Her emotional speech caused the ladies present to sigh from the bottom of their hearts. William Minna boarded the hover car amidst the enthusiastic cheers.
“You were too dangerous just now,” the guard captain said seriously before the car could start. “You should have followed my commands, Your Highness.”
William Minna felt her temples throb and turned to Captain Kazman with a smile, “Thank you. You never fail to remind me of my identity.”
Captain Kazman remained serious, his lips tightly pressed.
The capital star of the Rockston Star Domain, also called Rockston, is almost the same size as Earth and has sixteen inhabited planets. The people here primarily engage in agriculture, arts, and commerce, living a self-sufficient, leisurely, and happy life.
On the capital planet, the most famous industries are animal husbandry and flower cultivation. The hover car flew low from the spaceport to the mansion. It was late spring and early summer, and endless flower fields spread like a vibrant carpet below.
Purple lavender, pink carnations, crimson tulips, pale yellow daisies… The bright colors combined into changing patterns.
In some slightly depressed areas, gardeners plant flowers in rotating radial patterns or compose a massive flower. The rich floral fragrance even enters cars through the ventilation system, filling them with a delicate, fresh scent.
The ducal mansion, Eton, is an ancient white castle situated in a valley surrounded by flower fields and forests. It features high, pointed towers and rooftop walls overlooking the river valley meadows. In front are meadows and flower fields, while the garden behind connects to a dense forest, with a small river providing an inexhaustible water source for the pond.
After getting out of the car, William Minna took deep breaths of fresh air, watching a group of white doves fly across the blue sky, circling the castle’s high towers.
“This is my first time here. It’s much more beautiful than in the holographic images.”
“Indeed, it is,” said Mr. Roger, the head butler of Eton Castle. “We have the most beautiful forests in the world. You can hunt in the woods, Your Highness. There are deer herds on the eastern slopes, and foxes and wild boars in the forest. The previous Duke, your father, loved to picnic on the eastern slopes or fish in the river. There’s a type of silver fish with delicate and delicious meat, which will be part of tonight’s dinner.”
“That makes me even more excited,” William Minna said happily. “I love horseback riding.”
How many horses do you have?”
“We maintain five purebred horses, Your Highness. This place has been without a master for some years, so we have all looked forward to your arrival.”
“Thank you, Roger. Let’s go inside and take a look.”
The interior of the castle was much more luxurious than its rustic exterior. Beautiful colored tiles covered the floor, and the ceiling featured a painting depicting a gathering of gods. The hall was adorned with ancestral portraits, exquisite decorations, and rare flowers on the stands.
The maids curtsied to William Minna under the housekeeper’s lead but were quickly distracted by the young men from the guard team. William Minna didn’t mind and walked around, particularly satisfied with the library’s rich collection and the spacious, bright study.
“You’ve prepared this place very well, Roger.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” the butler replied, excited by the praise. “These colored tiles were selected by your father. When your mother lived here, the rooms were always filled with flowers. You can also place flowers you like.”
“Those pink carnations.”
“Certainly, I’ll bring them right away. Would you like us to help you carry your things upstairs?”
“There’s no rush yet,” Wilhelmina laughed.
In the sunlit courtyard, Captain Kazman was directing his subordinates to conduct a security check of the castle.
The guards spread out, professionally checking with instruments while finding corners for monitors and alarms. Captain Kazman began assigning rooms as if Wilhelmina didn’t exist.
“Good heavens,” Roger whispered, “but the castle already has a security system.”
“Their technology is a bit more advanced,” Wilhelmina consoled him.
“I hope they don’t install them in the rooms. By the way, Your Highness, which suite would you like? The north or south side?”
“That depends on Captain Kazman’s opinion,” Wilhelmina said, looking out to the courtyard. “Probably the north side.”
The captain was ordering, “Every corner, visible or invisible!”
“No,” Wilhelmina shook her head, “he’ll definitely lock me in the tower and catch a dragon to guard the stairs.”
“Your Highness,” Captain Kazman called, approaching, “I forgot to ask your permission to update the security system here.”
“You did forget,” Wilhelmina said with a smile, “but that’s fine. Just don’t put cameras in my dressing room.”
Captain Kazman struggled between a smile and a grimace. Lucy, frightened by the chaos, jumped down from Wilhelmina’s arms, rubbed against the captain’s trouser leg, and ran away.
Captain Kazman divided his subordinates into four groups, with two responsible for closely guarding Wilhelmina, rotating shifts daily.
Some first-floor rooms and the entire third floor served as guard dormitories, with micro-monitors installed everywhere.
“Wonderful,” Wilhelmina said as she walked down the corridor, noting every monitored corner. “Now I can’t even secretly pick my nose.”
Sir Wolf coughed, reminding her of her language.
“Relax, Sir Wolf,” Wilhelmina comforted him. They stayed on the second floor; she chose the north-facing suite, while Sir Wolf took an ordinary guest room.
Wilhelmina didn’t bring many attendants; her previous maid had resigned, and Butler Roger arranged a capable companion for her named Cynthia Steiman.
Finding joy in suffering is about singing and dancing even under strict surveillance. With a sarcastic smile, Wilhelmina turned off the desk lamp and closed her eyes. Although burdened with sorrows, the long-term space flight and mental pressure had exhausted her, and she quickly fell asleep, until Cynthia’s knock woke her up.
“Good morning, Your Highness,” Cynthia said upon entering. “Would you like me to open the curtains? The sun is beautiful today.”
“Thank you, Cynthia,” Wilhelmina yawned, slowly becoming alert. “Oh God, I haven’t slept this comfortably in a long time.”
“I’m glad you’re getting used to it,” Cynthia quickly drew back the curtains, bright sunlight filtering in.
Wilhelmina, wrapped in a shawl and barefoot, stood by the window. Guards patrolled the green ground below, while three light hover vehicles circled over the forest, startling many birds.
A Labrador barked, chasing Lucy, who darted up a treetop, leaving the big dog helpless below.
Breakfast was laid out on the suite’s terrace, adorned with a white tablecloth and a crystal vase holding pink carnations. Wilhelmina cut bacon with silver cutlery, savoring her hot lemon tea.
The warm summer wind carried a delicate floral fragrance, making Wilhelmina’s mind drift into a dreamlike state.
However, news from the reader handed by Sir Wolf snapped her back to reality. The secretary was familiar with the queen’s sudden irritable temper and stood silently, waiting for her to vent her anger.
“Cruelty and selfishness are the traditions of our family, aren’t they?” Annabel sneered, viciously cutting the ham. “I sit on this cold throne, dedicating myself to this empire, yet the citizens want to denounce me. I fight for my family against the empire, and they want to protect themselves? What meaning do all my actions have?”
“Your Majesty,” the secretary gently advised, “You have done enough. You can be clear-conscience.”
