With a sincere smile, Wilhelmina said, “To prevent Odin from leaving a bad impression on you, I would be very happy to accompany you during your stay in Odin.”
“Won’t this disturb you?” he asked.
“Of course not,” she winked. “Do you think I would miss such a good excuse to skip class?”
Frins von Olbach gazed at the young girl before him, feeling stirred. For the first time, he thought that the imperial capital Odin was a beautiful place.
Chapter 29
The Grand Duke of Luxembourg was an outstanding scholar, which William Minna had not anticipated. He was intelligent from childhood, enrolled in the Empire’s “Gifted Program” at 4, started school at 5, was admitted to the Odin Einstein Science Academy with excellent grades at 14, and entered graduate school at 16.
“Space Nuclear Physics Doctorate, Planetary Science Doctorate, Astronomy Doctorate, and Educational Psychology Master’s,” William Minna recited. “I looked you up a bit, Duke, and you truly surprise me. Compared to you, I feel quite inadequate.”
“You absolutely need not feel that way, my Princess,” the Duke of Luxembourg humbly smiled. “You have your own strengths that I cannot match.”
It was a beautiful spring day, and they were riding horses on the flower-strewn slopes of the Loire Valley. Below the hillside, the Saint Cosrola River flowed, and across the riverbank were dense forests with castles and estates appearing and disappearing.
“It’s so beautiful,” the Grand Duke of Luxembourg praised. “Actually, in the southern hemisphere of Luxembourg’s capital, there’s a similar valley, though much larger.”
“I know, the Babylon Grand Canyon,” William Minna said happily. “I’ve read about it. That canyon is magnificent, with over 40,000 indigenous residents living there. Touring the entire route would take more than a week. I truly hope I’ll get to see it!”
“I also look forward to such a day,” the Grand Duke of Luxembourg said, gazing enchantedly at William Minna, whose face looked especially radiant in the sunlight. “Anytime, Princess, as long as you come, I will personally accompany you.”
William Minna smiled. “But this might just be a dream. I don’t have many opportunities to travel. Once I turn eighteen, I’ll have to return to the Roxton Star Domain.”
“I thought Her Majesty would enjoy your company.”
