Wilhelmina smiled gratefully at her companion, recognizing his effort to cheer her up as they prepared for the upcoming events.
It was mid-August, the hottest time of the year, with temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius. Rose Palace, surrounded by forests, offered a cooler respite. This season brought the beauty of blooming roses, filling the air with an intense fragrance that remained constant despite the passage of time.
The Maiden’s Spring garden was set as the venue for the court ball the next day, amidst the excitement of the Queen’s coronation and the anticipated resumption of court activities. Despite the short notice, Wilhelmina resolved to celebrate her eighteenth birthday coming-of-age ceremony.
“What are your thoughts about becoming an adult?” Albert inquired.
“You are a female monarch, now feeling more empowered,” he added.
“I have long awaited this day,” Wilhelmina replied, “as it signifies my ability to make my own decisions. However, fate is unpredictable. Even before I arrived yesterday, I had the freedom to choose. Yet, with power comes responsibility, and already I feel the weight of official duties.”
“You have many people around you who can help,” someone responded.
“Not as many as I imagined,” Wilhelmina Minna sighed. “What I will miss most is Hans Borg, who is about to go to the lower house.”
“Think positively,” Albert counseled. “You only need to stay in the palace and issue orders, without having to experience the meetings in the parliament and senate. Those scenes would make you completely desperate about the empire’s future.”
Wilhelmina laughed lightly. “It’s just a pity that during the grand election, I am the only person in the empire who cannot vote. I don’t particularly care about the result, but I long for that sense of participation.”
“This is your empire, Willy,” Albert gently touched her hand. “And there is another person who also cannot vote.”
“Who?”
Albert stood still, smiling gently at Wilhelmina. Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting dappled golden spots, while swaying tree shadows added a hint of ambiguity to his smile.
Wilhelmina realized, “Oh, you…”
She blushed and laughed. “I am truly an absent-minded person.”
“It’s fine,” Albert teased. “You still need some time to get used to having a fiancé.”
“And you?” Wilhelmina asked. “How are you adapting?”
Albert looked toward the end of the lawn and the forest, with a hint of bitterness in his smile.
After returning to Odin, Albert had successfully reunited with his parents and resigned from the military.
Some identities cannot be held simultaneously with any position, such as the queen’s husband.
As Wilhelmina’s fiancé, Albert’s rights and obligations remained undefined in imperial law. Although the empire legislated the queen’s rights and duties, the elders and parliamentarians debated whether these laws applied to the king’s husband.
Albert would be the first king’s husband in the Osenberg dynasty, having sacrificed much for this title, including over a decade studying at military school, the Selberg family’s military power. If the parliament remained indecisive, all his rights would depend on Wilhelmina’s generosity, potentially relegating him to a life away from politics, living quietly in the palace and engaging in charitable work.
“Don’t you feel that you’re still young and shouldn’t be trapped by marriage for life?” Wilhelmina asked. “I am a woman, and marriage won’t change my original path. But this marriage will change your life.”
“It has changed my life,” Albert replied. “I fulfilled my family obligations at the price of being able to marry the queen. Many people have been looking forward to this.”
“What about your ambitions?” Wilhelmina inquired, looking into his amber eyes. “I know you, Albert. You are talented and ambitious.”
They always called you the future marshal, heir to the war god, and the empire’s future guardian. But now, you will be just the queen’s husband.”
“I made that decision willingly. I’m not resentful.”
“What made you sacrifice so much for your family?” Wilhelmina asked.
Albert gazed at his fiancée, saying softly, “It’s not entirely a sacrifice.”
Wilhelmina smiled slightly, “Thank you, Albert. You and your family have not betrayed my trust. I will do my best to repay you.”
Albert took her hand, kissed it, and held it in his palm. “Your Majesty, we choose our paths and persist. As you said to Annabel, we never expected to have everything.”
They stood close enough to feel each other’s breaths. For the first time, Wilhelmina felt a familial intimacy with Albert, which made her happy.
On the empty tree-lined path, she didn’t hide her emotions. Standing on tiptoe, she quickly kissed Albert’s cheek.
“Now, you are my friend.”
In his momentary daze, Wilhelmina laughed and walked away. The young queen’s back was like a pink butterfly, and by the time he reached out, she had slipped through his fingers.
Chapter 55 Kearns adjusted his slightly too-tight bowtie while walking through the crystal mosaic corridor.
One side of the hallway showcased oil paintings of the four seasons, while the other faced the central garden. Court maidens in pink and white gauze skirts giggled as they passed, often looking back.
Kearns arrived at Wilhelmina’s bedroom door and knocked. A maid opened it, revealing a room filled with laughter and the fragrance of powder and perfume.
Wilhelmina sat at the dressing table, applying makeup in an apricot-yellow silk dress with a wide V-neck that highlighted her neck and shoulders. Her hair was elegantly pinned up, and the puffy, ruffled skirt trailed on the carpet. The dress was beautifully embroidered with pearls and diamonds.
Kearns could barely take his eyes off her. “I brought flowers…”
“Thank you!” Angela snatched the flowers, jumping in front of the mirror to pin them in her hair.
“Hey, those are for Willy!” Kearns called out.
Angela rolled her eyes. “Idiot. The queen must wear a crown.”
Indeed, on the deep red velvet cushion of the dressing table rested a diamond crown, the famous royal “Hope of Light” crown, crafted by Emperor Wolrich for Queen Wilhelmina’s twenty-fifth birthday.
Wilhelmina was putting on a necklace and earrings with Cynthia’s help. The diamonds sparkled brilliantly, adorned with small red rubies and pearls.
This jewelry set was originally given to her mother, Rebecca, when she was queen. After divorcing Prince Adams, Rebecca returned it according to royal protocol, leaving it for the next queen. However, Adams’ new wife never used the jewelry. After Rebecca’s death, the prince left it to his daughter as a memento.
“Before this, I only saw my mother wearing this jewelry in portraits and holographic films,” Wilhelmina said, caressing the necklace, a large teardrop-shaped diamond hanging on her chest and highlighting her delicate skin.
“So beautiful,” Angela admired, placing the matching diamond bracelet on Wilhelmina.
“And so heavy,” Wilhelmina joked. “This is the first time I’ve worn something so heavy—except for a pilot’s helmet.”
“Oh, Your Majesty, today is your big day. Dressing beautifully is a queen’s responsibility,” Angela said, holding the crown in front of Wilhelmina.
Cynthia carefully placed the crown on Wilhelmina’s head. Wilhelmina adjusted it, then stood up, holding her dress and walking to the middle of the room. In her formal attire, the young woman looked elegant and graceful, with the jewelry and luxurious dress highlighting her noble temperament and the crown proclaiming her distinguished status.
Compared to the previous Anna Belle I, she was more gentle and charming, like a familiar neighborhood girl.
Angela’s eyes were moist with excitement; she sniffled and searched for tissues.
“Relax, Angela,” Wilhelmina laughed, “I’m just having a birthday, not getting married.”
