“I’m wondering,” Albert said, facing away from her, “why you dismissed Hans Borg so casually but are furious with me.”
He opened the door and walked out, slamming it.
William Minna sat dejectedly on the sofa, covering her face with her hand.
Albert returned to his room, changed into boots, and went to the stable to saddle his favorite horse, putting on his hat before mounting.
“Do you need the guards to accompany you, sir?” the attendant asked cautiously.
“No,” Albert replied faintly, “I’m just going to ride around the valley.”
He spurred the horse, which galloped away.
Gloomy rain clouds pressed low in the sky, with fine rain falling like cow hair. The air was cold, and the grass was wet. It was only four in the afternoon, but the sky was dark. The grasslands were empty, with only occasional birds startled from the trees.
Albert lowered his hat and rode wildly.
The cold spring wind carried fine rain, hitting his face like ice needles. Rainwater trickled down his cheeks into his collar, but he didn’t mind.
The gray wilderness felt empty. Albert rode aimlessly, his horse sensing his restless mood, feeling uneasy and agitated.
A thick tree trunk lay fallen across the road, seemingly struck down by lightning days ago, its leaves still green. As he approached, the horse suddenly stopped, raising its hooves high.
“Come on, buddy, be braver,” Albert tightened the reins and patted its neck, spurring the horse again. The horse leaped over the trunk but stumbled as its front hooves landed in a puddle.
Albert was thrown off and fell heavily to the ground.
A distant thunder rumbled, and raindrops fell on the window. William Minna looked up from her documents, confused, and gazed outside.
“The spring rain this year is heavy,” Cynthia said, brightening the lights in the room.
“Yes,” William murmured, “Where is the Prince?”
“Sir Edward said he went riding, but in this weather…” Cynthia glanced at the rain, “Should we send people to look for him?”
William sighed, “Let him send a few people to find him. It’s almost dinnertime.”
Cynthia smiled and left. William tried to refocus on her report, but the continuous thunder made her anxious. She stood up and paced the room.
The door opened, and Cynthia walked in with a panicked expression.
“Your Majesty, something has happened.”
“What is it?”
