“Don’t worry, I remember perfectly,” Wilhelmina replied, searching row by row. “Grandpa only told me once that if I wanted to uncover the truth about my parents’ death, I should follow his instructions. The code felt like a family drama, but I remembered it.”
“What did Alexander mean by ‘having the ability’?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Wilhelmina looked around the room. “It means being able to come here. If I weren’t the Queen, do you think Annabel or anyone else would let me near these confidential documents?”
Each seemingly ordinary box contained a shocking secret, and only those at the core of the empire were qualified to enter.
“CX… it’s here, Albert,” Wilhelmina read the number, finding a cabinet. “718A5… D, hmm, D-5.”
“Fifth layer?” Albert asked, looking at the box above. “What was the last word?”
“Let me think,” Wilhelmina’s eyes brightened, “Boston! This is the box!”
She reached to pull it out, not noticing a smaller box above it. By the time she saw it falling, it was too late to dodge.
“Watch out!” Albert pushed her onto the cabinet, protecting her with his body. The box hit his head and rolled to the floor.
Wilhelmina held her breath, motionless, feeling Albert’s chest rise and fall against her. Their breaths merged, and the sound of their rapid heartbeats filled the silence.
Albert leaned closer, prompting Wilhelmina to instinctively close her eyes. Suddenly, the shadow over her moved away as Albert distanced himself to pick up the box. She cleared her throat to hide her embarrassment.
After a minute, Albert regained the box. “Are you okay?” Wilhelmina finally asked.
“I’m fine,” he replied, not looking at her. “The box is light.”
“This is the second time you’ve saved me today,” Wilhelmina said softly.
“Isn’t this my mission?” Albert responded lightly, and the atmosphere relaxed.
Wilhelmina sat on the floor, examining the box containing the secret of her parents’ death. There was a password, which posed no challenge for her. She quickly decoded it and lifted the lid.
Albert sat across from Wilhelmina, both looking into the box. Inside were several document files, a few storage disks, and a thin photo album.
Wilhelmina opened the album, her eyes slightly reddened. “It’s an old family photo,” she said with a laugh. “My mother loved using antique cameras. These are all our photos.”
In the photo, a blonde little girl, only one or two years old, looked like a little angel. Her parents surrounded her, everyone laughing—a clearly happy family.
Wilhelmina then picked up a storage disk labeled “For Wilhelmina – Your Grandfather” and inserted it into the archive reader. A white light flashed, and the image of the late Emperor Alexander appeared on the holographic projection.
“Vili, is that you?” the old man asked, looking kind and gentle. “If you are watching this, I am truly happy for you. I know you will be a wise monarch.”
The young people exchanged a surprised glance at the emperor’s prophecy, shocked by his wisdom.
“My darling Vili, you have come here to learn the truth about your parents’ deaths. I want to tell you the truth—a truth I have never told you before. You must be able to listen to me rationally now.”
“Your parents were both killed by assassination, and the murderer is my own child. Vili, it was your uncle, Heinrich…”
Wilhelmina suddenly stood up, nearly knocking over a pile of documents. Albert jumped up to support her, worried she might lose control.
But Wilhelmina remained stiff and pale, listening intently to Emperor Alexander’s narrative.
“He did not intend it, but your parents died because of his stupidity and cowardice. Despite their divorce, they maintained a commitment to your upbringing and public welfare, particularly in mining and protecting rare interstellar metals.”
“Even after the divorce, your mother, a passionate journalist, continued her work. In 7369, when you were four, she received information about a mining company that instigated a local genocide to monopolize mineral resources, resulting in nearly a million deaths.”
“I remember this,” Wilhelmina told Albert, “but it was always said to be fabricated.”
“Your mother participated in the investigation, determined to expose the truth. The opposing side engaged in illegal trades and terrorist activities.”
Unfortunately, we had internal personnel colluding with this force. Yes, it was your uncle Heinrich.
The Barbara family had begun to incur huge debts. Your uncle was weak and unable to control his wife, which led to pressure on your mother. She planned to inform your father and then me, but as a divorced queen, her status was that of a commoner, leaving her without adequate protection.
Your mother was killed on her way to the capital in an airship accident. I am sorry, Vili, for my ignorance.
“And my father?” Wilhelmina asked softly.
Your mother had communicated this to your father before her death, but the message was intercepted by your stepmother. My sons’ marriages have led to serious consequences, and I failed as a father. I let them choose their wives, but they made the wrong choices.
Anne, your stepmother, was self-interested. She set aside your mother’s letter until 7375, when your father finally discovered it, leading to his anger and confrontation with Heinrich. That’s when I learned the truth.
“Oh God…” Wilhelmina covered her face.
Albert held her, supporting her body.
“What a shocking royal scandal!”
Although Heinrich took all the blame, the Barbara family could not escape responsibility. The greatest pain for a father is when his children turn against each other. By then, the cosmic terrorist organization had been defeated by the neighboring Alpha Empire, leaving the Barbara family without support. That woman knelt before me begging and boldly exposed Queen Anne’s close relationship with her ex-boyfriend.
I have never been so humiliated. A seemingly harmonious family was already rotten from within. I was grateful that my wife, Queen Christie, died early and did not have to endure these things. I roared and threatened to disinherit Heinrich. Not long after, your father and stepmother were assassinated. I suspected the Heinrich couple, but the investigation confirmed that the murderer was your stepmother’s lover—a mentally unstable artist who was triggered for some reason. Perhaps the Barbara family was behind it, or perhaps it was just a coincidence. I do not know; perhaps this secret awaits your revelation.
Wili, I share these things with a broken heart, feeling compassionate towards you. During those days when you were by my side, seeing your angel-like smile made me feel deeply guilty.
I distanced myself from you because I was weak, choosing to wrong you for my only remaining son. I may manage the family, but I am a terrible father—foolish, blind, and exhausted.
“Why let Annabel inherit the throne?” Wilhelmina shouted at the holographic image.
“You are destined to be extraordinary,” Emperor Alexander replied. “You have your mother’s wisdom and courage and your father’s nobility. You are like a gem that needs polishing, and with the right method, you will shine brilliantly. Therefore, I removed Heinrich, but left Annabel for you.”
Wilhelmina was stunned.
“I told Heinrich’s family that if anything happens to you after my death, the events from that year will be made public. Whether they change rulers or become a republic is no longer my concern. Annabel is spoiled and lacks control; her throne will not be stable. If you are as I imagine, you will seize this opportunity to replace her. Now, you are finally safe. As an irresponsible father and grandfather, I can give an account to your parents.”
“Grandfather…” Wilhelmina choked up.
“Albert of the Seleberg family is an excellent young man,” the old emperor suddenly changed the subject. “If possible, marry him.”
