Wilhelmina sighed, “May Odin protect me. If I hear you jumping around upstairs at night, I’ll definitely shoot you down with an energy gun.”
“This chubby kid looks familiar!” Angela leaned over.
Kerns jumped up, “Disrespectful girl. My father is Lord Nolheim.”
Angela scoffed, “As a commoner, I never remember your nobles’ complicated titles.” “He’s my cousin,” Wilhelmina said. “Kerns, this is my roommate Garcia. Be polite to her, or I’ll tell Aunt Catherine.” “Tattletale!” Kerns retorted. “Behave, Kerns. Wait for me outside while I help Giselle organize the room, then we’ll go to dinner with Annabel and the others.” “Don’t you know? Annabel reported and then went back to the palace.” Wilhelmina frowned, “Isn’t she going to attend classes?” “I guess she’s too busy for that,” Kerns shrugged. “Alright, girls, stop dawdling. The third cafeteria has grilled veal today. If we go now, we can still grab a portion!”
Chapter 14
Campus life began just like that. It wasn’t as heavy as Wilhelmina had anticipated, but it was busy. The summer tutoring allowed her to keep up with the courses relatively easily, and Angela and Kerns also provided a lot of support.
The school did not provide special care for royal children, but classmates were generally more respectful and considerate. Her identity made Wilhelmina the center of attention, with people eager to show friendliness.
Following Hans Borg’s instructions, Wilhelmina maintained a low profile. In class, she was serious; privately, she was an easygoing and introverted classmate.
The little girl suppressed her flamboyant personality to appear unremarkable.
When a girl wearing a pink butterfly bow approached, William Mina was doing homework with Cairns and Angela in the school library. Cairns spotted her first and nudged William Mina.
“Look, Annabel’s pink brigade is here. Has she returned to school?”
The girl walked over proudly and performed a curtsy. “Your Highness, Young Master Cairns, Princess Annabel requests your presence.”
William Mina looked at Cairns, who appeared impatient.
“What is she up to now?”
The girl replied coldly, “You will naturally know when you go.”
“How troublesome,” Cairns said, dropping his pen. “Let’s go, Willy. Angela, guard our seats.”
“I will defend them with my life,” Angela saluted.
The girl led William Mina and Cairns to the intermediate section’s living area in a small vehicle. In the coffee bar’s private room, Annabel was waiting with Amelia, Georgiana, and Louis, Marianna’s rarely-seen son.
“Willy, come sit,” Annabel said, nodding to the girl who then left with a bow.
“It’s not afternoon tea time yet, Annabel,” Cairns complained, sitting down heavily with a sandwich.
Annabel glanced at him with disgust and turned to William Mina with a fake smile. “Hope you’re adapting to school life, Willy.”
William Mina sat on the sofa, nodding stiffly, “Thank you, everything is fine.”
“Is coursework difficult?”
“I can keep up.”
“Made new friends?”
William Mina shrugged, “So-so.”
The royal children discussed her school life, roommate, and the challenges of being a royal child.
“Cairns,” Wilhelmina whispered, “let her finish speaking.”
Cairns fell silent. Annabel looked at Wilhelmina. “I have nothing more to say. You all have my contact information. I’ll be busy recently and may not be at school. If anyone asks, you know what to say, right?”
“Don’t worry, sister,” Georgiana said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Annabel reassured her siblings. Though they were weak or naive, as royal children, appearing elegant and composed was enough.
Wilhelmina sipped her milk tea, her gaze subtly sweeping across everyone, finally meeting Cairns’ eyes.
Outside, dark clouds gathered on the horizon, hinting at changing weather. The rain would wash away the last summer heat, ushering in the first cool breath of autumn. The water lilies in the pond began to wither, and the air grew dry and cool.
Wilhelmina finished her first week of boarding school and welcomed the weekend. She and Angela walked out of the dormitory with the flow of students. A black vehicle had been parked across the road, with a man in a court official uniform standing by the door, his black hair gently moving in the wind.
Seeing the girls, the secretary smiled gently as he bent down.
“Owen!” Wilhelmina cheered and ran towards him.
Hans Borg spread his arms and lifted her into his embrace, her joyful laughter vibrating against his eardrum. He let out a long breath, feeling his heart melt.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
“Not bad,” Wilhelmina replied, hugging his neck and kissing his cheek. “Did you miss me?”
“Of course, my lady. I’m so happy to see you’ve adapted to school life,” he gently adjusted her hair. “Come, say goodbye to your friend.”
“See you next week, Angela,” Wilhelmina waved before being carried into the car by the secretary.
Angela stared blankly at the departing vehicle, surprised at the transformation of her once-low-key roommate.
Chapter 15
The weekend family dinner felt gloomy, marked by the Crown Prince’s suddenly half-white hair and the additional wrinkles on the Crown Princess’s face. Wilhelmina had been warned by Hans Borg that this meal would not be peaceful, so she was extra cautious.
“My days are numbered,” the Emperor suddenly proclaimed, prompting everyone to listen intently. “But I cannot retire peacefully. At my age, an old man should enjoy a relaxed retirement. Instead, I still have to fight for my descendants’ welfare, especially those selfish and foolish individuals who have disappointed me. His dissolute lifestyle has brought unprecedented damage to the royal family and the empire, shaming his wife and daughter, causing me lifelong regret…”
“Father, please…” Princess Catherine interjected, trying to dissuade him.
The Emperor, angrily pushing away his chair, stood up and waved off Brück, who sought to support him. “If you could anger me to death, that would be the last good thing you do! Then I wouldn’t have to watch you continue to be foolish!”
To Wilhelmina’s surprise, Annabel began to cry silently. Amelia had long been in tears, and Georgiana’s face was flushed with excitement. “Father, our brother has already repented. Let this matter pass,” Princess Marianna implored.
The Crown Princess sniffled, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. The Crown Prince sat quietly, his face ashen.
“For the sake of your deceased mother, this is the last time I forgive you, Heinrich. But you must be punished!” The Emperor declared and strode away.
A deadly silence enveloped the table. Princess Catherine stood up and beckoned Cairns and Wilhelmina to leave. As Wilhelmina exited, she glanced back to see Annabel’s tear-streaked face, her gaze toward her father a mix of contempt and sympathy. The Crown Princess raised her head, a pleased smile at the corner of her mouth, then glanced at Annabel.
Three days later, the royal family, cosigned by the Senate, removed Heinrich’s status as Crown Prince and appointed the eldest princess Annabel as the heir. The succession ceremony was solemn, attended by the royal family and notable nobles.
Wilhelmina wore a royal blue dress adorned with jewelry and a sash, appearing before the media like a porcelain doll. The media’s sympathy for her blossomed due to her tender demeanor. Wilhelmina learned to harness this, always presenting herself as obedient and gentle in front of the camera.
Annabel wore an ivory long dress, her blonde hair elegantly pinned up, seemingly matured overnight. She was excited and nervous, with a fire burning in her eyes. The Crown Princess, to be called Princess Barbara, and her twin daughters stayed close to Annabel, embodying excitement and triumph.
