Wilhelmina smiled and raised her glass. In the corner of her eye, she noticed Hans Borg’s empty seat.
By the end of dinner, Hans Borg had not appeared. Wilhelmina had no choice but to leave the restaurant and return to the ballroom with Albert.
The band was ready, and the guests had found their dance partners. Although no one dared to urge her, inquiring glances fell on Wilhelmina, who remained motionless.
Angela approached Wilhelm Minna and whispered, “Your Majesty, I’ve inquired, and Mr. Hans Borg is still handling official business and has not returned. I cannot contact him, and the democrats refuse to help. When I mentioned your order, they thought I was joking.”
Wilhelm Minna smiled helplessly at Angela’s frustration. She knew Schneider would make such a move to ensure that her marriage to Selerberg would not falter. This was crucial for the complete dissolution and reorganization of the Selerberg military, allowing the family full control of the army.
Onlookers were curious why the queen had not yet announced the start of the ball. Wilhelm Minna recognized that she could not act impulsively. She could not overthrow the autocratic Anna Bel and then become a vacillating queen herself; that would bring disgrace to both her and the Osenberg dynasty.
“My dear,” Wilhelm Minna said, extending her hand to Albert, “let’s dance.”
Albert bowed and took her hand, whispering, “Won’t you wait any longer?”
“Time no longer allows it,” Wilhelm Minna replied with irony. “He waited six years for me. But I realize that I cannot even wait six minutes for him. Perhaps Schneider is right.”
I am still too young; victory has clouded my mind, making me lose perspective and almost do something unreasonable.”
Albert did not know how to make up for Wilhelm Minna’s regret; he could only hold her hand and walk with her to the dance floor.
“Happy birthday, Wilhelm Minna,” Albert said sincerely. “I hope you will be happy.”
Under his tender gaze, Wilhelm Minna laughed, “Do you know, Albert? I believe you will make me happy.”
The waltz began. The young queen and her fiancé bowed. Albert held Wilhelm Minna’s hand, embraced her waist, and danced to the music.
“What a perfect couple!” Madame Schneider said to Princess Catherine.
