Wilhelmina walked barefoot off the bed, picked up the book, and hugged it to her chest, trying to feel the warmth left by that person. A ray of sunlight broke through the thick fog, creating a golden light. Sir Wolf and the nanny knocked and entered Wilhelmina’s bedroom, finding the girl kneeling in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, crying heartbrokenly.
Chapter Three: Great Prospects
Lonely days are always magnified, and a flickering star in the darkness is so dazzling. I have been surrounded by guests, yet I have wandered alone under the starry sky, searching for his direction. A girl can do little.
During the reign of Annabel I, I primarily spoke less and smiled at the public, a habit I have maintained, though I now speak more than before.
Galactic Empire Year 7378, February 25: Queen Annabel I ascended the throne. Wilhelmina did not attend the coronation, not due to conflict with Annabel but because she had rubella. After Hans Borg left, she caught a cold and fever, which weakened her constitution. Sir Wolf remained serious and responsible, strictly adhering to his duties, delegating care for Wilhelmina to the nanny and maids, keeping his distance.
In her semi-conscious state, Wilhelmina often felt someone by her bed, but when she opened her eyes, the room was empty. The chair where Hans Borg sat was preserved. Wilhelmina sewed a cushion cover to place on it and used it to display dolls he had given her.
The super screen played the coronation scene, filling the room with ceremonial music and voices. Wilhelmina, listlessly drinking pungent syrup, remained indifferent to the spectacle. The communicator beeped with a message from Cairns: “Annabel’s lipstick is smeared on her teeth.”
Wilhelmina burst out laughing, burying her face in the pillow and pounding the bed. The nanny and maids who rushed in looked at each other, puzzled by their master’s sudden good mood. Wilhelmina laughed until tears flowed, realizing she still had friends who cared about her.
Upon returning to school, life hadn’t changed much. As Hans Borg said, Annabel was proud and wouldn’t openly make things difficult for her. The sycophants had disappeared, which Wilhelmina considered a positive change.
Wilhelmina had her own friends. Led by Angela, the “Glasses Alliance” was composed mostly of students from civilian families, each with a special skill. They were honest, passionate, kind, and easygoing, allowing Wilhelmina to feel peace and happiness.
“Did Annabel say you should return to Roxton after graduation?” Cairns asked. “So you can’t go to university in Til?”
“That’s five or six years from now,” Wilhelmina replied. “I think she’ll marry Selberg in two years and be busy with kids. By then, she’ll be too overwhelmed with state affairs and her children’s needs to bother with me.”
Cairns lay under the tree shade, chewing on a blade of grass, while Angela skipped stones by the lake.
On a warm spring day, the three of them spent their lunchtime by the lake behind their dormitory.
“I really don’t want to be separated from you so early, Willy,” Cairns said. “We’ll go to the university department together, right?”
“Relax,” Wilhelmina smiled softly. “Maybe I can’t study intelligence as I like. Annabel won’t be happy with me becoming a female agent. But I can enter the Defense Department and start elective courses in aerospace mechanics next semester.”
“Why does a perfectly good girl always like dealing with dirty mechanical things?” Kains said, pulling down his hat. “Don’t even think about running to Roxston. I’ll chase after and catch you. I mean it.”
Angela called out, “Willy, come quickly and look. I just pulled off a four-link combo!”
Wilhelmina smiled and leaped up, walking towards her.
Warm sunlight spilled across the emerald green lawn, with the May breeze gentle and drowsy. Wild poppies bloomed, their bright red and tender yellow flowers vivid in the spring light. Two pink butterflies danced between the flowers, and a light breeze rippled the water’s silver surface, carrying a faint fragrance.
Wilhelmina took a deep breath, looking up at the azure sky.
Several white traces crossed overhead from advanced defense preparatory or reconnaissance courses during their flying lessons. Small training spacecraft practiced near the ground, flying high enough that onlookers could only see silver streaks across the sky, like stars flickering in daylight.
The girl gazed at the sky, her bright eyes filled with longing. Above that blue expanse was the freedom she had been dreaming of.
Chapter 25
Silver-white training spacecraft flew like lightning from the clouds, diving straight toward the earth. Several spacecraft of the same model from the north also plunged simultaneously. These compact, exquisite crafts cut across the vast sky like silver-white lightning.
As the clouds dispersed, the broad grassland of the military academy training ground was revealed. Half a hundred meters in the air were targets for this competition. High-speed moving objects changed shape and color, firing particle light waves at the spacecraft. Dense cannon fire wove a white curtain in the air.
Though the simulated cannon fire couldn’t damage the spacecraft, hits would automatically simulate damage. Excessive damage would force the spacecraft to land, indicating it had been shot down.
The three remaining battleships flew back to the center of the training ground. The Phoenix Squadron’s No. 6 aircraft, having won first place, ejected red exhaust.
The students on the observation platform cheered in excitement, celebrating with clapping and whistling.
“Long live the Phoenix Squadron!”
No. 6 aircraft circled three times above before landing.
The transparent cover rose, and cadets rushed out, singing their team song.
The canopy opened, and a young girl jumped out and ran towards the landed No. 3 aircraft, which was tilted at a 45-degree angle. The pilot, a young man, appeared shaken and struggled to exit.
The girl ran over, pulled him out, and he laughed joyfully.
“We won! Hahaha!”
“I know,” she said, removing his helmet. “Are you okay, Kains?”
“I’m fine, just a bit weak in the legs,” Kains replied cheerfully. “During landing, I felt like I’d drunk an entire bottle of vodka on an empty stomach.”
Oh, my darling Willy, that was awesome!”
Wilhelmina rolled her eyes, loosened her grip, and Kains collapsed to the ground, continuing to laugh.
Teammates flooded around them, cheering loudly. They waved the Phoenix Squadron’s crimson scarves, singing the team song and surrounding Wilhelmina.
Wilhelmina laughed and was lifted and tossed into the air.
“Long live the Phoenix Squadron!” “Long live Wilhelmina!” “Three consecutive wins!”
“Thank you, friends,” Wilhelmina said when placed back on the ground, her legs slightly weak. She graciously bowed and thanked her teammates, shaking hands and hugging friends.
Angela rushed over and hugged her, “Sweetheart, I’m so proud of you!”
“Thank you, dear,” Wilhelmina laughed, turning to pull Kains up and push him towards a friend, “Take him to rest and give him a glass of milk to calm him down.”
Kains was carried away by two male students, his angry shout echoing: “I hate milk!”
Wilhelmina waved at him, “See you at the celebration!”
“Osenberg!” The instructor walked through the crowd.
“Yes, sir!” Wilhelmina stood at attention and saluted.
The serious instructor stared at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “Well done.”
Wilhelmina sighed with relief, “Thank you, sir. I did my best.”
“Your father would be proud of you,” the instructor nodded to the cadets and turned to leave.
Wilhelmina watched him gratefully.
Angela managed to pull Wilhelmina’s hand out of the crowd, and the two girls exchanged a smile before sneaking away.
