William was amused. “I hope you and your distinguished parents can visit my residence. Perhaps we could go horseback riding nearby.”
The young man’s expression brightened, and he nodded vigorously.
Suddenly, a wind blew, sweeping William Minna’s hat away. Before she could reach for it, several young men lunged for it. When one finally retrieved it, the hat was completely misshapen.
“Thank you…” William Minna said, between laughter and tears.
“Lieutenant Lisbon, at your service, Your Highness,” the black-haired young man gave a precise military salute.
“Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant,” William Minna smiled.
The young officer, close to the beautiful duchess, blushed with excitement.
Suddenly, William Minna felt someone tugging at her dress. Looking down, she saw a freckled boy of seven or eight looking up at her expectantly.
William Minna smiled, bending down, “How can I help you, dear?”
The little boy called out happily, “Good day, my lady.”
“Good day, sir,” William Minna replied.
Gathering his courage, the boy asked loudly, “Would you dance with me?”
The adults around burst into laughter. The child’s mother, standing nearby, curtsied to William Minna.
William Minna leaned in, smiling at the child, “It would be my honor.”
“You’ll do it?” the child jumped with joy.
“Of course, sir,” William Minna handed her tattered hat to Cynthia and extended her hand to the boy.
The little boy kissed her hand like a gentleman, then excitedly pulled William Minna into the dancing crowd.
People stopped dancing at her arrival.
“Please don’t stop on my account,” William Minna said. “Let’s continue!”
As everyone noticed her young dance partner, the violinist whistled, earning a tap on the head from the conductor. William Minna gracefully curtsied, lifted her dress, and began dancing with the child to the cheerful music.
“What a sweet and lovely angel!” someone said near Wolf’s ear.
He turned and bowed to the lady, “Lady Juliane.”
The elderly lady, past sixty but still fashionably dressed, had silver hair and dazzling jewelry.
“Look at her,” Lady Juliane said, watching the white-clad young girl spinning with a child on the grass. “When I was her age, I was still in boarding school, waiting to graduate. I was proud and obsessed with clothes and jewelry.”
“The duchess has always been close to the people,” Wolf noted.
“Of course,” Lady Juliane replied, waving her fan, “with such a background, one cannot blame her for having an affectionate feeling towards commoners.”
Sir Wolf slightly furrowed his brow, bowing again, “Excuse me, madam, I will check on the lunch preparations.”
He turned and strode away without waiting for her response.
The neglected noblewoman shook her fan, saying, “How utterly meaningless. If she were truly successful, she would not have been sent back to her territory.”
The person beside her did not respond, only forcing a laugh.
Wilhelmina, oblivious to the external turmoil, finished dancing with the little boy. She held his hand and asked, “What is your name, child?”
“Sidney Griffiths, miss. My father was once a colonel in the Rockston Self-Defense Force,” the child said proudly.
“So, he has retired?”
“No, miss, he sacrificed himself,” Sidney’s voice lowered, “During a mine rescue last year.”
Wilhelmina paused, “Oh… yes, I remember.”
“You even petitioned the Queen to honor him as a martyr,” Sidney said gratefully, “Now, everyone calls him a hero.”
“This is what I should do, Sidney,” Wilhelmina touched the child’s soft hair.
“You also sent us many gifts!” Sidney eagerly pulled out a chain with a Thiel Military Academy badge pendant. Wilhelmina recognized it as a gift she had chosen when she learned the colonel had a son.
“My mother said that when I graduate from primary school, I can apply to Thiel Military Academy, and then I can see you in Odin! But I didn’t expect you to return to Rockston!”
Looking at the boy’s joyful face, Wilhelmina understood the child’s magic. Such pure trust and dependence, such a sweet voice—how could one not be enchanted?
She crouched down to meet Sidney’s eyes and said, “Let’s make a deal. If you graduate with excellent grades, I can write you a recommendation letter for your military academy application.”
“That would be amazing!” Sidney exclaimed, jumping up in joy.
Wilhelmina then walked over to Mrs. Griffiths, who stood nearby.
“Your Highness,” the colonel’s widow apologized, “I hope the child has not disturbed you.”
“Of course not! We had a pleasant time together, didn’t we, Sidney?” Wilhelmina ruffled the boy’s hair.
The little boy nodded excitedly.
“He is a smart and brave child. You are a good mother, Mrs. Griffiths,” Wilhelmina said, handing the child back. “Eaton Castle will always welcome you. If you have any difficulties, you can come to me.”
“May the gods bless you, Your Highness,” Mrs. Griffiths curtsied and bid farewell with her son.
“Wait!” After a few steps, Sidney broke free from his mother’s hand and ran back.
Wilhelmina bent down in surprise as he whispered, “Someone asked me to give you something.”
He carefully handed her a small capsule. Inside was a small thorn branch.
“Who is this from?” she inquired.
The child shook his head. “A gentleman I don’t know.”
He said you would understand when you saw it. He also said…”
The child scratched his head, trying to remember, “Oh, he also said: When the sea swallows the sky, the wind blows over the high hills, the oak tree still stands tall… Isn’t that strange?”
“Yes,” Wilhelmina gave a bitter smile, “Thank you, Sidney. Let’s keep this our secret, okay? Even from your mother.”
“My loyalty is yours, Your Highness,” the little knight saluted.
Wilhelmina stood under a wisteria arbor, watching the mother and son walk away. It was quiet here, allowing her to overlook the bustling scene on the valley lawn.
If there had been no coup, if Annabelle had been broad-minded, how wonderful it would have been to enjoy all this.
She looked down at the thorn in her hand, puzzled. What did it mean? Who was trying to convey a message to her?
Albert? He could have called her directly. Karns? Riddle-telling was not his style. Schneider? Or…
Chapter 43 As evening darkened, people began to disperse from the lawn. The Flower Festival would continue for three days, accompanied by a carnival. With the temporary amusement park opening tomorrow, there would likely be even more visitors.
Several notable families were invited by the Duchess of Rockston to stay for dinner at Eaton Castle. Wilhelmina enthusiastically guided guests on a castle tour, then served tea in the drawing room.
As dinner approached, Wilhelmina excused herself with Cynthia to change in her room.
Captain Kazman, preparing for a shift change, saw the two girls walking through the hall, laughing and discussing boys. They passed him without acknowledgment.
“Your Highness, Mr. Roger asked me to inform you that dinner will be ready in half an hour,” Kazman said, bowing slightly.
“I know. I’ll try to be on time,” Wilhelmina replied and resumed her conversation with Cynthia. “I told you, he was definitely looking at you!”
“Impossible! Her mother is right by her side…” Cynthia whispered, giggling as the girls dashed upstairs.
Kazman heard the door slam shut and shook his head, disapproving of Wilhelmina’s behavior at such a critical moment.
In the bedroom, Cynthia quickly locked the door. Wilhelmina changed into jeans and a blue-gray T-shirt, braided her hair, pinned it up, and put on a beret, transforming into a tomboy.
Wilhelmina donned a wristwatch from Kerns, capable of cracking military codes, blocking sound waves, and providing thermal insulation to evade heat-sensing monitors.
“The car is at the warehouse door. I’ve set the route; you just need to activate auto-navigation,” Cynthia said.
