Seeing Queen Elizabeth's stunned expression, Wilhelm couldn't help but feel a bit smug. "What do you think, pretty impressive, right?"
Queen Elizabeth responded coldly, "Your Highness truly has foresight and great ambition; but you're also a scoundrel! If you want to be a king, fight your wars, and explore space, then do so. Why come to harass me?! I am a married woman, and you did those things to me! I wish I could kill you!"
Listening to Queen Elizabeth's low, hysterical scolding, Wilhelm apologized, "I am sorry, Your Majesty. From the first moment I saw you, I was smitten, and over these years, I've thought of you constantly."
A look of contempt appeared on Queen Elizabeth's face. "Your Highness Wilhelm, do you take me for a naive girl? Your so-called love at first sight was nothing but lust at first sight."
"Perhaps, but those letters I wrote to you over the years..."
Before he could finish, Queen Elizabeth's face flushed with anger, her voice rising a few notches! "You dare mention those letters?! Half of our arguments were caused by them!" Realizing her outburst, she took a deep breath, resignedly murmuring, "Yes, this arm injury was from His Majesty. Actually, our marital relationship has long been strained. If it weren't for the dignity of the royal family, I might have been cast out by now. Are you satisfied now, Your Highness Wilhelm?" She leaned against the cold wall, a bitter smile on her lips.
"..." No wonder there were no inspiring speeches from George VI in this timeline.
Before becoming king, when he was still the Duke of York, George VI led a life free from worldly strife, had served in the military but with poor performance, and had no social life outside his family. He was always overshadowed by his handsome, charming brother.
His brother abdicated after less than 300 days on the throne to marry an American divorcée, and for the sake of the constitutional monarchy, the Duke of York reluctantly ascended. According to contemporary political figures, when the Duke learned he must take the throne, he was visibly unhappy.
To help her husband become a true king, Elizabeth sought out various doctors to help him overcome his stutter. Historians later believe it was Queen Elizabeth's constant support and encouragement that allowed her introverted, shy, and stuttering husband to bravely ascend the throne, thus saving the British monarchy from crisis.
Now, history has taken a completely different course, but his behavior felt like that of a home-wrecker.
Shaking his head to dispel the chaotic thoughts, Wilhelm awkwardly cleared his throat. "If you wish, I can write a letter to His Majesty George VI to explain."
Queen Elizabeth rolled her eyes in exasperation. "You are truly shameless."
Wilhelm shrugged. "However, I guess if given another chance, you wouldn't marry His Majesty George VI."
Many might mistakenly believe that marrying a British prince is easy, with countless girls eager to do so, but that's not the case.
When George VI was still Prince Albert, he met 19-year-old Elizabeth at a dance and was instantly enchanted. However, Elizabeth felt nothing for him; she was fond of his brother, Prince Edward, who was the epitome of a "prince charming" with his blond hair, handsome face, dashing appearance, and radiant smile, not to mention being the designated heir to the throne.
But love was one-sided; Edward was a notorious playboy.
After being rejected by Elizabeth, Prince Albert told Queen Mary, "I don't want to marry anyone else in this life; can you help me out?" Implying he needed his parents' intervention in this marriage.
This piqued Queen Mary's interest in Elizabeth. After all, marrying into the royal family meant endless money, beautiful clothes, and public admiration. Who was this peculiar woman who would refuse such an opportunity? She had her confidants observe Elizabeth, discovering she was unlike most girls who were shy and demure; Elizabeth was confident and stood tall. Indeed, she had something special about her.
After meeting Elizabeth personally, Queen Mary sincerely exclaimed, "This is indeed a fine girl; she will bring him happiness."
However, Queen Mary rejected her son's request; she didn't want to force a marriage with royal power. Everything would depend on Albert's own efforts to win Elizabeth's heart.
Thus, when Elizabeth was 22, Albert proposed again, only to be rejected once more. Meanwhile, another royal official named James Stuart was also courting Elizabeth.
Failing twice in love and now facing a rival, Albert was disheartened and sought his mother's help again. Out of love for her son, Queen Mary relented, sending James Stuart overseas, removing the obstacle from Albert's path to love.
The following year, Elizabeth finally accepted Albert's proposal.
She thought she would live out her days as a duke's wife, but unexpectedly, Edward VIII abdicated for Wallis Simpson, making Albert king as George VI, and Elizabeth became Queen. Soon after, WWII broke out, and the royal couple found themselves in a whirlwind of duties.
During the war, Queen Elizabeth became a symbol of British resilience.
When London was bombed, Churchill urged Elizabeth to leave, or at least send the children away. But Elizabeth publicly refused to leave London, saying, "The children could not leave without me, I could not leave without the King, and the King will never leave." She often visited areas in London bombed by the German Luftwaffe, especially the East End near the docks.
No matter how tough the situation, she always had a light-hearted word or two to lift spirits, boosting morale against Germany and strengthening the spiritual bond between the British public and the modern British monarchy.
Elizabeth eventually became a symbol of spirit for all of Europe, with some saying the monarchy needed Elizabeth more than Elizabeth needed the monarchy; her spirit gave the monarchy new life, providing the entire reason for its continued existence.
After lamenting the unpredictability of life, Wilhelm suggested, "Your Majesty, why not let Little Elizabeth and Margaret stay here? It's far better than the basement of Buckingham Palace; here they'll have good food and drink and won't have to worry about bombs falling. I wouldn't stoop so low as to use two children as leverage."
A look of hesitation crossed Queen Elizabeth's face as she gently bit her lip. "I will consider it."