“You’ll probably need to get used to this early,” Albert said, bringing coffee to Wilhelmina. “In countries with a constitutional system, such squabbles occur daily and intensify during elections.”
“They should let the people judge them, not me,” Wilhelmina replied bitterly.
“You are still the monarch.”
“I hate making decisions that offend people. I haven’t faced this before. Owen didn’t teach me either…” Wilhelmina fell silent, realizing she had mentioned Hans Bogue again.
Albert smiled, “If he didn’t teach you, then I will. Never try to please everyone; you will always offend one side. Any force is in a state of rise and fall, with no permanent victor. You need to weigh the situation and provide a reasonable solution.”
“As long as they check and balance each other, you can control them.”
“Maybe I should write this down and place it on my desk,” Wilhelmina smiled gratefully, “Seriously, Albert. After my coronation, I will urge them to amend the constitution and redefine the rights and responsibilities of the Prince Consort. You won’t be idle forever.”
“Then I’ll just consider this a vacation,” Albert said, pulling the documents from Wilhelmina’s hand and standing her up.
“What are you doing?” she exclaimed.
“You promised me a trip to the New Loire Valley countryside.”
“But I still have documents to read.”
“Let them wait,” Albert replied. “Since returning to Odin, you haven’t had a day of rest. Now, you’re going to ride to the countryside with me!”
“How willful,” Wilhelmina whispered, “But I like it.”
While officials awaited the Queen’s instructions, having received Sir Wolf’s message that “the Queen is slightly indisposed and resting,” the two young people had already ridden out of the stables and galloped towards the countryside.
The summer heat had slightly receded in the early autumn grasslands, with everything still lush and green. Only the wind had become dry, and the summer flowers had withered.
They rode wildly, unconsciously starting to race across the wilderness—galloping over hills, leaping over streams, crossing bushes, and passing through forests.
Birds were startled and flew from the woods, while several wild rabbits were driven from the grass. They watched as the plump rabbits dived back into their burrows.
The sky was azure blue. Albert turned to Wilhelmina: “Look, it’s just like your eyes.”
