“A bit of friendship, perhaps,” Albert said. “And protection.”
The Selberg family can control the army, which is our advantage, but also our misfortune.”
“No problem,” Albert said. “Just try not to take too long. It’s not that I’m in a hurry, but the situation no longer allows us to delay.”
“I know,” Wilhelmina lowered her hand and finally asked, “What do you think about this marriage?”
Albert laughed softly, his features slightly blurred in the backlight. Wilhelmina sensed his smile had a hint of bitterness.
“My father and mother were in a political marriage, but they deeply loved each other. My father once told me: If you believe in marriage and make it part of your life, you will find peace and happiness.”
Wilhelmina pondered this, saying nothing.
Albert gazed at her sincerely and said, “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“It’s obvious that the way I proposed completely destroyed the romantic dreams of a young girl’s heart about love and marriage.”
“So that was a proposal?”
“…Yes,” he said.
“That must be one of the worst proposals in history,” Wilhelmina scoffed, turning to walk away.
Albert stood watching her light skirt disappear behind the bushes. He walked to where she had stood, picked the pink rose she had touched, and brought it to his nose. A breeze passed, intensifying the rose’s fragrance. Dusk settled, enveloping the earth in warm yellow light.
Wilhelmina stepped on the soft grass, walking towards the pond.
The birch forest and flowers were quiet and full of tenderness. The pond’s edge was overgrown with grass and reeds almost as tall as she was. Parting the reeds revealed a white marble pavilion on the opposite bank, with scattered stones buried by weeds and a golden broom growing at the base.
Kains sat at the base, hugging his legs and poking the water with a reed.
Wilhelmina avoided the stones and climbed onto the base.
“Hey, buddy,” she smiled warmly, “It’s dinnertime.”
Kains sat with his back to her, silent.
“I brought sandwiches, the pickled ham flavor you like.”
“I’m not hungry,” he said glumly.
“I also brought beer.”
Kains turned and she handed him a can.
He opened it and took a gulp.
Wilhelmina sat next to him and tossed a sandwich into his lap. “Don’t drink on an empty stomach.”
Kains looked at her, his handsome face especially charming in the twilight, but his eyes were sad like an abandoned puppy. Wilhelmina felt a sudden ache in her heart.
“What’s wrong?” Kains asked.
Wilhelmina replied, “Seven years ago, I was sitting here as a short, chubby kid. Now, I’m a handsome young man. Time first shapes a person, then destroys them.”
Kains couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh God, yes. And Mom especially loves watching my childhood videos.”
“You were very cute back then,” Wilhelmina said sincerely. “You’ve always been cute.”
Kains held the sandwich, speaking softly, “To you, I’m just cute. I’m not even a man.”
“Of course you’re a man!” Wilhelmina placed her hand on his arm. “Kains, you’re a handsome, cheerful, friendly man with a compassionate heart.”
“Please,” Kains said with a bitter smile, “don’t talk like it’s a eulogy.”
Wilhelmina withdrew her hand and shrugged. “You’re right, I’m not good at comforting people.”
They fell into silence. Two ducks glided slowly across the dim lake surface, leaving faint trails behind.
Kains finished his sandwich in big bites and continued drinking beer. Wilhelmina had no appetite and took a sip of her beer before saying, “I’m sorry.”
Kains paused, food still in his mouth, his voice muffled. “I already knew.”
Wilhelmina struggled to find the right words. Unlike her past suitors, Kains was different.
“You’re my best friend,” she said sadly, looking at him. “You’re like a brother to me. You’re my family. You’re the most important person to me.”
“Not important enough for you to want to kiss me,” Kains replied.
Wilhelmina smiled bitterly, “You’ve already gotten my first kiss, so stop complaining.”
“That was your first kiss?” Kains raised his voice.
“Shut up!” Wilhelmina glared at him.
Kains laughed, “I’m glad you came to find me, Willy.”
“Of course,” Wilhelmina scoffed, “I never avoid problems.”
Kains picked up a stone and threw it into the pond, creating ripples. “So, I am serious.”
“Since when…”
“I don’t know either,” Kerns said, spreading his hands. “Perhaps you were always there from the beginning.”
Wilhelmina looked at him tenderly, “How sweet.”
Kerns gazed into the dim distance, where only faint ripples remained. The moon had just risen, and sitting close, they could not make out each other’s expressions.
Wilhelmina felt deeply moved. A surge of warm emotion filled her chest, making her feel happy. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Kerns’ shoulders, leaning in to kiss his temple.
Kerns turned and held her tightly, resting his head on her shoulder.
In the grass, a cricket began its first call of the night. Soon, countless insects joined this pastoral symphony.
The earth was dark, but the sky was a soft indigo blue, with the moon like a translucent gauze silhouette overhead.
“I love you,” Kerns said softly.
“I love you too,” but in a different way.
Kerns held Wilhelmina tighter, almost suffocating her. Warmth filled her eyes as she thought about Alberg’s proposal. She knew she should tell Kerns about it—but not now.
“Hey, sweetheart, listen to me,” Kerns said, his tone relaxed, “I’ve cracked the Senate Hall’s security system and found an ancient secret passage. Since they’re having a meeting tomorrow, why don’t we go and listen in?”
“Really?” Wilhelmina exclaimed joyfully, “You’re truly remarkable!”
Kerns laughed proudly, “Thank you, I’m indeed great. But don’t expect much from the meeting; it’s not exactly a ‘Galaxy’s Got Talent’ show.”
“But at least we’ll know what they’re planning for the current situation,” Wilhelmina said. “I hate being passive!”
The Senate Hall was a light gray granite building in a magnificent Italian style. In front of the hall was a fountain with statues of gods, a spot where tourists threw wishing coins. Candy sellers, painters, and young artists crowded the small square, selling their crafts.
After Angela’s disguise, Wilhelmina and Kerns were unrecognizable. Hand in hand, they passed through the crowd and entered the hall with the tourists.
On the second floor, guided by a guard, they found a secluded bathroom.
Wilhelmina brazenly followed Kerns into the men’s restroom, startling a man who was washing his hands. After everyone left, Kerns placed a “Disinfection in Progress, Temporarily Closed” sign at the door.
He opened the cleaning supplies storage box, tapped the bottom board, and confirmed their earlier speculation with an empty echo. Kerns and Wilhelmina skillfully pried open the bottom board, revealing a pitch-black tunnel. Kerns crawled in first, followed by Wilhelmina, who restored the storage box to its original state. With a light “beep,” the door opened.
“Hold the flashlight and follow me,” Kerns said, taking Wilhelmina’s hand as they ventured ahead.
The tunnel was filled with a decaying smell, damp and cold, with their footsteps echoing clearly.
“Don’t you think we’re like tomb raiders?” Wilhelmina asked, excitement in her voice. “This place has been sealed for so long; there might be monsters or mutant rats.”
“Darling, the guards inspect here twice a year. If there were any mutant creatures, I believe they would have been eliminated.”
“How can you be sure they won’t discover us?”
“Trust my technology, okay?” Kerns replied. “I’ve frozen the security lock for half an hour. That’s why I chose the entrance closest to the meeting hall.”
Kerns’ multi-functional watch displayed a three-dimensional model of the tunnel, showing sound and heat shielding devices activated. Following the indication, they reached above the meeting hall.
