This beautiful and talented monarch was a legend, recognized as a political and military genius in the Galaxy Empire. He lived only thirty-three years but left a remarkable legacy that made him proud.
Wilhelmina stared at her ancestor’s portrait, her gaze seemingly met by his. The emperor seemed to silently convey something to her.
The young queen smiled, lifted her skirt, and curtsied to her great-grandfather.
“Bless me, Your Majesty,” Wilhelmina said. “I will hold all the stars in my hand.”
She stood up and walked out.
Everyone waiting outside stood up. Wilhelmina hugged her grandparents and placed her hand on Albert’s.
“Let’s go. Don’t keep the guests waiting.”
In the White Pearl Hall of the Hall of Heroes, all doors were open, and guests in formal attire stood neatly on both sides of the red carpet.
To the sound of ceremonial music, Wilhelmina, in her full regalia and surrounded by her guard of honor, walked down the carpet and sat on the throne, overlooking her subjects.
Her fair and delicate hand would now govern this vast empire, and her youth would be dedicated to this world.
When the Grand Elder placed the crown on her head, the hall erupted in cheers.
“Long live the Queen!”
The bell tower of the Hall of Heroes rang out, and thousands of white doves took flight. People in the square heard the bells and waved imperial flags and the Queen’s portrait, cheering. At the same time, billions of imperial citizens saw the young queen wearing her crown on their screens.
Wilhelmina I, now a true monarch, stood at the highest point, overlooking her world.
She took a deep breath and looked towards the VIP section, where her grandmother was wiping away tears of excitement, and her grandfather was applauding. She quickly spotted Albert, her fiancé, who gave her an encouraging smile.
Lowering her gaze, she saw her friends at the foot of the throne. Behind Angela’s joyful tears, Hans Borg stood quietly but smiling and applauding. Catching Wilhelmina’s gaze, he mouthed something.
“I’m proud of you.”
The Queen smiled, standing to accept the hall’s applause and cheers.
When she appeared on the grand terrace of the Spirit Hall, tens of thousands in Venus Square erupted in cheers. Huge banners read: “New Queen, New Beginning,” and supporters wore T-shirts with her portrait and a large “W,” dancing below.
Wilhelmina laughed heartily, waving to the crowd.
“She’s doing well,” Albert said to Mr. Lehmann, the Queen’s maternal grandfather.
“I know she will do well. She must have worked very hard,” Mr. Lehmann sighed. “Eight years ago, she was just a pure and happy little girl.”
“I will take good care of her, Mr. Lehmann,” Albert said, looking at Wilhelmina’s silhouette. “Please be at ease.”
After the ceremony, the carriage parade followed.
As her fiancé, Albert had the honor of escorting the Queen to the carriage.
“Have you thought about how this scene might repeat a month from now when we get married?” Wilhelmina asked.
“Then we can consider today a rehearsal for the grand wedding,” Albert replied humorously.
The carriage started, with Wilhelmina elegantly seated inside, waving to the crowd, while Albert, Hans Boge, and others rode strong horses behind. The young Queen and her four knights made the scene resemble a staged film set.
Historian Schneider noted in his memoirs: “When fairy tales become reality, it often happens in an instant. History is frozen at that moment. Wilhelmina I ascended the throne amid blessings and was never blinded by prosperity. Her humility, caution, rational decisiveness, and talent for selecting talents ultimately led to her success.”
Chapter 66 After the coronation, the Queen promoted and ennobled those who aided her ascent. Her maternal grandfather Lehmann became the Earl of Linke, and a distant cousin also became the heir to that title.
The officers and soldiers who participated in the coup and protected the Queen were rewarded with elevated ranks. The Selberg family’s military was disbanded, but those who protected the Queen were incorporated into the Imperial Guard as the new Queen’s Guard. Sir Wolf continued as her chief secretary.
Cynthia, who played a crucial role in rescuing the Queen during the coup, was appointed as the lady-in-waiting. Angela’s father was knighted. Wilhelmina had planned to make Hans Boge a baron for his services but he declined, wishing to focus on the upcoming general election.
“Is the position of Prime Minister really that attractive?” Wilhelmina mused. “One term is four years, but with two consecutive terms, that’s eight years. If you get elected, you’ll likely be re-elected.”
“You always have so much faith in me,” Hans Boge smiled warmly.
On a crisp autumn afternoon, Wilhelmina hosted a small tea party at the Paris Palace, welcoming nobles and politicians along with their families.
“I know people are eager for a royal wedding. As queen, it’s my duty to provide this entertainment. Did you know that the designer plans to create a 25-meter-long wedding dress for me?” Wilhelmina said, spreading her hands. “What do I need such a long wedding dress for?”
“Tradition, Your Majesty,” Hans Boge replied. “Just a little tradition. The longer the wedding dress, the longer the marriage will be.”
Wilhelmina laughed. “The designer says the same.”
We revere the number 5 and consider the number 25 very auspicious.”
“What does Lord Seleberg say?”
“Oh, Albert,” Wilhelmina smiled at her fiancé, “He’s such a clever fiancé. He never expresses an opinion about wedding matters. He cooperates unconditionally, never comments, and seems to enjoy it. Quite cunning, isn’t he?”
Albert felt her gaze and looked back at her. They exchanged smiles.
This warmth fell into Hans Borg’s eyes as he picked up his tea and took a sip.
“Albert and I have decided to spend our honeymoon at Floyding Manor,” Wilhelmina mentioned.
“You’re not leaving Odin?”
“No,” Wilhelmina replied, “I really want to go back to Monsranka and show him where I was born, but Monsranka is too far, and I only have a week of wedding leave.”
“Floyding Manor is also beautiful,” Hans Borg consoled her. “King Wolrich and the Queen spent their honeymoon there.”
“We won’t be fishing by the river,” Wilhelmina laughed lightly, her azure eyes filled with expectations for their future.
Hans Borg gazed at her sunlit face, feeling half of his body basking in sunlight while the other half sank in cold seawater.
When the master designer brought the completed wedding dress, Wilhelmina was handling official business.
Busy reading documents and signing, she slightly raised her head and told Cynthia, “I see, wait for me to finish these documents before trying on the dress.”
The designer’s assistant, Jamie, whispered incredulously, “I’ve never seen a woman who isn’t eager to see her own wedding dress.”
“Her Majesty is not an ordinary woman,” the designer replied calmly. “How could a queen who governs billions be impulsive about a wedding dress?”
Fortunately, Lord Seleberg’s visit ended the designer’s wait early. Albert entered the study and pulled his work-absorbed fiancée from the desk, half-pushing her to the morning room.
Angela, who had rushed from medical school, saw Wilhelmina walking out from behind the curtain in her wedding dress.
The white dress wrapped her slender body, with a lace V-neck adorned with pearls and diamonds. The carefully designed skirt flowed elegantly on the carpet.
Now, the bride-to-be lacked the queen’s usual pride and solemnity. Amid everyone’s exclamations, she appeared shy, with a warm smile and a radiant glow.
According to custom, Albert was not allowed to see the bride’s dress in advance. Standing outside the morning room, he heard the girls’ cheers and laughter, feeling like kitten claws were scratching his heart.
“Aren’t you going to try on your formal wear, Lord?” asked Sir Wolf.
