After breakfast, Estelle went back to her room, looking for a book that could keep her busy for the whole day. She had searched her bookshelves, but nothing could capture her attention. She did not want to visit the royal library, the books there were all too philosophical and difficult for a child in her age to read, but there were no other books.
Soon, she decided to ask her father for books.
"Papa?" She went into the king's study with fear.
"Yes, Estelle?"
She walked towards the desk, and the king stood up and smiled at his daughter.
"I…I...I…am just wondering if…if…"
"Relax, Estelle. I am not going to eat you." He chuckled.
"Do you have books?"
"There're a lot of books in the library."
"But they're too…too…horrible."
The king immediately understood what she meant 'horrible'. The books were not set to be read by children.
"I do have books but they are not for your age, why don't you ask your mother?"
"Mama?"
"I think she has some." He patted the little girl's shoulder. "Or why don't you go and play with Andrea and the others?"
"Do you think Mama will allow me to play?" Estelle asked hopefully.
"I think so, now go and find her for permission. I have a lot to do."
The little girl nodded and left the room. Her father looked at her with kindness, then he turned around and looked at the bright sun through the huge window.
"Mama?" She knocked at the door.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened and Estelle saw her mother at the desk, reading a thick book. When Estelle reached the desk, she looked up and smiled at her daughter.
"Yes, Estelle?"
"Do you have books to read?" Estelle asked. "I mean not those in the library. They are too…too…"
"I see." Elsa replied and went to her bookshelves. Her fingers hovered over the book spines. Then she stopped at a thick brown leathered book. Slowly, she pulled the book out and handed in it to Estelle.
"Grimms' Fairy Tales? 1812?" Estelle read the cover and looked up at the queen with a puzzled look.
"I read it too when I was little like you. It is translated from German, but the stories are still amazingly interesting."
Estelle gasped with surprise and grinned.
"Can I keep it for a week or two?" Estelle gazed at her with sparkling eyes.
"It's all yours. You can keep it as long as you want."
"For real?" Estelle simply could not believe what her mother said.
"Of course, Estelle." Elsa knelt down and patted Estelle's head. "Why don't go down to the garden? I just saw Andrea and Louisa there, playing some games."
"Is Jonas there too?"
"Maybe."
"You let me go down there? With no lessons?"
Elsa nodded swiftly. Estelle grinned broadly and giggled.
"Until dinner?" She asked again, hoping that what she heard was real.
"Until dinner. No lessons for you today, only for today. Is that alright for you?"
Estelle cheered and kissed her mother's cheek, then hurried off to the garden. Elsa smiled sweetly, it was the first time that she saw Estelle smiled like an angel without worries.
Perhaps I should let her play more often, she thought.
"Andrea! Andrea!" Estelle yelled as she rushed to the bushes.
Andrea put one finger on her lips, warning her cousin to be quiet.
Estelle looked at her with confusion, wondering what she was up to.
"Got you!" A loud voice rang behind them, scaring the two girls.
Louisa giggled and tapped Andrea's shoulder.
"I got you! I got you!" Louisa screamed with excitement. "Jonas, Fredrick, I got her!"
The two boys sprinted towards the three, Jonas beamed proudly at his sister.
"See? I told you my sister is a good hide-and-seek catcher." Jonas told Fredrick.
"Andrea, you should not always hide in the bushes, you makes rustling sounds whenever you move."
"I know, I know." Andrea muttered, then she turned to Estelle, "Are you supposed to have lessons?"
"Mama let me have a day-off." Estelle proudly replied.
"Really?" Andrea could not believe what she heard.
Estelle nodded and said, "But I am really not good at games, so I bring a book out and perhaps I can read it in the gazebo."
Andrea, Louisa and Fredrick frowned at the idea of reading. Though reading was part of their royal life, they did not really enjoy that part, much to their parents' dismay. Estelle, on the other hand, spent most of her time reading. She was the type of person that was trained to be quiet and sophisticated, a trainee of the royal position as an heir to the throne.
"What's that book?" Jonas asked.
"Grimms' Fairy Tales." Estelle gleefully replied. "Have you read it before?"
"No." Jonas shook his head. "What's it about?"
"Something like fairy tales, stories…" Estelle tried to answer. "Oh, would you like to read it in the gazebo too?"
Jonas nodded eagerly, he had waited for this moment ever since he had seen Estelle, but there were few chances for him to spend time alone with her.
They had read together and laughed for the breezy afternoon. Estelle enjoyed having Jonas as a friend. He was friendly and nice, with great sophistication and elegance, a perfect gentleman.
"So you're name is Estelle?" Jonas asked.
"Yeah?" Estelle was puzzled. "What's wrong?"
"Dad makes me read the Arendelle's history. I don't think I have seen any of your ancestors have this name." Jonas explained. "I am Jonas the Fifth, and Louisa is already the Seventh."
"Really?" Estelle exclaimed. "I haven't thought about that. I just know my name means 'star' in French. What about yours?"
"Dove in Hebrew. But it also means destroyer." Jonas said seriously. "Louisa's better, famous warrior."
"Don't be that serious." Estelle chuckled. "It's just a name. It doesn't mean much, as least you are not a destroyer to me."
Jonas grinned at her.
"Did I scare you yesterday?" Estelle suddenly asked.
"Not really. I am just awed."
"You aren't afraid?"
Jonas shook and laughed.
"It's not that horrible. At least I don't think it's horrible."
Estelle's heart lightened. She was finally assured by the answer. For the whole night, she had been thinking if her magic had made her a freak.
"Estelle? Estelle?" A familiar voice yelled.
"Its' Mama." Estelle whispered.
Nimbly, she stood up and tried to find her mother. The two met Elsa, who looked worried and tired, waiting for them at the patio gates.
"Estelle, I have been finding you. It's six now and we are about to have dinner!" Elsa knelt down and straightened her daughter's bodice.
"Sorry, Mama. I have been in the gazebo reading this book with Jonas." Estelle said.
Elsa smiled at her and stood up, glancing at Jonas swiftly and then took them to the dining hall. The dinner was as quiet as usual, it was Henrik who tried to bring up something interesting to break the silence, but the Elsa and Erik did not like speaking while eating, so the conversation never lasted long. Estelle and Jonas exchanged polite and friendly smiles once a while, and this had been under Elsa's observation. She knew it was good for her daughter to befriend someone outside Arendelle, but she was not sure if the boy's father was good for their family. Henrik appeared to be friendly, but from Elsa's deep cognition, she knew there was something obnoxious would happen and certainly the king was the culprit. But since there was no evidence showing that he was rancorous, Elsa did not dare to make any conclusions at this stage.
"Erik, and my lady, I wish to speak to you about our diplomatic relationship after the dinner." Henrik said. "I've tried to come up with this matter ever since I have arrived Arendelle."
Erik glanced at his wife, who was completely uninterested about it. He knew Elsa did not take a great liking towards Henrik, but still it was not nice to turn down the request.
"We'll have that in my study. And Elsa?"
Elsa looked up and gazed at her husband.
"Yes?"
"Would you like to join the meeting?" Erik invited. "Of course, you may choose not to come."
"I will." Elsa replied curtly and continued eating without speaking further.
"That would be wonderful." Henrik clapped his hand and laughed.
"Anna, Kristoff, are you two anywhere tonight?" Erik asked.
"We can stay with the children." Anna replied. "So go on with your meeting."
"Mama, can we go to the mountains tomorrow?" Andrea asked abruptly.
"Yeah, Jonas and Louisa would love it." Fredrick said.
"Please, Mama." Andrea said. "We want to go to the ice castle! Just this once, please."
Andrea put on a puppy face and glanced at her parents, then the queen.
"But you are not supposed to—" Anna began but was stopped by her daughter's big round eyes which were full of hope. She did not want to disappoint her daughter.
"Elsa?" Anna asked.
"You're spoiling your daughter." Elsa said coldly.
"Please, Aunt Elsa." Andrea walked to Elsa and placed her little hands on Elsa's laps, looking intently into Elsa's eyes.
Elsa sighed.
"You may." Elsa finally whispered. "But only during daytime with Anna and Kristoff, and come back before dinner. Is that a promise?"
Andrea nodded and smiled brightly.
"We're going to the mountains tomorrow!" Andrea cheered and the children excused themselves and left the hall as quickly as possible.
"My fair lady, as our country is having lots of trading with your country, I presumptuously suggest that we should make an arrangement between us." Henrik asked.
"Please state your suggestion." Erik said.
"Well, I would like to have a royal marriage arrangement between my second son, Jonas, with your daughter, Estelle. It would be wonderful if both of them agree to it."
"I'm sorry, I'm confused." Elsa said.
"In these two days of my observation, it seems that Jonas is having a quite deep friendship with your daughter. It seems that it would be beneficial for both of us to have a marriage arrangement." Henrik explained.
"I don't think it is a good idea." Elsa snapped.
"Well, my lady. You do not need to reply immediately—"
"No. And this is out of my desire. Please." She sternly stated her decision and ordered Henrik to leave.
Henrik raised his eyebrow and looked at Erik. But Erik knew Elsa meant a 'no' and he could not do anything to change her mind. Henrik's smile faded and he stormed out of the study.
When he went back to his room, he ordered Jonas to meet him.
"Yes, Papa?"
"Tomorrow you'll be up in the mountains."
"Yeah?"
"I want you to save the princess."
"How?"
Henrik whispered to Jonas's ear. Jonas frowned as he heard of the idea.
"But Dad, it…it doesn't sound good."
"Just do what I say!"
Jonas had to obey though he did not like the plot.