Chapter Forty-Four: The Festival of Lanterns
"My crown?" Rapunzel asked before realization struck her face. "Ohhh... right, the crown. But wait… can we really trust the source on this one? The Stabbington Brothers aren't exactly known for being honest."
"They had no reason to lie to me about it and it does make sense," Prince Eugene answered. "I mean what crown, even if it does have real diamonds could possibly cost more than a castle? And those diamonds on your crown, as the court jeweler attested, were completely fake."
Admiral Westergard, Aunt Elsa and I stared at the couple's easy banter with confusion. What exactly are they talking about?
"But still," Queen Rapunzel continued. "I mean, you don't really believe all that about some mystery creature wanting my crown so she can get her people to a star. It's ridiculous."
"Says the woman whose hair used to glow and restore youth when she sings who happens to be best friends with the Queen of Ice and Snow," Prince Eugene replied sarcastically with a dramatic long face as he pointed his thumb at Aunt Elsa. "At this point in our lives Blondie, I've stopped thinking anything supernatural is ridiculous."
"Errr... if you don't mind," Admiral Westergard interrupted. "Could you maybe explain to us what's going on?"
The couple stared at us. "Oh so sorry, buddy," Prince Eugene said. "Bit of background: I told you before I stole Rapunzel's crown. It was what eventually led me to find her in her tower where I charmed my way into her heart until she begged to marry me."
"Eugene!" his wife warned.
"Sorry, got lost in the glorious past for the moment. Anyway, me and my old buddies, the Stabbington Brothers didn't just steal that crown at random. That was a commissioned job. Someone asked the Brothers that if they can get that crown we'd be paid a fortune. And I'm not just talking about a few gold coins here. We're talking about an enormous amount of money. It's probably enough for me to buy this castle if I wanted to, and maybe even the one in Arendelle as well. The Brothers got me along for the ride because they needed someone light enough to hang from the ceiling to get that crown. And they showed me the initial payment—a ruby that was worth more than I could count. They told me we'll get the rest after we completed the job. You know the rest of the story: I rescued a princess from her tower, I died, got raised from the dead..."
"Move it along, Eugene!" Queen Rapunzel urged.
"Okay, okay, Oh-Impatient-One," he snapped back. "Anyway, at some point after I got her back to her parents, the official jeweler came over to have her crown cleaned and he told us the jewels in the crown were not real. They were just worthless crystal. And the jeweler said that the stones weren't replaced at all. It's the same crown with the same stones that's been worn by the Coronan royalty for generations and it was completely without monetary value. So that got me thinking why would anyone pay an exorbitant amount for something worthless? So I went back to the Brothers and asked them who was stupid enough to hire us with that proposition? And they told me something really strange..."
He stopped for a long time as Admiral Westergard, Aunt Elsa and I hung at the edge of our seats in anticipation.
"The pause for dramatic effect is long enough, get on with it Eugene!"
"Awww... you ruined the moment," he scowled at his wife who only gave him an equally hard glare. They eyed each other quite nastily before Prince Eugene's face slumped with defeat. "Fine… moving along, can't win with you," he grumbled before he turned his attention back to us. "So the Stabbington Brothers told me the one that hired us was this dark fairy-like creature who said she needed what was in one of the stones in Rapunzel's crown to bring her dying people to a star where they will be safe."
"Dark fairy?" Admiral Westergard half-gasped before he shared a glance with my aunt. "You didn't happen to know what her name was, do you?"
"Nope, the Stabbington Brothers didn't ask. I think they were too scared of her. They said they didn't see her face as she was shrouded in shadows but they caught a glimpse of something like horns on her head and great black wings. They said she was the devil incarnate. But considering what she offered, those two would deal even with the devil to get the prize of a lifetime."
"Alright, so we now have the crown that is another magical object to consider," said Aunt Elsa. "Where is your crown anyway?"
"Oh don't worry," Queen Rapunzel replied. "I left it on my desk when I dropped everything to come here. I passed by Peter on the way and told him to put it in my dresser so I'd find it when I prepare for the ball tonight."
"Let's just make sure it is still there," Admiral Westergard said. He took the mirror from me and asked for Queen Rapunzel's crown. The mirror showed us Peter placing the crown into a dresser drawer just as his mother instructed. We all breathed with relief.
"Well I better get it back just to be sure," said Queen Rapunzel. "Best place to put it is in on my head, at least for tonight. After the ball, I'm locking that thing in a vault."
"I really should get back out there too," Prince Eugene said. "We need to keep appearances that we're doing everything we can to assist Prince Karl in this futile search. You three just stay in and keep us updated on anything and we'll see you all at the ball tonight."
We exchanged goodbyes and the Coronan royal couple left us alone.
My aunt called in Lt. Andersen, Ensign Lorens and Albert and updated them on what happened before assigning them to alternately check the mirror periodically while she and Admiral Westergard got in a few more hours of rest.
I took a quick nap as well and I awoke refreshed and ready for the ball. I changed into my best dress uniform and was joined by Albert.
"Nothing?" I asked him about the lamp.
"Nothing new," Albert confirmed. "It's still sitting in the dark. Prince Heinrik was just questioning the crews of the merchant ships around Corona. I think he's given up somewhat. Last time I checked he was just working out a trade agreement with one of the captains."
"Admiral Westergard will probably get more out of him personally," I said. "Let's just enjoy the ball for tonight."
We found my aunt's sitting room to be a hub of activity as her ladies swept around in their colorful gowns, primping themselves for the party. My aunt just let them since she herself required little help as she can adorn herself so much easier than they. She was already dressed in an even more magnificent green gown and her sheer ice cape with snowflake patterns.
"Here, let me help," my aunt offered her ladies. She eyed a vase of flowers that sat on the mantelpiece. With a wave of her hand, she used the fresh greens to decorate her ladies' dresses and hair, each one with a unique design and topped with a bit of light frost to make sure the flowers stayed on the fabric. The ladies all gushed with delight.
"Oh, your majesty, they're wonderful!"
"We're going to be the most colorful contingent at the ball! None of the other ladies can look better!"
"They'll all be green with envy!"
"Thank you so much, your majesty!"
My aunt laughed heartily at her ladies' praises and simple joys. "I'm glad I can help. No one can say the Arendellians did not come prepared to look their best tonight." She glanced at me and her eyes lit in the way I knew she had a sudden idea. "And the men won't be left out either. Come here Fredrik."
I approached her and she flicked her wrist over another vase and decorated the button hole of my lapel with a tiny flower. She did the same to Albert.
"Albert, go call all the men in and let me decorate their uniforms. Ladies, get me all the flowers you can find from your rooms!"
Albert and ladies went about their tasks and soon the men in our contingent came over one by one to be decorated in the same fashion.
"Where's Admiral Westergard?" I asked Lt. Andersen when I noticed everyone who was joining the ball had their turn.
"He escorted 'Isabel' to the Alexandra," Lt. Andersen whispered back. "He said he wanted her to at least enjoy watching the lanterns tonight from the ship even if she can't join the ball. Finn's on guard duty for her with a few of our men."
I knew that Brigitta was not going to the ball but I couldn't help but imagine a time when she and I could dance together at an evening like this. No matter, maybe when everything was well and she was crowned queen of the Southern Isles I would come to her as her official suitor. I was half-lost in my musings that I almost didn't hear my aunt call out:
"Everybody ready?"
"But her majesty doesn't have any floral decorations on her dress yet?" Lady Anja pointed out. "And there are no more flowers left. Let me get you some from the garden."
Lady Anja opened the door to go out but found herself face to face with a bouquet of pink blossoms. Admiral Westergard's face poked out behind it.
"Did somebody bring the party here?" he asked as he realized quite a number of people in the room. He came before my aunt and handed her the flowers. "These are for you."
"They're beautiful," my aunt's face brightened as she cast a smile for him. "And they're just what I need." She waved her hand and the flowers attached themselves on to her dress. The décor perfectly enhanced the snowflake pattern on her clothes so she stood out even more as a paradox of summer and winter that was simply breath-taking.
"So we're going for a frosted floral theme tonight?" Admiral Westergard asked as he admired her handiwork.
"Yes," Aunt Elsa laughed. "And I haven't forgotten my Admiral." She used the last flower he gave her to decorate the lapel of his dress uniform. "Perfect," she said.
"May I have the pleasure of escorting her majesty to the ball?" he asked.
"Lead the way, Admiral," she replied with her eyes brightening as she held one delicate hand into his offered hand. They took off together and we all followed into Corona's grand ballroom.
The ballroom looked spectacular that we all gasped when we entered. Everything seemed magical from the abundant flowers in their crystalline vases to the chandeliers lit with a thousand candles that cast an ethereal glow on the ballroom floor painted in the unique geometrical designs by Queen Rapunzel herself.
But we were not the only ones enchanted that night. Our contingent made quite an entrance for I noticed the ballroom fell into hushed silence when we stepped through the grand doors. For once, Aunt Elsa and I were not the only focus of everyone's attention. The decorated clothes of our entire party stood out completely among the guests and for a long time they could talk of nothing but our unique finery.
Aunt Elsa and Admiral Westergard immediately parted ways and sought out other people's company almost as soon as they stepped into the ballroom. She was the center of attention of all the men and was never without a dance partner while her Admiral worked the room and actively mingled, danced and flattered one foreign lady after another.
I had my own fair share of attention. There were so many pretty young ladies that kept getting in my way, but I wasn't in the least bit interested in any of them. My heart still longed for the princess that was on the Alexandra tonight. Was she staring out into the lighted castle, perhaps wishing for a dance too? I decided by tomorrow I would seek her out and apologize. It would be awkward but it was a start if I wanted to win her heart.
I endured dancing with so many young girls that after an hour the magic of the ballroom was giving way to the reality of my aching feet. My face was also starting to strain from smiling too much. I had a moment of respite when Queen Rapunzel made her grand entrance and I moved over to greet her with my aunt as was customary.
"I have to hand it to you Elsa, you know how to start the evening," Queen Rapunzel greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. "Everybody here looks dressed in their best that I was thinking of making it a contest tonight. But you and the rest of the Arendelle party just won hands down."
"Thank you," Aunt Elsa replied. "Everything alright, so far?"
I noted that her jeweled crown was safely nestled on her head. "Everything's as it should be," Queen Rapunzel whispered then added in a most conniving manner. "We called off the 'search' a while ago and I delivered my most heartfelt sympathies to Prince Karl on his missing cousin. I assured him we will resume the search again at first light tomorrow and I told him he should enjoy my birthday in the meantime. Poor man is quite exhausted, he thanked me for the invitation but he said he just wants to turn in early tonight."
My aunt giggled. "Well that's one less grumpy guest we won't have to deal with at the moment. Have you seen Prince Heinrik?"
"Eugene said he was here earlier," Queen Rapunzel replied. "He's also in quite a foul mood and wouldn't dance with anyone. He's probably sulking in a corner."
"Well as long as he's here, we won't have to worry about him for tonight."
"Enjoy the ball then," Queen Rapunzel said as the music resumed playing.
My aunt gave her a tired smile. "I wouldn't count on it," she said as the finance secretary from Tastris approached to claim her for another dance. "Oh where is Anna when I need her?" she whispered morosely before she schooled her features to look the image of grace to greet her new partner.
I didn't have time to sympathize with her as I got caught in a rather forced conversation with three young ladies who openly flirted with me. I endured an eternity of polite evasive talk before I got rid of two of them by asking one to dance. I chose the most timid one who to my misfortune was the most ungraceful dancer I ever encountered. She ended up stepping on my feet so many times I was sure my toes have turned blue under my shoes.
When the dance ended, I was ever so grateful to find my aunt nearby and I quickly asked her to join me before another partner claimed either one of us.
"How are you holding up?" she asked as we waltzed at a more comforting slow pace.
"I don't think my feet can take more of this," I told her.
She laughed. "I can relate but it will be over soon. We just need to get through this night." The music winded down too soon for both our liking. My aunt clutched tighter to me and tried to hide her face so no one could see her expression.
"Oh no, the Admiral Thilburg's brother is heading this way. We just signed a trade agreement with them and now he thinks he owns my dance card. He's been trying to propose to me all evening."
I was about to offer to rescue her with another dance but someone tapped my shoulder. Admiral Westergard swept in and took my aunt's hand before she could say anything.
"The lantern lighting is about to start. We need to get you out of here now," he whispered urgently. "You too, Fredrik."
"Why?" I asked.
"I'll explain later. Meet us in the western balcony as soon as you can. And no matter what you do, don't get yourself cornered by any aspiring young lady in the next few minutes."
He twirled my aunt expertly and they danced with perfect grace on the floor. They made quite an impressive pair though I noticed their dance was a way for him to get my aunt to the other side of the room without her being accosted by her scores of suitors.
I felt a prickle on my neck and knew if I didn't get a move soon, I too would be obliged to dance with any of the giggling girls that have been circling like vultures the moment I stepped away from my aunt. I managed to thwart one young lady by offering to get her some punch. As soon I was out of eyeshot I ducked into the balcony Admiral Westergard told me.
"Okay, what's going on?" my aunt demanded when we were safely alone.
"There's sort of a tradition in Corona that was established since Eugene and Rapunzel got married. After they light the first lantern they kiss as a symbol of the renewal of their devotion to each other. The rest of their court followed suit until it became a standard activity during the festival to kiss someone you like after the lights are lit. Someone's most likely going to use tonight's affair to their advantage. I just want to save you the trouble of being caught in a sudden liplock with any of your suitors tonight. You too, Fredrik."
My aunt blushed. "Well I do appreciate the fair warning Hans. But we can't exactly hide away in the balcony all evening. Someone's bound to discover us here."
"My thoughts exactly, which is why we are making our escape away from this ball right now." He gave a small whistle and the Carpet arrived and floated just above the railing. We all eagerly jumped on board and the Carpet took us away from the castle. My aunt and I couldn't stop giggling as we flew past the castle courtyards and the town square.
"Where are we going?" I asked when we went past the market place.
"Well I don't want you to miss the light show. Eugene gave me a tip on where the best place to view it without being disturbed."
I imagined it would be on a rooftop or a tower. But Admiral Westergard led us away from any tall buildings. He finally landed at a small lonely dock where a single row boat awaited us. I quickly understood. The best place to view the lights wasn't on top of a building but on the open waters of the port.
"Thanks Carpet, I can take it from here," Admiral Westergard said. "Go enjoy the lights but do it from a safe okay?"
Carpet gave a little nod then flew off.
I eagerly jumped into the boat and my aunt followed suit with assistance from Admiral Westergard. He got in last and removed the rope that served as the boat's anchor. He rowed us out into the open waters and he finally stopped in the clear patch of the port away from the ships docked on the pier. From here I could see the lights of the castle above and the village below..
I remembered Prince Eugene's story on how he took Queen Rapunzel out here to see the floating lanterns for the first time. I realized I was going to have the same view she had when she fulfilled her dream. I didn't have to wait long. A single lantern appeared at the top of the castle and rose to the sky. I knew this was the first lantern lighted by Queen Rapunzel and Prince Eugene. Several lanterns appeared near it and then more and more lanterns were released and lit a path from the castle to the village below. Finally, the ships released their own lanterns and suddenly the entire sea seemed to be filled with lights surrounding us with a magical glow.
"I've never seen anything so beautiful," aunt whispered. I agreed. I wanted more than the view, I wanted to be surrounded by them but our boat was too far. I had a sudden idea.
"I'm taking a closer look," I said.
Before my companions could say a word, I froze part of the sea next to us and jumped off our boat and into my little ice patch.
"Fredrik!" my aunt protested, but I didn't heed her. I kept creating little frozen patches so I can walk on top of the water towards the lights.
"Oh, let him enjoy it," I heard Admiral Westergard say and I heard nothing further from my aunt.
I kept on until I reached the middle of the ocean where I was surrounded by light. The feeling was incredible. It was like the stars have come down from the sky and surrounded me.
I turned around and glimpsed Aunt Elsa and Admiral Westergard back on the boat. They have two lamps of their own, already lit. They looked at each other in the glow of the lamps and then released them simultaneously into the night sky. Their eyes followed the lanterns as they ascended but it was Admiral Westergarded who let go first to gaze at my aunt's face that was still lifted to the heavens.
The unguarded expression of longing on his face confirmed to me what everyone suspected but was never able to prove: He was head over heels in love with my aunt.
Aunt Elsa finally lowered her gaze and met his. She slowly took his hand in hers and that encouraged him to move closer and tuck a stray hair behind her ear. His fingertips moved down to her chin to tilt it up so he can stare into her face.
I quickly looked away as I felt uncomfortable watching them but I knew exactly was going to happen next. I couldn't help but smile silently. I hope my aunt would love him back just as much.
My gaze fell on the Alexandra and I suddenly remembered the lady I wanted to be the whole night was there. I turned my eyes to the upper deck and there she was. She stood under the lantern lights like a goddess of the night with her red hair down in a cascade of waves. But she wasn't alone.
NO! This can't be!
My goddess… was locked in a kiss with one of the twin Coronan princes.
She broke the kiss and I expected her to push or slap him for his insolence. Was that Peter? If it was, how dare he touch her! She is mine!
For a split-second I imagined myself running to her rescue and freezing this idiot boy.
But she didn't push him away. She held his gaze so tenderly that I knew this wasn't Peter at all but Flynnigan. Flynnigan, the boy she called her dearest friend. And the look in her eyes told me he was more than that to her.
He leaned down and kissed her again and the way she surrendered her lips to his felt like a punch in the stomach. I never even had a chance. Her heart had always belonged to another.
I felt my loss of control trigger but I didn't care. It just hurt too much. I took it out on the sea and started randomly hurling my powers at it.
I hate him! I hate him! And I hate her more for making me fall for her! For making me believe I ever had a chance!
"Aaaaahhhhhhhh!"
The piercing scream broke through my wave of madness.
Oh no! Did I just hurt someone?
I turned to the direction of the scream and I saw something just above the water in the distance: A girl with dark hair tied in a single ponytail lay trapped with her midsection enclosed by a layer of ice I made. Her body was at an odd angle, as if she was rising from the water and got caught in my ice. I stared at the length of her and I realized a part of her lower body was above the ice as well. But instead of legs, I was staring at a fish's tail.
A mermaid!
I just caught a mermaid in my ice!
And she was screaming like a frightened animal.
Which made me feel guilty and just as frightened. I couldn't help it that shards of ice appeared all around her as a result.
And it made her scream even more.
Calm down, calm down, I whispered to myself urgently.
I heard footsteps running behind me and I saw her look up with an expression of relief.
"Captain Westergard! Help me!" she cried out.
I turned around and found the Admiral behind me with a similar frightened look.
"Melody! Oh no! Fredrik, unfreeze her now!" he cried.
But I couldn't. I was shaking all over and the idea that I didn't just freeze any mermaid but the princess of Tastris was making things worse. More ice spikes were erupting all around us and she was staring at me like I was a monster.
"Elsa! Help!" Admiral Westergard called out. He said something else but whatever it was, it was drowned out by a clap of thunder and waves that crashed all around me. The lanterns began falling from the sky and their lights were snuffed out as they hit the water.
I shielded myself from them with my arms but when I lifted them up I was met with the fierce gaze of an elderly man with long white hair and a beard. He had a gold crown on his head and held a large trident in his hand. But what struck me was the fish tail that extended from his powerful torso that matched the boom of his voice.
"WHO DARES HARM MY GRANDDAUGHTER?!"
I could do nothing but stare up at him as spikes of ice continued to rise all around me. All I could think of was the irony that we were at a conference that concluded one war and I probably just started a new one.
