The Shadow of Great Britain

Viscount Melbourne not only got ahead of Arthur by giving Victoria ”slander” against Conroy, but Victoria, without any psychological burden, also revealed ”it was Viscount Melbourne who forbade Conroy from attending the coronation ceremony” to the Duchess of Kent.

Arthur listened to Victoria finish in one breath, maintaining a good expression on his face, but his right hand hanging at his side twitched slightly.

”Viscount Melbourne firmly believes that Conroy should not attend,” Victoria said seriously, without a blush, even Lady Leisen dared not look up.

Arthur gently cleared his throat, suppressing the chuckle that almost escaped, then said slowly, ”His Majesty’s decision is naturally well thought out.”

”Hmm.” Victoria nodded, seeming satisfied with his response. She kicked a small blade of grass under her skirt, then turned to him as if recalling something: ”They say this used to be His Majesty the King’s bedroom... it’s mine now. Do you think I’m being too hasty? I just ascended yesterday, and today I’ve already issued an expulsion order for Conroy.”

Arthur shook his head but did not speak.

Victoria bit her lip, tentatively asking: ”I’m not deliberately punishing them, I didn’t lose my temper with Mother or speak badly of Conroy directly, but I didn’t shout. I merely... merely told the truth about Viscount Melbourne’s words. I just, I really... haven’t been this peaceful for so long. I stayed alone in my room for a long time last night, even had dinner by myself.”

She gazed into the distance: ”Mother looked very unwell this morning. After I said that, she hardly spoke to me, only said, ’You know your privileges,’ and then left. It’s strange, I’m not afraid. I thought I would be scared...”

Arthur hesitated but was immediately possessed by Ledley, suppressing all witty thoughts, gently replying, ”I believe you did not intend to embarrass her.”

Victoria nodded but fell silent for a moment, then whispered, ”Even though I didn’t intend to, when she was embarrassed, I felt a bit... a little happy.”

As she said ”happy,” she felt a bit embarrassed herself and lowered her head to look at the grass, her toes gently scuffing the dirt.

Arthur looked at her lowered head, his mouth moved, but he couldn’t resist and sighed softly.

”Your Majesty,” Arthur spoke more slowly than usual, ”Since you’ve already moved out of Kensington Palace and excluded Conroy from the coronation ceremony, have you thought about how to handle him next?”

For a moment, there was hesitation in Victoria’s eyes.

She had thought about it; in fact, she had been thinking over the past few days.

Yet when the question was truly posed, she suddenly didn’t know how to answer.

”I...” She bit her lip, ”I thought things would be simpler after ascending. But Baron Stockma said I better not touch him for now. He said if I rush to ’settle accounts’ with Conroy right away, it would make Mother look abandoned by me and people would say I’m ungrateful.”

She paused for a moment, turned to Arthur, her gaze carrying a trace of helpless indignation: ”But Conroy did things to me, things Stockma knows, he knows everything. He clearly knows everything, yet he advises me to be magnanimous now. He said not dealing with Conroy would serve as an example, if I can spare even Conroy, when the truth comes to light, it would help establish me as a benevolent monarch.”

Arthur did not answer immediately, instead placing his hands behind his back, habitually hiding all expressions within his posture.

”He also said...” Victoria continued, ”that the public’s memory is very short, they love me now because I behave appropriately. If I’m careless and move against Conroy next, it would appear too radical, too emotional... He said, I’m a girl, so I mustn’t let my actions seem vengeful.”

She emphasized the word ”girl,” clearly it’s what frustrates her the most.

”But he never says that to Viscount Palmeston.” She added angrily, ”Nor has he ever said it to Uncle Leopold.”