Albert caught the cushion and pleaded, “Don’t cancel the engagement, please. I love you.”
Wilhelmina laughed, falling back onto the sofa.
It was a lazy afternoon. She had already handled most of her work with no one to disturb her, making it the perfect time for afternoon tea. She and Albert could relax and chat without the pressure of maintaining dignity in front of others.
Wilhelmina lay on the sofa, sighing, “It’s lucky to have such a leisurely time once a week.”
“Do you mean relaxing for an hour each week, or scaring the Interior Ministry officials once a week?”
Wilhelmina burst into laughter, “I might become the first queen to be overthrown by the Interior Ministry.”
“You’re underestimating their capacity, Willy. Every Interior Ministry official has the heart of a hotel service worker.”
Wilhelmina chuckled softly. Today she wore a floral dress, a crystal necklace, and had her hair half-tied, sprawled on the sofa arm.
Albert noticed her foot; one shoe was loose, hanging half off. Without thinking, he knelt, lifted her foot, and put her shoe on properly.
Cynthia, who had just seen off guests, walked in and saw this scene. Her face flushed, and she silently retreated, closing the door.
After Albert put on the shoe, he looked up to find Wilhelmina staring at him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she smiled. “Just… thank you.”
He stood up and glanced outside.
“After autumn, the weather has become better. We haven’t really rested since returning to Odin. When we have some free time, let’s go to the New Loire Valley.”
“That’s a good suggestion,” Wilhelmina replied eagerly. “We can go on horseback.”
“Do you like boating?”
Wilhelmina was surprised, “I’ve been on a boat but never rowed one.”
“Then it’s perfect.”
“Albert said, “A college friend of mine inherited his father’s craft shipyard after graduation – but that’s another story. Anyway, he has already sent us a wedding gift:
【Guess what the gift is?】
Chapter 59 Before Wilhelmina and Albert’s outing, there was an important matter for the Queen to handle: the palace adjustment.
Due to the small size of White Buckingham Palace, which lacks sufficient office space, Wilhelmina reluctantly decided to move, following the advice of the Palace Ministry and her fiancé.
“All bedrooms in the Worry-Free Palace have had dead people lying in them,” she complained privately, rejecting the suggestion of moving to Worry-Free Palace. Those who knew her understood that she disliked the dark-toned decor and ornate decorations.
“What do you think of Paris Palace?” Albert suggested. “It’s not large, perfect for home life, and it’s connected to the Long Gallery and the New Louvre Palace. The Louvre Palace should be large enough as an office and banquet venue. This way, living and working spaces are separate.”
This suggestion was immediately approved by Wilhelmina. Thus, the soon-to-be-married couple settled on Paris Palace as their new residence. This small three-story palace with twenty-one rooms, previously an inconspicuous place in Rose Palace, would now become the center of the entire empire.
Another significant event was the four-hundredth anniversary of the Royal High Art Academy. This institution, which had continued from the old dynasty, stood firm through changing times.
Annabelle’s first public appearance as queen was cutting the ribbon for the new royal racecourse, while Wilhelmina’s was to give a speech at the academy’s anniversary. This was also the second time Wilhelmina appeared in public with Albert since her television speech.
On a crisp autumn morning, Queen Wilhelmina and her fiancé, Viscount Albert Milendwa, arrived at the Royal High Art Academy. The queen wore a light blue suit, with a kind smile and graceful demeanor. Viscount Albert was in a navy blue tailored suit, tall and handsome.
After the ceremony, the engaged couple watched a cultural performance and toured the newly built multi-purpose hall and the art exhibition. They enthusiastically met and took photos with student representatives.
An unexpected incident occurred as they were leaving the hall. Wilhelmina and her group were surrounded as they walked down the stairs. A red-haired female student suddenly broke through the guards, shouting, “Your Majesty, I have a question.”
Wilhelmina was stunned. Albert held her arm, silently urging her on.
So, Wilhelmina smiled and nodded at the girl as she continued walking.
“Your Majesty!” The female student shouted while struggling with the guards. “Did you steal Annabelle’s man to ascend to the throne?”
This shocking question stunned everyone present, including Wilhelmina and Albert, who stopped in his tracks.
The students erupted in noise, and the anxious school leadership urged the guards to remove the troublemaker. Meanwhile, Albert noticed a short male student pulling something dark from his pocket.
With military alertness, Albert reacted instantly. He turned and pushed the still-dazed Wilhelmina to the ground.
As they fell, security personnel sprang into action, and piercing whistles erupted along with cries from the crowd.
Wilhelmina was pressed to the ground, her head held tightly against Albert’s chest, unable to see anything amidst the chaos. Military boots sounded as the crowd was driven away, with some shouting “Your Majesty” and others crying out to God.
She realized what was happening but could hardly believe it, immediately thinking about Albert’s condition.
Just as she was about to speak, Albert released her.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
Wilhelmina shook her head. “And you?”
“I’m fine,” Albert revealed with a relieved smile.
Wilhelmina wanted to ask more, but she knew this wasn’t the time. They stood up with Albert embracing her protectively, and she felt his instinctive protectiveness as her heartbeat quickened.
The guard squad surrounded them, isolating them from the chaos outside. They were escorted into a car and left the school.
Through the hover car window, Wilhelmina watched the chaos below and pressed her temple in distress. Albert squeezed her hand silently for comfort. Wilhelmina smiled at him, her face still pale but calm as she issued orders.
“Relay my message, officer. Do not trouble the school and students, and ensure this matter is investigated fairly without causing further disturbance. The country is in a fragile state, and I want to avoid escalation or misunderstandings. Was the assassin captured?”
“Already captured, Your Majesty,” the guard captain responded. “He is under strict custody.”
“Do not let him die,” Wilhelmina instructed firmly. “You won’t disappoint me, will you, officer?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The guard captain saluted.
“Your Majesty,” Sir Wolf handed over the reader. “I think you should see this.”
Wilhelmina knew what he wanted her to see.
“It was all live broadcast, Your Majesty,” Sir Wolf said helplessly.
Wilhelmina smiled bitterly, pressing her temple. “Oh God, I really don’t want to see.”
“I’ll watch,” Albert laughed, taking the reader. Soon, the media recording’s sound played.
“…Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by her fiancé Viscount Milendva and school officials, was leaving the grand hall. A girl is rushing over to speak to the Queen. What is she asking? Billy, did you hear? What… ah! Oh my God! Quick—”
Then came whistle sounds and students’ shocked screams.
“You can watch too, officer,” Albert told the guard captain. “The footage is clear. That female student drew our attention, and then the assassin took the opportunity to act. Was that female student detained?”
“Detained, sir,” the guard captain replied while checking his communicator. “Your Majesty, the suspect will be taken to the Security Bureau for interrogation. Do you have any questions you want asked?”
