Following her aunt’s advice, Wilhelmina returned to school, declining all court engagements, including a date with the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. She focused on her studies, avoiding club activities and interviews.
The day after the “Red Castle Incident,” media began to criticize the queen’s unauthorized use of royal funds.
Barbara’s failed investments and the Figgerheim clan’s financial crisis made headline news. The queen’s family repeatedly requested massive funds from her over the past five years, using their status to land-grab in newly developed remote planets, expelling indigenous populations and creating bloodbaths. Despite these conditions, the family was deeply in debt.
The serial murder investigation continued, uncovering twelve complete female corpses by the second evening, with Jenny’s body still missing. Lord Stanford’s temporary residence was surrounded by a mob that broke windows and launched stink bombs, despite police presence.
On the fourth day, “Maize Field” finally scored a point against “Navigator,” with a front-page headline stating: “Queen Barbara’s Massive Judicial Interference and Unclear Bribery Destinations.”
Wilhelmina read the news and shook her head, commenting, “If Annabel wants to establish an autocratic dynasty, the first thing she should do is shut down all newspapers and then kill all lawyers.”
“It gets worse,” Angela said, switching the reading channel to “Imperial Era.”
This pro-monarchy newspaper began to criticize Queen Barbara and the Figgerheim clan for bullying others, accumulating massive debts, and committing murder.
The Figheim family seems like a gang of criminals, and the queen appears to be held hostage. For Barbara, this is a significant sacrifice, but can it truly help Annabel escape? William Mina found it both laughable and absurd, questioning the source of their crisis management.
“Probably from the Imperial Public Affairs Academy. They’re full of fools who do unimaginable stupid things.” Angela commented on Stanford Earl’s video appearance, “His eyes look vicious. How did reporters previously call him handsome?”
“Now he’s known as the ‘Red Castle Butcher’.” William sneered, “As a serial killer, he’s famous throughout the universe. I feel sorry for those girls.”
“They still haven’t found Jenny.”
“No, but they’ve dug up twenty corpses. I can’t even imagine.”
