The Queen’s Path Author: Shen Weizhi
[Synopsis]
She is a princess born on a remote planet, living an ordinary life until age ten. In the struggle for the throne, she had the least chance of success but ultimately became queen. This is a story of her growth, the imperial transformation, and a woman’s love. In the vast starry sky, their love shines eternally.
Article Type: Original – Romance – Future Fantasy – Love
Work Style: Serious Drama
Content Tags: Urban Romance, Court Nobility, Gifted Prodigy
Search Keywords: Protagonist: Wilhelmina | Supporting Characters: Hans Borg, Albert, Annabel | Others: Cultivation, Butler, Palace Intrigue, Alternate History, Galactic Empire, Queen
Prologue
On August 17, 7365, a girl named Wilhelmina was born in Skylark Manor on the planet Monslan Ka. Her maternal grandfather was a respected local gentry, and her mother was a famous central television broadcaster. Her father, Prince Adam, was the fourth prince of the Galactic Empire, under Emperor Alexander. Six months before her birth, her parents announced their divorce. A year later, her father remarried. Three years after her birth, her mother died in an interstellar travel accident.
She lived peacefully on a small planet far from the imperial capital until April 22, 7375, when Prince Adam and his wife were assassinated…
Chapter 1 · From Skylark Manor to Rose Palace
Some are born ordinary yet destined to be noble, like me. However, I was unaware of this until after age ten. In my brief and happy childhood, there was no trace of privilege or fame. In the golden wheat fields, my friends and I ran barefoot, chasing milk carts and peddlers’ vehicles like wild children. These dream-like days lasted until the spring before my tenth birthday. For a long time, I didn’t understand why I was taken back to the palace, but I knew this was my destiny. Accepting fate’s arrangement, yet never bowing down. Because this is my empire. — Wilhelmina I, “Prelude to My Memoirs”
Monsland Planet is one of the countless stars in the Galactic Empire, naturally suitable for human habitation and quite remote. The local industries are primarily agriculture and tourism, with a small population and simple folk customs.
Skylark Manor is located in the western hemisphere, with vast plains, dense forests, and valleys dividing the continental plate.
There are several large farms here, and Wilhelmina’s grandparents’ Skylark Manor is one of them.
The manor’s main house is a gray, ancient structure, with a courtyard filled with fresh flowers. Wilhelmina parked her children’s vehicle beneath the wall and tiptoed onto the terrace, approaching the floor-to-ceiling windows of the studio.
Her grandfather was conversing with a guest, whose face was shadowed by the curtains. He wore a military officer’s uniform, adorned with elaborate silver embellishments on his chest.
“Yes, the servant has gone to find her,” Grandfather Lehmann said in a low voice.
“I hope we haven’t caused you any trouble.”
“It is as it should be, sir. We are very sorry about what has happened.”
“She doesn’t know yet?”
“We don’t know how to tell her.”
“Then, please allow me to do so.”
“Willy is a strong child…”
Wilhelmina wanted to get closer, but suddenly, a large hand lifted her. A tall soldier looked down and smiled.
“My lady,” he said, opening the window, “Sir, Wilhelmina has been found.”
“Willy?” her grandmother exclaimed, rushing to embrace her, “Sweetheart, how did you get like this again?”
“I was fighting with Derek and the others,” Wilhelmina replied.
Mrs. Lehmann gave a stiff smile, then gently pushed the child toward the guest.
“This is Lord Hans Borg. Do you remember the etiquette I taught you?
Wilhelmina looked confusedly at her grandmother and performed an awkward curtsy.
“Good day, sir.”
The handsome man knelt before her, holding her dirt-covered hand and kissing it gently. He smiled warmly, treating her like an angel.
“Miss Wilhelmina, I am Owen Hans Borg, a permanent official from the Imperial State Department. I have been sent to escort you back to the capital.”
Wilhelmina caught a familiar phrase, “Did Dad send you to pick me up? Where is Dad?”
Hans Borg and the Lehmanns exchanged a glance.
“The Prince is waiting for you in the capital, miss,” the young man said gently. “You’ll see him when you arrive.”
Wilhelmina looked at her grandmother. Mrs. Lehmann turned away.
“Are Grandpa and Grandma coming with me?”
“No, darling, they can’t for now. But I promise they will be able to go to the capital later.”
The little girl nodded, seemingly believing yet not quite.
The man smiled, “We’ll set off tomorrow.”
Wilhelmina was taken downstairs.
That night, her grandmother came to her room, and Wilhelmina got her wish to sleep with her again. Mrs. Lehmann held the child, humming the lullaby that once soothed her own daughter.
“Mary Rose cut her hair short, jumped on the mail car and left home. The port’s spaceship is about to take off, she sneaks into the cabin. The sky is an ocean of stars, a good child’s dream is about to depart…”
“Grandma,” Wilhelmina asked softly, “Did Mary Rose go home later?”
Mrs. Lehmann’s eyes glistened with tears in the darkness. “She went home, dear, she finally went home. You will too, my darling.”
In fact, her daughter Rebecca Lehmann never returned, and now her granddaughter was about to embark on a journey.
“Are you crying?”
“No, I’m just tired.”
“Let’s go to sleep then.”
“Okay, sweetheart.”
The next day, the nanny dressed Wilhelmina in a new black dress and tied a white bow in her hair.
“What a beautiful child,” Hans Borg praised sincerely.
“Can I bring Lucy to see Dad?” Wilhelmina hugged her large spotted cat.
“Of course, my lady,” Hans Borg bent down and took her hand.
Wilhelmina felt a bit panicked and looked back at her grandparents. Mr. Lehmann came over and hugged her tightly.
“My sweetheart, my darling,” he handed her a pocket watch. “This was your mother’s. Keep it safe. Remember, your mother was a strong and kind woman. Whenever you encounter setbacks, think of her.”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
Mr. Lehmann whispered in his granddaughter’s ear: “Don’t let them know what you’re thinking.”
The child nodded, stood on tiptoe, kissed her grandfather’s old face, and was then put into the car.
The convoy quietly drove out of Skylark Manor, racing along the road, with harvested wheat and corn fields on both sides. As they passed the small hill where the children had played yesterday, Wilhelmina saw her friends standing on the slope.
The children of the Rose Regiment began to cheer: “Willy! Forward! Willy! Forward!”
Derek’s red hair looked lonely in the crowd as he watched the convoy leave in silence. Suddenly, he ran down the slope, sprinting toward the departing vehicles.
“Willy—” the boy shouted, but the hover car quickly left him behind.
Wilhelmina leaned on the car window, watching the small red dot, and began to cry. Though precocious and adept at hiding her feelings, she was still young and couldn’t control her tears.
Through her blurry tears, Skylark Manor’s main house disappeared into a point, and the land of her childhood receded. At just ten years old, she understood that leaving her homeland was not simple. In fact, she would never return to Monslanker after this farewell.
On May 3rd of Imperial Year 7375, the spacecraft Abraham docked at the imperial capital’s aviation port. With the cabin door open, Hans Borg, still a regular official of the State Council, held Wilhelmina’s hand as they stepped onto the soil of the imperial capital, Odin.
Chapter 3
Odin, the capital city, was the name of this planet.
