Fragments of a Frozen Heart
By DrummondType2
Author's Note: For the purposes of this story, there is only a three year age difference between Natsuki and Alyssa. The story opens on Natsuki's 21st birthday.
Arendale had been without a ruler for three years, now, since Queen Saeko's flagship, the Fuuka, had been lost at sea. There were whisperings that the ship's sinking had been the result of sabotage, that the queen had earned the attentions of some secret cabal. But evidence was in short supply, meaning that these tales were naught but speculation and rumor.
Naturally, there were royal advisers authorized to handle the day to day workings of the Kingdom. And though the people had been saddened by the loss of Queen Saeko, they were not driven to despair. For the Queen had left behind two daughters.
The eldest, Natsuki, whose very name meant Summer Princess, had been a mere three years away from the age of majority when her mother had been lost at sea, and so the people knew that with patience, the light of the monarchy would be restored.
The younger of the Princesses, Alyssa, whose name meant "noble", was the embodiment of her name in the eyes of the people. At the funeral for her late Queen Mother, she had performed a beautiful and somber hymn in memory of her late mother. The people had dubbed her The Golden Princess, in part because of her striking golden hair, and in part because of the dulcet tones of her voice, which were likened to a golden bell.
The First Princess, Natsuki, seldom left the palace. Many believed that she was hard at work trying to learn everything she would need to know to assume the mantle of Queen when she came of age. And, Alyssa reflected, they would not have been wrong. At least, not entirely.
Natsuki reminded her sister of a winter forest, beautiful, and even admirable, but cold and distant.
"Eyes of Evergreen, hair of midnight hue, and skin like the snow fallen on the mountain," Alyssa described her elder sister, "She is a most striking beauty, to be sure."
"She is capable," the head of the palace guard, Lady Miyu spoke somberly, "But she is also quite reticent. Will her beauty be enough to inspire the people until they've learned to recognize her competence?"
Alyssa scoffed, "Competence little matters, any longer, Miyu. I mean no disrespect to my sister, long may she reign. But our nation has just been run for three years by a parliamentary body, without a monarch. Yes, it is true that they knew a monarch would soon ascend. But it is also true that they ran this nation without her. That is the way of the future. Many nations already have seen their sovereigns greatly reduced in the scope of their power and authority. Some may keep a king or queen as a figurehead, a pretty decoration to inspire the masses. But the time of our rule is coming to a close. I would estimate no more than three generations before there is no longer a sovereign in Arendale. It is sad, but it is the way the world moves."
Miyu nodded, "You are shrewd, M'lady. Does your sister share your views?"
Alyssa sighed, closing her eyes, "My sister little desires the throne. But she will ascend, all the same. Shall we make sure she's awake, Miyu? The dignitaries will be arriving shortly."
The pair walked through the halls of the palace, until they came to a set of large doors at the very end of the hall. The air in the hallway had become colder as they approached, and there was a fine sheen of frost over the doors and adjacent walls.
"She's awake," Alyssa sighed to her companion, "And in one of her moods, I see."
The magic in Natsuki would often chill a room even when she was asleep, but it only ever formed ice crystals when she was awake and aware…though as one poor attendant had discovered, startling her awake could achieve both very quickly and result in a blast of ice. The poor servant had barely dodged icicles flung about the room in the alarm of a sleeper woken from a nightmare. The Princess Natsuki had profusely apologized, and it had taken a good deal of effort to show her that the room attendant was unharmed. From then on, it was decided that it would be safer to allow her to wake on her own.
Alyssa raised her hand to the door and knocked, two sharp knocks, and three shorter, faster ones, "Sister, do you want to build a snowman?"
"That's not funny, Alyssa," Natsuki's voice came from within the room, and Alyssa found the door being pushed open by a chill breeze.
"Such a cold invitation," Alyssa noted.
She found Natsuki sitting at her vanity, staring at a mirror that was frozen over with a sheet of ice.
"I see that you're overwrought," Alyssa sat beside her sister, "The coronation will go quickly enough, Natsuki."
"I know. I know, Alyssa. I just…I was working on my hair to try and make sure that it would be perfect for the ceremony, and…"
Alyssa pulled the hairpins in Natsuki's midnight tresses, allowing them to tumble freely down her exposed back.
"I think that letting it down will be suitable for you," Alyssa said, reaching for a comb to straighten out the tangled locks, "You may be versed in palace etiquette, but simpler suits you best, after all. Still dressing all in black, I see."
"Black suits me," Natsuki said quietly, "The cold doesn't bother me, Alyssa, but I feel warmer in black."
"Black it shall be, then," Alyssa nodded, "For I know how warm you can be. Rest assured, the ceremony will pass smoothly. Sakomizu has organized everything. Father Greer will oversee the recitation of the Oath. And then you will be Queen, and you can begin your duties. Quietly and without interruption, if that is what you prefer."
Natsuki offered Alyssa a small, soft smile, "They should really give the reins of this land to you. You seem more suited to leading others than I."
"It is not a matter of ability, but of preferences that hinders you, Natsuki," Alyssa said, "You are competent in your duties. You just dislike them. But you are the elder sister, of royal blood, and thus the one to rule. Aside from which, I rather like being your guiding light."
Natsuki embraced her sister, offering a soft chuckle, "And modest, too. I shall be fine, thanks to your aid. Would you favor me by going to the port and greeting the dignitaries as they arrive? I fear that protocol demands I remain here and oversee the palace preparations."
"Anything for you, my dearest sister," Alyssa nodded with a smile.
Miyu and Alyssa walked down the hall, "Are you chilled, M'lady?"
Alyssa shook her head, smiling, "No. In the end, Natsuki likes warm hugs, after all."
Miyu nodded. She secretly shared Natsuki's belief that Alyssa would be better suited to the throne, but she kept that to herself. And while she might not have favored the elder Princess, she knew that Alyssa held her in high regard, and wanted the best for her. And as her Mistress commanded, so would she do.
~~*~~
Arendale was a major port, trading in a multiplicity of goods. Today, however, the merchant ships had to give way to those coming from foreign lands to show solidarity and accord with the newly ascended Queen. The heads of state of many a trading partner had come to show their support.
As the second Princess, it was Alyssa's duty to greet each of them. Miyu was there to ensure that Alyssa knew who each of them were as they came.
"This is Prime Minister Midori Suguira, of Aswad. She is a knowledgeable leader, despite being an elected official. Though I must caution that she has a reputation as a bit of a lush."
Alyssa smirked, "There are no shortages of drinkers among the royalty, either, Miyu. And this woman represents exactly what I was saying earlier. There will come a time when those like her will replace all of my lineage, sad though it may be. Ah, but here she is, now. Madame Prime Minister, welcome to Arendale."
"Thanks for having me," Midori pinched Alyssa's cheek as though she were greeting a nine year old child. Alyssa made a discreet gesture to Miyu to restrain from striking the woman for the affront.
"A pleasure," Alyssa said sourly, as Suguira moved on, rubbing her now sore cheek.
"Interesting," Miyu mused at the next set of dignitaries, "These three are from different lands, and yet they have taken the same ship. The tall one is Shizuru de Fujino, Queen of Viola. The honey blonde is Haruka Armitage, Duchess of Weselton. The bespectacled young woman is President Chrysant of Aries."
"And, as befitting of royalty, my hearing is quite sharp," de Fujino smiled a strangely serene and placid smile. She curtsied to Alyssa, "My, what an honor, to be greeted by such a charming young lady, Princess Alyssa. It so happens that the vessel is mine, and Weselton and Aries are both in a straight path from my lands to yours. And both President Chrysant and the Duchess attended the same finishing school as myself, so I thought to catch up with old friends while coming to meet your sister."
"You're rather…informal," Alyssa said, though noting the unique accent of the Violan Queen.
The Queen laughed into her hand, "Well, this is a festive occasion, yes? Formalities are so stuffy."
"Next," Miyu said as the three headed off, "We have Princess Mai and her brother, Prince Takumi of Zipang."
"I know the Zipang Princess," Alyssa said, "She was one of Natsuki's acquaintances before her powers awoke. Princess Mai, it has been ages! And Prince Takumi, I've heard much of you from your sister!"
"All good things, I hope," Takumi smiled, "I'm just glad I was well enough to make the journey. If I'd so much as sneezed on the ship, Mai would have turned us around and taken me back to Zipang."
"The health of a Prince is hardly a trivial matter," Mai said with authority, then turned to Alyssa, "Speaking of, is your sister well? I've not seen her in ages, and there was talk of illness…"
"She is in perfect health," Alyssa said, knowing that while she wasn't lying, she wasn't exactly telling the truth, either, "We have rooms prepared for you at the palace."
"Thank you. I look forward to seeing you, and your sister, at the ceremony."
"This is Duke Nagi de Artai of the Southern Isles, as well as an escort from his Obsidian Knights."
"Masashi Takeda," the young man with a scarred face bowed.
"He's only newly knighted," Nagi sighed, "So he sometimes forgets that it is now Sir Masashi Takeda. And I am Duke Nagi. You're as stunningly beautiful as the rumors state, Princess Alyssa. Any betrothals?"
Alyssa fixed him with a wry smile, "Mother did not see fit to have betrothals for either my sister or myself before her untimely passing. She felt we should know our prospective husbands before we were offered to them."
"So both you and your sister and eligible?" the Duke grinned, "How interesting.
~~*~~
Shizuru was lost. Somehow she had gotten caught up in looking at the paintings and tapestries in the halls, and had fallen behind the group. One moment she was admiring Happy Accidents of the Swing, and the next, she found herself alone.
She put her finger to her lip in thought, trying to figure out which way to go. She didn't want to wander inadvertently into an area that was off limits. As a sovereign herself, she well knew the sorts of scandals and international incidents that could arise from such seeming impropriety, even if achieved in the utmost of innocence.
She decided to take what seemed the most logical path, only to find herself walking into an enclosed garden.
She saw a dark haired young woman with strikingly beautiful features standing alone in the garden. She was staring at a bush filled with flowers. She reached out her hand, encompassing a flower with long, gracile fingers. Her intention was clear.
"You shouldn't do that," de Fujino said in a honeyed voice, "Flowers should be loved. They're doing the best they can with the little time they have."
The young woman standing by the flowers turned to look at her, her mouth agape. Shizuru noted that she had striking emerald green eyes, and lovely, smooth skin. Her expression was bewilderment.
"My apologies if I spoke out of turn," Shizuru curtsied, "I'm Queen Shizuru de Fujino, of the land of Viola. I'm afraid I got separated from the delegation, and I'm trying to find my way, but this palace is so labyrinthine. Could you direct me to the main hall?"
The young woman smiled gently, "I'll take you there myself."
"Thank you. It would be discourteous of me to miss the coronation of Queen Natsuki. She might be offended, were I to be tardy."
The girl looked confused for a moment, then smiled, "Yes, I suppose so. However, Majesty, I think that if you had a valid reason for being tardy, Natsuki would be forgiving. A good ruler is gracious, yes?"
Shizuru blinked, then nodded, "Yes. I suppose so. I know so little of her. Only the rumors."
The girl motioned for her to follow, and Shizuru walked behind her, "What rumors might those be?"
"I've heard that the Princess Natsuki is beautiful, but elusive. Some say that it is likely a chronic illness, and that she hides away to keep the public from worrying that she is in frail health. Others say that perhaps she is of a mercurial mood, and disdains public appearances."
The woman turned and looked over her shoulder at Shizuru.
"And what do you think?"
"I find it best to withhold judgment until I have met the woman for myself and taken my own measure of her."
The young woman smiled, "You are very strange, Majesty. Beautiful, but strange."
Shizuru looked at her, astonished. That this girl would speak to her so! She started chuckling, a fufufu noise, "In light of the festive air, I shall overlook your informality. Especially since you've aided me in this fashion. But you've already told me something of your impending sovereign. She must be a very kindly sort, to foster such a carefree soul as you in her employ. This should prove most interesting."
"Indeed," the dark haired girl nearly grinned, "Here's the main hall, Majesty. And I think you'll find…"
"Natsuki!" Alyssa entered the room, "There you are! I thought you were in the garden and…Oh, Queen de Fujino! I hadn't realized you two were acquainted."
"We weren't," Princess Natsuki grinned at her sister, "Queen Shizuru de Fujino got lost in the castle, and I met her in the garden. She asked me to escort her here, and I thought I'd oblige. She told me much about herself, along the way."
Shizuru smiled a serene smile, "Ikezu, Princess. You are quite a naughty child to deceive me thus."
"I never told you that I wasn't Princess Natsuki," She grinned, "And it was interesting to get to hear your honest opinion, unfettered by the knowledge of who I was."
"I see. And what, Princess, is your opinion of me?"
Natsuki crossed her arms over her chest, grinning, "I told you. Beautiful, but strange. I think, Queen Shizuru, that I will find the friendship of the kingdom of Viola to be most interesting."
To Be Continued…