There must be two hundred people here, he thinks. Give or take.

The cathedral is full, that's for sure. The rows have been filled in precise descending order of social status but he, Kristoff Bjorgman of nowhere in particular, has a seat right at the front, next to Princess Anna on the rare occasions during the ceremony that she actually gets to sit down. On his other side are the various nobles who have been selected as godparents (the queen and princess used some esoteric formula to choose them which he makes no pretence of understanding, but they seem decent enough people as far as he can tell).

Anna had been very apologetic about not naming him Asta's godfather, but had explained that since he was going to be her stepfather one day it seemed like overkill (and it was one of the first times she had explicitly stated that she intended to marry him - they have an Understanding but he doesn't know how long it'll be before he dares ask officially). He's happier just watching the ceremony, anyway, without taking part in it.

There are lots of readings, some in a language he can understand and some not. The archbishop drones on. Asta herself is only actually required for a few short intervals and spends most of the rest of the time in the corridor outside with a nursemaid - Anna keeps leaning backwards to see her out of the side door, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the entire congregation is watching her. When the eight-month-old is back in her arms for the actual baptism she holds her so proudly and Kristoff is reminded of when she showed him Asta for the first time. Look what I did.

Afterwards there is a sort of reception with drinks and canapes. Fortunately for everyone the baby has inherited her mother's extroversion and is quite cheerful about being passed from guest to guest like a parcel. Kristoff happens to be holding her when she's getting sleepy, or maybe she recognises his shoulder as her frequent napping spot; either way he finds a seat in a corner and sits quietly while Asta dozes.

He looks up when he hears the queen asking her sister whether Asta has been taken away for her nap. Anna says no, she doesn't think so, and looks around before spotting Kristoff and smiling at him. Turning back to her sister, she says "No, she's with her Papa."

"He's not her Papa yet."

"He's always been her Papa. And it's true," Anna continued over objections, "because you knew who I meant. And so would she. If she wasn't a baby."

Asta is awake now, blinking and chewing her fist.

"Am I your Papa?" Kristoff asks her, quietly.

She contemplates him for a moment, green eyes grave, then carefully reaches out and pokes him in the eye.