Chapter 1411
There was still a while to go before dinner.
In the garden outside the sleeping quarters, Queen Julia was decked out in a high–class white velvet gown, adorned with a hand–embroidered Jasmine flower that looked so real you’d think it could fly right off.
Queen Julia had delicate skin that was starting to show some signs of age. Her long hair, white as snow and without a single flaw, was tied up at the back of her head. The hollows beneath her eyes made them look deep and alluring. Despite this, there was no hiding her wisdom and power.
She exuded a calm and elegant aura typical of a mature woman. She stood there, a symbol of tranquility in the passing of time. But beneath her calm exterior was a hidden sense of nobility and dominance. It all felt strangely familiar.
The old servant, Lea, tried to drape a cloak over the Queen, but she was struggling to do so. Queen Julia took the cloak from her and draped it over her shoulders herself.
She looked through the large glass window in front of her and hooked a soft smile on her lips, her eyes gentle and tender. “Lea, you should retire.”
Standing at her side, Lea replied respectfully, “I promised to serve you all my life.”
1
Queen Julia chuckled, looking down at the diamond bracelets in her hand, murmuring, “I should retire too.”
Lea’s gaze fell on Queen Julia’s hand, watching as her wrinkled fingers ran over the bracelets, as if she was touching the princess of the past.
She sighed quietly in her heart. Decades had passed, and she had grown accustomed to seeing the Queen in this state. Even now, Queen Julia couldn’t let go of the princess who had passed away.
Yes, her most beloved daughter, who she would miss forever.
But life had to move on. No matter how much you missed someone, they were gone.
“Queen Julia…”
Not far from the window, there were some children who had already arrived. They were about three or four years old, playing with the finest toys, carefully watched over by a few attendants.
Queen Julia’s face was full of tenderness, but her expression was tinged with deep sorrow. “…I know I shouldn’t miss her so much. But every time I see my grandchildren, I can’t help but think, if my daughter were still alive, what would she be like now? Would she be married? Would she have children of her own? Would she be happy… I hope she isn’t suffering… But I know, it’s all hypothetical because the truth is, she’s left this world…”
Julia began to choke up, lifting the bracelets to her chest. Her lips trembled, and her eyes filled with tears.
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Lea felt a pang of heartache looking at Queen Julia, but she didn’t know what to say to comfort her. Over the years, she had tried many times, but she could never really comfort the Queen. It seemed more cruel to try. The princess at least lived on in the Queen’s heart. If she persuaded the Queen to let go of the past, would it mean asking her to erase the existence of the princess from her heart?
Better to remember, then the princess would live on forever.
Tears blurred her vision, and the figures of the children in the courtyard gradually became fuzzy.
“Queen Julia, you are blessed now. Please give more love to the young princes and princesses.”
“No, it’s not the same.” Queen Julia shook her head. “I can give a lot of love, but I can’t share the love I have for Jasmine with them. It’s not the same; it’s completely different. No one can replace Jasmine in my heart, nor can anyone share my love for her. Yes, Lea, I admit, I am biased. If I could, I would give Jasmine everything I have, I am that biased. I just want her to come back. If she could come back, I would give her anything.”
Queen Julia was sobbing uncontrollably. The countless nights, the countless moments of solitude, and the countless times she missed her could not diminish her love for Jasmine.
Lea was still at a loss, and she could only stand quietly beside the Queen to keep her company.
In the hallway leading to the garden, Ava had brought Barbara and Becky to win Queen Julia’s favor. But they had heard everything Queen Julia had just said.
Jasmine, Yasmine.
“I just want her to come back. If she could come back, I would give her anything.”
What was she going to give her? The prestigious title of princess, or the throne of this country?
Ava knew. If Yasmine came back, her mother Queen Julia… No, her foster mother, would definitely hand over the leadership of the country–to Yasmine.
As long as Yasmine wanted it, the Queen would give her everything! From what the Queen had just said, Ava knew, there was no doubt about it.
Ava’s hands clenched tightly. Her nails were digging deep into her palms, but she didn’t feel any pain.
Yasmine had only been with the Queen for a few years, and yet she was so deeply missed. It had been over thirty years, and Ava had been brought to the palace for over thirty years. Every day she carefully tried to please the Queen, but in the end, she still couldn’t compare to the daughter who was already dead in the Queen’s heart….
If she came back… she couldn’t come back! The only token was in Ava’s hands. Even if Yasmine wanted to come back, she couldn’t. As for what the Queen wanted to give Yasmine, it could only belong to Ava now.
Ava had been guarding and serving the Queen for so many years, doing things that even Yasmine herself might not have been able to do. Didn’t she deserve those things?
Moreover, she had been taking Yasmine’s place all these years. Since she was a substitute, shouldn’t she be a complete substitute?
Yasmine couldn’t come back. Even if she were still alive, she would never be able to come back. Thinking of this, Ava’s lips curled into a triumphant smile, and her tightly clenched hands began to slowly loosen.
Beside her, Becky had already furrowed her brows. “It’s been decades. The Queen should have stopped thinking about it. Why does she keep bringing it up?”
“Shut up!” Ava jabbed Becky lightly in the waist. “Can’t you see the Queen’s in a bad mood? Go comfort her now!”
Becky pouted. “What good is comforting her when I don’t feel like she likes me anymore?”
V
Even though she complained, she still moved forward. Barbara also walked a few steps, standing before Ava.
“Mom, why do we let those who pose a threat to us live? Aren’t you worried about what might happen? How can you be sure that the Queen’s biological daughter
won’t come back?”
“If we’re going to make a move, it should be unexpected. That woman is on high alert with me right now. If we push her too hard, she might do something drastic, like rush to Y Country. So, let’s not stir up a fuss, and avoid making any public buzz, especially at this crucial moment of the throne transition!”
