The Shadow of Great Britain

And now, even the attitude of Miss Flora Hastings, who once stood on the same side as Conroy, has softened due to the ”potential marriage possibility” and she is no longer so eager for a future court position. Even Princess Sophia, who lives in Kensington Palace, has intentionally or unintentionally distanced herself from Conroy, no longer so diligent in providing court information to him, leaving this major supervisor of Kensington Palace facing unprecedented isolation.

As is well known, Sir Arthur Hastings has always been very enthusiastic about those standing on the edge of a cliff, especially those who block his path, never hesitating to give them a push, even if it’s three or five hundred meters away.

Though he no longer holds a position at Kensington Palace, how could Sir Arthur Hastings sit idly by when Baron Stockma and Lady Leisen are making their move within the palace?

”Did the Duchess really tell you these things just now?” Arthur suddenly paused, his lips drooped, looking a bit sad: ”Are you sure it’s not... Sir John Conroy?”

As those words fell, even the thin breeze in the room seemed to fall silent in this pause.

Flora was taken aback.

She did not immediately retort, nor did she show anger or shock. She just sat there quietly: ”Why would you think so? I am not Conroy’s mouthpiece, and besides, why would I deceive you?”

”It’s nothing, I... I might be overthinking.” The First Class actor from Scotland Yard quickly got into character, Arthur held his forehead, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his temples: ”I knew it, they were just groundless rumors...”

Flora’s hand holding the teacup lightly trembled, emitting a barely perceptible soft sound. She put down the cup, her gaze never leaving Arthur’s face: ”My dear, I hope you can make things clear.”

Arthur lowered his head as if helpless, sighing softly: ”Flora... it’s not that I don’t want to say, it’s, alas... I don’t want to upset you.”

”If you keep it to yourself, it would upset me even more.” Flora’s tone was gentle, but her attitude was unusually firm: ”I know, you are not one to shoot without aiming, and certainly not one who easily doubts friends. But what you just said doesn’t sound offhand.”

”But, Flora...”

”No buts, just for my sake. Dear, tell me, what did you hear?”

Arthur was silent for a moment, as if making the most difficult decision, looking as if he was suffering more than when he was facing bullets under the Tower of London.

Arthur finally nodded slowly: ”Recently, I have indeed heard some... unpleasant rumors.”

His tone was lowered, as if speaking too loudly would cause some unnecessary awkwardness: ”They didn’t appear in the newspapers, nor were they from official sources at Kensington Palace, but from some small figures running between White Hall and the court, those who are adept at catching wind and shadows. I heard them whispering some conjectures about your relationship with Conroy... being... a bit too close...”

Flora’s complexion suddenly changed.

She sat up straight abruptly, her emotions seemingly ignited, the teacup almost slipping from her fingers.

”Did you believe it?” Her voice trembled slightly, carrying a faint sadness: ”Do you suspect me?”

Her eyes were fixed on Arthur, as if waiting for an explanation that could clear everything.

But Arthur was silent, not responding immediately.

This silence instead left Flora stunned.

At first, she was angry, then slowly turned complex, with emotions of grievance, self-reflection, and faint anticipation surging in her heart.

Flora lowered her eyelids, turned her head, her long eyelashes covering the moisture in her eyes, seemingly trying hard to suppress the unease and wavering in her heart.

After a moment, she softly asked: ”Arthur, do you really think... I would have any unclear relationship with such a person, with a married man?”

Her tone no longer held anger, instead, it carried a bit more restraint and bitterness: ”I admit, I have said some supportive words in front of the Duchess and Conroy, but that was because... because it was my duty, to protect Kensington Palace’s peace, allowing the Princess to avoid attacks from those with ill intentions. However, however, I... I never, never had even a hint of romantic feelings towards Conroy!”

She lifted her head, her eyes reddened, yet she held back her tears from falling: ”I am not a frivolous woman, nor am I someone who clings to power for my own future. You know what kind of person I am, Arthur.”

She bit her lip, tears finally rolling down her face: ”If I really had the mind to depend on any gentleman... I would have made it quite obvious by now.”

Falsehood can never withstand genuine sincerity.

Even the superb acting of a First Class actor from Scotland Yard cannot surpass the sincere expression of Miss Flora Hastings’s Divine Inspiration.

The clumsy Arthur was made speechless by her for a moment, after all, he was no love expert like Disraeli or the Great Dumas, without contingency plans for such situations in his mind, nor experience in handling such matters, not knowing how to adapt on the fly.

He could only awkwardly reach into his pocket for a clean handkerchief, gently handing it to Flora.

”I’m sorry, Flora.” He said in a low voice, his tone rare with genuine apology: ”I shouldn’t have said that. And I certainly shouldn’t have, before truly understanding the matter, used those unwarranted things to doubt you. I knew perfectly well, even if all of London was discussing it, I should be the first to stand and refute them.”

Flora didn’t rush to take the handkerchief, but first lifted her eyes to glance at Arthur, her gaze hiding a little reproach, a little timidity, and a bit of lighthearted blame.

”Are you admitting you’re wrong?” She sniffled lightly, her voice still slightly choked, but her mouth carried a smile: ”Sir Arthur Hastings, would you actually apologize?”

Arthur chuckled softly and replied in a low voice: ”I only bow to those who are worthy.”

As soon as he said this, a blush appeared on Flora’s face.

She gently took the handkerchief Arthur handed over, first lightly wiping the tear stains on her cheeks, then turned around, using the opportunity to hide her sudden shy expression, lowering her head with a brief laugh.

The laughter was soft, yet seemingly dispersed the stagnant air in the room.

A moment later, as if she finally mustered the courage, she began in a low voice: ”However... I was also at fault. I was indeed too lenient with Sir Conroy before. I know what kind of person Conroy is... I am not unaware of his ambitions, nor do I fully trust him. But... I admit, I did intentionally or unintentionally defend him before, said a few words for him. But that wasn’t because I had any other feelings for him.”

Flora paused: ”Perhaps, as an unmarried woman, I was educated from a young age that ’order is a virtue’... and Conroy’s control over order, at least on the surface, is reassuring. He is efficient in his work, speaks appropriately, and over the years, he has been so loyal to the Duchess, doing so many things for her. Although there are some areas where he hasn’t done his utmost, overall, his contribution to Kensington Palace is worth acknowledging. Without Conroy, there would be no Kensington System, the Princess’s social reputation wouldn’t be as good as it is now, and her succession to the throne wouldn’t be as stable as it is now.”

Saying this, she looked up at Arthur, blushing as she apologized: ”However, I really shouldn’t have gotten so close to him. Even if it was for the sake of duty or the pursuit of stability, I shouldn’t have let others have the opportunity to speculate about me like that. I shouldn’t have, without concern, expressed so much support for him. I am an unmarried lady, and he is a married gentleman... even if I clearly know I have no inappropriate thoughts, in the eyes of others, it is... quite easy to misunderstand.”

Her voice dropped: ”In the past, I wasn’t really aware of this, but recently, I have also realized this. Now, every day when I return to my room, I always worry about what I did today, who saw it, and whether it will lead to any rumors later. I have also noticed that someone seems to be deliberately spreading some unfavorable rumors about me... but I don’t know how to explain, nor do I dare to discuss these matters with anyone. Until today, until you brought it up, I realized these words had spread... so widely.”