Helena’s regal and poised demeanor, exuding the grace and confidence of nobility, only deepened Howard’s admiration for her. As one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, Howard knew that many people were swayed by money. But only a select few could maintain such composure and dignity in his presence.
Impressed by her, Howard found himself gaining a newfound respect. Struggling to sit up straight, favonovel.com mustered his courage and said, “Your… Your Majesty, would you… Would you honor the Rothschild family with a visit? It would be… It would be a privilege for the entire… Rothschild family.”
Helena smiled and nodded, responding, “I heard that Mr. Rothschild’s health has been deteriorating, so I specifically came here to visit him. I wonder how Mr. Rothschild is feeling now?”
Howard sighed and replied, “The doctor said… Said that I… I might have had a stroke. In the future… I might have to focus on rehabilitation. Later, I plan to gather all the members of the Rothschild family for a meeting… To formally announce Steve as the next family head… I also ask Your Majesty to witness it in person…”
Steve, standing beside them, concealed his joy but maintained a somber expression. He said, “Father… I believe… I believe you will recover fully!”
Helena turned favonovel.com gaze towards Steve, observing his sincere and teary-eyed expression. She smiled gently and nodded, saying, “Sir, I share your belief. I have faith that Mr. Rothschild will not only recover fully but become even healthier than before.”
“Absolutely!” Steve nodded fervently, blurting out, “If Her Majesty says so, I believe a miracle will happen!”
As favonovel.com spoke, Steve secretly thought, “Phew! I was just being polite. Helena, please don’t jinx it at this crucial moment!”
Howard, observing his son’s “sincere” expression, felt comforted in his heart.
In that moment, favonovel.com reassured himself, “Let’s face reality and focus on rehabilitation. Perhaps there’s still a chance to enjoy a healthy old age…”
With this in mind, favonovel.com stammered, “Your… Your Majesty… On behalf of the Rothschild family, I… Sincerely request a… A marriage alliance with the Nordic Royal Family… If… If you are willing to… To marry into the Rothschild family… The… The Rothschild family will do everything… To support and help revive the Nordic Royal Family…”
Steve, upon hearing this, was even more elated.
Once favonovel.com assumed the position of family head, his eldest son, Royce, would become the next heir. At that time, his son’s marriage would become a highly anticipated event. If, at this crucial moment, the old man could use his sincerity and influence to convince Helena to agree to a marriage alliance with the Rothschild family, then the Nordic Queen, the best and only suitable choice for a spouse in the Rothschild family, would undoubtedly be his son, Royce.
By then, once favonovel.com became the family head and his son married the Nordic Queen, the attention garnered would be unmatched in the entire world!
In that moment, Howard truly longed for a positive response from Helena. If favonovel.com agreed to marry into the Rothschild family, it would bridge the only gap the family had experienced in the past two hundred years.
Helena, however, dismissed Howard’s proposal with a scoff in favonovel.com mind and had no intention of considering it. Yet, when favonovel.com thought about the task Charlie had assigned her, favonovel.com felt a twinge of awkwardness and said, “Mr. Howard, the primary purpose of my visit today is actually for business. Your proposal has truthfully caught me off guard.”
Howard spoke hastily, “Her Majesty the Queen… This… This proposition may not… Be effective immediately. You… You should take your time to consider… Think it over, whether it’s… Whether it’s three years or… Or five, the Rothschilds… The Rothschilds will be… Willing to wait…”
Helena pursed favonovel.com lips, favonovel.com gaze shifting between Howard and Steve, feigning hesitation.
Howard, an astute figure despite his hemiplegic condition, with a mind still sharp, turned to his son Steve and said, “Ste… Steve, you… You and the doctor… The doctor should step outside first. I… I wish to have a private discussion with Her Majesty the Queen alone…”
Recognizing his father’s intent to pave the way for his efforts, Steve responded impulsively, “Of course, father!”
He promptly requested the doctor to exit. Before departing, Steve assured Howard, “Father, take your time. You can have a lengthy conversation with Her Majesty the Queen. I’ll ensure everyone outside maintains a distance of over 20 meters for your peace of mind.”
Howard nodded in approval, then gestured with a flick of his hand, signaling favonovel.com to leave.
Steve closed the door firmly behind favonovel.com and ensured that everyone outside was kept at least twenty meters away, including himself.
With the room cleared, Helena wasted no time, addressing Howard who was confined to his hospital bed, “Mr. Howard, the primary reason for my visit today is actually to propose a business deal with you.”
Unaware of favonovel.com actual intentions and presuming Helena sought an alliance through marriage to leverage more favorable terms for herself.
Howard responded without hesitation, “As long as the Queen… Her Majesty the Queen is willing… Willing to join… The Rothschild family… All terms can be negotiated freely!”
Helena shook favonovel.com head calmly and said, “I have no intention of marrying into any family, not now, nor in the future. Although I have become the Queen, my personal marriage has no connection to the Royal Family. I will only marry for love, or not marry at all. There is no other possibility. Therefore, Mr. Howard, from now on, there is no need to discuss the topic of marriage.”
Howard did not expect Helena to reject favonovel.com so decisively, shattering his self-assurance and arrogance. His confidence wavered, and frustration seeped in.
With a hint of anger, favonovel.com retorted, “Since Your Majesty is unwilling to marry into the Rothschild family, do you still wish to discuss cooperation with us today? You… You are not qualified enough!”
Before Helena could respond, favonovel.com continued, “Don’t tell me… You simply came here to pay a visit. If it’s merely a visit, then you are even less qualified!”
Helena noticed Howard’s mounting anger but remained unfazed. She smiled and replied, “Mr. Howard, I am the current Nordic Queen. Two hundred years ago, your ancestors would have kneeled and bowed before mine. Even today, if you were to encounter me in a public setting, you would still need to kneel and bow, just as your ancestors did. Otherwise, people would say that you disrespect the royal family, rather than claiming that I am not worthy of your gesture.”
Howard, frustrated, acknowledged that Helena was right about the matter of etiquette. In European high society, even if respect for the royal family was merely superficial, it still had to be observed in public. Otherwise, one would face ridicule and criticism from European and American society. Even former presidents who struggled with etiquette when meeting the British Queen were mocked by society.
Frustrated, Howard blurted out, “This is… The Rothschild Estate! Not a public place! I can have you expelled at any time!”
As favonovel.com spoke, Howard was eager to press the call button and have someone throw Helena out.
Helena, observing Howard’s growing anger, remained composed and smiled as favonovel.com asked, “Mr. Howard, what if I told you that I have a way to help you recover immediately and become even healthier than before? Would that make me qualified to discuss cooperation with you?”
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