Her mother had passed away when Wilhelmina was four due to a space travel accident; her body was never found. At her mother’s funeral, the coffin contained her most beloved outfit. As a child, Wilhelmina didn’t fully grasp the sadness but often missed her mother and cried.
Her father had once taken her on a month-long trip. She didn’t remember the details but recalled the warmth and love he provided. Though unable to live with her, he deeply loved her.
The royal funeral was solemn, with hearses carrying the prince and princess’s bodies driving towards the church, followed by the royal family.
Wilhelmina rode with His Majesty the Emperor, her grandfather holding her hand tightly.
During the farewell, the Emperor picked up Wilhelmina and walked to the sealed coffin covered with white roses. She gently threw her own flower onto it.
“Give Dad a kiss,” he said.
Wilhelmina blew a kiss to her father’s coffin.
“Good girl,” the Emperor said, kissing her soft temple before carrying her away.
At the post-funeral tea party, her new identity as the Duchess of Roxston was established. She would inherit her father’s throne as the only daughter, along with her father’s and stepmother’s properties and territories, holding jurisdiction over her lands. As the seventh in the line of succession, she would have a seat in the Senate at eighteen, and a silver-gray ship named Vanasi would serve as her private vehicle.
Hans Borg later read a long list of her new responsibilities to her. An official from the Interior Ministry bowed, asking if Wilhelmina had any further requests.
She shook her head, feeling tired and hoping to avoid dance lessons.
Another wealthy and noble young lady of the Galactic Empire was born. At the tea party attended by celebrities and ministers, the newly appointed Duchess of Roxston read her thank-you speech.
The girl spoke clearly and composedly, appearing stunned by the grand occasion, completing the adults’ requirements like a puppet.
“My poor little sister Willy,” Annabelle embraced Wilhelmina. “Believe me, everything will get better.”
Kerns pushed something cool and wet into Wilhelmina’s hand. She looked down to see a green frog staring at her with wide eyes.
“How fun!” she exclaimed. “Where did you find this?”
“I have my secret base,” Kerns said proudly, eating cream cake.
“Can you take me there?”
