“I can’t influence her; I can only analyze her,” William Mina said seriously. “She’s a thorough conservative. Her biggest compromise was pretending to shake hands with the Democratic Party to ascend the throne. Schneider understands this, which is why he chose me—and that’s brought me trouble. I’ll settle the score with him later, but I’m prepared.”
“What preparation?” Karns asked.
At that moment, Angela entered, looking confused. “Willy, there’s a gentleman downstairs who asked me to give you this card.”
William Mina smiled triumphantly at Karns and took the card.
“Who is it?” Karns asked.
“The Grand Duke of Luxembourg.” William Mina opened the wardrobe and started selecting clothes. “He wants to invite me to dinner at the Pearl Restaurant in the Imperial Tower.”
“Are you joking?” Karns shouted. “That fat, boring Grand Duke of Luxembourg.”
“Don’t be like that, Karns. He’s really nice.”
“Yes,” Angela said. “He’s a gentleman, not arrogant at all. And he’s not that fat.”
“He’s as fat as the mayonnaise doctor in advertisements.”
“Don’t be so harsh, Karns,” Angela said. “You look muscular and handsome now, but when you’re over forty, you’ll be bald and fat. You have no idea when the goddess of beauty will lose her favor.”
“That’s still twenty years away.” Karns stood up angrily. “Willy, you don’t need to compromise yourself. Is this what Hans Borg taught you?”
“Don’t stand there and point fingers at me!” William Mina had changed into a dress and walked out of the bathroom. “I’ve been used as a political bargaining chip, pushed around without freedom. And Owen is not by my side.”
She grabbed her handbag and rushed out, slamming the door. She rarely got this angry, leaving Karns and Angela silent for a while.
“You overreacted, Karns,” Angela said softly. “You shouldn’t have mentioned Hans Borg.”
Karns sat on the floor, holding his head.
Angela continued, “And she’s right. None of us can help her; only the Grand Duke can.”
“Do you want her to marry that mediocre man?”
“Of course not. I think her best marriage prospect is Selleberg,” Angela said. “But if you want her to marry you, sitting here complaining won’t help.”
William Mina sat in the top-floor Pearl Restaurant of the Imperial Tower, taking in the magnificent night view of the imperial capital. After nightfall, the city transformed into a black velvet cloth studded with gems, with hovering cars rolling like pearls.
The Grand Duke of Luxembourg sat across from her, enthusiastically introducing the dishes. William Mina seemed somewhat absent-minded, which he had noticed.
“I hope meeting you at this time doesn’t cause you any inconvenience,” the Duke said. “I know about recent events. Believe me, I have always supported you.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” William Mina forced a smile. “Until this matter is over, I can’t assert what impact it will have on me. But discussing serial killers at the dinner table is inappropriate.”
“Of course,” the Duke smiled. “I hope you won’t be affected.”
“I will try to remain unaffected. But under the great tide, it’s difficult for one person to stay unscathed.” William Mina smiled bitterly, lowering her head to cut her fish. “I’ve always been an insignificant person, so these events won’t impact me much. Anyway, I will graduate and then return to Rockston to live. This has always been my expected life.”
“Oh, poor girl,” the Duke of Luxembourg expressed compassion. “Is there anything I can do to help? I will definitely do my best.”
“You are so kind, Your Grace,” William Mina smiled gratefully. “Having a friend like you makes me feel strong. Perhaps you can visit me in Rockston someday. While it may not be as large as the Luxembourg Star Domain, the scenery is quite beautiful.”
“I believe so, Your Highness. Only you are worthy of that beautiful scenery.”
William Mina blushed and turned her head, surprised to see Schneider not far away. He appeared slightly heavier than before, having likely been watching her. When he noticed, he raised his glass and nodded to her. An elegant middle-aged lady sat across from him, seemingly his wife.
William Mina raised her glass in return.
“Do you know him?” the Grand Duke of Luxembourg asked.
“He’s Gavin Schneider, the Democratic Party leader,” William Mina replied. “What a coincidence today.”
“So he reserved the best position,” the Duke of Luxembourg remarked. “If I had arrived a bit earlier, we could have sat over there instead of behind this pillar.”
“It’s fine. I like Roman-style pillars.” William Mina’s words were abruptly interrupted by the sound of shattering glass.
Women’s terrified screams erupted as a table was overturned, and plates smashed to pieces.
People panicked and ran everywhere, the alarm sound piercing through the sky deafeningly.
William Mina reacted immediately, pulling the bewildered Grand Duke of Luxembourg behind a pillar and pressing his shoulders to make him crouch down. She lowered her body close to him.
No second gunshot came, but William Mina saw Schneider lying on the ground, half his body covered in blood.
She examined the dark green uniform of the Albert Guard Corps, which made the young man look majestic. Many women in shock had already looked over this way.
William Mina asked, “When did you join the guard corps?”
“Just an internship, Your Highness,” Albert replied, extending his arm. “Please let me escort you back to the palace.”
Hastily, William Mina bid farewell to the Grand Duke and boarded the police hover car.
“Things happened so suddenly; I’m afraid I can’t provide more information,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I only remember that a moment ago, Schneider was raising his glass to greet me, and I was discussing Roman columns with the Grand Duke when the gunshot rang out. To be precise, it was the sound of crystal glass shattering.”
Albert asked, “So you didn’t notice anything unusual?”
“Of course, I’m certain,” William Minna smiled, “Apart from the recent tense situation and someone suddenly shooting at the Democratic Party leader, there was nothing unusual.”
Albert’s mouth curved slightly, “Does anyone know you were having dinner with the Grand Duke?”
“I don’t think many. The Grand Duke had a sudden impulse; I told two friends and Sir Wolf. Do you think this assassination was aimed at me?”
“I can’t confirm that right now.”
“Of course, you can’t,” William Minna sneered, “TV police always say that.”
Albert seemed magnanimous about her sarcasm, “In this sensitive period, assassinating Schneider is not a wise move.”
“He didn’t die after all,” William Minna said. “I like Schneider, but this matter is not simple. How incompetent would a sniper have to be to fail to take down an old man sitting in an obvious position?”
Albert traced the button of his uniform with his slender fingers, “Do you think there’s another purpose?”
William Minna laughed coldly, “I can’t express my opinion, young master. I thought that with your close relationship with Her Majesty the Queen, you would understand the secret order she gave me.”
Albert lowered his head and chuckled, “When will you stop joking about this?”
“Given the current situation, I can’t treat this as a joke,” William Minna raised an eyebrow. “Your Selleberg family has also reached a critical time to choose. If the conflict is irreconcilable, who can control the army?”
“Our family has always been loyal to Her Majesty the Queen,” Albert replied. “We believe she will make a wise decision.”
“You think so, not that you’re certain. It’s been a week, and the protesters have clashed with riot police several times, yet she still hasn’t made a statement. For such a tragic incident, she hasn’t even lowered the flag.”
Albert tapped his fingers on his knee, pursing his lips. William Minna noted this gesture was reminiscent of Hans Boge’s.
