Bill saw the Queen but didn't bow; his haughty gaze, however, softened a bit. His face still wore that careless, indifferent expression as he casually called out, "Mother."
The Queen nodded her head, having grown accustomed to his manner. She gave him a once-over, and seeing that he wasn't looking worse for wear, she turned her attention to Qinghe and the others.
Qinghe wasn't entirely unprepared either; from the way Gu Minghao, a man of such lofty status, interacted with her as if a doting father without putting on airs, she had already been reading some books on etiquette. Especially in the West, the ultimate nation for such protocols. Ordinarily, she would have bowed, as the Queen was not only her elder but also the sovereign of a nation. She could bend her body slightly in a polite bow or, adopting their country's customs, shake hands.
But today, she was present as Bill's friend, so Qinghe stepped forward, gave the Queen a nod, and took the lead: "Hello, Your Majesty."
