“This is slander!” Queen Barbara protested.
“Enough, Barbara,” the prince interrupted, “She’s seen the secret files.”
“What secret files?” Barbara asked in bewilderment.
“Grandfather left me secret files, Aunt,” Wilhelmina replied icily. “I know everything you’ve done.”
“When?” Heinrich inquired.
“Before my coronation.”
“Then why…”
“Why wait to confront you?” Wilhelmina stood, looking down at them. “I’ve been patient about not confronting you. I’ve been thinking about how to take revenge for your murder of my parents. Now, Annabel has given me this opportunity.”
The twins, confused, cried out, “Dad, what’s going on?”
The prince and his wife remained silent.
“Annabel has colluded with the Earth Cult,” Wilhelmina stated. “Aunt Barbara, do you have anything to say?”
Queen Barbara panicked and pleaded, “I’ve completely stopped interfering in her affairs, Your Majesty. We haven’t contacted Annabel for a long time.”
“It’s fine,” Wilhelmina coldly laughed. “I didn’t invite you here to make you admit anything.”
Uncle Heinrich, you’re exactly as grandfather said – weak. Grandfather was disappointed in you, your family is disappointed in you. I won’t punish you because punishment has already fallen upon you. You can contact Annabel. Tell her to stop while she still can.”
After the royal family’s panicked backs disappeared through the door, Wilhelmina took a deep breath, sitting in the chair behind her desk, supporting her forehead with her hand.
The side door opened, and Albert walked over softly, placing his hand on her shoulder.
After a long time, Wilhelmina whispered, “I’m scared, Albert.”
Albert bent down and cupped her face, “Scared of what, my dear?”
“I’m afraid I’ll become another Annabel,” she looked confused and uneasy. “That feeling of reprimanding was so satisfying. I felt like I was possessed, unable to control my emotions. How am I different from Annabel?”
“No, Willy, listen to me,” Albert said seriously, “First, you did well; you didn’t lose control. Second, you did nothing wrong. You’re entitled to be angry. You’re a queen, but you’re also human.”
Wilhelmina closed her eyes and hugged her husband’s waist.
“I’m so glad you’re by my side, Albert.”
The royal turmoil was just a small wave in the grand election.
The final round of voting was set for January 4th, with Hans Borg ahead of his opponents, which was not surprising.
A week before the voting, Christmas arrived. This year was different for the royal family due to the queen’s religious beliefs, marking their first Christmas together. After facing many unhappy events, Wilhelmina hoped for a warm celebration. She invited relatives and friends and had the Palace Ministry decorate a tall Christmas tree in the courtyard.
Gifts filled the room, the fireplace burned brightly, and rabbit meat roasted on a rack. Guests enjoyed champagne and snacks, chatting happily. To ensure fairness, Wilhelmina invited Hans Borg and candidates from the Liberal Party.
“Today is Christmas Eve, a time for gathering. I hope everyone enjoys themselves, without discussing politics, affairs, or vegetarianism,” she announced.
Guests laughed and raised their glasses. Wilhelmina mingled, enjoying the festive atmosphere, although she noticed tension between Angela and Cairns.
As midnight approached, she saw Sir Wolf enter solemnly, nodding at her. The excitement faded, and she paused, putting down her glass to approach him.
Albert quietly left the party to follow her.
In the hallway, Wilhelmina and Sir Wolf stood face to face. The middle-aged chief secretary kept his head lowered.
“What happened?”
Wilhelmina took a deep breath and calmly spoke.
“The rebel forces have kidnapped Annabel. I suspect she has defected.”
“Why?” Wilhelmina asked, puzzled. “You’re aware of the power of the D-H3R poison gas. That would be an infamous tragedy for the Hans Borg dynasty.”
“First, Willy, I have confidence in the Security Bureau. They won’t let the tragedy unfold. They can stop this terrorist attack at the most critical moment. Secondly, nothing can rally the people to support us more than a terrorist attack.”
Wilhelmina looked at him in disbelief. “Are you asking me to use my own people’s lives as bait?”
“They were the target to begin with, and our goal is to minimize the situation,” Hans Borg said. “If you change the voting location now, the terrorist organization will plan a new attack. Will the next time be as fortunate, with intelligence intercepted and time to prepare?”
His forceful and reasoned argument left Wilhelmina speechless. Her military school experience indicated this was the best chance to capture them.
“If casualties occur…”
“You’ve already saved their lives,” Hans Borg said firmly. “There’s no victory without sacrifice, Willy.”
You’ve been too successful, making you see everything too ideally. If we don’t set up an ambush this time, next time there might be more casualties. Will you regret your mercy then…”
“Enough,” Wilhelmina’s face turned pale. “I understand.”
Hans Borg stopped speaking at just the right moment.
Wilhelmina leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. She felt she was standing in front of a massive historical wheel, able to control its direction but terrified of losing that control.
“I will keep it confidential,” Hans Borg said with his usual loving gaze. “Your Majesty, you’ve made the right decision.”
Due to the election, Wilhelmina and her husband spent the following day in the study, watching the news. This was her first step toward democracy in the Galactic Empire, which had been a monarchy for hundreds of years.
The news anchor reported the voting scenes from various locations with enthusiasm, showing crowds at polling stations where families participated together. The media dubbed it “Election Day” and suggested celebrating it annually.
Interviewed citizens cheered for their candidates, with banners reading “Long Live the Wise Queen,” expressing their support and gratitude for Wilhelmina’s initiative.
Wilhelmina smiled slightly, maintaining her position.
Albert observed her and said, “You look nervous.”
“Really?” Wilhelmina responded intensely.
Cairns, who joined to enjoy the moment, agreed with Albert, “There’s nothing to worry about, Willy. The results of this election are already obvious.”
Angela added, “I’m thinking about what congratulatory gift to give Hans Borg. It’s difficult to choose, and I want to avoid any accusations of bribery.”
Wilhelmina chuckled but was interrupted by a reporter’s exclamation from the TV.
“Viewers! This is the polling station at Grukots City Hall. Our photographer has just captured an arrest by special agents—”
A short clip showed plainclothes agents surrounding a middle-aged woman, controlling her hands and placing her handbag in a black box which was then carried away by a small robot.
“Oh my!” the reporter exclaimed, “Was that a bomb? As you saw, the agents have taken the woman away. We’ll connect to the intelligence department for more explanation—”
“Unbelievable!” Angela said. “Did I just witness our agents arrest a terrorist?”
Seems so.
Kerns looked at Wilhelmina. “Do you know about this, Willy? Is it Annabel?”
“Probably,” Wilhelmina sighed in relief.
Citizens in city hall began to evacuate as the voting location was temporarily changed to the courthouse entrance. They cooperated with armed police. Meanwhile, the news media had already defined the earlier incident as an unsuccessful terrorist attack.
Relaxed, Wilhelmina smiled but suddenly froze when she saw Albert looking at her meaningfully. He stood up and left the study without a word.
“What’s wrong with him?” Angela and Kerns asked Wilhelmina.
“Nothing,” she replied, standing up to follow him.
Albert walked back to the bedroom, with Wilhelmina closely behind, closing the door.
“Albert, I…”
