Suddenly, she called out, “I want Owen!”
The Emperor stopped. “What, my child?”
“Owen!” Wilhelmina pointed to the handsome young military officer.
The crowd parted, and Hans Borg stepped forward, standing at attention and saluting, “Owen Hans Borg, from the State Council’s Permanent Office, Your Majesty.”
The old Emperor squinted at the young man in his early twenties, like an old lion sizing up a young lion.
“Hans Borg. What relation is Rudolph Hans Borg to you?”
“He is my grandfather, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, that old fellow.” The Emperor smiled. “How is his health?”
“Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away thirteen years ago.”
The Emperor was stunned and after a moment said, “Time flies so quickly.”
Hans Borg silently lowered his head, avoiding flattery.
After a brief silence, the Emperor spoke again, “Hans Borg, Wilhelmina likes you very much.”
“It is my honor, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Alexander looked down at his granddaughter. “You like him, don’t you?”
“He is very nice,” she answered innocently.
“Very good, very good,” the Emperor said, patting her hand, “Then go to your internal secretary.”
This simple sentence changed everyone’s expressions. Although there were thousands of officials in the State Council’s Permanent Office, only Hans Borg was instantly promoted to the palace’s internal secretary level.
In hushed whispers, Hans Borg bowed deeply, his expression hidden. The emperor turned and walked towards the flower hall. The newly appointed internal secretary immediately took his master’s hand and followed.
People speculated about the new favorite’s mood, but only Wilhelmina knew that Hans Borg’s palms were wet with sweat.
It wasn’t until afternoon tea began that Wilhelmina was introduced to her relatives, whom she had only seen on stereoscopic television and through birthday gifts sent by their secretaries. Now, she was face to face with them.
Alexander’s eldest son and imperial crown prince Heinrich, now forty-seven, resembled the late Queen Christa – slender, tall, with chestnut hair and a serious expression. Crown Princess Barbara, a middle-aged noblewoman, wore a forced smile and seemed slightly nervous, while the crown prince and his wife flattered the emperor.
