Annabel was somewhat satisfied with Georgiana. “Sir Richard’s title is low, but I’ll make him an earl after your marriage. You can keep your dowry, and the prenuptial agreement will ensure it belongs only to you. If you wish, you can continue living in Rose Palace. For us, marriage is just like this.”
These words made Georgiana look satisfied and relieved. Her fiancé, though of lower status, was respectable and much better than the Viscount of Olsheim.
“But I can’t do it, sister, I can’t!” Amelia cried.
“Ami!” Georgiana stopped her, “Enough!”
Amelia shook her head, kneeling on the floor.
Annabel frowned, “What’s wrong? Ami? George? Are you hiding something from me?”
Georgiana chose to stay silent.
Amelia burst into loud sobs: “I’m pregnant!”
The color drained from Annabel’s face. She looked down at her crying sister, silent for a long moment. “I’m sorry, Annie, I’m truly sorry!”
“Amelia covered her face, “But I love him, and he loves me. He said even if I’m not a princess, even if I have nothing, he loves me and wants to marry me. So I can’t marry the Viscount of Olsheim…”
Her words were interrupted by a slap. She fell to the ground, shocked to have been hit.
Georgiana ran over and helped Amelia up, looking fearfully at Annabel, “Sister, please, she’s really pregnant…”
Annabel’s voice was sharp: “Who is the child’s father?”
Amelia trembled, “I… I can’t say.”
“I’ll find out even if you don’t tell me!” Annabel shouted, “You’re absolutely audacious, Amelia! Pregnant? Before marriage?”
“Such things have happened in the royal family,” Amelia defended herself, “Wolrich the Great Emperor’s queen, Wilhelmina, was also pregnant before marriage…”
“But her child’s father was the Emperor! And who is the father of your child? Some lowly boy? You won’t even tell me his name? Does he have a title? Oh, of course not. Who is he? A palace guard? Your classmate? Or just some random man from the street?”
Amelia wept, shaking her head, refusing to speak.
Annabel, furious, finally asked, “Who else knows about this?”
Georgiana replied, “Just me and Amelia.”
“Do Mom and Dad know?”
“We haven’t told them yet.”
“What about the people in the palace?”
“Everyone is being kept in the dark.”
“And that man?”
“…He knows,” Amelia said. “He wants to marry me and take responsibility…”
“Shut up!” Annabel exploded. “Have you seen a doctor?”
“I examined her,” replied Georgiana, who studied medicine in college.
“Good! This child cannot be kept.”
Amelia screamed, “No! I want to have this child!”
“I told you to shut up!” Annabel roared. “You don’t know the mess you’ve caused. At such a critical moment, you’re creating a royal scandal! Don’t you know how many people are waiting to tear us apart?”
Amelia cried, “This is my child, my life! You can’t sacrifice my happiness for yourself!”
“Wake up!” Annabel grabbed her and shook her. “If this uprising costs me my crown, we’ll have nothing! House arrest or exile – is that the life you want? Forget about your dresses and jewels. I want to see if that man, whose name you dare not speak, will still want you when I’m no longer queen and you’re no longer a princess!”
She pushed Amelia into Georgiana’s arms. “Now, both of you get out. From today, you are not allowed to leave the royal chambers.”
Disobey my order, and I’ll make you taste the consequences of losing your titles ahead of time.”
Amelia sobbed as Georgiana supported her out.
Suddenly, the morning room door opened, and the head of the guard rushed in, almost bumping into Amelia and the others.
Chapter 45
The crowd burst into applause, bringing William Mina back from her daze. A horse had just perfectly completed a difficult hurdle, and the rider was a young, handsome man. The watching girls were excited.
William Mina clapped and smiled like everyone else as the rider took off his hat and bowed to her. The surrounding gazes converged on William Mina.
“Who is he?” she asked in a low voice.
“A newcomer, Your Highness,” a lady answered. “There are many new faces this year, probably all here because of you.”
“Then I’m sorry my appeal to veterans isn’t strong enough,” William Mina laughed lightly. Though she loved horseback riding, the numerous rules of competition restricted her interest.
The ladies accompanying her were already captivated by the handsome rider on the field. William Mina glanced at the gemstone watch on her wrist. It was calm.
It had been sunny when she woke up, but by noon, the sky had become much darker. Clouds surged, the air humid and stuffy, with winds carrying the scent of rain.
“It seems this rain is unavoidable,” William Mina told Cynthia. “I hope the flowers at the venue won’t be ruined. It would be a shame, as tomorrow is the final.”
“I think they’ll move the flowers into the greenhouse,” Cynthia said.
William Mina looked at the sky, waving a small folding fan.
“When I lived in Rose Palace, I could see the fountain from my bedroom. There were fish there. Before it rained, the fish would surface and open their mouths. The water’s surface would ripple, as if the rain had already fallen.”
“Do you miss Rose Palace, Your Highness?”
“How to say it. Although we were strictly disciplined, there were happy days,” William Mina smiled. “Yes, I miss Odin and my little White Buckingham Palace. Sometimes, things are like the ripples made by fish—there were signs early on.”
Cynthia looked at William Mina’s profile, saying nothing.
Near the end of the competition, Captain Kazman approached William Mina and whispered, “Your Highness, a communication from the capital.”
William Mina’s eyebrows raised, giving Cynthia a “you see” look. Cynthia smiled and stood up to follow her as they left their seats.
William Mina discreetly exited the venue through a side door with the escort of staff and guards.
People were immersed in the competition and didn’t notice the duchess’s departure.
The sound of leather boots echoed in the empty corridor while accompanying personnel remained silent.
William Mina asked, “Do I need to return to Eton to take the call?”
“No, Your Highness, you can take it in the rest room,” Captain Kazman replied stiffly.
“I hope it’s not urgent,” William Mina muttered. “The competition is about to end, and I still need to present the awards. Captain Kazman, do you know what it’s about?”
“I’m not allowed to answer before you, Your Highness,” Kazman replied without emotion.
Wilhelmina and Cynthia exchanged a glance.
“Is that so? It seems something important has happened.”
The guard opened the door. As Wilhelmina walked in, she was stunned.
“Is this a parking lot?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Captain Kazman said, waving his hand as several guards surrounded them, trapping the duchess and her maid in the middle with their hands on their holstered guns.
Wilhelmina cried out in panic, “What is going on? Captain Kazman? Is this a rebellion?”
“No, Your Highness,” Captain Kazman said leisurely. “We are acting on the Queen’s orders to escort you back to Eaton Castle. You won’t be able to attend the Flower Festival tomorrow.”
“She wants to place me under house arrest?” Wilhelmina panicked. “This is absurd! What right does she have to do this? I am the lord of this land!”
“I am merely following the Queen’s orders. Please cooperate,” Captain Kazman waved his hand, and the guards forcibly pushed Wilhelmina and Cynthia towards the car.
After a brief panic, Wilhelmina calmed down and got into the car, holding Cynthia’s hand tightly. Guards sat on either side of them, while Captain Kazman sat in the front passenger seat.
As the car started, Wilhelmina asked, “Where are you taking us?”
“Back to Eaton, Your Highness,” Kazman replied without looking at her.
