The Queen's Path

Chapter 3: The Little Princess’s New Life

Hansberg stood on the corridor outside the mourning hall, with a palace attendant by his side. The atmosphere was silent and solemn.

As a low-ranking official, he didn’t have the privilege to enter the mourning hall. In fact, if it weren’t for Wilhelmina’s reliance on him, he wouldn’t even have the right to accompany her to meet the emperor.

The spring sunlight shone brightly on the polished marble floor of the corridor. Outside, birds sang, flowers blossomed, and delicate pink-and-white rose branches trembled slightly in the breeze.

Just like that little girl, thought Hansberg to himself. Delicate, vulnerable, yet with soft thorns.

The doors of the mourning hall opened, and the emperor emerged holding his young granddaughter’s hand, surrounded by his children.

"The tea is ready, Your Majesty," said Bruges, bowing.

The emperor looked down at Wilhelmina. "Are you hungry?"

Though Wilhelmina didn’t actually feel hungry, she instinctively nodded.

"Good girl. Then let’s have something to eat. Your father loved lemon tea; I hope you will too."

As she was led toward the drawing room, the child turned her head and spotted Hansberg standing amidst the crowd. He was also watching her, his expression thoughtful.

Suddenly, the child shouted, "I want Owen!"

The emperor halted. "What did you say, my dear?"

"Owen!" Wilhelmina’s small hand pointed at the handsome young officer.

The crowd parted, and Hansberg stepped forward, saluting. "Owen Hansberg, Deputy Secretary of State, Your Majesty."

The old emperor narrowed his eyes, studying the young man in his twenties like an old lion inspecting a younger one.

"Hansberg. Is Rudolph Hansberg any relation to you?"

"He was my grandfather, Your Majesty."

"Oh, that old scoundrel," the emperor chuckled. "Is he still well?"

"Regrettably, Your Majesty, my grandfather passed away thirteen years ago."

The emperor paused, taken aback. "Time flies so quickly."

Hansberg remained silent, bowing his head without taking the opportunity to say anything flattering.

After a brief silence, the emperor spoke again. "Hansberg, it seems Wilhelmina likes you very much."

"I’m honored, Your Majesty."

Emperor Alexander looked down at his granddaughter. "You like him very much, don’t you?"

"He’s very kind," the child replied innocently.

"Very good, very good," the emperor said, gently patting her small hand, smiling indulgently. "Well then, off you go, with your new Personal Secretary."

This simple statement left everyone stunned. Among the many deputy secretaries in the Ministry of State, only Hansberg had been promoted to the rank of Personal Secretary with a single sentence.

As murmurs broke out, Hansberg bowed deeply, keeping his face hidden.

The emperor turned and headed toward the drawing room. The newly appointed Personal Secretary hesitated for only a moment before taking his mistress’s hand and following.

People speculated about the new favorite’s emotions, but only Wilhelmina knew that Hansberg’s palm was damp with sweat.

It was during afternoon tea that Wilhelmina was formally introduced to her relatives. She had previously only seen these people on the hologram screen or received birthday gifts sent by their secretaries. This was her first time meeting them face-to-face.

Emperor Alexander’s eldest son, Crown Prince Heinrich, was forty-seven, resembling the late Empress Christine—lean, tall, with chestnut hair and a stern expression. His wife, Princess Barbara, was a middle-aged noblewoman with a constant, tense smile, clearly anxious, and eager to please the emperor.

The emperor’s second daughter, Princess Catherine, was a striking and talkative woman. She spoke not only for herself but also for her husband, a physics professor.

The third princess, Marianne, had just returned to the palace with her children after a divorce early last year. Known as a replica of Empress Christine, she was pale, thin, and introverted. She never appeared in public outside of New Year’s addresses and did not participate in charity events. The media often referred to her as the "Invisible Royal."

"I’m delighted to see how much Wilhelmina is growing to resemble Adams," Princess Barbara said cheerfully. "And I’m thrilled she’ll be here with us. There’s nothing more exciting than watching a young girl blossom into a beautiful young lady, right, Heinrich?"

The crown prince gave a dry response, expressing his happiness over his niece’s return to the palace.

"It should have been done long ago," said Princess Catherine candidly. "I told Adams ages ago that he shouldn’t leave a little girl with her maternal grandparents. Poor Villy. But it’s not too late. An aunt can be like a mother, right?"

"Don’t criticize her father in front of her," Princess Barbara retorted. "Adams wanted her here; it was Anne who refused. She doesn’t like children."

"Not being able to have children isn’t the same as not liking them," Catherine replied, rolling her eyes at her sister-in-law. "Don’t speak ill of the dead; the child is listening."

Barbara’s face paled as she was chastened by her sister-in-law, and she forced a tight smile, falling silent. The crown prince, indifferent to his wife’s discomfort, continued slicing his sandwich meticulously into equilateral triangles—a mild compulsion the palace kept discreet.

"Oh, the children are back from school," said the emperor as a few children bounded up the steps to the drawing room, schoolbags still on their backs.

"Grandpa!" A blonde girl threw herself into the emperor’s arms. "I got an A today! Do you want to see my paper?"

The emperor’s face softened with genuine affection. "Annabelle, my sweet, show me in a moment. Come, meet your cousin Wilhelmina."

The tall, graceful blonde girl rose and curtsied to Wilhelmina, lifting the hem of her school uniform skirt.

Wilhelmina hurried to her feet to return the greeting, forgetting the plate on her lap.

The plate crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces. Everyone gasped, and she froze.

"It’s all right." A large hand steadied Wilhelmina, pulling her away from the shards.

Hansberg skillfully dusted crumbs off her skirt and called a servant to clean up. He then quietly stepped back to his place.

Annabelle raised an eyebrow, watching his smooth, unruffled actions.