“Quite right,” Schneider said smugly, “I always knew that old fellow had the heart of a passionate youth.”
William Mina took a deep breath, listening to her joyful heartbeat.
In the afternoon study, sunlight scattered on the lace curtains. Outside, the day was quiet, with birds singing in the treetops.
This was July 25th of Imperial Year 7383, the height of summer, and less than a month from William Mina’s eighteenth birthday.
As a Crown Sword Bearer, William Mina had already spent her last carefree summer eight years ago at Yunque Manor.
Chapter Five · Royal Marriage
William Mina and Albert’s marriage was a match of equals. The bride was noble, young, beautiful, intelligent, and brave, while the groom came from a distinguished family and was upright, noble, and talented. Their union was supported and blessed by the people.
This marriage elevated the bride to the throne, transforming her from a princess into the Galaxy Empire’s empress. The Selberg family even relinquished military power, and the bride reciprocated generously. Their marriage ended the Osenberg Dynasty’s 150-year rule and etched the Selberg surname onto the crown.
Marvin Saxon Edri
《Imperial Royal History – The Selberg Dynasty》
Although William Mina expected she would be in Roxston, this made her feel regretful, as she had almost come to consider Roxston Star her home. She loved Eton Manor and its people and had planned to hold a grand outdoor ball in the valley meadow.
However, fantasizing about balls was a fleeting diversion in William Mina’s busy life. She had too many responsibilities: winning over nobles required building relationships, persuading stubborn conservatives, and reassuring new territorial populations. The old system was broken, and a new one had not yet been established, necessitating her personal involvement.
“Once the new cabinet is formed, everything will be fine,” Schneider consoled her. “Constitutionalism is actually just about saving the monarch some trouble.”
“Oh, of course you’d say that,” William Mina laughed. “Power and responsibility are equal.”
“The people can supervise us,” Schneider said humorously. “Thousands rushing into parliament to cause chaos is much more effective than you throwing a cup at me.”
“Do you think you can secure this position?” Annabel sneered. “Do you think they aren’t trying to use you? You foolish woman, you are destroying the empire our ancestors built. Wolrich the Great will be furious in heaven.”
“Even if he were angry, it would only be because of his descendants fighting each other,” Wilhelmina said calmly. “Don’t try to shake me with these nonsensical words, Annabel. I doubt the education your heirs have received. I am protecting this empire, not destroying it. Grandfather’s ideas about constitutional monarchy were correct, and I inherited his legacy. Isolating royal power leads to destruction; only by integrating power with the people can one achieve eternity. You are not a good queen, Annabel. Admit your failure.”
Annabel trembled, suppressing her rage. “Do you trust Albert so much? Aren’t you afraid he will betray you? His ancestors were traitors!”
“I trust him,” Wilhelmina replied calmly. “I understand, respect, and trust him. The Selberg family can see that, so they chose me.”
Annabel pressed her lips together and remained silent for a moment before laughing eerily. “You are too confident, Wilhelmina. You are blinded by him. But you are not the first.”
“What are you trying to say?” Wilhelmina asked.
Annabel sneered, “Do you know? Amelia is pregnant. Would you like to know who the father is?”
Wilhelmina tilted her head slightly. “Does that matter?”
“Of course,” Annabel said, speaking with vengeful pleasure. “It’s Albert!”
My dear Willy, it’s your fiancé. Should I congratulate you? Your fiancé has already given you an illegitimate child!”
Annabel laughed, almost losing her mind.
Wilhelmina looked at her with pity and silently shook her head.
“Enough,” she interrupted Annabel’s laughter. “Are you questioning my intelligence? If he got Amelia pregnant, why would he need to ally with me to overthrow you?”
Annabel’s laughter stopped abruptly.
Wilhelmina scoffed, “If grandfather knew his heir was like you, he would be disappointed. Have you been reduced to using cheap gossip to attack your opponents?”
“Shut up!” Annabel shouted viciously.
“I will,” Wilhelmina replied with a mocking smile. “I think our conversation is best ended here. Congratulations on becoming an aunt.”
The screen went black as Wilhelmina ended the call.
Annabel growled and grabbed a pen holder to throw at the holographic phone, missing and allowing it to fall onto the carpet.
The secretary rolled his eyes, knowing that another round of chaos was about to begin. He dared not give the queen a sedative, as she had strictly forbidden it. Besides having the guards at the door, he could do nothing.
The rebel army was already approaching the imperial capital, Odin.
Many imperial military leaders defecting had created panic, dividing the palace attendants into two factions, with the reformist faction clearly outnumbering the conservative faction.
The officials of the Palace Interior Department remained composed. Regardless of who wore the crown, the monarch needed them to maintain palace operations. The special nature of the palace determined that this institution was inherently hereditary and could not be easily replaced.
The change of dynasty would not affect the Palace Interior Department. Brück was calm, having privately focused on the necessary adjustments in the palace following the change of monarch. He did not want to be unprepared, regardless of the coup’s outcome.
For the Palace Interior Department, they served the royal ruler, not a specific monarch.
On August 6th, Wilhelmina, staying at Roxton Star, received a super-light call from the flagship Boston. In the image, Albert, smiling, invited her to meet.
“I hope you can join me on the Boston to Odin, Wilhelmina,” Albert requested sincerely. “It will be a moment of great significance, and I hope to share it with you.”
That day, Wilhelmina boarded the Vanacci, accompanied by several important officials,Democratic Party leaders, and the duchess’s own confidants. Cynthia Steiman, as Wilhelmina’s trusted maid, was also present.
To save time, the Vanacci used Warp jump at full speed.
Finally, on August 8th at noon, the Vanacci met with the Boston. The small civilian ship was one-fifth the size of the warship, and they directly docked. Wilhelmina, accompanied by her entourage, stepped onto the Boston.
At the elevator, Albert led key personnel to welcome the future queen. He looked slightly darker but spirited, with a warm smile. As soon as Wilhelmina saw him, she felt more at ease, alleviating some dizziness and nausea from the Warp jump.
Albert had fully proven his capabilities in recent days. He was swift in military strategy and able to avoid casualties. Most impressively, his persuasion skills had led many defectors to surrender readily when he spoke.
“The media always says you are more like a law school graduate than a military man; perhaps they are not wrong,” Wilhelmina joked during lunch. “You would probably be very suitable as a lawyer.”
“If I didn’t need to inherit the family business, I might have studied law,” Albert said, sipping red wine. “But I have no regrets. As a soldier, leading troops and achieving results during peacetime is fortunate. This war won’t last much longer, and these few days of experience are enough to savor for a lifetime.”
“Was studying at the military academy for ten years worth it?”
“Willy,” Albert gazed deeply at Wilhelmina, “We didn’t learn how to fight at the military academy, but how to guard peace.”
Wilhelmina smiled gently, “I think we could write this in the Tiel Military Academy’s motto.”
