She could have gone to the Roxton star system with Hans Borg and been a happy lord. Now, she felt like a stray dog, kicked out of the imperial capital by a narrow-minded ruler, likely to live under surveillance for the rest of her life. Hans Borg had long since departed, and Cairns could only stay in the Nolheim star system, waiting to inherit from his father.
She would have to struggle alone.
“How are we going back?” William Mina asked.
Sir Wolf replied, “Of course, by your flagship, the ‘Vanacy’. It will be ready around nine-thirty tonight.”
“So we’ll be sleeping on the ship.” William Mina laughed bitterly. “Sir Wolf, please send a letter to Principal Tiel, asking them to send the exam results directly to Roxton.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“The Queen doesn’t plan to see us?” William Mina asked Brück.
“The Queen said her blessings will follow you, Your Highness. If she misses you, she will invite you back as a guest. Anything in the Little Buckingham Palace, you can take if you like.”
“Thank you.” William Mina smiled sarcastically, “She is truly a generous host.”
For the last dinner in the imperial capital, William Mina was invited to dine with the families of Princess Catherine and Princess Marianna. The dinner was sumptuous, but everyone’s appetite was poor. No one wasted this last moment to discuss the situation, and the elders expressed concern about William Mina’s future.
A young eighteen-year-old girl managing the Roxton star system faced numerous challenges, especially in the current situation.
“Fortunately, Sir Wolf will always be with you,” Princess Catherine said. “He is better than Hans Borg, who was immature and led to your dependency on him. How is he now?”
“He was recently promoted to colonel, Aunt Catherine,” William Mina replied. “He is still assigned to the border anti-bandit team.”
“Poor thing. It’s not right for Her Majesty to bury him like this. At this stage, dear Willy, it’s best if you do nothing. Roxton is a beautiful planet, and tourism is good for your health.”
“I will come to visit you soon,” Cairns said.
William Mina gazed at him and took his hand. “I will miss you too.”
After dinner, William Mina bid farewell to her relatives and returned to Little Buckingham Palace. The servants were busy packing, and she surveyed the chaotic room with a sense of desolation.
“I’m going to say goodbye to my ancestors,” William Mina told Sir Wolf as she left with a servant to drive to the Hall of Heroes.
The palace, constructed with precious flower crystal stones from a distant planet, shimmered under the moonlight, resembling a divine treasure dropped to earth.
On the walls of the dark corridors hung precious works of art and family portraits.
William Mina looked up, scanning each portrait. She noticed her grandfather’s portrait, her father and birth mother’s small portrait, their family photo, and her father’s portrait with his second wife.
Next to the portrait of Emperor Wolrich the Great was a life-sized half-body portrait of Empress Wilhelmina, the wife of His Majesty Wolrich. She was beautiful and elegant, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a noble demeanor. Her gentle smile exuded strength as she wore a posterior crown, dressed in a pearl-white silk gown, holding a scepter, seated on the queen’s throne.
Suddenly, Albert appeared, startling Wilhelmina. He wore an orthodox full military uniform, complete with a belt, gun holster, military boots, and sword. The golden insignias on his shoulders and chest shone in the light, accented by decorative tassels. He held a military cap adorned with a bird’s tail feather.
“Are you going to perform tonight, Young Master Albert? Or are you preparing early for the carnival?” Wilhelmina teased, assessing his tall figure.
The uniform made him look slender and athletic, accentuating his strength. At such times, his scholarly air faded, revealing a true soldier.
Albert seemed uncomfortable in the attire. “Today I’m responsible for escorting royal members aboard the ship, especially you. We used to have a ceremony to send off adult lords to their territories, but today’s situation is special.”
“Obviously,” Wilhelmina replied with a wry smile, “but I have no regrets seeing you dressed like a peacock one last time before leaving.”
Albert glanced down, “Are you okay?”
Wilhelmina shrugged, “Coming of age and returning to my territory has been my dream. It would be better if there were no war.”
Looking between the portrait of Empress Wilhelmina and Wilhelmina herself, Albert remarked, “You look quite similar.”
“Really?” she asked, studying the portrait with him. “We’re both blonde and blue-eyed. I always wished for black hair. I even bought hair dye to color it but made a complete mess.”
Albert chuckled, “But you look beautiful.”
Wilhelmina felt uncomfortable, lowering her head while smoothing her hair, as his gaze seemed to carry heat, making her uneasy.
After a brief silence, Albert looked at the corridor wall hung with portraits of imperial heroes.
“Found it,” he said brightly, “This is a portrait of my great-grandfather when he was young.”
“The original bearer of the ‘War God’ title?”
“No,” Albert’s smile was meaningful, “My true great-grandfather.”
“I’ve heard this name,” Wilhelmina recalled, walking over.
“You should have heard it if you paid attention in history class. He was mentioned in the ‘Glorious War.'”
“Was he a martyr?”
“No,” Albert gazed at the portrait, “He was a rebel.”
The small portrait depicted a handsome young military officer, with a straight nose, beautiful lips, deep eyes, and a resolute expression. He wore a wartime uniform and had his hand on the sword at his waist. The nameplate read “Konrad Saxen-Kober—7240-7271.” He was 31 years old.
Wilhelmina was surprised by his resemblance to Albert. If Albert were ten years older and had a sharper demeanor, he would look exactly like the person in the portrait.
“Looks similar, right?” Albert said. “Even my father doesn’t look as much like him.”
“He’s your great-grandfather?” Wilhelmina could hardly believe it.
“It’s a piece of hidden history you might not have heard about.”
“But if you inquired, it wouldn’t be hard to find out,” Albert said. “My biological great-grandfather and my nominal great-grandfather were comrades who experienced countless battles together and were deeply trusted by His Majesty Wolrich. However, they had a disagreement. When arguments failed, my great-grandfather chose to leave and betray.”
Wilhelmina stared at the young officer in the portrait; he didn’t look like a traitor. Of course, she knew eyes could be deceiving.
“He died in the Battle of Mol Star Domain when his flagship exploded, and his body was never found. The one ordered to pursue him was my nominal great-grandfather. He took in my great-grandmother, and seven months later, my great-grandfather was born. My great-grandmother soon married a scholar and emigrated. My nominal great-grandfather had no children, so my great-grandfather became their adopted son. The story ends.”
Wilhelmina felt she should say something, but no words came out.
“Seems like a boring story,” Albert laughed.
“Did they all know?” Wilhelmina finally asked.
Albert nodded, “Even without saying, this face can’t lie. Inheritance is amazing. My grandfather and father didn’t resemble him much, but when it came to me, it was as if to remind everyone, bringing this face back to life.”
“At least it’s quite a handsome face.”
Albert laughed, “Is this your consolation?”
“I’ve never been good at consoling. If Kains is feeling down, I’d just punch him and tell him to cheer up.”
Albert gazed at Wilhelmina’s shy smile. “I envy him for having such a good friend like you.”
Wilhelmina avoided his gaze, pursing her lips uncomfortably. The communicator on her wrist rang. “I have to go back. It seems my flagship is ready.”
