After everything was arranged, the car was approaching Rose Palace. The palace’s close guard squad met them, escorting the convoy back to the Little White House.
After Wilhelmina changed her clothes in her room, Sir Wolf came to report that several ministers were waiting in the conference room.
Wilhelmina applied a little blush, put on lipstick, and walked out with spirit.
The anxious officials sighed with relief as the Queen entered the small conference room, appearing calm and composed. They were accustomed to Annabel’s impulsive temperament but found Wilhelmina’s gentle nature refreshing.
“Gentlemen, I believe you know what happened today,” Wilhelmina addressed the ministers, who eagerly listened to her.
“This was an unfortunate accident, but fortunately, no one was hurt. Thank you, Albert, for saving me,” Wilhelmina said, smiling at Albert by the window. “The guards have detained and are interrogating the suspect. Before we receive the interrogation results, I want to hear your opinions.”
While they all understood the situation, no one dared to mention the female student.
“We believe it’s time to strengthen surveillance on Countess de Garis,” the Security Bureau chief stated. “Although Your Majesty supports her full territorial autonomy, I believe strict monitoring would be more beneficial for your safety. Today’s incident may be linked to using the Countess as a pretext for chaos.”
“I’m more inclined to believe the latter,” Wilhelmina said humorously. “Even if Annabel wants to undermine me, she wouldn’t expose her own scars in public.”
“Your Majesty, I have a speculation,” the Intelligence Bureau chief said. “How much do you know about the Earth Church?”
Wilhelmina was slightly surprised. “I’ve taken intelligence courses, sir, though superficially. I know it has been a security threat for many years. Are you suggesting that this assassination might have been planned by them?”
“This is indeed my bold guess,” the Intelligence Bureau chief replied. “Our monitoring report shows they have been much more active recently.”
“Before the interrogation results come out, any of our guesses are useless,” Wilhelmina said evasively. “After such an incident, the imperial capital’s guards will inevitably be strengthened, but I hope we can minimize disruption to the public. Additionally, please find a way to divert media attention away from Countess de Garis—cleverly and effectively, not simply and crudely. Lastly, this matter has disrupted my school visit, and I hope the officials of the Imperial Court can find a way to make amends quickly.”
Wilhelmina glanced at Albert, who sat silently on the side, then announced, “Thank you all, you may leave.”
The officers quickly departed after receiving the order.
When the conference room door closed, Albert stood up and sat next to Wilhelmina Wilna.
“Don’t you have anything to add?” she asked.
“I should not speak at such a meeting,” Albert replied, lowering his head with a slight smile. “I do not have that right. I thought you understood.”
“Rules are made by people,” she said disdainfully. “You are one of the parties involved today, and I need your opinion.”
“It’s okay, Willy,” he reassured her. “Even if I cannot speak at the meeting, I can talk to you privately.”
“Then speak.”
“I think you are too nervous.”
“I don’t understand,” she said, confused.
Albert held her hands in his. “Listen, Willy, today’s incident is a terrible accident. News of the Queen fleeing after an assassination attempt is inevitable. You are arming yourself with calmness and pride, but you cannot hide your inner embarrassment and fear. You worry about the image you have worked hard to build collapsing, and that people will look down on you.”
Wilhelmina opened her mouth but said nothing.
Albert smiled understandingly. “It’s okay, dear. Anyone facing such an event would feel like you. You processed your negative emotions without transferring them to others. You did very well, much better than Annabel and most people.”
Moreover, both I and those ministers admire your composure and calmness.”
“You are just like my psychologist,” Wilhelmina Wilna said with a wry smile. “So, are you going to give me a candy now?”
Albert smiled and produced a chocolate wrapped in gold paper from his palm.
“Oh my!” Wilhelmina Wilna laughed happily. “How did you do that?”
“I have eight cousins and am good at entertaining children.”
“This is a trick for coaxing girls,” Wilhelmina Wilna said, peeling off the wrapper. “How many girls have you used this trick on?”
“Only one,” Albert replied, cupping her head with their foreheads touching. “Just you.”
A knock interrupted their moment. Sir Wolf entered, saying in his rigid voice, “Mr. Hans Borg requests an audience, Your Majesty.”
“Please let him in quickly!” Wilhelmina Wilna hastily swallowed the chocolate and stood up.
Hans Borg strode into the conference room, eagerly searching for Wilhelmina Wilna. When he saw her, his expression relaxed.
Wilhelmina Wilna gave him a comforting smile and extended her hand.
Hans Borg took her hand and kissed it. “Seeing you safe, I can finally rest assured. Mr. Schneider is not in Odin; he asked me to convey his regards.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry to have worried you,” Wilhelmina Wilna replied. “Did you come as soon as you received the news? How is it outside?”
“There is slight unrest and anxiety, but nothing serious. The court news office released a statement saying you and Lord Albert are fine. They claim it was just a small accident due to student crowding. I think the unrest will subside quickly.”
The statement satisfied Wilhelmina Wilna.
“Willy,” Albert interjected, “I should go home and report my safety to my parents, so I must take my leave.”
“Please give my regards to the Duke and Duchess,” she replied.
As Albert walked towards the door, he nodded slightly at Hans Borg.
Watching him leave, Hans Borg asked Wilhelmina Wilna, “Was it he who saved you?”
“His reflexes were much more flexible than mine,” she admitted, looking embarrassed. “I realized today that I have too little actual combat experience.”
“You are the Queen; we should protect you.”
“Indeed…” Wilhelmina Wilna sighed. “By the way, Owen, I want to ask you something.”
A distant memory momentarily dazed Hans Borg.
A flash of inspiration made him understand why Wilhelmina was asking him this.
“Do you think today’s incident is related to your father’s matter?”
“I don’t know, what do you think?” Wilhelmina countered. “I recall something my grandfather told me before he passed away.”
“Alexander the Great?”
Wilhelmina nodded, sitting by the window. “He talked to me seriously about my parents during an afternoon walk when I was eleven. He said my parents were kind, upright people who fought for their beliefs and that life isn’t rosy and I had already seen its darkness.”
“What do you think he was hinting at?”
“I’m not sure,” Wilhelmina said. “I didn’t know much about my parents. They were different in origin, personality, and beliefs but still married and had me. It was a failed marriage, but in my mother’s letters and diaries, I never saw any resentment. She always loved my father, and I know even less about him.”
Hans Borg sat beside her. “After becoming secretary, I researched Prince Adams.”
“What did you find?” Wilhelmina pressed.
Hans Borg shook his head. “Those files require high-level clearance. But one thing is certain: the assassination of the prince and his wife was not as simple as a revenge killing.”
“Everyone knows that,” Wilhelmina said with a bitter smile. “But thank you anyway.”
“What?”
“You’ve done so much for me.”
Hans Borg smiled gently, “Lord Seleberg has also done a lot for you.”
