As Albert’s car disappeared into the night, William Minna took a deep breath and walked upstairs.
“You could be a bit nicer to him, Your Highness,” Sir Wolf said, following her and helping with her bag and hat.
“He won’t go to the Queen to complain that I bullied him,” she replied dismissively.
“I’m not talking about that, Your Highness,” Sir Wolf continued, “I think he quite likes you. Your attitude might hurt his feelings.”
William Minna stopped and turned around, “Are you joking, Sir Wolf?”
“I haven’t even told a joke at my daughter’s wedding, Your Highness.”
“I can tell,” William Minna smiled bitterly. “So, you’re mistaken. Albert von Selleberg does not like me.”
“Why not let him like you?” Sir Wolf said before bowing farewell. “Rest well, Your Highness.”
William Minna paused while removing her earrings, placing them in the jewelry box before taking off her hair clip and sitting at the vanity.
She was about to turn eighteen in two months. Leaving the imperial capital for Roxton wasn’t a bad thing, but it meant being permanently under Annabel’s surveillance. Her life felt like clay in Annabel’s hands, and she couldn’t bring Hans Borg back to her side.
William Minna opened a drawer containing a familiar poetry collection, where a yellowing letter lay. For the past six years, Hans Borg had communicated with her monthly. His simple emails described his monotonous military life, along with photos.
The man in the air force uniform grew increasingly heroic and robust, holding a gun, covered in dust, and laughing freely.
William Minna never knew how many scars lay beneath that uniform or how many times he had been imprisoned.
On the back of a creased photo were two lines: “Although I am not by your side, no distance can interrupt the delivery of my blessings. To my princess, happy 17th birthday.”
“I promised you,” William Minna whispered to the photo, “the coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen… though it may be delayed, I will fulfill my vow.”
The next day, after breakfast, someone from the Carefree Palace came, saying the Queen wished to see her.
