When the meeting ended, dawn was breaking. The sky was a damp indigo blue, with thin morning clouds. The dawn wind was cool, and birds were singing to the rising sun. Walking along the corridors of the Small Louvre and Paris Palace, Wilhelmina paused, enjoying the peaceful beauty to wash away the chaos of a few hours earlier.
Returning to the bedroom, Albert, who had taken a sedative, was sleeping deeply. Wilhelmina bathed and changed gently, afraid of disturbing him.
At noon, Albert finally woke up. He discovered Wilhelmina curled up on the other side of the bed, her face filled with sadness.
In that moment, the imperial princess looked like a girl just turned eighteen, capable of worrying and crying.
Albert felt his heart softening. He reached out and pulled Wilhelmina into his arms.
Wilhelmina, a light sleeper, woke at the slightest movement. She opened her eyes to see Albert and immediately hugged him tightly.
Albert felt a bit of pain from his wound but said nothing.
“I… dreamed that you couldn’t wake up,” Wilhelmina mumbled into his chest softly.
Albert laughed, “Darling, I’m just injured in the arm.”
“I dreamed that person shot you in the chest,” Wilhelmina complained. “They carried you down from the flagship in a black coffin. I watched helplessly as you could no longer open your eyes to look at me.”
Albert’s left chest ached, “No, my love, no. I will always gaze at you.”
Wilhelmina paused before whispering: “I really hate this feeling, Albert. I lost my mother when I was four, my father when I was ten, and both my grandfather and Owen when I was twelve. Owen is back now, but today I almost lost you again. That feeling of helplessness about not being able to hold onto the important people in my life makes me very sad.”
Chapter Six: Dawn of the Stars
Compared to the tense atmosphere in the palace, the people, unaware of the assassination attempt, welcomed the first election with excitement.
Looking at the list of candidates, Wilhelmina was surprised to find Hans Boger ranked at the top. She immediately called Hans Boger’s private phone.
“Schneider’s sudden retreat is something I don’t understand,” Wilhelmina said to Hans Boger on the screen. “There was no sign of it beforehand. I always thought he would compete for the prime minister position.”
