kingnovel Chapter 1219: Perhaps it's because of ambition
Chapter 1219: Perhaps it's because of ambition
"Her Majesty the Queen is waiting for you in the living room," Duchess Ella said, her attitude towards Tang Tang now even more solemn and respectful.
Clearly, at this moment, in the eyes of this First Lady, Tang Tang was no longer just a friend of Princess Kelly, but someone worthy of being received by Her Majesty the Queen.
Duchess Ella finally stopped at a giant archway, flanked by royal guards and two elderly maids who had been waiting outside.
"Ms. Ella."
The two maids also greeted Duchess Ella, then opened the door themselves, saying, "Her Majesty the Queen is waiting for you, Miss Newman."
Duchess Ella gestured towards the door with one hand, and raised her voice slightly, "Your Majesty, Miss Newman has arrived."
As Tang Tang approached, the first thing she noticed was the warm and soothing scent of water and wood aromatherapy floating in the air.
It's a scent with a sense of history, a light watery fragrance mixed with some woody notes, like an ancient museum, the scent of time.
Smell is the first impression that comes with breathing, and when Tang Tang looked up, she saw Queen Elizabeth sitting on the sofa, smiling at her.
Tang Tang's eyes widened slightly, because the esteemed Queen before her, though dressed neatly and elegantly, did not resemble a formidable female tyrant.
“Hello, Miss Newkman,” Queen Elizabeth’s voice, tinged with a sense of age and weight, rang out. She raised her hand and beckoned to Tang Tang, then smiled and said, “Come and sit down, girl.”
Given Queen Elizabeth's age and status, her casual attitude towards Tang Tang did not seem disrespectful; rather, it appeared more like intimacy and affection.
Tang Tang readily walked over, first giving Queen Elizabeth a slight bow, her voice calm and respectful, "It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
Her manners were impeccable, and her movements were fluid and graceful. Nowadays, many young noble ladies no longer bother to learn medieval etiquette.
Queen Elizabeth looked somewhat surprised, but her smile became more pronounced. She had beautiful deep blue eyes, and when she smiled, she exuded a timeless charm.
“Good girl, it’s a pleasure to meet you too,” Queen Elizabeth said, gesturing to the sofa in front of her. “Come, sit here, let’s have a chat.”
Tang Tang sat down quietly and then looked at Queen Elizabeth.
“I hope you are not troubled by my sudden desire to see you,” Queen Elizabeth said. “I never imagined that you would be the one who found that ring.”
Upon hearing this, Tang Tang understood immediately, and Duchess Ella promptly handed over the handkerchief containing the ring.
Queen Elizabeth took it, and looking at the ring still covered in dirt, a fleeting look of nostalgia crossed her eyes.
She looked at Tang Tang and kindly explained, "This is one of the gifts my husband gave me a long, long, long time ago."
This is why so many people wanted to find the ring when it was lost, because they wanted to claim the reward for it.
However, the flowers in the flower hall are fragile. Although they are picked every day, if they are picked together, they will eventually damage the plants in the flower hall.
Queen Elizabeth was a romantic, so she let the lost ring sink into the soil, quietly keeping company with the flowers.
Queen Elizabeth was very amiable, and Tang Tang listened quietly, also having time to observe the living room with her spare attention.
This living room is clearly the Queen's private space, with its layout redesigned to reflect her lifestyle.
Tang Tang saw a huge bookshelf made of black walnut wood, which looked to be about 20 stories high. It was quite tall and had a ladder next to it, just like a rotating high-rise library.
It seems that people abroad really like these super tall bookshelves.
There was a table under the bookshelf, with open books and unfinished coffee on it.
Tang Tang looked away and noticed a photo frame on the table next to her, but since the person in the frame had their back to her, she couldn't see the photo inside.
But since they're placed here, it's highly likely they're the Queen and her lover.
Not far away, in a fireplace made of Selby stone, a small fire was burning, occasionally producing a crackling sound as the wood burned.
In Europe and America, many fireplaces are more decorative than practical, and this fireplace is no exception. Tang Tang could smell a faint sweet scent from the burning wood.
Outside, in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, were two gilded chaise lounges, rocking back and forth on the floor, their green velvet cushions looking quite comfortable.
After Queen Elizabeth finished recounting the story of the ring, she looked at Tang Tang and said, "My dear girl, you are Kelly's friend... my Kelly, she told me that you are a very special girl."
Upon hearing this, Tang Tang's expression remained calm and composed. She simply said, "Perhaps it's because this is the first time Kelly has met someone like me."
Queen Elizabeth looked at Tang Tang with apparent curiosity, and said in an encouraging tone, "Oh? Someone like you, you mean?"
Tang Tang was sitting opposite Queen Elizabeth, only a meter or two away. Her heart was completely calm, without any emotional fluctuations or excitement.
Only her heart, pounding powerfully with each breath, and her calm blood, flowed into her body in waves.
She even calmly thought for a moment before saying, "A girl like me, who isn't exactly a traditional socialite, might indeed be a little different to Kelly."
Tang Tang had no intention of appearing too reserved or obedient in front of Queen Elizabeth… that would be pointless. Her respect for Queen Elizabeth stemmed from her respect for elders and love for the young, and she also admired such an older female monarch.
However, this does not mean that her status was lower or weaker than that of Queen Elizabeth.
Indeed, this idea seems utterly absurd to others... after all, Tang Tang is merely the heiress of an Italian Mafia family. Her godfather isn't even the prime minister.
However, Tang Tang knew in her heart that she could respect Queen Elizabeth, but she could not be afraid of Queen Elizabeth, much less try to please her.
She is also a queen, even though her country is still under construction... but the qualities a queen should possess should be upheld on her spine.
Therefore, Tang Tang was impeccably polite, yet remained neither humble nor arrogant, saying only, "Perhaps it's because I'm more ambitious than anyone else Kelly has ever met."