Wilhelmina and Kerns snuck around to the back of the long table, scooping cake with small spoons. They crawled under the table and peeked out from beneath the tablecloth at the dancers.
As the waltz ended and was followed by a small dance, the ladies lifted their skirts, revealing exquisite dancing shoes.
“Vili,” Kerns said while gnawing on chicken wings, “do you like dancing?”
“Maybe,” William Mina said, “my mother loved it very much.”
“I thought you didn’t have many memories of her. You were very young back then.”
“But I have holographic recordings,” William Mina explained. “She liked holding my hand and dancing with me. That song was so beautiful, called ‘The Last Summer.'”
Kerns whispered, “Do you miss your hometown, Vili?”
William Mina lay on the ground, her chin resting on her hands. “I miss my grandparents. I used to spend every New Year with them. Grandma made raspberry pie, and we had cream-roasted squab and red cabbage soup. We would sit by the fireplace, have dinner together, watch TV, and open gifts… and now I can never spend holidays with them again.”
Kerns patted her shoulder, “Hey, don’t be sad. At least I’m here with you, right?”
William Mina gave him a weak, somewhat angry smile, “Thank you, Kerns.”
Kerns looked at the young couples embracing and dancing in the ballroom. “Can you imagine, Vili? When we grow up, we’ll be like them too.”
“That’s not bad,” William Mina said. “I quite like balls. Owen said that when I turn 18, the royal family will hold a coming-of-age ceremony for me, and I can wear a crown and dance with boys in a beautiful dress.”
“Then I want to dance the first dance with you!” Kerns exclaimed.
“No way,” William Mina replied, glancing at him. “My first dance will be with Owen!”
“Impossible,” Kerns scoffed, “He’s just a palace steward, Vili. He’s not qualified to dance the first dance with you.”
William Mina glared at him angrily, “You’re talking nonsense!”
“Really, Vili,” Kerns said seriously, “If you dance with him, people will mock you.”
“I don’t care what others think! I’ll dance with whoever I want.” She raised her head proudly.
“Maybe,” Kerns shrugged, “But they’ll also mock Hans Borg.”
William Mina fell silent, and after a while, she asked, “Is that true?”
“Of course,” Kerns said. “You’re a duchess, the emperor’s granddaughter. Your dance partner’s status must match yours. Privately, you can dance with Hans Borg as many times as you want, but at the ball, he won’t have a chance to open the dance with you. That’s the rule for people like us.”
William Mina lowered her head, remaining silent.
“It’s settled then, my darling Vili,” Kerns said, putting his arm around her shoulders, “The first dance is mine!”
William Mina remained indifferent, her face filled with hesitation.
At this moment, a pair of military boots appeared in front of the table.
The two children looked at each other in confusion, and then the tablecloth was lifted from one corner, revealing an elegant face.
“Look what I found!” the young master of the Selberg family smiled joyfully, “It’s you two. Your Highness, Young Master Kerns.”
Kerns crawled out from under the table, “How unlucky. Vili, let’s go.”
William Mina also crawled out, ignoring Albert.
“Your Highness, your shoelace is loose,” Albert reminded her.
She turned and glared at him like an angry little leopard.
“Why don’t you go find Annabel?” Kerns said rudely to Albert, pulling William Mina behind him. “She’s been searching for you all over the ballroom.”
Albert was amused by this, “Thank you for the reminder, Young Master Kerns.”
“Let’s go, Kerns.” William Mina tied her shoelace and ran off with Kerns.
Albert watched them leave and awkwardly touched his chin, asking his friend Nick, “Will a ten-year-old girl hold a grudge?”
“Ten years old?” Nick laughed, “Have you broken another record? I thought you avoided the junior section.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, she’s just a child,” Albert replied. “I took a joke too far and scared her. I should apologize.”
“Of course!” Nick laughed, “A gentleman shouldn’t displease a lady. But remember, no flowers! Dolls and candy would be more effective!”
Albert laughed and punched him playfully.
“Albert, you’re here!” Annabel approached, radiant and adored as the star of the ball.
The young girl was glowing, her spirits high, enjoying her nobility and glory. She was confident and purposeful, with fierce momentum.
“Your predator has arrived, buddy. Looks like a carnivorous dinosaur,” Nick patted his friend’s shoulder and slipped away under Annabel’s meaningful gaze.
“Your Highness,” Albert smiled, taking Annabel’s extended hand and bowing to kiss it.
“Won’t you invite me to dance?” Annabel looked at the handsome young man.
“Of course, it would be my honor,” Albert responded as he led her to the dance floor.
Wilhelmina’s low mood continued until the end of the ball, when she returned to the Little White Gold Palace.
“What happened?” Hans Borg asked softly while wiping her hair with a towel. The girl was silent, clearly heavy-hearted. From the moment of her return until after her bath, she hadn’t spoken.
Wilhelmina kicked the stool leg irritably, then said, “Kahns said you can’t dance the first dance with me in the future.”
Hans paused. “That is indeed the case, my dear. My status is not high enough.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I have no title, no official position. Most importantly, I am your subordinate. Haven’t you noticed that Lord Brück has never danced with princesses?”
“But…” Wilhelmina’s eyes were red, “I want to dance the first dance with you. Now Kahns has already reserved it.”
I don’t want to dance with a fat man!”
Hans Borg laughed softly, “It’s alright, Your Highness. I don’t care about this. I’m happy that you have this intention; that is enough. Moreover, I believe Mr. Kahns will become a handsome young man, and you, my princess, will grow into an excellent lady.”
Wilhelmina pursed her lips, her azure eyes looking at the secretary through the mirror.
“There will be such a day,” she suddenly said.
“What?” Hans Borg didn’t hear clearly.
“There will be such a day,” Wilhelmina repeated firmly. “We will definitely dance the first dance together!”
Hans Borg knelt before his young mistress, looking up at her delicate face. A warm current surged in his heart as he realized he had unknowingly placed his destiny in her hands.
“Thank you, my princess,” he said, taking Wilhelmina’s hand and gently kissing it. “I will wait.”
Chapter 18
After the New Year’s end-of-term exams, Wilhelmina achieved good grades. When she entered school next semester, she was transferred to Class A and became Angela’s desk neighbor.
Upon returning to school from the holiday, Wilhelmina received an unexpected gift: a limited edition Salina Barbie doll, a box of custom “Charlie’s Chocolate Factory” star chocolates, and a card with elegant handwriting: “Hope these gifts can convey my sincere apology for my previous rudeness.”
Wilhelmina looked at the card repeatedly, her brow furrowed.
Angela returned after class and saw the Barbie doll, exclaiming, “Oh my, isn’t this the Salina I’ve always wanted? My dad promised to buy it only if I get straight A’s this semester.”
“You like it?” Wilhelmina handed over the doll. “Then it’s yours.”
“Willy?” Angela was both surprised and puzzled. “Who sent this to you? Oh, don’t tell me you have a mysterious admirer!”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Wilhelmina pursed her lips and opened the chocolate box, grabbing a handful. “Just someone trying to curry favor.”
“But you’ve never accepted gifts from those at school trying to curry favor.”
“This person is quite influential,” Wilhelmina shrugged. “Besides, I like these chocolates.”
