The Queen's Admiral

Chapter 13: The Promise

“Anna…” Aunt Elsa whispered so softly that only those of us beside her could hear.  She followed her sister helplessly with her gaze.  Mother didn’t even look back.  She stomped to the castle with her heels clattering soundly across the cobblestones. Each step she took felt like a defiant jab at the Admiral and her sister.   A moment later, I felt a movement shift beside me, and Father followed after her.  His eyes were downcast so he would not meet my aunt’s pleading expression for support.  His exit was not as dramatic as my mother’s but I felt the same level of animosity with him towards Admiral Westergard.   I knew everyone else in the kingdom felt it. 

As soon as both my parents disappeared, I felt hundreds of pairs of eyes reverted to me.  I knew they were waiting for me to make a move.  Was I going to follow in my parents’ footsteps or will I stay beside my aunt?   I don’t know my parents’ reasons for distrusting the Admiral so much they would insult him by walking out of his honor ceremony.  But I trusted my aunt’s judgment and I did owe the Admiral my life.  So my feet stayed and I kept my head up and my expression even.

Admiral Westergard made his way up the dais, seemingly oblivious to the crowd’s stares.  Aunt Elsa met his eyes and gave him an apologetic expression.  He returned it with a rather reassuring glance that communicated that he understood. 

My aunt continued the ceremony as if nothing happened.  As she shook his hand I could see people whispering to each other though I couldn’t hear what they were saying.  When he moved down the line to me and offered me a hand, I took it and tried to ignore the whispers I knew were growing among the crowd.

“Congratulations and welcome home Admiral,” I said to him in my most diplomatic tone.

“I appreciate it Prince Fredrik.  Thank you,” he said warmly.  I knew he wasn’t thanking me for the praise but rather for staying here. 

“No, I should be thanking you,” I replied.  “You saved my life once.  I remembered.”

“It was nothing,” he said.  “You helped me more than you can imagine.”

I wanted to ask him why but he moved down the line to shake hands with my sisters who were unfazed by the little drama that just unfolded.  He stepped off the dais not a moment longer than necessary and returned to his place with the other soldiers.  

“Thank you all,” Aunt Elsa finally said.  “The sacrifices of all our soldiers and citizens have bought us our peace.  As Queen, I cannot ask for more.  We shall have feasting throughout the night.  Let the celebrations begin.” 

She conjured up a cloud that created a long ice show that distracted the crowds while she stepped back.  She hugged my sisters who were too busy watching her little ice display to return her embrace.  She didn’t seem offended and turned to me.  I had a million questions to ask her but something held me back when I saw her face.  She looked incredibly tired and sad.  I settled for hugging her instead.

“Oh Fredrik, I’ve missed you,” she said as she held me tightly.   “I heard you were keeping things running while I was away.”

“It’s nothing,” I replied.  “Mama and Papa are doing most of it.  I was just helping along.”

“But you’re helping keep spirits alive.  And that’s important.  I see you’ve improved on weaving your ice.  That was an impressive display earlier and you’ve even managed to bring down the Marshmallows.”

“Thanks Aunt Elsa, I’ve been practicing really hard.” 

She held my face with her hands and kissed the top of my head.  “We’ll talk later, alright?  Go and have fun tonight with your sisters.”