Wilhelmina swallowed mouthfuls of water, feeling weak as it covered her face. She kicked her feet, struggling as cold lake water poured into her mouth and nose.
In despair, a large hand grabbed her, lifting her up. As she surfaced, she began to cough and breathe.
“I’ve got you! I’ve got you.” Hans Borg embraced her, patting her back. “It’s okay, sweetheart, it’s okay!”
Wilhelmina coughed violently, clinging to his neck. Hans carefully carried her, swimming back to the shore.
Annabel shook out the jacket for them. Hans, soaked and with broad shoulders, took the jacket from her and draped it over Wilhelmina, wrapping her tightly. The little girl’s lips were blue with cold, her azure eyes wide with fear. She nestled in Hans’s arms, shivering.
“It’s okay, it’s already okay.” Hans felt a dull ache in his heart, pressing his lips to her cold forehead. “You’re safe, Willy. I’m here.”
Annabel shivered in the evening breeze, her blush hidden by the darkness. By the time Wilhelmina had taken a hot bath, drunk hot milk, and fallen asleep, a disciplinary order for the incident had been issued.
Due to negligent supervision, the nanny and several attendants would be transferred. The secretary, having rescued the child during a meeting, was only ordered to stop pay for a month and write a reflection. Young Master Cairns would be confined for a day, required to write a reflection, and must guarantee at least five B grades by the end of the term to receive Christmas gifts this year.
“All this trouble caused by Willy,” the Crown Princess said to her husband. “They even transferred the nanny. That woman was carefully chosen by my brother. I expected the secretary to be dismissed, but the Emperor only required a reflection. Are we dealing with elementary school students? Your father is biased. And foolish Catherine, despite her son being reprimanded, acts like nothing happened.”
“What’s the use of saying this?” the Crown Prince replied disdainfully. “She’s just a ten-year-old child.”
“Don’t be naive. Not everyone is kind and upright like you,” the Crown Princess retorted. “Her mother was a liberal democrat. These people shout about constitutionalism. This child is their trump card.”
