“No way!” Kerns replied. “You have a sword now. My sword is no longer the only one in the palace.”
“Cheapskate.”
Wilhelmina placed the frog on the table. It immediately leaped into Georgiana’s cake plate, splashing cream on her face.
“Ah—” Georgiana screamed upon seeing the frog.
The low atmosphere broke as people rushed over. Georgiana cried, throwing her plate on the ground. The frog hopped frantically, causing ladies to shriek and stumble over trays. Suddenly, the hall was in chaos.
“Oh, damn!” Kerns exclaimed, stunned.
Wilhelmina took the plate from him and ran through the side door. Only after they disappeared did the Emperor’s loud shout calm the commotion.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it was just a frog, not a ten billion-strong enemy army.”
Annabelle glared at her sister as Georgiana was led away by the red-faced princess to change clothes. The guests gradually regained their composure.
The two children ran breathlessly to the fountain deep in the garden. Kerns bounced around the grass like a monkey, laughing heartily.
“You’re amazing, Wili! I spent so much effort and couldn’t even make Joe open her eyes wide. But you made her scream like a cat whose tail was stepped on.”
“No need to thank me!” William Mina irritably loosened her bowtie. “I’m not helping you.”
“I’ve decided!” Cairns grabbed William Mina’s hand. “My dear cousin, I invite you to my secret base!”
Chapter 8
As afternoon tea ended and the evening banquet was about to begin, Hans Borg emerged from the Ministry of Internal Affairs conference room. As the newly appointed secretary, he found managing the affairs of a new female duke somewhat overwhelming.
Hans returned to the hall and ate a little something before the nanny anxiously informed him that William Mina was missing. He then called his deputy and organized the attendants into three groups to search for her quietly.
She was nowhere to be found in the palace or the nearby gardens. Just as Hans Borg was about to return to the Little White Palace, someone blocked his path.
“What trouble are you having, Lord Hans Borg?” Anna Belle leaned against the column, her blue-gray eyes full of interest. “Have you lost something? Perhaps I can help you find it.”
