“Yes, Your Highness,” Hans Borg replied.
Wilhelmina scratched Lucy’s ear. “I hope to be admitted to Odin Academy.”
The turmoil continued until the end of August, with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess going to Locke Star to apologize to the people. Annabel did not accompany them and had temporarily disappeared from the public eye, not participating in activities throughout the summer. She was even difficult to find in the Rose Palace.
This situation only meant one thing, Hans Borg pondered: the Crown Prince’s position might indeed change, and Annabel, as the second in line, received additional protection.
These affairs did not affect Wilhelmina much.
While the super video played of the Crown Prince and his wife bowing in front of the memorial tower, Wilhelmina jumped with joy over her Odin Academy admission notice.
Chapter Two: Little Bird and Thorns
Wilhelmina was admitted with two A’s, three B+’s, and two B’s—an improvement from her previous grades, yet not outstanding enough to draw attention. She was placed in the fourth-grade B class. Her enrollment seemed insignificant amidst the political turmoil, but Aunt Catherine brought her a cute set of cartoon stationery and told her that Kerns would be in the same class.
“Don’t let this little troublemaker affect your studies,” Catherine said. “It would be better if you could establish a positive image for him. If he causes trouble, be sure to tell me.”
Odin Academy’s uniform was traditionally low-key in black, white, and gray. Girls wore knee-length plaid skirts with white socks and black leather shoes. The school provided shoulder bags, umbrellas, hats, and other items, all embroidered with a dark green four-leaf clover emblem.
Wilhelmina wore her school uniform and stood excitedly in front of Hans Borg. “How do I look?”
“Very good, my lady,” he replied gently.
“Better than Annabel?”
The little girl’s clever eyes made Hans Borg feel somewhat awkward.
“You will be a million times more beautiful than her, Your Highness,” the young secretary assured his master. “You will become a lady that everyone will admire.”
Hans Borg escorted Wilhelmina to register. They lined up to receive materials and dormitory keys from teachers, then rode the campus hover bus to familiarize themselves with the academy, which was a former royal palace. The main building became the administrative office, while the smaller palaces transformed into halls, dining rooms, and clubhouses. Classrooms and dormitories were newly built in a traditional style.
The junior section where Wilhelmina was located was on the west side, surrounded by chestnut trees and blooming dahlias. Between the dormitory and teaching buildings was a semicircular lake with a marble pavilion, where a few pairs of swans were raised.
“4125, arrived,” the assistant robot announced in a comical electronic voice. It inserted the information card into the door lock, and the door opened with an electromagnetic sound.
The Osenberg Dynasty, a militarily and politically established lineage, had always advocated for strict and simple living. So, even though the school provided special care for royal family children, the assigned dormitory was just renovated for better orientation.
This two-person bedroom featured beds on each side, an integrated bathroom and balcony, and bright floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake.
“Please enter your fingerprint and retinal information on the door lock for future access. Dormitory curfew is from 10 pm to 6 am. Open fires and cooking are prohibited, and no overnight guests are allowed. Mrs. Kariman will be the floor supervisor. The emergency call button is located above the bedhead. Please consult the materials for additional safety information.”
With Hans Borg’s help, Wilhelmina entered her fingerprint and retinal information. Once confirmed, the electronic door plate displayed the residents’ names: “Wilhelmina Osenberg.”
This simple name drew attention from students and parents in the hallway, some stopping to bow.
“Your Highness.” “It’s an honor to see you, Your Highness.”
In their eyes were admiration, friendliness, flattery, and wariness. Wilhelmina smiled and returned the greetings.
“Let’s tour the cafeteria,” Hans Borg suggested, putting his arm around her shoulders to guide her away from the social exchanges. When they returned to the dormitory, another person was already in the room.
The black-haired girl had some Latin ancestry, with wheat-colored skin, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, appearing both beautiful and spirited. Slightly taller than Wilhelmina, her school uniform was worn askew, and her suitcase was open on the floor with clothes scattered messily on the bed.
“Hey, roommate!” the girl exclaimed upon seeing Wilhelmina, full of enthusiasm. “Let’s get to know each other. Angela Ruiz Garcia. You’re that treasure girl, right?”
“Treasure girl?” Wilhelmina was stunned.
“Yeah, that’s right. The young duchess, the emperor’s granddaughter, the girl from the Roxston Star Domain. I saw the name on the door. Your name is Wilhelmina, right? Can I call you Wina?”
“Everyone calls me Vili.”
“Okay, Vili does sound better. You can call me Angela or Gigi. Are you in Class B? I’m in Class A—the exclusive class for top students! We’re starting biology this semester, and you’ll definitely love it!”
Angela talked non-stop about school matters while organizing her clothes. She was friendly and enthusiastic, showing no extra respect or flattery toward Wilhelmina.
Hans Borg had already figured out Angela’s background. She came from a middle-class family, with a dentist father and a middle school teacher mother. She was admitted to Odin Academy purely through her intelligence and excellent grades.
The roommate assignment was completely random, and this roommate was preferable to those from noble or wealthy families.
“I’ll come to pick you up on Friday, Your Highness,” Hans Borg said to Wilhelmina. “Please take care of yourself and seek help from the dormitory supervisor if you have difficulties. Get along well with Miss Garcia. And…”
“Study hard and don’t be led astray by Kerns,” Wilhelmina finished.
Hans Borg laughed. Wilhelmina opened her arms and hugged him tightly before he stood up to say goodbye.
From this point, Wilhelmina would leave his embrace and enter collective life, experiencing the challenges ahead. As Hans Borg walked away, he realized that despite being only twenty-two, he felt like an old father.
“Wow…” Angela exclaimed, bringing Wilhelmina’s gaze back. “He’s so handsome! Is he your butler?”
“He’s my secretary,” Wilhelmina replied, feeling a bit low due to parting.
“Right, secretary,” Angela said, eyes full of infatuation. “He’s even more handsome than Freyr Koman. Why hasn’t a man like this gone into movies? Are all court officials this handsome?”
Freyr Koman was a popular movie star, the dream lover of billions of young girls in the empire.
Wilhelmina had once liked him too, but after living in the court, she had gradually forgotten her former idol.
“Is this your first time at a boarding school?” Angela asked. “I cried my eyes out back then. You look much stronger than I was. It’s not a big deal. You’ll feel sad at first, but you’ll soon love life here. No one will stop you from lying in bed eating desserts or drinking coffee, and you can even plaster your room with star posters. Cheer up!”
Wilhelmina laughed, “You’re really interesting.”
“Everyone says that,” Angela replied proudly.
Wilhelmina took a deep breath and asked, “Hey, want some help?”
“Great! You’re such a good person!” Angela cheered. “We need to put clothes in the wardrobe and find tomorrow’s textbooks. Be careful, my blueberry cake is under this pile of stuff.”
“Vili—” Kerns burst in, “I finally found you! I’m staying in the room above yours.”
