The bell tower of the Hall of Heroes rang out, and thousands of white doves took flight. People in the square heard the bells and waved imperial flags and the Queen’s portrait, cheering. At the same time, billions of imperial citizens saw the young queen wearing her crown on their screens.
Wilhelmina I, now a true monarch, stood at the highest point, overlooking her world.
She took a deep breath and looked towards the VIP section, where her grandmother was wiping away tears of excitement, and her grandfather was applauding. She quickly spotted Albert, her fiancé, who gave her an encouraging smile.
Lowering her gaze, she saw her friends at the foot of the throne. Behind Angela’s joyful tears, Hans Borg stood quietly but smiling and applauding. Catching Wilhelmina’s gaze, he mouthed something.
“I’m proud of you.”
The Queen smiled, standing to accept the hall’s applause and cheers.
When she appeared on the grand terrace of the Spirit Hall, tens of thousands in Venus Square erupted in cheers. Huge banners read: “New Queen, New Beginning,” and supporters wore T-shirts with her portrait and a large “W,” dancing below.
Wilhelmina laughed heartily, waving to the crowd.
“She’s doing well,” Albert said to Mr. Lehmann, the Queen’s maternal grandfather.
“I know she will do well. She must have worked very hard,” Mr. Lehmann sighed. “Eight years ago, she was just a pure and happy little girl.”
“I will take good care of her, Mr. Lehmann,” Albert said, looking at Wilhelmina’s silhouette. “Please be at ease.”
After the ceremony, the carriage parade followed.
As her fiancé, Albert had the honor of escorting the Queen to the carriage.
“Have you thought about how this scene might repeat a month from now when we get married?” Wilhelmina asked.
“Then we can consider today a rehearsal for the grand wedding,” Albert replied humorously.
The carriage started, with Wilhelmina elegantly seated inside, waving to the crowd, while Albert, Hans Boge, and others rode strong horses behind. The young Queen and her four knights made the scene resemble a staged film set.
