Estelle was wondering over a question, what happened eleven years ago, when her mother had just become the queen?
No one had told her, no one dared to tell her. But curiosity of a child was far more stronger and powerful than anything. She decided to find the truth herself. She had thought of asking Aunt Anna and Uncle Kristoff, but it seemed that they would not tell that easily, not to mention her father and mother.
She decided to enter the royal library restricted section, though she knew she was not supposed to read it until she had become the queen. Beside this, she could think of anyway to find herself an appropriate explanation of what had happened before her birth.
She managed to distract all her servants and her cousins for half an hour. Then she wandered off to the royal library. She stopped when she saw Gerda standing in front of the library door.
"Good morning, Your Highness." Gerda bowed with respect.
"Good morning." Estelle gritted out through her teeth and entered the room.
"Your Highness, what kind of books do you want to read?" Gerda followed her, hoping to help the young princess.
"Nothing. You may go somewhere else."
"But you'll be alone in the library. According to what the queen says, you are not supposed to be alone at any circumstances. The king has also specially reminds the servants that —"
"I don't need any accompany." Estelle groaned. "I am old enough to take care of myself."
"But your mother fears that your power will go out of control and you might get into trouble."
"I can handle it my magic perfectly well." Estelle snapped.
After a while of argument, Estelle could not think of any excuses to get rid of Gerda. So she needed to wait for an opportunity. Her mind span fast, trying to think of a new plan.
"Gerda?" Estelle suddenly yelled.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Estelle's ears had gone scarlet, and so did her face. She could feel the heat steaming on her face and her ice power could not help in any way. Slowly, she took a deep breath and said what was in her mind.
"Do you think you can get my notebook in the drawer of my bedroom? I want to jot down some notes about the book. Remember to get my quill too. It is in my cabinet."
"Cabinet?" Gerda exclaimed.
"Yeah, cabinet. Hurry up!" Estelle tried to cover up her blush with her hand.
After Gerda left and Estelle had confirmed that the library was cleared, she took a deep breath and calmed herself by rubbing frost on her red cheeks. Then she headed to the restricted section. She put the lock on her palm and she created a wisp of snow flurries on her other hand. Carefully she laid the flurries into the key hole and the lock opened.
The restricted section was unfamiliar to Estelle. This was her first time to set foot on this forbidden area. Warily, she examined around and searched for her mother's record.
"Mi-TILL STOR-KREETH….that's it! Mikill Stórhríð!"
She tried to get it but her fingertips could barely touch the lower part of book spine. She stood on her toes and tried to grab the book.
"Just a little bit more…little bit…" She muttered and stretched her arm tightly.
Just when she thought she got hold of the book, the library door swung open. Her muscle tensed up and she lost balance, her legs wobbled and could not longer support her weight. In order to avoid more harm, she knelt down and looked back, only finding Henrik eyeing on her with quirkiness.
"Now what had made the honourable princess in such panic?" Henrik asked in a sugary tone.
"Nothing." Estelle quickly stood up and tidied her gown, muttering the words in a barely audible voice. "I…I'm just looking around."
"I don't suppose princesses would like to visit the restricted section." Henrik stressed on the last two words.
Estelle dazed with horror and tried to utter words that could help.
"Maybe I should inform the queen about this to see if it is completely fine to go into the…" Henrik began.
"No, please." Estelle yelled. "Please, no. I beg you."
"Of course, I won't." Henrik chuckled softly and bent down. "But you have to tell me why you are here."
Estelle looked at him with worries and fear. Her large round eyes blinked quickly and stared at him with innocence.
"I am not going to tell your mother." Henrik patted her back and laughed. "Come on, I won't tell."
"I…I…want to know what happened eleven years ago, when Mama created the huge snowstorm." Estelle whispered.
Henrik could not help but smiling. That was exactly what he wanted to hear.
"You won't tell Mama, will you?" Estelle asked in a pure angelic tone.
"Of course, I won't." Henrik said in a promising and reassuring tone. "I will never tell. But you'll have to find me tonight, at ten in my study. Don't let your Papa or Mama or anyone know, not even your cousins. Is that a promise?"
Estelle nodded and fled out of the library instantly. When Henrik was certain that the coast was clear, he put back the restricted section's lock and went out of the library with an evil grin on his face.
"That's only the first step." Henrik sniggered. "That's more to come."
He went into the dark corridor and disappeared in the darkness, only a tenebrous witch-like cry could be heard, and echoed, lingering for a while before it faded into the dead silence.