Embers in a Crystal Storm

by Ziva- Zia- Z

Two kingdoms ruled by married monarchs separated by a sea would not outlast those kingdoms that came before. It didn't matter he had loved her the moment they met. Everything was against them- a marriage built on such major differences could not last- but they were determined; they would rewrite the story, even if they had to rewrite the stars to make sure their story was told.

97. Chapter 97

Rifiuto: Non Mirena

1908,

The Garden of Linnea Castle,

Arendelle

Every head slowly turned towards the queen, who looked up, brow furrowed. "What are you all looking at?"

"Did the queen really see her dead daughter, 'papa?" Thyra asked softly. She had never liked ghost stories, even though her father had always told them about the many supernatural beings of their homelands, so that they understood the history and folklore of their countries.

"No one can fully say, Thyra. Some say that the death of the princess drove the queen to madness, others say it was the grief that drove her mad. And still others had said it was not madness but real."

"She haunts the kitchens most." Everyone turned back to the current queen. "The little girl. The cooks constantly talk about things being moved. Childish laughter that has no source. The pattering of little feet..." She stopped, sighing. "No one knows her name, but one of the cooks said she thinks the girl has been there since at least the late eighteen-fifties."

He nodded, tears coming to his eyes at the thought. ... that fate were so cruel to leave you trapped within the castle walls, never to feel your mother's tender arms around you, when she was so desperate to...

"But children died all the time back then. What made Liesel so different?"

"Nothing, but she was the first of the king and queen's children to die. She was the first of the royal children to suffer, to not live long enough to pass from childhood into teenagehood. Her death shook the king and queen; it was her passing that broke the queen's heart, and it was her death that sent the royal family spiraling into even more grief."

"What do you mean?" Amalie asked, lowering her cup. She glanced at her sister, who reached over and took her hand, squeezing gently.

He sighed, glancing at Thyra before turning to the others. If the young princess's death was the only tragedy suffered -

"Princess Elisabeth was not the only one to die; she was the first."

"First? Who... who else-"

Glances were shared, and he sighed, smiling softly at Lisi. He didn't know the best way to go about explaining the tragedy that would befall the family without choking up. A moment passed, before he swallowed thickly, choking the tears down. Oh my love, how do I accurately describe the loss of your beautiful son?