“If you’re strong enough, I won’t affect it,” Wilhelmina retorted. “This is a sword of the strong. If you’re not strong enough, you don’t deserve to own it.”
“We’ll see about that,” Kerns said confidently.
“Look at you two,” Catherine stroked Wilhelmina’s hair affectionately. “I believe you’ll become good friends, won’t you? And Kerns, I’ve told you many times to learn to share.”
“No way!” Kerns blew a spit bubble at Wilhelmina and ran off.
Wilhelmina looked longingly at the departing sword, her admiration not escaping Aunt Catherine’s notice.
The next morning, Wilhelmina woke up to find Hans Borg by her bed with a small sword.
“From Princess Catherine, miss. I’ve already thanked her. You should write a thank-you letter after breakfast.”
Wilhelmina held the sword lovingly and asked, “What about Kerns?”
“I think the princess can certainly get many such swords,” Hans Borg smiled.
The afternoon etiquette class was simpler. The middle-aged female teacher gracefully guided Wilhelmina, but the child realized she didn’t know how to walk, bow, or even eat properly.
From that day on, Wilhelmina began walking around with a book balanced on her head.
When Hans Borg instructed the servants, he often saw her in soft-soled cloth shoes, the book on her head, walking carefully in the room. The book would sometimes fall, followed by her frustrated cry.
He would help her pick it up and smile as he placed it back on her head. The girl would stick out her tongue and make a funny face at him.
Ballet, Latin, chess, shooting, horseback riding…
The mountain of coursework made time pass quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was May 15th.
Early that morning, Wilhelmina was awakened by the nanny and dressed in a black formal dress. The nanny styled her hair, and Hans Borg knelt to help her put on her shoes.
“Is it raining outside?” Wilhelmina asked.
“No, just overcast,” Hans Borg replied. “Have you memorized the speech?”
Wilhelmina nodded, dressed solemnly with a white flower pinned to her chest for her father’s funeral.
