The Shadow of Great Britain

Victoria’s originally upright posture suddenly shrunk, and her expression seemed somewhat complicated: ”If I didn’t misunderstand, does that mean... as long as I... sign that document... just one signature... a person... will die because of it?”

Arthur nodded slightly: ”This is precisely one of the highest authorities reserved for the Monarch in our traditional law, continuing from the Tudor Dynasty to the present.”

Victoria slowly regained her composure and stared at Arthur as she asked, ”You just said that if I signed, some people would be dissatisfied. But if I don’t sign, some would also be dissatisfied... What does this mean?”

Arthur sighed and shook his head slightly: ”The boy named Thomas Rain is fourteen years old, born into extreme poverty, and an orphan. He indeed did wrong, but after the incident, the local parish priest and charity organizations jointly signed a petition to request leniency for him. They said that the pharmacy usually treats the poor harshly. Thomas did commit a crime, but he didn’t take money; he intended to steal some medicine for a few street beggars he lived with. He injured someone; indeed, it was a severe injury, but the Scotland Yard report believes Thomas does not constitute the crime of premeditated murder.”

”And on the other hand...” Arthur continued: ”Although the pharmacy owner is not in danger of life, he has suffered a lifelong disability. His family accused the newspapers, believing that the law should not condone robbers. Due to their strong demand, the Central Criminal Court had to make the final verdict on July 1.”

Victoria felt more confused as she listened, clearly realizing that legal matters are far more complicated than domestic ones: ”Why must the decision be made before July 1? Is there any reason behind it?”

Arthur nodded slightly: ”Do you know why I was promoted from the position of Patrolman at Scotland Yard?”

”Of course I do,” Victoria blurted out: ”That speech in court, the abolition of the ’Bloody Act’ movement, I’ve seen it before in the newspapers.”

”Indeed, that was the starting point in my life.”

Arthur unhurriedly recounted his brilliant record that withstands the test of history: ”Actually, the abolition of the ’Bloody Act’ movement was not merely a speech, and the abolition of the death penalty was not achieved overnight. Overall, before the Whig Party came to power, this series of death penalty abolition laws can be collectively called the ’Pier Bill.’ During the eight years when Sir Robert Peel served as Home Secretary, he passed a series of bills, abolishing more than 200 death penalty crimes and repealing the clergy’s exemption from the death penalty. And during the Whig Party’s reign, the abolition movement of the ’Bloody Act’ did not cease because of Sir Peel’s departure.”

Arthur paused: ”The ’1832 Currency Crimes Act’ abolished the death penalty for currency crimes, and the ’1832 Forgery Abolition of Death Penalty Law’ stipulated that, except for the forgery of wills and specific authorization documents, it abolished the death penalty punishment for all forgery crimes. And this April, Home Secretary Lord John Russell submitted the ’Bill Relating to Infringement of Personal Rights,’ and if this bill is successfully passed, only four to five death penalty crimes will remain in British law in the future.”

Victoria was stunned for a moment: ”Among the remaining death penalty crimes, does it not include... burglary and injury?”

”Precisely.” Arthur nodded: ”If the verdict of this case is delayed by a few days, even if it just waits until the middle of the month, after the House of Lords passes the amendment on the third reading, then Thomas Rain’s criminal act will not be subject to the death penalty anymore. According to my shallow understanding of this case, he might be sentenced to no less than fifteen years of exile.”

Victoria remained silent.

Her fingers gently caressed her knee, as if trying to use this subtle action to stabilize the anxiety gradually rising within her chest.

Her voice lowered, no longer bearing the previous eager enthusiasm, nor the freshness of youth in mastering power, but instead harbored a few traces of hesitation as if treading on thin ice: ”So... whether he is sentenced to death depends solely on... a matter of days?”

”Exactly.” Arthur’s voice was calm, but his demeanor was more solemn than ever: ”Though it sounds absurd, this is the situation we face now. Your Majesty, if the Home Office presents the death sentence to you tomorrow, have you considered whether to sign or not?”

”I... now I understand why you told me this.” Victoria murmured, turning her head to look at Arthur, almost instinctively blurting out: ”This isn’t law; this is murder! A child, even if he did wrong, shouldn’t be rushed to the gallows this way, just because Parliament hadn’t managed to finish reading a bill!”

”Yes, Your Majesty.” Arthur’s expression didn’t change: ”Therefore, we say, law and time have always been unjust.”

Victoria silently looked at Arthur, and a few seconds later, she slowly lowered her head to look at her own hands, fingers intertwined on her knees. Since ascending the throne, it was the first time she felt the pressure from the power of the state.

”If I sign...” she said softly, ”I will be considered cold-hearted...”

”And if you don’t sign...” Arthur continued: ”Fleet Street might dedicate a whole page tomorrow to mock your feminine compassion, indecision, emotionalism, and even condoning crime. The victim’s family might also stand at the door of St. Paul’s Cathedral to petition and accuse, believing that the Judicial System has been intervened by you.”