The Queen broke down as she began sobbing uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking as tears streamed down her pale cheeks.
The moment she heard Alina was at the party, she had rushed there without caring about her appearance or the whispers that would follow.
Even if it was just a few minutes, even if it was only a moment from afar, she wanted to see Alina with her own eyes and speak to her.
"Mother! You're embarrassing me!" Anneliese yelled sharply, her face burning with humiliation as she beckoned the servants to escort her mother away. Her mother annoyed her to no end.
Ever since she was a child, the Queen would constantly talk about Wilhelmine, the eldest daughter who had drowned many years ago. It was always Wilhelmine this, Wilhelmine that, as if no one else existed. As though she didn't exist.
***
Alina leaned into Damian, resting her head against his chest as they stayed like that for nearly twenty minutes without moving.
