As they passed the corner, an armed assassin suddenly emerged. Albert pulled Wilhelmina behind him and raised his gun, his hand steady and powerful. The particle beam accurately pierced the assassin’s throat. The assassin retaliated, a bullet passing through Albert’s arm and creating a black hole in the wall behind.
Wilhelmina felt a pang of fear.
Before the assassin’s body could fall, another dark figure rushed out. Albert realized he couldn’t turn in time.
Two particle beams shot out, hitting the second assassin in the lower abdomen and head.
Wilhelmina lowered her gun, her hand trembling. She turned to support her husband.
“Your arm…”
“It’s fine, no bone damage.” Albert’s face was pale, blood soaking his shirt.
The support guards found the royal couple, surrounding them with over twenty guards. Wilhelmina quickly untied the rope from her sports jacket hood to stop Albert’s bleeding.
The couple left the house under guard protection and boarded a military hover vehicle, where medical personnel began treating Prince Albert.
The gendarme captain, who had rushed from the mountain, nervously saluted the queen, “Your Majesty, we have the situation under control.”
Wilhelmina stared at him, her voice cold: “I want them alive.”
The captain, taken aback by the gloomy expression on the sweet queen’s face, held his breath and saluted before leading the soldiers into the mansion.
The convoy, under tight military protection, evacuated from Floyding Manor and returned to the Rose Palace overnight.
Albert’s injuries were effectively treated; the bleeding stopped, and the wound was sutured and bandaged. The doctor administered an anti-inflammatory and nutritional injection, then hung an IV drip.
Wilhelmina silently accompanied her husband. After the medical staff withdrew, she personally took out clean clothes to change Albert, discarding the bloody clothes at her feet. She looked at the bright red bloodstains, her pupils involuntarily contracting.
Albert reached out, touched her face, and smiled silently, conveying comfort.
“We are safe now, my love.”
Wilhelmina’s expression softened as she leaned over carefully, avoiding Albert’s wound, and nestled into his embrace. He lowered his head to kiss her forehead, closing his eyes and remaining that way for a long time.
The couple huddled together, understanding each other’s feelings without needing to communicate. This was their first major setback since marriage, and it was gratifying that they remained rational and calm, supporting each other without abandonment.
Returning to the Rose Palace, Wilhelmina ignored the ministers waiting in the audience room and took her husband to his room. She dismissed the attendants and helped him clean up, tucking him in bed.
“I feel like a small baby,” Albert said self-deprecatingly.
Wilhelmina gazed at him gently, stroking his hair. “Rest well. I’ll be back soon after handling things.”
“Don’t be too angry.”
“Of course,” she sighed, “But it’s time they knew I’m not always so good-tempered.”
She kissed him and quietly left the bedroom. The ministers had already prepared themselves upon seeing the queen’s expression.
Wilhelmina had always been gentle and approachable, but this did not mean she was weak or without boundaries. In fact, the more mild-mannered a person was, the more unyielding they became when their bottom line was crossed.
She first addressed her father-in-law, Duke Selleberg: “Albert is fine, Duke. He suffered a minor injury and is resting. Does the Duchess know?”
The Duke sighed in relief, “I haven’t told his mother yet.”
“Now is not the appropriate time. It would be better for Albert to tell the Duchess himself when he wakes up.”
“Of course,” he nodded. “I’m glad you’re both safe, Your Majesty.”
Wilhelmina turned to the other ministers, her smile fading. “Gentlemen, I believe you all know what happened an hour ago. Having such an incident before the end of our honeymoon is absolutely not acceptable, especially since this is less than a month from the last assassination attempt! Mr. Stroz, as the head of the National Security Bureau, do you have anything to say? Don’t tell me you’re sorry. You’ve already said that last time.”
The security bureau chief stepped forward under sympathetic and contemptuous gazes. “This is my negligence, Your Majesty. I will not shirk responsibility. Please allow me to investigate this case, and then I will submit my resignation report.”
Wilhelmina suppressed her anger, stating, “This time, I expect a concrete investigative report, sir, along with a practical solution. My grandfather, Emperor Alexander, faced multiple terrorist attempts, and each time, the security bureau managed to control the situation and conduct a pursuit. I am very disappointed in you, Mr. Stroz. This is your last chance.”
The bureau chief bowed deeply and excused himself to handle the incident.
Wilhelmina issued orders: “I want this incident completely sealed externally. Prince Albert was injured in a horse-riding accident, so no information about this incident should appear in news media or online.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the news agency director replied.
Wilhelmina addressed her officials meaningfully: “As a queen, my personal safety involves the empire’s dignity. On the eve of the election, this incident signals that our safety is threatened. If terrorist organizations can approach me unnoticed, what place is safe?”
The officials bowed their heads silently.
“My great-grandfather, Emperor Wolrich, once said: A monarch is not an individual, but a reflection point of collective wisdom.”
At this moment, we need to work together to guard our home. I trust you, gentlemen, and hope you will not disappoint me.”
When the meeting ended, dawn was breaking. The sky was a damp indigo blue, with thin morning clouds. The dawn wind was cool, and birds were singing to the rising sun. Walking along the corridors of the Small Louvre and Paris Palace, Wilhelmina paused, enjoying the peaceful beauty to wash away the chaos of a few hours earlier.
Returning to the bedroom, Albert, who had taken a sedative, was sleeping deeply. Wilhelmina bathed and changed gently, afraid of disturbing him.
At noon, Albert finally woke up. He discovered Wilhelmina curled up on the other side of the bed, her face filled with sadness.
In that moment, the imperial princess looked like a girl just turned eighteen, capable of worrying and crying.
Albert felt his heart softening. He reached out and pulled Wilhelmina into his arms.
Wilhelmina, a light sleeper, woke at the slightest movement. She opened her eyes to see Albert and immediately hugged him tightly.
Albert felt a bit of pain from his wound but said nothing.
“I… dreamed that you couldn’t wake up,” Wilhelmina mumbled into his chest softly.
Albert laughed, “Darling, I’m just injured in the arm.”
“I dreamed that person shot you in the chest,” Wilhelmina complained. “They carried you down from the flagship in a black coffin. I watched helplessly as you could no longer open your eyes to look at me.”
Albert’s left chest ached, “No, my love, no. I will always gaze at you.”
Wilhelmina paused before whispering: “I really hate this feeling, Albert. I lost my mother when I was four, my father when I was ten, and both my grandfather and Owen when I was twelve. Owen is back now, but today I almost lost you again. That feeling of helplessness about not being able to hold onto the important people in my life makes me very sad.”
Chapter Six: Dawn of the Stars
Compared to the tense atmosphere in the palace, the people, unaware of the assassination attempt, welcomed the first election with excitement.
Looking at the list of candidates, Wilhelmina was surprised to find Hans Boger ranked at the top. She immediately called Hans Boger’s private phone.
