The Shadow of Great Britain

And this so‑called statutory examination procedure first requires the claimant to commission a lawyer or notary to submit a written petition to the Monarch.

Under normal circumstances, once the Monarch receives the petition, the case will be transferred to the House of Lords and handed over to the House of Lords Nobility Qualifications committee for trial. The members of this committee are usually senior Nobility and judges; they are responsible for presiding over hearings, consulting genealogical records, questioning witnesses, and so on.

In addition, the Royal Family Legal Advisor must assist from the side, representing the Royal Family in examining whether the petitioner is fraudulently claiming or fabricating the title.

If the House of Lords Nobility Qualifications committee and the Royal Family Legal Advisor determine that the succession is legitimate, the Monarch will formally sign a ”Warrant of Confirmation of Succession,” thereby determining the ownership of the title. Otherwise, the Monarch will personally claim this extinct title.

Everyone could see at a glance that even if this whole process moved quickly, it would still take two or three years to run its course.

If it got stuck at some point in the middle, waiting three to five years would not be anything unusual.

Even in the worst‑case scenario, if a Noble line in Southern Ireland were to die out this year, then with just a bit of procedural delay, Conroy would still have to wait five or six years before he could obtain the Baron title.

If he truly wanted to make things difficult for Conroy, Arthur could even handle this on Victoria’s behalf: he could casually go out into the street and find a dozen or twenty ”distant cousins” of extinct Nobility, line them up, and have them write a petition claiming a title every month.

In that way, never mind dragging it out for eight or ten years—even if it were delayed for twenty or thirty years, no one would be able to find the slightest procedural fault.

”Sir Arthur.” Victoria’s eyes narrowed into a smile.

”Your Majesty?”

”Are you very pleased with yourself?” Victoria’s tone carried neither anger nor reproach; it sounded more like teasing: ”When you were speaking just now, your eyes were practically throwing Sparks. Have you been wanting to deal with him like this for a long time?”

Arthur pretended to think seriously for a moment before answering lazily, ”Not exactly to deal with him... I just feel that keeping him trapped at the very threshold of the title he dreams of, rather than giving him a slap outright, will make him suffer more.”

After hearing this, Victoria bit her lower lip, as though something had amused her, yet she refused to admit it: ”You really are something... Still, if you hadn’t reminded me... I almost let them sway me again just now.”

”It wasn’t reminding; it was thinking along with you,” Arthur corrected her. ”You are the Queen, not a schoolgirl anymore; no one can decide for you. All that I, Lady Leisen, and every other subject can do is to lay out all the possibilities; it is up to you which one you find most fitting. If you wish, I can go on speaking until you no longer care to listen.”

Victoria listened quietly to the end, her fingers still lightly rubbing the hem of her skirt over her knees.

After a while, she raised her head; her eyes lit up, as though she had thought of a good idea: ”Sir Arthur, does a Baronetcy really allow one to put on such airs?”

”Of course, Your Majesty.” Arthur replied with a smile. ”A Baronet, after all, is only one step away from a Baron. Although it is not enough to challenge the gentlemen of the House of Lords, it still looks quite distinguished in the Lower House.”

Victoria lifted her chin, unable to hide the smile spreading across her face: ”Then... ’First Baronet Hastings of Hasting’—does that sound pleasing to you?”

As soon as she finished speaking, the garden suddenly fell silent.

Lady Leisen looked up, apparently not expecting to hear such words.

Yet in the next instant, she felt that such a reward was only right and proper. If Conroy could trumpet his loyalty and merits and obtain a Baronetcy, then why should Sir Arthur Hastings not be granted the same?

Arthur fell silent for a moment; he, too, had not expected that he was almost stepping into the House of Lords with one foot: ”Your Majesty, such an exceptional honour is something I have never dared to covet.”

Hearing Arthur’s tactful refusal only made Victoria all the more determined to promote him: ”I am not bestowing this because of any coveting on your part, but because it is what you deserve. Conroy’s demands made me realise that those who fancy themselves superior are always treating titles as bargaining chips. But I refuse to remain passive any longer. I want others to see that the ones who can truly gain my trust and reward are pillars of the realm like you.”