“Your Majesty,” Amelia suddenly stopped. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty, I just want to ask, if Bell is brought back, what will happen to her?”
Min replied calmly, “She will face a court trial. This is not something I can decide.”
George pulled his sister’s sleeve, and they bowed again before leaving.
Min watched their retreating backs, lost in thought. The familial bonds in the court were thin, especially regarding Bell, an ungrateful and powerless woman. Amelia’s inquiry was likely the most concern she could express.
Lord Wolfe entered, Albert’s star call.
The melancholy on Min’s face instantly disappeared.
Albert in the video looked unchanged, his spirit lifted by the campaign. His eyes were bright, voice full of passion, still handsome.
“Are you all okay, my dear?”
“Everything is fine. How about you?”
“Progress is smooth. You should have seen it in the report. The disparity in our strengths is huge. This battle doesn’t have much suspense. I haven’t encountered the enemy’s main force yet.”
Min moved closer. “Take care of yourself.”
Albert laughed, “Here on the battlefield… well, I’m always in the flagship, my dear. Have you forgotten?”
“I know,” but Min smiled bitterly. “I’m like all women, feeling worried when men go to war.”
“Don’t be like this,” Albert said gently. “I love you. This war will last a while.”
Once I capture Bell, I’ll come back.
Min nodded, worried she had already fled. Capturing her won’t be easy.
She thought, “A snake is driven by greed; with enough temptation, she might take life-threatening risks.” Albert had said that with enough patience, he could catch her.
That night, after dinner, Min sat at her desk writing in her diary, reflecting on her husband’s words.
“Enough temptation…” she murmured, putting down her pen. What would be tempting enough for Bell?
Min pressed the internal communication line and told the operator: “Please connect me to Mr. Sberg.”
Sberg was at the Royal Theater with his parents and colleagues when the secretary answered, “Her Majesty’s direct line.”
Sberg’s companion, a wealthy heiress, asked curiously, “Is she your girlfriend?”
“How amusing,” he replied. “How could a busy and boring man like me have a woman interested in me?” He then took the call outside the box.
“Are you watching the opera?” Min asked. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“How could I not be at your service, Your Majesty?” Sberg responded.
Min said, “I have an idea, Owen. It might be risky, but I believe it’s feasible. I’ve used similar methods before.”
Sberg’s brow furrowed with worry. “Are you planning to take risks again?”
“Not quite,” Min laughed softly. “I’ll go to the front lines to comfort the troops. This is the only way to lure Bell out.”
She said she wants to see me fall and won’t miss the chance to assassinate me.
I tell Sberg decisively that this method will succeed due to good luck, but luck has been used up for the day.
There’s always a possibility of something going wrong. What about using a body double?
Sberg fell silent.
Min seized the opportunity: In non-public settings, a body double can definitely be used. I can make a trip personally and then stay obediently in a strictly guarded room. I swear, Owen, please trust me. This is for the entire kingdom.
I know that if we don’t solve Bell, I’ll never be able to sleep.
Sberg’s sigh came through the radio waves.
I’m sorry, Owen. I know this puts you in a difficult position. Have you discussed this with the Crown Prince?
Oh, you know he would absolutely agree.
I think we should first get his support.
I’m not a lady who follows her husband’s orders, Min said with a hint of a smile.
Sberg rubbed his forehead: I know, Your Majesty, but your husband…
You haven’t been married, Owen. You don’t know the way couples interact, Min softened her tone. I’ll persuade him. I guarantee it. The longer this drags on, the more military expenses will be consumed. You don’t want to see the Finance Minister’s anxious face at every meeting, do you?
After a long silence, Sberg said: Promise this is the last time?
I promise, Min said solemnly.
You thought I would be the one coming, right? Weina giggled and leaned in, kissing Alte’s face, “Miss me?”
This was completely different from her previous dignified and authoritative demeanor, with a childlike coquettishness that made Alte’s heart soften slightly.
“Don’t be like this, Alte.” Weina placed her hand on his, “I just wanted to give you a surprise.”
“What about the capture operation?”
“I’ll participate too!” Weina said righteously, “I’ll stay here obediently, stay within your line of sight, and monitor the capture operation.”
“Did Hans Alte agree?”
“This is how I promised him, and he agreed,” Weina said helplessly. “I am a woman who can take risks. So this time, I used a body double. And the intelligence indicates they have discovered Anna’s hiding place.
“Are you sure Anna won’t see through this?”
“This is still a huge temptation, isn’t it?” Weina pointed out the plan to Alte. “The Security Bureau’s plan is very detailed and cautious. Li’s strategy is called ‘attacking east while striking west’ – quite an interesting metaphor.”
Alte took the plan and began to read it carefully.
“I hope this can be a one-time solution, Alte.” Weina walked to the window and looked at the starry sea. “Many of these lights are from the military. I want to resolve the Anna issue and then focus on reforms. Once this is settled, I can proceed with my state visit with peace of mind.”
Lord Wol knocked and entered, asking, “Your Majesty, Your Highness, where do you plan to rest tonight?”
Weina looked at her husband. Seeing her pleading gaze, Alte surrendered. “Come on, I’ll let you rest in my quarters for a few days.”
“I’ve always wanted to visit your quarters,” Weina said joyfully, linking arms with her husband.
Alte’s current rank is Major General, with quarters on the flag level, featuring a reception area and a spacious bedroom.
Noticing that his single bed had been replaced with a double bed, Alte glanced at Lord Wol, who was bowing to the lady and leaving, seemingly oblivious to the change.
“I’m quite looking forward to this military life,” Weina said excitedly, like a child going on an outing.
While organizing her luggage, Weina said, “When I was in military school, I thought about becoming a woman one day. I thought I would stay in the military academy’s university department and serve for a while. You and I were in the advanced preparatory class for defense and intelligence.”
“You really thought about serving?” Alte was surprised. “Service means a strict life and harsh environment.”
“I knew I could endure hardship,” Weina agreed. “The adventurous spirit of youth made me look forward to military life. If I became a woman, I might already be a lieutenant now. Of course, this is hypothetical. What we should do now, my husband, is to rest early.”
Weina walked over, grabbed Alte’s military collar, and pushed him onto the bed.
Alte remained motionless, saying, “I must remind you, Your Majesty, we are in the military.”
“Which law states a wife can’t share a military bed?” Weina whispered, close to her husband’s ear. “Besides, I’m exercising my family visitation rights.”
The next day, the female monarch boarded a small military vessel for a non-public inspection of the adjacent star domain. The residents of Slivin Star realized the queen had arrived when they saw the convoy flying the royal flag.
While Slivin Star residents were joyful about the queen’s arrival, another ship named the Gray Bird departed the anti-terrorism peacekeeping force’s flag, accompanied by several escort ships, returning to Odin.
