the people she chose over the years were right for my sister. Especially now that I knew her secret.

I searched and searched. I tried by myself, I really did. Then one day Filip found out what I was trying to do for my sister. I just wanted her to have what we have. I spilled my guts out to him and told him everything. He now knew Ingrid’s secret and he didn’t tell anyone. He did, however, help me. There was a lord who lost his betrothed, no wife or kids and he was twenty. Ingrid was eighteen. This was perfect. I kissed Filip and the rest of that night will remain under cover.

The next morning Filip and I set up a meeting between the two to see if it would work. It wouldn’t be for a week due to him moving into the kingdom and all his things moving at an exceptionally slow pace. I did however tell Ingrid about him and that this might be the man for her. Filip helped me convince her to give him a chance even though she had a preference. Agnes didn’t know about this and I dreaded to think what would happen if she did. She was already mad at me for not having her help me but then I did something worse. I told her that I had given up and then continued behind her back. If this didn’t go well then I was done for.

Then finally the day came. Thankfully my father and Agnes were away. My father decided to take Agnes on a trip to france. It was the honeymoon they never had, Agnes was the lucky one. I still never got a honeymoon even though I begged Filip for one. Emil still wouldn’t let us leave for one. I remember watching through the window for the carriage, “Linnea, my angel, you must be patient.” Filip said
“I’m tying Filip but it’s quite hard when this is probably the hundredth man your sister has been introduced to.”
“She’s turned down that many men?”
“Most of them showed more interest in me, but that was before we got engaged.”
“You really think that Agnar is the one?”
“I’m certain of it.”
“What makes you so certain?”
“Based on what you told me he is exactly what Ingrid wants in a man.”
“And that would be…?”
“Hush. We both know her secret and there’s still a chance for this one. It’s all because of her father. He mistreated all of them. They were actually thankful when he died.”
“Who told you that?”
“Ingrid. She told me everything. It wasn’t their choice Agnes had an arranged marriage. I just want to make her happy.”
“Linnea, you’re always thinking of others and how to make them happy. Just let me focus on you and make you happy. Let me serve you, my princess.”
“You make me happy just being in your presence.”
“Then stop worrying. Everything will be fine.” He replied. I didn’t know it yet but my heart was getting colder. I was almost complete, I was halfway there. I was about to lose it. Nothing would ever be the same.

Filip tried to distract me from waiting for the carriage. He reminded me of the need to produce a child. He needed an heir for when he became king. I was seventeen at the time and he was nineteen. Emil was always pushing us into things. He wanted grandchildren, that was clear. Why he was pushing us into procreating more was a mystery to me. I think that it was coming soon though. I felt a little different than normal. It might have been the magic taking its toll on me or I might’ve been pregnant. At that time I couldn’t tell the difference between the two.

Then I saw it. The carriage with Agnar inside. This was it, Ingrid might find love. I could hardly breathe. The cool September air blew his black hair in the wind as he got out. I rushed to get Ingrid ready in the family room. Then Filip and I greeted Agnar, “You must be Linnea. Filip has told me much about you.” he said
“I am indeed.” I replied
“I’ve heard wonderful things about your sister. Ingrid, correct?”
“Yes my lord.”
“Please call me Agnar your highness.”
“Right this way Agnar.” I replied. I led Agnar to the family room where Ingrid was waiting. I opened the door to let him in and saw Ingrid there sipping her tea. She didn’t seem impressed as usual. Agnar was star struck. That was the first time I had ever seen someone like that for my sister. I left the two alone for the most part. I actually watched through the keyhole and listened in. Until Filip caught me, “What are you doing?” he whispered
“Making sure it goes well.” I whispered back
“Linnea, sometimes you can be childlike.”
“I couldn’t help it…”
“I know. Now let’s go. I have a surprise for you.”
“You knew this would happen didn’t you?”
“Come on.” he said as he pulled me away from the door. I wanted to stay and watch. I needed to know if it was going well. I couldn’t help it if I was nosy.

I reluctantly went with Filip into the garden. In a corner of the garden was a small table for two. Filip had made it look like Paris. It was a good surprise, “Welcome to our tiny honeymoon.” he said
“Filip…”
“While those two have tea upstairs we get to have our own private lunch. I know it’s not the honeymoon you wanted but I thought I would bring Paris to you.”
“That’s so sweet of you.”
“And we have the food too.”
“You didn’t need to do this.”
“It’s been a month, you deserve it my angel.” He replied. He pulled out a chair for me and then sat across from me. There were Croissants, Macarons, and an assortment of other foods. There were also the white roses from the garden put in a vase on the table. When it came to romance, Filip knew exactly how to sweep me off my feet.

As soon as we were finished I raced to the room with Ingrid and Agnar. I even dragged Filip with me. As I got there I noticed something on the floor. It was a thin layer of frost following my footsteps. That had never happened before, “Linnea, Linnea dear, what are you looking at?” Filip asked
“Nothing dear.”
“My angel are you alright?”
“Yes Filip I’m fine.” I replied. Filip looked concerned. I never had frost form from my feet. I thought I knew everything about my powers. I used them so often I should’ve. I shook it off and went into the room, “Hi, are we interrupting anything?” I asked
“Linnea, Filip, come in.” Ingrid replied
“We’ve been having the grandest of times. Ingrid is quite magical. I hear you two have magical abilities?” Agnar asked
“Yes, I can control ice and snow while Ingrid can control the opposite.”
“Don’t forget about the beautiful lilies I grew this morning.”
“Of course dear sister. But enough about us. Tell us Agnar what is your life like?”
“Well, I was engaged to a wonderful woman but she died unfortunately before the wedding. I haven’t been able to find anyone close to her. I’ve met countless women and none of them were to my liking. But then I meet you Ingrid. You’re beautiful, considerate, and you seem like you love your family. You’re perfect.”
“Agnar that’s awfully kind of you to say…”
“Ingrid let me finish. Linnea told me what you said about your father and that you have a hard time trusting men from that. I’m not going to be like him though. Do you understand what I’m trying to ask?”
“Yes, I do understand. Just let me think about it first. Filip, could you please calm my sister?” Ingrid asked. The room was getting colder. Ingrid had noticed it from Agnar’s slight shivers. Filip removed me from the situation before anything could happen.

He brought me to our bedroom. He sat me down on the bed and tried to warm me up to stop the eventual outburst. He took my hands that were continuing to get colder, “Linnea. Linnea, listen to me. You need to calm down. What is it you’re feeling right now to make you this way?” he asked
“You can’t stop it. No matter how much any of you try, you can’t.”
“What?”
“No one can fix this. We’re both stuck like this.”
“Linnea…” he said. Snow started to fall inside the room. Then winds kicked up. Filip had to leave. I got up and kicked him out of our room until it was over. This was a blizzard. A small one but still a blizzard. It lasted for an hour. After it was over there was snow and ice everywhere. Everything was all over the place. Filip gently opened the door and saw what had happened. He had never seen a display like it before. I could fix it but at the moment I wasn’t going to. The cold was comforting, reassuring. I had tried so hard to help my sister with her secret. I had to face the fact that I might not be able to find someone for Ingrid. Because of that I found that my control was an illusion. Something was going to change and quite quickly too.