Kains shouted angrily: “Do you really want to marry that fat man? He’ll be bald before thirty, and he’s married to his work; you’d be his legal mistress.”
Wilhelmina gritted her teeth, “Thanks for your ‘kind’ reminder, Kains. Who I want to marry is none of your business. Why are you angry with me?”
“Why?” Kains nodded. “I’ll tell you why.”
He strode over. Wilhelmina instinctively wanted to dodge but was grabbed. Kains cupped her face and kissed her passionately.
For a moment, Wilhelmina felt the warm object pressed against her lips. It wasn’t unpleasant; she found it quite comfortable. But when his tongue tried to enter, she pushed him away.
“Kains…” Wilhelmina stood stunned.
“Don’t say anything.” Kains looked down and then ran away.
Alberg laughed and walked over, saying, “Have you heard how mantises reproduce? The female mantis always eats the male after mating.”
Of course, science shows that the female mantis is often in a state of hunger. But Anna Bell’s ambition is never satisfied. Once she gets what she wants, she’ll want more, like the entire Selberg family.”
Wilhelmina wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Why do you explain it so grossly? Why do you think I would be easier to satisfy or control?”
“No, you’re actually harder to control,” Albert replied. “You’re clear-headed, independent, good at disguising yourself, persistent, decisive, and patient. Power-seekers hate having someone like you as emperor, especially since you’re beautiful.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Wilhelmina said, restraining herself from rolling her eyes.
Albert smiled and moved a bit closer. “But fortunately, our political views are consistent.”
Wilhelmina glanced up at him; her eyes were like spring lake water—clear and sparkling. Albert paused, slightly stunned.
Wilhelmina continued, “You say political views are…”
“Constitutional,” Albert said easily.
Wilhelmina pressed her lips together, silent for a moment, staring into Albert’s crystal-like eyes, trying to read more. But the experienced young man had crafted his gentle scholarly mask so perfectly that no one could see through it.
“What do you want?” Wilhelmina asked in a low voice.
“A bit of friendship, perhaps,” Albert said. “And protection.”
The Selberg family can control the army, which is our advantage, but also our misfortune.”
