Kai was in the Portrait room beside Anna and Kristoff, as Elsa had asked him. In front of them, the Queen of Arendelle stood facing the delegates from England, France, the Empire, Prussia and Lithuania who looked at her with polite formality. The seneschal could tell that the delegates were more worried by the issues they had been talking about before than by Elsa's speech. The previous meeting had obviously been strained and they still had issues to settle.
"I thank you all the efforts you have made and all the trouble you have taken during this conference. Especially to England and France who had promoted it." Elsa began to talk, when she said the last phrase she looked at Lord Halkett and Mullon who nodded.
Good start. It is important to keep up appearances. Kai thought when he heard Elsa's friendly but formal tone of voice. They had prepared the speech together word for word, but the way she said it would be as important as what she said.
"I know that you were doing all this for the sake of my country, but I am, as Queen of Arendelle, the one solely responsible for the Kingdom and my subjects and cannot delegate that responsibility on any other person." The delegates looked at her with suspicion. It didn t seem to be the well-meaning speech, imploring to be treated well that they had expected.
"I have carefully weighed the different options that the different delegates have been so kind to present, and I have decided that none of them is the correct one for Arendelle." Now everybody in the room was paying close attention to Elsa s words.
Kai smiled inwardly. Elsa had maintained the same tone of voice as if she had just said formal courtesies. Showing self-control would be important in the next part of the speech.
"I have decided that the marriage of my sister, Princess Anna, must remain as an internal affair of Arendelle. Several reasons have been made advisable over that course of action, but most importantly is that her marriage to a man from Arendelle will ensure our neutrality and internal stability." Lord Halkett and Mullon looked at her in surprise.
Kai noticed that Elsa's tone of voice had smoothly changed to a commanding tone of voice. Now it's necessary to make clear that these aren't mere formalities.
"I understand that my decision will make some of the proposals from other countries that I have heard during the conference impossible, but I hope that this won't harm the relations of Arendelle with those countries." Elsa said that words looking Lord Halkett straight in the eye. The English diplomat held her gaze with cold eyes.
Lord Halkett is the key. If he has any doubt of Elsa's determination, he won't believe what is to come. Kai snuck a glance at Elsa's expression. She seemed impassible.
"We have worked hard together during the conference to reinforce our relations and ensure our mutual prosperity at different levels. The sale of a good deal of Arendelle's timber has been secured for the years to come. Any setback in the relations among Arendelle and those countries could mean a the complete ruin of those relations which, I'm sure, would be rebuilt in the future but would never be the same since the new situation would shape them in a different form."
This is the gauntlet under the silk glove, Kai thought. He studied the faces of the delegates trying to gauge their reactions. Halkett shook his head obviously distraught by what he had heard. Mullon seemed confused, as if he was trying to understand the implications of what Elsa had said. Everybody in the room was listening to Elsa's words intently except Friedrich von Schrader who was stridently coughing.
Otto von Schrader was listening Queen Elsa's words in utter surprise when the strong coughs of his uncle, who was seated at his side, attracted his attention. He recognized the feigned cough that Friedrich von Schrader used to make when he wanted to talk with him. Otto poured him a glass of water and knelt in front of his uncle. Kurt also knelt at their side to hear the old Prussian's instructions.
"Did you hear that?" Friedrich asked in low voice.
"Yes the Queen is pathetically ruining her petty Kingdom. Hopefully the Englishman and the French will be merciful, and will only humiliate her instead of destroying Arendelle."
"Be careful, maybe you are the one who is speaking pathetically."
Otto looked in surprise at Friedrich. "What do you mean?"
"Think about what she had said! What would happen if the great powers don't accept the Queen's position?"
"The British's Royal Navy and the French's Marine Nationale(*) would race to reach Arendelle first and destroy it." Otto replied.
"The treaties are signed by England and France due to the clauses, which Lord Halkett poked so much fun at. So a state of war between Arendelle and those countries would mean that the treaties would be revoked. Just as she planned!"
"But uncle! Once they brought Arendelle to its knees, England and France could impose whatever conditions they wanted." Otto replied.
"But Neither Halkett nor Mullon could impose their conditions! Think about it. They have taken advantage of being the sole representatives of their respective countries in this conference to sign very profitable treaties for Halkett's timber company and the shipyards of Mullon's uncle. If there was a war the treaties would be cancelled, although new ones would be made to control Arendelle's timber. Do you really believe that the other English timber companies and French shipyards, if they have the opportunity to rewrite the treaties, would allow them to keep such advantageous conditions?"
Both nephews gazed in astonishment at their uncle.
Von Schrader went on with his explanation. "The aim of signing the treaties with England and France wasn't to put a check on those countries, instead it will put Halkett and Mullon against the ropes. Think about it! The current treaties distribute Arendelle's production between both powers. They control less than they wanted but enough to be satisfied."
"It's an acceptable pact. But would it be enough to appease both countries? They won't," Kurt began to say in disbelief, but he suddenly stopped talking and his eyes lit up when he understood what was happening, a smile crossing his surprised face.
Friedrich gave a knowing smile at Kurt and turned his head towards Otto. "The ones who have to decide if it is an acceptable pact are Halkett and Mullon since they are the delegates of their countries in the conference. What do you think they will decide, if rejecting this option means that the treaties which would make them rich would become worthless bits of paper? Let alone that they would have to justify in front of the other owners of Scandinavian Timber, Lord Halkett's company, or Mullon's uncle why they decided to spoil such an advantageous contract. Look at them." The old diplomat said nodding towards the English and French delegates.
Mullon gaped at Elsa in sheer astonishment. Lord Halkett, instead, glared at her. "The English is fighting against his pride to accept the situation. The French doesn't have such a problem." The Prussian Count stated.
"But your reasoning is faulty," Otto said.
"Tell me why. Although I can guess what you are going to say." His uncle quickly replied.
"The Queen. The English want Elsa as far away as possible."
"I think I know what she planned, but it looks like she is ready to answer that question." Friedrich replied looking at Elsa.
Lord Halkett could hardly believe the situation. He had made the same deductions as Von Schrader and searched desperately for a way to break the Snow Witch's web. "Queen Elsa. Your marriage with an appropriate husband is of national concern for England. What do you have to say about that?" Howart Halkett asked although he already knew the response.
"I trust the judgement of the diplomats who have gathered in Arendelle. I will marry the man designated by the delegates." The Queen of Arendelle replied in a toneless voice that ran through Kai's hearth like a fine stiletto.
Anna blinked and was about to talk, but Kai, who was at her side, whispered in her ear. "If you say anything, you would spoil her entire plan and her sacrifice would be useless." Anna turned her head to look at the seneschal. She trembled at the thought of her sister alone in the hands of those men and felt that she was about to cry, but she hold back her tears.
After Elsa's final words, everybody stood in silence in the room as if they knew what they would have to say but nobody wanted to be the one who said it. Ladislas, the Imperial delegate, broke the silence. "As far as I understand everything depends on your decision." He looked to Lord Halkett and Mullon. "If you accept the Queen's decision, we could begin to negotiate. Otherwise any other negotiation is useless."
But before they could reply, the Imperial diplomat turned his head and looked fixedly at Elsa. "Needless to say, in the latter case Arendelle's people will suffer grave consequences, and as you said, you will be the one solely responsible. Are you certain of what you have said? You still can take it back."
The English and French delegates gazed at the Queen as if they were looking for a crack in her attitude, but the Queen of Arendelle remained impassive and didn't even reply. She just returned the gaze as if she was waiting.
"There is no reason to force that issue. We will get the same results but for minor details." Finally Mullon said looking at Halkett.
Lord Halkett just nodded very slowly as if he needed to make a great effort.
"Then we have a lot of issues to discuss before we can return with the other delegates." Ladislas said meaningfully looking at Elsa.
Elsa took a deep breath. "As I told you I trust your judgement regarding my future husband. Inform me of your decision." Elsa said before leaving the room.
Once they were out and the doors were closed, Anna took her sister by the arm and dragged her to a small nearby room. She closed the door behind them before exploding. "What the hell are you doing?" She furiously shouted. "How are you going get out of marrying whichever candidate they choose?"
Elsa sighed and sat in a chair before replying. After the tenseness of the speech in front of the delegates she was exhausted. "I'm not going back on my promise. I really will marry the candidate they choose."
"You must be hiding something from me." Anna said shaking her head in disbelief.
"The time to conceal things is over. Both of us will marry in the chapel of Arendelle's castle as soon as possible. You will marry Kristoff, and I will marry whoever they choose. We will do it at the same time to ensure that they don't change their mind."
"Am I supposed to marry with Kristoff at the same time that you are forced to marry one of these odious candidates? Tell me that you are joking!"
Elsa slowly shook her head. "I am being serious."
"Why didn't you explain that horrible plan to me? I could of," Anna began to say but she suddenly stopped talking.
"You already know the why. You would have fought it with all of your might, and it has been difficult enough without your opposition." Elsa replied.
"How dare you?" Anna said, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"Do you believe that the same questions haven't tormented me since the day I thought this up in the pool under the castle?" Elsa replied looking away from Anna's face. "I'm sorry for you and for Erick, but it was the only way to protect you and Kristoff, and to preserve Arendelle's independence."
"Why will Arendelle remain independent? You'll marry the man designed by Halkett and Mullon." Anna asked.
"That is the other part of my plan. I'm going to," Elsa replied.
"I have heard enough of your plans!" Anna shouted as she turned, opened the door, and left the room.
Elsa was too tired to follow her and stayed seated in the small room. Kai entered with Kristoff.
"She reacted as well as we expected." Kai said.
"Yes." Elsa sighed, her head on her hands and her elbows over a little table in front of her chair. She felt a terrible headache and gasped for breath.
"Are you all right?" Kristoff asked looking at the young Queen.
"I'm fine Kristoff, just a bit tired. Please go to my sister; she needs you." Elsa answered.
The mountain man nodded. "I know." He said as he left the room, but when he was about to cross the door, he stopped and turned his head. "Thank you." He said looking at Elsa straight in the eye.
The Queen just nodded and made a faint smile. "Kai, I will rest here until they leave the Portrait room."
Kai nodded. "This is going to be a long night." The seneschal said looking at the fragile figure of the Queen leaning on the table.
"Concentrate on the game. The main delegates and the Queen entered the room after midnight." Rollo, the Genoese Captain of the Imperial brigantine told Erick. The bald captain stood in the corridor that lead to the Council room leaning against the wall.
Erick, who had twisted to follow a servant who went into the Council Chamber with his eyes, sat up straight and tried to concentrate on the pieces on the checked board in front of him.
"Taking into account that you removed your own name from the candidates list, you seem too nervous. Do you fear you will be forced to marry one of them?" Rollo went on in a teasing tone of voice.
Erick raised his eyes from the chessboard, and his eyes met with Corrado's who was his opponent in the chess game. Corrado had realized that Erick was too nervous and fetched one of Elsa's chess sets to keep Erick busy. The Imperial Captain had joined them later and followed the game with interest.
"If only I could," Erick began to say.
"Concentrate in the game." Corrado added in an admonitory tone of voice.
Erick was about to reply when the doors of the council chamber opened. He quickly stood up, although he could not do anything in front of so many people but look at Elsa, who was the first to cross the room with her seneschal at her side. Anna and Kristoff were behind them.
He was surprised by Anna's expression. The Princess of Arendelle never had been very good concealing her emotions, even in the official occasions, but now it was blatantly obvious that she was livid with rage. Elsa instead was impassive as if she was only in a ceremony established by protocol, although her face was pale as a sheet.
What has happened? Erick thought.
Erick's eyes met Elsa's but the young Queen just looked away. At that moment, barely at the limits of the protocol, Anna passed her sister and ran through a door which led to the private section of the castle. Kristoff followed her. Elsa went on walking and Erick followed her with his eyes until she disappeared through the same door than Anna.
"Good to meet you." A voice said behind Erick in German.
Erick slowly turned to face his step brother, the Duke Adrian Simonyi, who was at the head of the Imperial delegation, the second to leave the room after the Arendellians, with Ladislas and Berganza at his side.
The Imperial Duke had a smile of triumph on his square face that upset Erick, but it changed to a grimace of disdain when he recognized Corrado who was still seated at the other side of the chessboard.
"Captain Simonyi." Adrian said. "Your services are no longer required in Arendelle. The day after tomorrow, you must embark on the Imperial brigantine which will return half of the Imperial delegation to Vienna, and join your regiment."
"Captain Simonyi is your brother. He should be at the ceremony." Ladislas said.
"He is just an undesired guest." The Duke replied. "He is no longer necessary here and I don't want to delay his meeting with his regiment." He added with a broad smirk on his face. After saying that, the Duke turned to face Rollo. "Captain, your ship must leave Arendelle in two days time. Come with me. We have a lot of details to arrange for the ceremony." Adrian went away to the front of the Imperial delegation with Rollo at his side leaving, Erick and Ladislas behind.
"What is he talking about?" Erick asked Ladislas referring to the ceremony that Adrian had mentioned.
But Ladislas misinterpret him, and after checking that the Imperial delegation was far enough away, he switched to speak in Hungarian. "He has convinced all the inhabers (**) of the thirteen imperial hussar regiments to reject your admission in their units."
"What?" Erick replied in surprise.
"I don't know how he got enough contacts, but he did it. He has used diplomatic messengers to do the work. That's why I know what he has done. And he is a Feldmarschall (***). You will never be allowed to join an Imperial cavalry regiment."
Erick looked speechless at Ladislas in surprise.
The Imperial diplomat went on. "When you reach your regiment, you will be publicly dismissed. I recommend you to write to your colonel. Maybe he would send you a letter with your expulsion and you could avoid the public humiliation. Maybe you could join an Italian local cavalry squadron."
"Why would you tell me this?" Erick asked looking Ladislas straight in the eye. "We have never been friends; quite the contrary in fact."
Ladislas grimaced at the question. "Because both of us are Imperial hussars and it is of some significance!" The imperial diplomat, clad in his red hussar uniform replied, before he began to turn to join to the Imperial delegation.
"You talked about a ceremony." Erick asked putting his hand on Ladislas' shoulder.
"The wedding. Your brother will send half of the members of the Imperial delegation to Brest. They will wait there for another Imperial ship to return to Vienna. The brigantine will return to Arendelle with enough space for him and his wife in their travels through the whole Europe. He will show off his new wife in all the European courts."
"Who will be his new wife?" Erick asked trying to conceal his anxiety.
"Queen Elsa of Arendelle of course!" The imperial diplomat said smiling. "We made it! This has been a great victory for the Imperial diplomacy." He said before leaving.
NA: Hi everybody,
I don't recommend Elrick as ship name. It sounds too similar to Moorcock's character Elric of Melnibone and the fate of Cymoril (his consort) is not a happy end. :) And you are right ersa sounds terrible.
Sorry by finishing the previous chapter in that point, but I couldn't help it. ;)
Here is the first part of Elsa's schema. I hope you like it! The delegates certainly didn't like it, specially Lord Halkett as you will see in the next chapters.
See you in Arednlle
(*) Marine Nationale: French navy.
(**) A Proprietor, or Inhaber, was a term used in the Habsburg military to denote special honors extended to a noble or aristocrat. The Habsburg army was organized on principles developed for the feudal armies in which regiments were raised by a wealthy noble, called the Inhaber (proprietor) who also acted as honorary colonel. Originally, he raised the regiment, funded its needs, and received a portion of its revenue, which might be plunder or loot. He also shared in its shame or its honors. The Imperial Russian military adopted a similar system. (Excerpt from wikipedia).
(***) Feldmarschall austrian equivalent to Field marshal a very senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually it is the highest rank in an army, and when it is, few (if any) persons are appointed to it. (Excerpt from wikipedia).
