Hans Borg finished his training and returned to Little Buckingham Palace. The deputy informed him that Princess Wilhelmina and Princess Annabel were having afternoon tea in the conservatory, made of high-purity ice crystals from a distant planet, where lush tropical plants grew under the sunlight. “
Hummingbird-type small garden robots flew in the air, spraying mist. This was Prince Adams’ favorite place before his death, an art enthusiast who collected rare tropical plants.
The girls sat under a Sleeping Beauty flower with exquisite tea sets on a small table, while big cat Lucy crouched by Wilhelmina’s feet, licking milk from a plate.
At Odin Royal Academy, Annabel pointed to her badge, saying to Wilhelmina, “If you pass the test in August, you can enter fourth grade. Kerns was held back; he might even be in the same class as you. He seems to be the little tyrant of the junior academy, but he won’t dare to bully you.”
“Is everyone studying there?” Wilhelmina asked, yearning.
“This is an academy for royal and noble children. It has also been open to outstanding students and children of civilian financial magnates for ten years, which means there will be some bookworms and nouveau riche.”
Annabel raised her cup, laughed contemptuously, then took a sip.
Wilhelmina added, “I hope it will be fun there.”
Annabel hid her smile behind her teacup, asking, “What school did you attend in Monsranka?”
“Antanzhou National Third Junior Academy,” Wilhelmina replied. “It was so much fun! We had a small zoo with rose dogs and tap sheep. Do you know tap sheep?”
When they get scared, they start dancing tap!”
“How interesting,” Annabel said perfunctorily. “I think Boston Academy might be a bit boring for you. The coursework is heavier than national schools. But you are a royal child, you inherited your family’s excellent mind, and I think you will manage.”
Wilhelmina frowned. The little girl who had always basked in the sunshine and never experienced competition was fragile like a flower bud in a storm in front of this vast and orderly system.
Annabel elegantly drank her milk tea. She had always received elite education, every movement standard and beautiful. Compared to her, Wilhelmina seemed rustic and clumsy.
What would happen if this lonely child was given unlimited indulgence and love?
Annabel stared at Wilhelmina, who was burying her head in a sandwich, her gaze deep, sparkling with ambition. She didn’t know that her expression had been captured by Hans Borg, who was standing behind the flower room door.
After the tea party, Annabel bid farewell, gracefully walking past Hans Borg, who bowed.
Watching her cousin leave, Wilhelmina yawned and said, “You’re back, Owen. Was the training course interesting?”
“I learned many skills, Your Highness.”
“Sounds boring,” Wilhelmina tilted her face innocently. “Annabel said I can go to Odin Royal Academy in autumn.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Do you want to go?”
“Sounds interesting,” Wilhelmina smiled. “Today was great; Annabel said we’ll be best friends from now on. Owen, I have a good friend now.”
Hans Borg raised his eyebrows slightly. “I’m happy for you, Your Highness. You’ll have more friends.”
However, Annabel’s friendship was proud and distant, with a condescending charity, not as good as a hair of Kerns.
Kerns, who had just ended his confinement, climbed into the room through the bedroom window. Wilhelmina was playing with Lucy using a piece of dried fish. Kerns startled both the girl and the cat. Lucy bristled, scratching Kerns’ face to reclaim her food.
“Serves you right!” Wilhelmina mocked Kerns while helping him with disinfectant. “You’re not a monkey; you should use the main door.”
“The door is locked. It’s past curfew,” Kerns said. “Hans Borg manages you strictly.”
“He’s my secretary, not my guardian,” Wilhelmina puffed up. “And he does this for my own good.”
“Come on,” Kerns sneered. “My mother said that for people like us, everyone around us, their kindness comes with a price.”
“Maybe,” Wilhelmina said, putting away the medicine, “my grandfather also said that apart from family love, if you want anything else in this world, you have to exchange it with others. Hans Borg is just doing his duty.”
Kerns scratched his head, finding this reasoning sensible.
“Okay, I came to check on you. But you look completely fine, so I won’t worry,” Kerns said, stuffing a key into Wilhelmina’s hand. “This is my apology gift.”
It was an old brass key, heavy and green with rust.
“This is my treasure; I’m giving it to you!” Kerns looked reluctantly at the key. “I found it under the World Tree in the Carefree Palace. It can open the gate to Vanaheim.”
Although Wilhelmina knew Kerns was boasting, she humbly accepted the gift.
“Maybe we can go to the ‘Holy Land’ next time,” Wilhelmina suggested. “But not for adventure—just a picnic.”
“Yes, sir!” Kerns laughed and saluted. “I really like you, Willy. I hope you can go to school soon so I can introduce you to my buddies.”
“Tell me about the school. Annabel said I can go in autumn.”
Kerns made a face. “The school is not bad if you hang out with me. But if you join Annabel’s sorority, you’re doomed. You’ll become a pink girl reeking of perfume, pretentious, and hated by other girls. I know you don’t like pink.”
“What’s fun about hanging out with you?”
“We formed a cosmic military reserve team,” Kerns puffed out his chest. “Me and my buddies are going to enter the Tyr Imperial Military School in the future! How cool!”
The girl’s eyes sparkled. “Okay, I’ve decided, I’ll follow you!”
“That’s my girl!” The chubby boy left a loud goodnight kiss on his cousin’s face, then climbed out the window and slid down the rope.
After Kerns disappeared into the bushes, a knock on the door sounded. Hans Borg entered.
“It’s getting late, you should rest.”
Wilhelmina turned around, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I want to go to military school in the future, Owen.”
Hans Borg sighed lightly, leading her to bed and covering her with a blanket. “Your Highness, military school is not a playground.”
“I know,” she replied. “I’m not afraid of hardship.”
Hans Borg gazed at her delicate face and shook his head. “Sleep. You still have three years before entering the intermediate academy. It’s not too late to make a decision then.”
Wilhelmina grabbed the secretary’s hand. “I’m not joking. I’ll also be good friends with Annabel.”
“I know, you’re doing well,” Borg said with a helpless yet doting smile.
“Goodnight, Owen. Won’t you give me a goodnight kiss?”
Hans Borg paused. “Of course. Goodnight.”
He leaned down and carefully placed a feather-light kiss on the girl’s forehead.
Chapter 10
Imperial Year 7375 was destined to be a busy year.
Just as Odin capital was experiencing a lukewarm summer, news of a plague outbreak reached the central government. This urgent document was quickly delivered to His Majesty.
The distant planet Memphis Cardan was inhabited by ethnic minorities who excelled in singing and dancing. The climate was hot, and fishing thrived. A mutated virus had reportedly arrived via a spaceship from another galaxy.
The plague broke out suddenly, causing body aches, breathing difficulties, lowered body temperature, and eye bleeding. Without timely treatment, patients could die of organ failure within 24 hours.
Emperor Alexander’s first order was an aviation restriction. Eight planets with reported cases, including Memphis Cardan, were blockaded. Imperial warships guarded the airspace, allowing entry but no exit. Research institutes focused on drug development while the entire empire entered a second-level alert state.
