CHAPTER 20: VISITING THE QUEEN

Inside the car heading toward the royal palace.

Camilla gazed at the scenery whizzing past the window, lost in thought.

The delicate beauty reflected on the glass appeared cool and detached, revealing nothing of her true emotions.

But Sonia knew—her mistress was worried about President Luther.

Then again, she couldn’t help feeling that a man like President Luther would never act without certainty.

Or perhaps, whatever he did, he always gave the impression of holding all the cards.

Stephen broke the silence in the car.

"What’s on your mind, Mrs. Luther?"

"I was just thinking," Camilla pulled herself from her thoughts and turned to Stephen with a faint, knowing smile, "that President Mega actually has the time to personally escort me there."

"This isn’t some trivial matter.

Even if I didn’t have the time, I’d make it," Stephen replied, lips curving as he glanced out the window, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"The side gate of the palace is just ahead. Someone will be waiting there to receive you."

His gaze shifted to Camilla, his lips still curved in a smile, but his eyes held a deeper meaning.

"Just one thing—I hope Madam Luther hasn’t forgotten what she promised me earlier."

"Don’t worry," Camilla replied, lowering her eyes with a relaxed expression.

"I told you I wouldn’t make things difficult for President Mega."

Stephen chuckled softly, his tone unhurried.

"I trust Madam Luther."

The car soon came to a stop.

Dressed in sleek black formal wear, Camilla and Sonia stepped out.

A middle-aged E-country man waiting at the entrance immediately approached them.

After exchanging a few words with the guards at the gate, he swiftly escorted the two women inside.

Stephen watched their retreating figures, his long fingers tapping absently against his legs, which were gradually regaining sensation.

His narrowed eyes brimmed with unspoken complexity.

The price he had paid for these legs had been steep.

He could only hope nothing would go wrong.

Once inside the palace, Camilla and Sonia donned white medical masks.

The guide led them through multiple security checkpoints toward the main palace hall.

Despite their preparations, Camilla and Sonia were still awestruck by the sheer opulence of the E Kingdom’s royal palace.

The entire palace resembled a grand castle from centuries past, meticulously preserved in the traditional architectural style of E Kingdom.

Along the way, the royal gardens sprawled with hundreds of plant species and thousands of rare, precious trees.

Beyond the meticulously landscaped greenery, vast stretches of shimmering lakes stretched into the distance.

Stepping inside felt like being transported straight into the Middle Ages.

The main hall retained original medieval furniture and artworks, every corner exuding an air of extravagant refinement.

"Her Majesty’s private chambers are just ahead.

Lord Harvey and Dr. Lucky are waiting for you inside," the guide announced in a low voice, stopping at the entrance to the inner sanctum.

"Thank you," Camilla replied with a nod before leading Sonia forward.

Outside the room sat two E Kingdom men. Having done their research, Camilla and Sonia recognized them instantly.

One was a fair-skinned, blond middle-aged man dressed in a dark suit—Lord Harvey, the Minister of Justice, a frequent figure in E Kingdom’s legal and political news.

The other, a slightly stout, brown-haired man, was Dr. Lucky—one of the queen’s personal physicians and a renowned medical expert in the kingdom.

"Mr. Harvey."

"Mr. Lucky."

Camilla and Sonia greeted the two men with composed professionalism, their tone neither subservient nor arrogant.

Lucky’s eyebrows knitted together in obvious surprise as he took in the two young women before him—clearly not what he’d expected when Harvey mentioned waiting for San Francisco doctors.

He turned to Harvey with a questioning look.

Harvey’s gaze swept over both women before settling intently on Camilla.

"So you’re Sinclair’s wife—the one who cured Stephen’s legs?"

Harvey studied Camilla with undisguised scrutiny.

Though he had no involvement in business, the name Sinclair was impossible to ignore.

"Yes," Camilla replied, meeting his gaze with a calm yet resolute expression.

Beside them, Raschi interjected curiously, "I’ve examined Mr. Mega’s condition myself.

What method did you use to restore his mobility?"

"If you’re interested, Mr. Lucky we can discuss the details later," Camilla answered smoothly in fluent San Francisco Language, her tone warm but composed.

"Right now, I’m here for Her Majesty’s condition."

Having received Stephen’s assurance, Harvey had no concerns about Camilla posing any threat to the queen.

Besides, Lucky and the others were present to keep watch.

"Her Majesty is inside," he said, turning toward the chamber behind him.

"Follow me."

Lucky followed closely behind.

Camilla and Sonia exchanged a glance before stepping inside as well.

The room was spacious and bright, with several medical staff gathered around the bed, meticulously checking the instruments monitoring the queen’s condition.

Upon seeing the group enter, they nodded respectfully and stepped aside.

Only then did Camilla get a clear look at the Queen of E Country lying on the bed—her biological grandmother.

Her light brown hair lent her an air of gentleness, while her fair skin and striking, well-defined features spoke of timeless elegance.

Despite her age, she had aged gracefully, her beauty still evident from her younger years.

As Sonia studied the queen’s face, a flicker of understanding passed through her eyes.

Blood ties truly were a mysterious thing.

Though Camilla’s features leaned more Eastern and the queen’s were distinctly Western, upon closer inspection, the resemblance in their eyes and brows was undeniable.

"The queen’s medical examinations are conducted on a strict schedule.

Let’s begin," Lucky murmured in a low voice when he noticed Camilla hesitating.

"Let me know if you need anything."

Camilla nodded silently, settling by the bedside and retrieving a pulse-taking device from her medical kit.

Under the watchful eyes of the assembled crowd, she gently placed her hand atop the Queen’s folded ones, her touch steady and composed.

Then, holding his breath with utmost concentration, he began taking her pulse.

Lucky stood nearby, his piercing gaze fixed intently on the scene.

He had always been deeply curious about the ancient healing arts of San Francisco.

Harvey, meanwhile, observed Camilla with a complicated expression.

The Queen’s sudden illness had been so abrupt that suspicions of foul play had naturally arisen.

Yet, the royal physicians had failed to uncover any clues.

He could only hope that this traditional medicine would not disappoint him. ——

Hill Manor.

Nestled in one of the most coveted locations, where land was worth its weight in gold, the estate sprawled across miles of pristine grassland and dense forests, forming a breathtaking natural landscape.

The surroundings were so serene and picturesque that no other residences dared encroach upon its solitude—a testament to the Hill family’s towering status.

A fleet of Bentley limousines, their license plates bearing consecutive numbers, glided to a graceful halt before the grand entrance.

The butler waiting at the entrance immediately stepped forward, reaching the car door before Luke could, and opened it for the man in the back seat.

"President Luther—"

The impeccably suited man stepped out of the vehicle, the layered light accentuating his tall, commanding figure.

He surveyed the castle before him, his dark eyes narrowing slightly.

"President Luther, did Madam Luther not come with you?"

The butler glanced behind Sinclair, a flicker of something unreadable passing swiftly through his gaze.

The Earl had been explicit—both of them were to be invited.

Even Sinclair’s own representative had confirmed as much.

So why the sudden change of plans?