The gendarme captain, who had rushed from the mountain, nervously saluted the queen, “Your Majesty, we have the situation under control.”
Wilhelmina stared at him, her voice cold: “I want them alive.”
The captain, taken aback by the gloomy expression on the sweet queen’s face, held his breath and saluted before leading the soldiers into the mansion.
The convoy, under tight military protection, evacuated from Floyding Manor and returned to the Rose Palace overnight.
Albert’s injuries were effectively treated; the bleeding stopped, and the wound was sutured and bandaged. The doctor administered an anti-inflammatory and nutritional injection, then hung an IV drip.
Wilhelmina silently accompanied her husband. After the medical staff withdrew, she personally took out clean clothes to change Albert, discarding the bloody clothes at her feet. She looked at the bright red bloodstains, her pupils involuntarily contracting.
Albert reached out, touched her face, and smiled silently, conveying comfort.
“We are safe now, my love.”
Wilhelmina’s expression softened as she leaned over carefully, avoiding Albert’s wound, and nestled into his embrace. He lowered his head to kiss her forehead, closing his eyes and remaining that way for a long time.
The couple huddled together, understanding each other’s feelings without needing to communicate. This was their first major setback since marriage, and it was gratifying that they remained rational and calm, supporting each other without abandonment.
Returning to the Rose Palace, Wilhelmina ignored the ministers waiting in the audience room and took her husband to his room. She dismissed the attendants and helped him clean up, tucking him in bed.
“I feel like a small baby,” Albert said self-deprecatingly.
Wilhelmina gazed at him gently, stroking his hair. “Rest well. I’ll be back soon after handling things.”
“Don’t be too angry.”
“Of course,” she sighed, “But it’s time they knew I’m not always so good-tempered.”
She kissed him and quietly left the bedroom. The ministers had already prepared themselves upon seeing the queen’s expression.
Wilhelmina had always been gentle and approachable, but this did not mean she was weak or without boundaries. In fact, the more mild-mannered a person was, the more unyielding they became when their bottom line was crossed.
She first addressed her father-in-law, Duke Selleberg: “Albert is fine, Duke. He suffered a minor injury and is resting. Does the Duchess know?”
