Recalling the villa’s layout, the royal couple almost simultaneously said, “To the pantry!”
Unlike the living room and salon, the pantry was safer because it was easily overlooked. The guards escorted them to the pantry.
“Your Majesty, please stay here,” the captain saluted. “We will clear the intruders. Support troops will arrive within five minutes.”
“Please be careful,” Wilhelmina nodded.
Four guards remained as the captain left with the rest of the team.
Wilhelmina looked at the time—it was 4:05 AM, the most vulnerable time of the day.
Intense battle sounds came through the pantry door. Despite sound and heat shielding, tension remained.
Wilhelmina took a deep breath.
They were deep in the mountains, facing well-prepared opponents with fierce intent. If they couldn’t resist, if she were captured?
Just over a month after ascending the throne, the queen felt unworthy of her ancestors.
Bitterly smiling, Wilhelmina felt a solid embrace and looked up to see Albert, his gaze filled with comfort and determination. She gradually relaxed, realizing she now had a husband who would stand by her side in a life-or-death situation.
Suddenly, the guard’s communicator crackled with the captain’s voice: “We can’t hold out much longer! Escort the royal couple to evacuate!”
Albert calmly raised his gun, clicking off the safety, and Wilhelmina drew her own weapon. Seeing the surprised looks from her husband and the guards, she laughed: “Please, I’m an A-grade military academy graduate, with top marks in shooting and defense courses.”
Albert felt helpless and whispered, “I will protect you.”
“I can protect myself.”
“Willy, I don’t want you to have blood on your hands again.”
Wilhelmina was touched. “It’s okay, darling, we’ll be fine.”
After the guards confirmed safety, they opened the back door of the pantry. Four guards positioned themselves, with Albert walking vigilantly beside Wilhelmina, ready to shield her.
The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder, the mansion’s electrical circuit destroyed, leaving only emergency lights on. Just then, assassins burst from a door, and the emergency light above Wilhelmina flickered.
The guards immediately reacted and fired. Almost simultaneously, Albert opened a nearby storage room door and pushed Wilhelmina inside.
Wilhelmina stumbled in and pounded on the door.
“No! Albert! No—”
Albert pressed his body against the door. “Be good, Willy, stay inside!”
Tears welled up in Wilhelmina’s eyes.
