The investigation into the assassination was ongoing, with suspects claiming they supported Queen Annabel and that Wilhelmina’s murder aimed to restore the previous dynasty. They denied all other accusations.
The interrogation had reached a deadlock, and Wilhelmina was dissatisfied with the report. Although the election had not begun, the Democratic and Liberal parties were criticizing each other’s incompetence and betrayal of the Queen’s trust, which added to her headache.
“You’ll probably need to get used to this early,” Albert said, bringing coffee to Wilhelmina. “In countries with a constitutional system, such squabbles occur daily and intensify during elections.”
“They should let the people judge them, not me,” Wilhelmina replied bitterly.
“You are still the monarch.”
“I hate making decisions that offend people. I haven’t faced this before. Owen didn’t teach me either…” Wilhelmina fell silent, realizing she had mentioned Hans Bogue again.
Albert smiled, “If he didn’t teach you, then I will. Never try to please everyone; you will always offend one side. Any force is in a state of rise and fall, with no permanent victor. You need to weigh the situation and provide a reasonable solution.”
“As long as they check and balance each other, you can control them.”
“Maybe I should write this down and place it on my desk,” Wilhelmina smiled gratefully, “Seriously, Albert. After my coronation, I will urge them to amend the constitution and redefine the rights and responsibilities of the Prince Consort. You won’t be idle forever.”
“Then I’ll just consider this a vacation,” Albert said, pulling the documents from Wilhelmina’s hand and standing her up.
“What are you doing?” she exclaimed.
“You promised me a trip to the New Loire Valley countryside.”
“But I still have documents to read.”
“Let them wait,” Albert replied. “Since returning to Odin, you haven’t had a day of rest. Now, you’re going to ride to the countryside with me!”
“How willful,” Wilhelmina whispered, “But I like it.”
While officials awaited the Queen’s instructions, having received Sir Wolf’s message that “the Queen is slightly indisposed and resting,” the two young people had already ridden out of the stables and galloped towards the countryside.
The summer heat had slightly receded in the early autumn grasslands, with everything still lush and green. Only the wind had become dry, and the summer flowers had withered.
They rode wildly, unconsciously starting to race across the wilderness—galloping over hills, leaping over streams, crossing bushes, and passing through forests.
Birds were startled and flew from the woods, while several wild rabbits were driven from the grass. They watched as the plump rabbits dived back into their burrows.
The sky was azure blue. Albert turned to Wilhelmina: “Look, it’s just like your eyes.”
“So you’re a poet after all,” she laughed, whipping her horse’s rear. Albert’s mount bolted forward, and Wilhelmina spurred her horse, laughing as she chased him.
They reached the riverside in half the usual time, both drenched in sweat and breathless, yet feeling incredibly refreshed.
Wilhelmina said, “My mother Rebecca was once known as Princess Friya, because her marriage to my father for love was sensational. They called her the love goddess.”
“Love Goddess-Friya,” Albert said, touching the ship’s rail.
The elegant lord extended his hand to the queen. “Come.”
Wilhelmina took his hand and jumped onto the boat. Albert pushed off with the oar, and the boat drifted to the center of the river. Wilhelmina picked up an oar, trying to row alongside him.
After spinning several times in the middle of the river, the boat finally entered the main current amid Wilhelmina’s laughter.
“Actually, we’re not rowing; we’re drifting, right?”
Dropping the oar and eating almond cookies, William Minna expressed her opinion.
“Drifting isn’t bad either,” Albert simply let go of the oar. “People like us spend most of our lives struggling upstream. We need moments like this to relax.”
“As long as we don’t need to row back upstream later,” William Minna said playfully.
The two sat in the boat, enjoying the early autumn river scenery and chatting about their shared love for fantasy novels. Time became quiet and warm, like a cookie with chocolate sauce.
Unknowingly, the boat drifted to a river bend where the water surface was wide, a small tributary creating a shallow bank with dense reeds on both sides. It was flowering season, and the yellow-gray reed flowers swayed gently in the wind.
The small boat ran aground on the shallow bank, but neither was eager to move, instead appreciating the reeds under the blue sky. Two water birds flew up from the reeds, skimming across the water surface in search of food.
William Minna brushed away her wind-blown hair and took a deep breath of the fresh air.
“You’re right, Albert. This ‘physical discomfort’ is beneficial to my mental health. And,” she smiled, “we can come here often.”
“Then I must teach you how to row.”
“And swimming.”
“You can’t swim?” Albert exclaimed. “Damn, there are no life jackets on the boat!”
“But you’re here!” William Minna laughed. “Relax, my lord. The queen won’t fall into the water.”
Her smile was carefree, a side of her Albert had never seen before. The girl he remembered was always serious and reserved, but now she was showing her unguarded side.
“Willy, look, there’s a pair of red-billed cranes,” he said.
William Minna turned her head to follow his pointing finger. A white bird had just disappeared into the reeds.
“What a pity…” she said as she turned back.
Her gaze fell on a deep blue velvet ring box. Inside was a diamond ring.
William Minna understood its significance. She covered her mouth in surprise, staring at the smiling Albert, unable to speak.
Tender emotions overflowed from Albert’s amber eyes. He took a deep breath and spoke: “Don’t laugh at my redundancy, William Minna. I mustered my courage. The previous proposal had terrible timing and atmosphere; I didn’t even bring a ring. You said it was one of the worst proposals, and I agree.”
Tenderness spread across William Minna’s face, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, my Albert. Actually, I think a proposal without a ring is a tradition in our family.”
My great-grandfather proposed to my great-grandmother without a ring on the battlefield.”
“Thank you, Willy.” Her explanation helped Albert relax. “This is a family heirloom ring. It was given to my great-grandmother by my great-grandfather after he became the Imperial Marshal. This ring accompanied them through forty-seven years of life. When my mother asked why you didn’t wear an engagement ring, I realized my finger was bare.”
“Anyway, I feel this ring is extraordinary and hope it can bring us the blessings of our ancestors.”
After speaking, Albert knelt on one knee in the boat.
William Minna could hear her heart racing as if her lungs struggled to expand.
“You are the queen, William Minna. According to the rules, I’m not qualified to propose to you. But now we are just a man and a woman, under the gaze of the gods.”
Albert gazed at William Minna and asked, “William Minna, will you marry me?”
When these words reached her ears, William Minna felt air rushing into her lungs. Her heart was still racing, but she could finally breathe deeply.
A smile spread across her lips. “Yes, I will.”
Albert’s fingers trembled slightly as he placed the ring on her finger, fitting it perfectly.
“It’s beautiful,” William Minna’s voice carried a nasal tone.
Albert smiled gently, cupping her face. The two embraced and kissed by the shallow autumn waters.
Chapter 65
Hans Borg hurried along with his folder. His impeccable three-piece dark gray suit enhanced his elegant appearance, causing the passing female attendants to glance back.
