“You speak as if you had fallen for me back then,” Wilhelmina scoffed. “Don’t forget how you used to scare me in the cafeteria.”
“You remember that so clearly?” Abert argued. “I was just a half-child, overly cautious and a bit self-centered.”
“Aha, you admit you were self-centered.”
“I only said I was self-centered back then,” Abert defended.
“Later, I grew up and realized I had misunderstood such a wonderful girl.”
Wilhelmina laughed and leaned in to exchange a light kiss with her husband. Despite the overwhelming media commentary, most citizens viewed the matter positively, as the Queen and Prince’s relationship appeared harmonious.
“I think they were just friends, perhaps best friends,” one man said during an interview. “Her Majesty is a charming woman, but if I had raised a girl like Hanborg did, she would only feel like a sister to me.”
Others had more romantic views: “There was definitely love between them, but it was a pure relationship. He must have hidden his feelings because she was married, making it even more touching. Hanborg was a deep, caring man who protected her like a guardian angel.”
Older people dismissed the rumor, asserting, “Hanborg was her servant from the beginning. The Queen would never talk about love with a servant.”
“I want to know Prince Abert’s view on this,” an excited man said. “Will they divorce? And why hasn’t Hanborg married?”
“A love entanglement among the top three figures of the empire” stirred people’s hearts.
The first suggestion in the PR department’s response plan was for Hanborg to get married.
“At least announce an engagement or that you have a girlfriend,” an employee said seriously. “Only this can quell the rumors. We’ll arrange for that lady to be interviewed to show your relationship is good and that you’re loyal to Her Majesty.”
“That’s a good plan,” Hanborg smiled, setting down the report. “But where will I find a girlfriend?”
“There are many young, beautiful girls in the office,” Falk replied. “They’d be happy to help.”
“But how will we handle this afterward? Won’t the media suspect we’re faking it? This seems too obvious.”
