Mama's Princess Is Daddy's Beloved

But just before the Queen could exit her room, a polite knock at the door halted her steps. Her lips curled with a smile when saw that it was the butler.

"Your Majesty! Your Highness!" The butler greeted politely bowing his head down and cupping his hands at his front.

Both of the people nodded, accepting his gesture of respect and then the Queen added with a smile, "Mr Cao, you are back? How was Xiao Xue? She was fine, right? Did she agree to come to the palace for the meal?"

Though the Queen had always been a very patient lady both in her personality and words, still at this moment, she could not help but be like an excited mother waiting to hear the news of her daughter coming back home.

With her sudden change in attitude, both Shin Tingming and the old butler was taken aback. But their expression of surprise did not waver the lady even a bit. She did not care for the attitude she was showing at the front as if it did not matter to her in any bit.

The older butler was so stumped at the situation that he almost forgot that he has been asked some questions that he has to answer. But that trance only remained until the first lady of the country reminded him again.

"Mr Cao, you have yet not answered me", Chen Rui asked. Her brown eyes, looking all expectantly at the butler to hear the response, he has brought from Li Xue. "Did she decline the request?" She asked, getting a little disappointed in her heart when saw the man not answering her words for a good moment.

"Oh, my apologies, Your Highness!", the old butler instantly pulled his head down in forgiveness. Then getting back up he continued, "I did not intend to ignore your question but was just a little mindful about how to present the things to you in a proper way since Her Highness seems to keep the lady Li Xue very close to her heart". Mr Cao said, apologizing for the offence he committed subconsciously.

The Queen instantly smiled, nodding her head in acceptance. "Of course, that girl was really too pretty and sweet to be ignored. And was quite intelligent with her words too, making a perfect goddaughter for me. Didn't you feel the same for her too, Mr Cao?"

The butler was instantly taken aback. His shock was not because he was not expecting this coming but was because the words were the same, matching his thoughts.

Behind them, even Shin Tinming was surprised. "Rui, what are you saying? Goddaughter? How could you decide everything in such haste?" He said with some pitch in his voice but went all weak when saw his wife tuning to frown at him.

Was he wrong to be surprised? Although he knew that her wife had a kind mother side in her personality, he has always seen that side of hers reserved for their son. Her wife's love and kindness were not even bestowed to those distant royal kids who have always loved to butter her up to gather her good points.

But now seeing her getting all doting for a girl whose identity was still a mystery for him to study, he did not know how to react? He was not sure of the things that were coming to light again after so many years but one thing for which he was sure was neither in the past nor in the future, he would want to see his wife getting hurt.

"I never knew that you also have this bossy side in your personality, Tinming!" Chen Rui said, raising her brows slightly up in surprise. Though to others eyes, it was an expression of amusement, but Tinming knew too well to understand the deadly warning behind it. "So, His Majesty, please let me know when I should favour a child as my goddaughter and when to not?"

The king instantly pressed his lips together. "Aye … I didn't mean it like that. I was just saying that you have met her one time and yet you are favouring her like you have known her for years. She is still a stra … I mean a known stranger to us. You know that it can be unhealthy!" Shin Tinming said, defending his restrictions. But the wife knew her husband too well.

Shaking her head with some disapproval, she turned back to the butler and asked, "Mr Cao, so, what happened there?"

"Your Highness, Ms Li Xue was not at her home. The caretaker of the place said that she has gone out of the country for some urgent work, leaving her daughter in the care of their loyal aged lady", the butler informed, keeping his eyes down and hands in front.

"Daughter?"

"Daughter?"

The couple asked at the same time. Not understanding the things quite well. Weren't Feng Shufen yet to get married? Then what about the daughter?

Mr Cao nodded, "Yes, Your Highness, Ms Li Xue had birthed a daughter 5 years ago. It can be out of that scandal, which the media reported in the news before she left her career".

"…" The Queen went all silent for a minute and Shin Tinming's eyes went to stare at her wife with some thoughts in his mind. Then looking back at the butler, he said.

"Mr Cao, you can go for now".

The old butler nodded, bowed and then left, leaving the kind and the queen alone.

"See, I told you. You have not known her properly and yet you believed her so much. Now knowing something like this, I can understand you getting disappointed. I …" The king said, taking his steps to her wife while wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

But right then the woman elbowed him, pushing him away as she asked, "Who said I am disappointed? I was praising Xiao Xue in my heart. Do you know how hard it is to be a single mother at such a young age, especially when no one is by your side? That's the greatest bravery a woman could do in her life. Being a man, you will never understand. I so wish that God could also give men a womb to give birth. Maybe then you will know" She said and then giving a soft hmph left the room.

The man could only sigh behind her. Sometimes he felt like even living so many years with his wife, he still could not understand how woman's logic works? But at this moment, something that intrigued him more was the mystery of the young girl who has clearly tempted his wife. Her being Li Hua's daughter, something felt wrong. Something there, stinging his heart.

***

On the other side, the day was yet to break in Florida but looking at the people standing in a row in the private area of the airport, all formally dressed, none could say that they were there standing keeping their sleep on wait.

"Have you checked with the air control room? How much more time is there before the arrival of Mr Feng here?" The person standing at the very front asked from his subordinate standing behind.

"Sir, their flight can land anytime soon. But do you really think our arrangements would make any effect? Mr Feng's secretary has strictly said that Mr Feng will be staying at their mansion and not in the government's exquisite mansions". The subordinate mentioned.

The man at the front smiled and said, "There is nothing to worry, we have plans. Just keep the government mansions ready for their stay, rest will be handled. We won't want them to complain later".