You’re wandering through the high-society masquerade in Vernworth, feeling like a total fraud, when suddenly a woman with a sharp gaze and an even sharper wit bails you out. That’s Wilhelmina. She’s the proprietress of the Rose Chateau Bordelrie, and honestly, she’s probably the most interesting person in the entire city of Vernworth. Most players just see her as a "romance option," but if you look closer, she’s basically the shadow queen of the capital.
She isn't just there for window dressing. Wilhelmina is one of only two NPCs in Dragon's Dogma 2 with a fully fleshed-out, dedicated questline that actually changes how you see the world.
Why Wilhelmina is More Than Just a "Bordelrie" Owner
Look, the game calls it a "bordelrie," but Wilhelmina runs the place like an intelligence agency. She’s got eyes and ears everywhere. While the nobles are busy being degenerate, she’s collecting their secrets.
You’ll first properly meet her during the quest An Unsettling Encounter. You’re sneaking around where you shouldn’t be, the guards are closing in, and she just... hides you. She plays it off like a casual flirtation, but she’s testing you. She wants to see if the Arisen is as useful as the rumors say.
The Beastren Secret
Here’s the thing a lot of people miss until the very end of her quest. Wilhelmina usually keeps one eye covered. Why? Because she’s hiding her true identity. She’s actually half-Beastren. In a city like Vernworth, where the human nobility looks down on Beastren like they’re second-class citizens, that’s a death sentence if it gets out.
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She isn't just running a business; she’s running a long-con for revenge.
How to Actually Complete "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"
This is the big one. If you want to see her story through, you have to be careful. It’s incredibly easy to mess this up and have her disappear from your game forever without the closure you want.
First, you've got to finish The Stolen Throne. After that, don't just rush into the next main story mission. Go visit her at the Rose Chateau. You might need to give her a few gifts—Bunch of Flowers works wonders—to get her to open up. Eventually, she’ll let you peep through a literal hole in the wall to see her dealing with a noble named Allard.
Finding the Evidence
To help her, you need two specific items. Don't settle for one. You need the Bribery Investigation Findings and the Murder Report.
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- The Bribery Findings: You can find these in a house near the Vernworth Riftstone.
- The Murder Report: This is tucked away in Allard's own estate in the Noble Quarter. You'll need to sneak in at night. There's a secret compartment behind a painting of a flower. Pretty on the nose, right?
The "Good" Ending (Don't Skip This Part)
Once you have both, go to Captain Brant. This is the part that trips people up. Talk to him about the "Myrmecoleon" (the fancy name for the brothel).
- Hand over the Bribery Findings first.
- Tell him you’re looking for more.
- Hand over the Murder Report.
- Crucial step: When he asks if you want his help, say "I'll have any aid you can give."
If you do this, Brant will basically provide "police protection" for your escape. Without it, you’re just a common murderer in the eyes of the law.
The Climax: Dealing With Allard
When you return the evidence to Wilhelmina, she’ll invite you to help her finish it. You basically have to tackle Allard and hold him down while she does the deed. It’s brutal. She reveals that Allard murdered her parents when she was just a baby. She’s been planning this her entire life.
After the cutscene, you have to jump out the window. Seriously. Don't walk out the front door. If you took Brant’s help earlier, he’ll be waiting outside to usher you away from the guards.
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Wait a full day. Go back to her room. You’ll get a final intimate scene, and she’ll give you the Ring of Benevolence.
The Disappearing Act
One thing that really bugs players is that after this quest, Wilhelmina basically vanishes. The game tells you she had to go into hiding because, well, she just killed a high-ranking official.
If you’re looking for her in the post-game (the Unmoored World), check the Volcanic Island Camp hot springs. Sometimes she spawns there. It’s a bit random, honestly. Some players have reported seeing her back at the Rose Chateau during the very final credits, sitting by a campfire. It’s a bittersweet ending to her story.
Practical Insights for Your Playthrough
If you're planning to go for the Wilhelmina romance, keep these tips in mind:
- Timing is everything. If you complete the quest "Feast of Deception" before finishing her story, you might get locked out. Do her stuff as soon as it becomes available.
- The Reward is worth it. The Ring of Benevolence is a solid early-to-mid-game item that heals you when you take a massive hit.
- Stack your gifts. If she isn't giving you the quest, just keep throwing flowers at her. It feels a bit silly, but it works.
- Don't kill Allard yourself. If you just walk into his house and sword-fight him, you’ll break the questline. Let the cutscene do the heavy lifting.
Wilhelmina's story is one of the few times Dragon's Dogma 2 actually dives into the dark political underbelly of its world. It's not just about dragons and pawns; it's about a woman who used the only power she had to balance the scales.
Next step: Head over to the Noble Quarter in Vernworth at night and check Allard's estate for that secret flower painting to get the Murder Report.