They both laughed softly.
“By the way,” Wilhelmina cut her steak absentmindedly, “I heard Amelia is pregnant.”
Chapter 5: Royal Marriage
The marriage between Wilhelmina and Albert was a match of equals. The woman was noble, young, beautiful, and brave, while the man was from a distinguished family, upright and talented, garnering public support.
This was a win-win marriage. The man elevated the woman to the imperial throne, turning a princess into the queen of the Galactic Empire. The Selleberg family relinquished military power and disbanded their troops. By becoming husband and wife, they ended the 150-year rule of the Osenberg Dynasty and etched the Selleberg surname onto the crown.
Marvin Saxon Edri “Imperial Royal History – The Selleberg Dynasty”
Although Wilhelmina expected to spend her eighteenth birthday in Rockston, plans change rapidly. Continuous victories at the front suggested she would likely return to Odin for her birthday, leaving her feeling a bit regretful.
She had come to consider Rockston as her home and loved Eton Manor and its people. Although she had planned to host a grand outdoor ball on the lawn in the river valley, fantasizing about balls and jewelry was just a fleeting distraction in Wilhelmina’s busy life.
She needed to connect with surrendering nobles, persuade stubborn conservatives, and comfort people in new territories. The old system was broken, and a new one hadn’t yet been established, so she needed to be personally involved.
“Once the new cabinet is formed, everything will be fine,” Schneider consoled her. “Constitutionalism is just saving the king some trouble.”
“Oh, of course you’d say that,” Wilhelmina laughed. “Power and responsibility are equal.”
“The people can supervise us,” Schneider said humorously. “Thousands of people rushing into parliament to smash things would be more effective than you throwing a cup at me.”
“Do you think they aren’t trying to use you? You foolish woman, you are destroying the empire our ancestors built. Emperor Wolrich will be furious in heaven,” Annabel sneered.
“Even if he were angry, it would only be because his descendants are fighting each other,” Wilhelmina replied calmly. “Don’t try to sway me with this nonsense, Annabel. I doubt how your heirs were educated.”
Am I destroying the empire? I am protecting it, you short-sighted wretch. Grandfather’s ideas about constitutional monarchy were correct. I am inheriting his will. The fate of isolated imperial power is extinction. Only by merging 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 and respect him—something you cannot do. The Selberg family is not stupid; they chose me.”
Annabel pressed her lips together, then laughed eerily. “You are too confident, Wilhelmina. You are blinded by him. But that’s nothing. You are not the first.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“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 triumphantly, “It’s Albert! Your fiancé has already given you an illegitimate child!”
Annabel laughed, nearly falling into a manic state. Wilhelmina looked at her with pity and silently shook her head.
“Enough,” she interrupted Annabel’s laughter. “Are you questioning my intelligence? If he were to get Amelia pregnant, why would he need to ally with me to overthrow you?”
Annabel’s laughter stopped abruptly.
Wilhelmina scoffed, “If grandfather knew his chosen heir was like you, he would be so disappointed. You’ve resorted to using cheap scandalous gossip to attack your opponents?”
“Shut up!” Annabel shouted.
“I will,” Wilhelmina replied mockingly. “I think our conversation is best ended here. By the way, 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, but it missed and fell onto the carpet.
The secretary rolled his eyes, knowing another round of smashing and roaring was about to begin. He no longer dared to inject a sedative for the queen, as she had strictly forbidden it. Besides having the guards stand at the door, he could do nothing else.
The rebel army was approaching the imperial capital, Odin. The massive defection of imperial generals had created panic, dividing the palace attendants into two factions, with the reformist faction clearly outnumbering the conservative one.
The officials of the Palace Interior remained the calmest group. Regardless of who wore the crown, the monarch needed them to maintain the palace’s operations.
The palace’s unique nature made it irreplaceable. The change of dynasty would not affect the Palace Interior, and Brück had been focusing on necessary adjustments after the change of monarch, wanting to be prepared regardless of the coup’s outcome.
The Palace Interior staff served the royal power holder, not a specific monarch.
On August 6th, Wilhelmina, stationed at Roxton Star, received a superluminal call from the flagship Boston. Albert appeared, smiling, and invited her to join him.
“I hope you can join me on the Boston to Odin, Wilhelmina,” he requested sincerely. “It will be a moment of great significance.”
That day, Wilhelmina boarded the Vanacci vessel, accompanied by several important officials, Democratic Party leaders, and her trusted maid, Cynthia Steiman. They used full-speed warp, and on August 8th at noon, the Vanacci rendezvoused with the Boston. The small civilian vessel was one-fifth the size of the military ship, and they docked directly. Welcoming the future queen’s arrival, Albert appeared slightly darker but spirited, wearing a warm smile. Wilhelmina felt more at ease, and the dizziness from the warp had diminished.
Sometimes, great achievements do not require years. Recently, Albert proved his capabilities with swift military strategy, skill in avoiding casualties, and impressive persuasion. Many defectors told Wilhelmina that Albert’s persuasive skills often left them unable to argue and forced them to surrender.
“The media says you seem more like a law school graduate than a soldier,” William Minna teased during lunch. “You’re probably suited to be a lawyer.”
“If I didn’t need to inherit the family business, I might have actually studied law,” Albert replied, sipping red wine. “But as a soldier, being able to lead troops in peacetime is fortunate. This war won’t last long, and these few days of experience will be cherished.”
“Was studying at the military academy for ten years worth it?”
“Willy,” Albert said, looking deeply at her, “what we learned at the military academy was not how to fight, but how to safeguard peace.”
William Minna smiled gently, tilting her head. “We could perhaps write that motto in the Thiel Military Academy’s book.”
They both laughed softly.
“By the way,” William Minna casually said while cutting her steak, “I heard Amelia is pregnant.”
Chapter 52 Author’s Note:
“Really?” Albert asked, somewhat surprised. “Who is the father of the child?”
“Annabel didn’t tell me,” William Minna said.
“Wait,” Albert looked up at her, “It was Annabel who told you?”
“Yes, during a superluminal video call. I didn’t mention this incident before because I thought it wasn’t important. Of course, I was quite surprised. Amelia has always been well-behaved and obedient.”
“Girls like her are more likely to be deceived by men,” Albert laughed. “Naive, blindly trusting in love, lacking judgment, and not knowing how to cut losses.”
William Minna raised an eyebrow at him. “So, do you think I’m easily deceived by men?”
