“I think Annabel knew about this,” she said, holding the storage card. “From the beginning, she was wary and rejected me. I thought it was because I took away her grandfather’s attention, but now I see it was out of fear.”
Wilhelmina met Albert’s gaze, her smile bitter, “My family killed my parents, and my grandfather didn’t dare to speak out. This is the royal family, Albert. Are you ready?”
Albert looked at her with compassion, “This is just a special case.”
“Yes, of course, this can’t happen in every dynasty,” Wilhelmina sneered. “If my grandfather had shown half the courage in family matters that he did elsewhere, this wouldn’t have happened. If my mother hadn’t been so active and just, perhaps there wouldn’t have been conflict. Fundamentally, we were never a loving family.”
Wilhelmina tossed the storage card into the box. “Only telling me after I’ve taken power. What does this mean? Afraid I’d seek revenge if I knew earlier?”
Now that I’m queen, I must treat the deposed queen’s family kindly to show my generosity? My grandfather’s words sound noble, but he’s still protecting Uncle Heinrich’s family. Wasn’t my father his son?”
Wilhelmina angrily kicked the box, sending it flying.
Albert didn’t stop her; she needed to vent. Once she leaves this room, she’ll return to being the gentle and kind queen. She can only release her negative emotions at moments like these.
“It’s so unfair, Albert,” Wilhelmina said, sitting on the floor and hugging her knees. “What can I do now? Just after ascending the throne, launch internal strife and persecute the former queen’s family? I’m just like my grandfather, unable to make this public!”
Albert sat next to her and drew her into his embrace. Wilhelmina leaned against his warm chest, sighing and closing her eyes. He gently kissed her temple.
After a while, Albert asked softly, “So what do you plan to do?”
“Do nothing,” Wilhelmina replied weakly. “But I won’t show them any mercy again, I swear.”
She held Albert’s hand, interlocking their fingers. “Thank you…”
Albert was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Willy, if you had known earlier, what would you have done?”
