9- Ireland and Strawberries

It was true that Arendelle Castle featured several halls dedicated to gathering and parties, and yet the Royal Dining Hall was for sure the best of them all.

The hall in question was located at one of the higher stories of the castle, which allowed its great windows to provide a fantastic view of the town and gardens outside. The sea looked vast and intimidating in the distance, the docks seemed small from that height and even the snowy mountains were visible so far just like a dream...

Those elegant carpets in shades of purple and green created a beautiful combination with the gray marble floor, the walls were decorated with paintings of mountains and castles and everything felt just happy and peaceful in that hall.

Anna admired the view as two more of Arendelle's Warships arrived at the docks with favorable wind, she was not paying much attention to her fried rabbit with quail eggs and orange sauce and then Elsa's voice managed to get into her mind all of a sudden:

"... That is right, Mr. Allaway! We know that Asturian cider is not quite as good as Irish cider, and all Arendellans love yours as well! The truth is that our pubs just cannot get enough of it..."

Anna turned her head to the right after having heard those words, and she was not surprised to discover that her sister the Queen continued to praise the quality of Irish products in the presence of the diplomats.

The famous Edward Allaway was a tall and elegant man of reddish-brown hair and happy green eyes, the other Irish diplomat was an equally stunning young woman that seemed to be his wife and both of them looked great thanks to their diplomatic outfits in orange and green...

The Irish envoys seemed to be delighted by the special breakfast that Elsa had selected for that day, they continued to admire the view of Arendelle Town and Anna would just stare at them sometimes without speaking any word.

"Thank you, your Majesty" Edward said, and then all of them raised their cider glasses to celebrate a toast together- "Thanks for everything... For Arendelle and Ireland!"

"For Arendelle and Ireland!"

The glasses collided a considerable height above the table, Ms. Allaway laughed and Elsa resumed the diplomatic talk after that. Anna was not very interested in all the negotiations about cider and pumpkins, and yet that changed when Erin Allaway said something that Anna had not been expecting at all...

"After Arendelle, we have to visit Strawberry Island!"

"That's very nice, a perfect vacation for you after a long and complicated diplomatic journey" Elsa replied, raising her glass once again so a young servant lady would refill it with fresh cider- "I have heard about Strawberry Island! The best touristic resorts in all the Mediterranean..."

"We love the resorts your Majesty, but this time we have to negotiate some Trade with Queen Annalise... You know, their chemical industry is the best in the world!"

"Is that true, then?" Anna asked, swirling the cider in her glass as she looked straight into those cheerful green eyes- "I mean, that Strawberry Island supplies the best chemicals that can be found anywhere?"

"That's true your Highness, and it explains why everybody wants to be in good terms with her Majesty Queen Annalise..."

Anna was delighted to have confirmed that information from a source as good as the Irish diplomats, since up to that point she had not been quite sure regarding how accurate her chemistry books would be after all. Now Anna was sure that Strawberry Island was the source of some of the chemicals that would be most important for her project, and she just needed a strategy to lay her hands on them without attracting unwanted attention from her sister.

"Elsa, the beach resorts at Strawberry Island are so beautiful! We should have vacations there someday you know, with Kristoff and Sven..."

"That would be sweet! We could go to visit Annalise after your wedding, Anna..."

"Oh you would love everything at Strawberry Island, my dear!" Erin added, happy to see that Anna of Arendelle seemed to be extremely interested about that place- "You have to pay them a good visit, Queen Annalise would receive you with the greatest honors!"

"I shall write a letter to Queen Annalise, then!"

Edward Allaway laughed in celebration while the servant lady refilled his cider glass to the brim, Erin cheered and after that the Irish diplomats started talking with Elsa about the trade agreements once again.

"We are getting ready to produce our best Arendellan Marmalade ever, just for your country" Elsa explained, happy and proud of the very fine products that her country could offer to Ireland as part of the deals- "Arendellan scarves and coats shall be a hit in Ireland next winter, I promise!"

"Thanks, your Majesty..."

Anna was more worried about the dangerous chemicals that she had placed at her personal room than she could ever be about marmalade and coats, so the silent Princess just hurried to finish her breakfast while the wind cried and howled outside.

"Edward, and my dearest Erin" Anna said, now standing up and getting ready to leave the Dining Hall at last- "I wish you a great journey to Strawberry Island, and a happy return to your country after that!"

"Thanks, my sweetie!" Erin replied, and it was clear that she was a little surprised to see Anna departing so soon- "We hope to see you at Dublin someday!"

"Anna, what...?"

"I am sorry Elsa, I have a few things to do!"

Anna tried her best to look cold and calm as she walked on that purple carpet on her way out of the hall, two silent Guards opened the wooden gates for her and the silent Princess vanished downstairs like a whisper...