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Frederick and Meibel stood at the dock, waiting for the last possible minute for Frederick to get on board. They were in public, so they needed to behave appropriately; even if Meibel’s guardian approved of Frederick, they hadn’t yet announced anything. Frederick had only just graduated from the Naval Academy, and he wanted to do things right. He was in the Navy, and he needed to act like it. If the others were waiting until they rose in the ranks before getting engaged or married, he would, too. He wasn’t a spoiled prince coasting through life.
Still, it was awkward standing a few feet apart like this.
“Don’t forget to write!” Meibel said, leaning forward just a bit, looking him in the eyes intensely.
“Of course I will!” Frederick promised. “I’ll have nothing better to do a lot of the time.”
Meibel frowned at him. “I don’t know if I should be annoyed that you said that or happy that you won’t be doing anything too dangerous.”
“Oh, I guess I could have said that better,” Frederick admitted. “But how do you know I won’t be doing anything dangerous? Maybe the Southern Isles will have another war and want to fight Arendelle and Corona this time.”
“Don’t joke like that!” Meibel hissed, forgetting herself and grabbing his hand.
Frederick didn’t pull his hand away. He could just say he was joking, that he didn’t mean it, but then he wouldn’t want to get on board. He had to get on board the ship and start his career.
“Come on, Meibel,” he smirked, “you’re supposed to give me a rousing speech now.”
“What?” Meibel pulled her hand away.
“I’m about to head off to my fate. You’re supposed to tell me how brave I am, and to come home with my shield or on it.”
Meibel glared at him. “First off, I can’t believe you’re joking about any of this. Secondly… if you actually paid any attention in your studies, it would be your mother telling you that. I’m going home. You can wait for your mother to come and tell you that before you leave.”
“Wait, Meibel-” Frederick tried to put his hand on her shoulder as she turned away, but she smacked at it. She stopped, though.
“Well?” she asked expectantly.
Frederick took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Meibel. I’m nervous.”
Meibel sighed, looking calm, but blinking a little too quickly. “It’s okay, I know. But, look, your family is here now. You will write to me, won’t you?”
“Yes. Absolutely,” Frederick promised.