Min raised her eyebrows in surprise. She had heard from Kaka that the sisters’ marriages were in turmoil. After Bell’s retreat, George dissolved her engagement and married a Democratic Party count. Amelia wanted to marry the child’s father, but he hesitated until Min pressured him.
“But you’re still pregnant, Amy.”
“He’s already an incompetent husband. I want him to be an incompetent father too,” Amelia said firmly. “Now is not too late to remedy this, Your Majesty. I’m willing to take my child back home and live peacefully, never returning to Odin.”
Min turned to George. “What about you?”
George sneered. “How can I talk about it, Your Majesty? My husband is more ‘interested’ in his attendants than in me.”
Amelia looked embarrassed, and Min understood.
“I didn’t expect that,” Min remarked.
“I didn’t expect it either,” Amelia replied.
Min sighed. As the new empress, she was not skilled in handling divorce matters. “I will discuss this with the Imperial Household Province and resolve it before you leave Odin.”
The two princesses bowed and retreated.
“Your Majesty,” Amelia suddenly stopped. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty, I just want to ask, if Bell is brought back, what will happen to her?”
Min replied calmly, “She will face a court trial. This is not something I can decide.”
George pulled his sister’s sleeve, and they bowed again before leaving.
Min watched their retreating backs, lost in thought. The familial bonds in the court were thin, especially regarding Bell, an ungrateful and powerless woman. Amelia’s inquiry was likely the most concern she could express.
Lord Wolfe entered, Albert’s star call.
The melancholy on Min’s face instantly disappeared.
Albert in the video looked unchanged, his spirit lifted by the campaign. His eyes were bright, voice full of passion, still handsome.
“Are you all okay, my dear?”
“Everything is fine. How about you?”
“Progress is smooth. You should have seen it in the report. The disparity in our strengths is huge. This battle doesn’t have much suspense. I haven’t encountered the enemy’s main force yet.”
Min moved closer. “Take care of yourself.”
Albert laughed, “Here on the battlefield… well, I’m always in the flagship, my dear. Have you forgotten?”
“I know,” but Min smiled bitterly. “I’m like all women, feeling worried when men go to war.”
