The Past Is Prologue

Chapter 6: Primos

"I don't really remember anything about the Northern Islands; my big brother took me with him to Avalor during Queen Shuriki's invasion when I was four. (Note: See chapter "Chancellor Seamus Higgins.") I was pretty much raised in the soldiers' barracks, but mostly I tried to stay out of everyone's way. Chancellor Esteban – well, ex-Chancellor Esteban, but before he was chancellor – used to make sure I got food and stood up to my brother to keep me from being hit. When my brother died, Chancellor Esteban (he was chancellor then) found a family to take care of me until I was old enough to become a guardsman. I'll always be grateful to him for that." – William Higgins, Secretary to Chancellor Naomi Turner, former private in the Royal Guard during the reigns of Queen Shuriki and Crown Princess Elena Castillo Flores, A People's History of the Reign of Queen Shuriki, compiled by Professor Catalina de Torres

Esteban listened attentively, a small smile on his face, as Isa animatedly explained the latest theory she was studying at the Science Academy. He loved seeing his youngest cousin, the daughter of his heart, so happy and in her element. She'd already seen so much tragedy in her young life; it was good to see that Isa's future promised to be brighter.

Esteban was grateful to be part of a family at all after what he'd done. There was a time when he'd thought his familia would never forgive him; but he'd been wrong about that as he'd been wrong about so many things. When he'd jumped in front of Elena as the Shadow of the Night was about to strike her down, the ex-chancellor had been fully prepared to die. Elena's magic, however, was stronger than anyone, including Elena herself, had suspected. She had saved him, and indeed all of Avalor, and together he and his cousin managed to wrest the Shadow of the Night (whom he had helped unleash in the first place) back to the Spirit Realm. The bond between the Flores cousins had been forged in fire and was now nigh unbreakable. His grandfather's love had proved to be unconditional, and Francisco had embraced the penitent Esteban with open arms. Esteban was so grateful he'd gotten to spend those last precious months with the man who had raised him like a son.

His grandmother had been another matter. She (rightly) blamed him for his aunt's death and at first wanted nothing to do with him when he came home. He understood her feelings and didn't push. But when she fell ill after her husband's passing, Esteban, along with his cousins, had taken turns keeping vigil by her bedside, and it was Esteban who was holding her hand when she died; her last words were, "Te amo, nieto."

Then there was Isa. His kind and gentle cousin, who had once seen in him a father to replace the one she'd lost, had told him she forgave him and was glad he was home – but then avoided him. Esteban came to realize she was afraid of him. He understood why, of course; the poor girl had seen him arrive with the Shadows of the Night, had seen Cahu attack their grandparents, but it shattered his heart nonetheless. At last he had tracked her down and quietly told her he would answer honestly any questions she might have. Then he left her alone, staying out of her way as best he could. Isa sought him out three days later in the library and took Esteban up on his offer. At first her questions were mundane – What did he eat when he was on the run? Where did he sleep? Did he ever change clothes? But slowly she came around to the meat of the issue. Esteban was completely honest with Isa about everything. He spared no one in his telling – not Isa's father and mother, not Abuela, not Elena, and most certainly not Esteban himself. He told Isa what it had been like growing up for him, the political situation that led to Shuriki's invasion, his role in it, why and how he had become Shuriki's chancellor; he even admitted that Shuriki had threatened to burn the picture in which Isa and their grandparents had been imprisoned to ensure Esteban's loyalty, something he'd kept from the child in the past.

He spoke of what it was like when he got his familia back; and why he kept the secret of his role in the invasion. He spoke of why he had fled the dungeon with the Delgados when he'd been sentenced to exile on a deserted island for treason, and why he'd stayed with Ash. Anything Isa wanted to know, he answered.

They'd both ended up in tears, but Isa had thrown her arms around his neck like she had when she was smaller and told him she was glad he was home where he belonged. Things were better between them after that. Isa no longer feared her cousin, and Esteban had vowed to himself to do whatever it took to keep his family safe.

His reverie was broken when Isa demanded, "Did you even understand a word I said?"

"Indeed. I understood every other word, in fact."

"Oh, primo," she sighed in fond exasperation, "You're as bad as Elena. If you don't understand something, just tell me."

"I believe it was a question of mine that prompted this lecture of yours in the first place," he reminded her.

"This is true." Esteban looked at his cousin sharply for a second. It sounded like she was imitating him. This was confirmed when a giggle escaped her studiously serious expression. He just shook his head.

"I should probably finish unpacking. Would you mind putting that suitcase on the top shelf over there?"

Obligingly, Esteban stood up and placed the suitcase where Isa had indicated while she finished unpacking her smaller bags. When a letter fluttered out of the suitcase Esteban bent to retrieve it, but straightened abruptly as he noticed the seal.

"Enchancia?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. Isabel hastened to snatch the letter from him. "By your reaction I'd guess it's from Prince James." Isabel and the prince of Enchancia had hit it off at Elena's coronation, and had kept up a lively correspondence ever since. When young James travelled all the way to Avalor to be Isabel's escort at her quinceañera, tongues began to wag. Elena and Naomi had worked hard to quell rumors of a royal engagement between the Enchancian prince and the crown princess of Avalor as Isa was entirely too young to even contemplate marriage; she was the first to say so. Still, such rumors are not easily quelled.

"Oh, it's just a note about James' travel plans. Do you know he's studying to be a knight?" The forced nonchalance of Isa's reply made Esteban quite suspicious indeed.

"His travel plans?"

"Oh, he's travelling to different countries to study different fighting techniques. And since James will just happen to pass by Avalor, it's really no problem for him to stop by for Doña Paloma's and Don Julio's wedding." From the way the girl was avoiding his gaze it was clear she was hiding something.

"Except Prince James wasn't invited."

"I invited him," Isa shrugged. "He can be my escort." Two visits by the Enchancian royal family to Avalor in one year? That would definitely set tongues to wagging again.

"Don Julio expressly stated that he would not invite foreign dignitaries to his wedding since he didn't want it to be a working event." An odd position to be sure for the Magister of Trade, but it was his wedding.

"It's okay," Isa said. "I asked Doña Paloma first. She thinks it's a wonderful idea."

"Of course she does." That irritating woman would think so. "I'm surprised Elena hasn't mentioned anything. A visit from the royal family of Enchancia seems noteworthy." To say the least.

"Oh, it's not the whole royal family. Just James and a bodyguard. I'll mention it to Elena soon." Isa busied herself with items on her desk and would not look at Esteban.

"You invited the Prince of Enchancia for a visit to the palace and didn't inform the Queen of Avalor? But did ask permission of Doña Paloma?"

"I didn't want to make a big deal about it," the crown princess muttered.

Esteban sighed. "Prima, it is a big deal, both politically and personally. Diplomatically, an invitation to a member of a foreign royal family must come from the queen or the chancellor. Or did you ask Naomi?" Isa shook her head. "And as a minor, you should have asked permission from Elena or me. Am I really so unapproachable?"

"I'm telling you now," the girl said hopefully.

"Only because I pushed. That doesn't count, and I think you know that."

"I was afraid Elena would talk me out of it," Isabel admitted. "If I weren't Crown Princess, no one would think twice if a friend escorted me to a wedding."

"But you are Crown Princess of Avalor," Esteban reminded her gently. "That carries certain responsibilities. And it's hardly fair to your sister to simply spring a royal visitor on her without due warning." Esteban was struck yet again by how different he and Isabel really were. When he was fifteen he'd seethed that Elena was heir to the throne while he was only 32nd in line, despite receiving the same education, a resentment that would lead him down a dark path which would haunt him for the rest of his life. Isabel, on the other hand, would be happy to immerse herself in her studies and inventions, and otherwise live the life of a normal teenager without the burdens of royalty. Then again, his younger cousin was forming a dangerous proclivity for secrecy, which Esteban knew from bitter experience could lead to tragedy.

"You're right," Isa sighed. "I didn't mean to make trouble for Elena. I'll tell her today."

"Gracias, mija."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. When Isa opened it, there stood William Higgins, former private in the Avaloran Royal Guard and current Secretary to the Chancellor. He was much better suited to his current position than his former, the ex-chancellor thought. William had come into his own thanks in no small part to the trust and respect Naomi gave him. Of course, thought Esteban, Higgins had undoubtedly learned much serving as the former chancellor's aide.

"Begging your pardon for the interruption, Princess, but the Chancellor needs to see – uh – Don Esteban." Higgins still sometimes forgot not to refer to Esteban as "chancellor."

"Of course," Esteban replied smoothly, though privately he was surprised. On the rare occasions Naomi did seek his advice, she was always careful to do so in an informal manner. When Elena had pardoned him she'd made it clear that while he was welcomed back as her family he would henceforth have no formal role in her administration. Esteban was grateful since he knew he deserved worse. If Naomi was breaking protocol like this, the matter must be serious indeed. It likely had something to do with the admiral's sudden appearance. Esteban had known Scarlett for decades, but had never seen her distraught before today.

"Also, Princess, the Queen would like to see you," Higgins continued. "She's still in the council room, but says you can join her there if you're finished settling in."

"I'll go see her now. Thanks, Billy."

Esteban turned back to his youngest cousin. "Tell Elena," he murmured, and bent to kiss her forehead.

"I will, primo," she promised. She and Esteban left to follow Higgins, and then went their separate ways.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: A story cannot contain a song, of course. But if you would like one, imagine this: A classic Mexican corridor sung by Esteban on what family means to him.