The Shadow of Great Britain

Hearing footsteps coming from behind, he quickly turned around, removed his hat, and paid his respects: ”Your Majesty.”

”Sir Arthur.” Leopold smiled, motioning for him to sit: ”Brussels welcomes you.”

The Green Hall wasn’t formally set for reception today; only two wicker chairs and a small pearwood table by the window. The tea set was ready, and the tea was still warm, filled with the Keemun Tea that is highly praised among Britain’s upper society.

”Comfortable at the hotel?” Leopold asked: ”I specifically asked Bellevue to prepare an English breakfast for you; was it authentic enough?”

Arthur smiled, with a composed tone: ”The ham sandwich, anchovy paste, and prune pudding tasted even better than what many London restaurants serve; Your Majesty is very considerate.”

”Glad to hear.” Leopold chuckled lightly, picking up his teacup: ”Delina, my niece, is she doing well lately?”

”Her health is much better than last year. She has fewer headaches, hardly any hair loss, and an exaggeratedly good appetite,” Arthur said tactfully: ”Lamb, veal, apples and pears, along with the various desserts meticulously prepared by Buckingham Palace. Since Her Majesty the Queen ascended the throne, she has been laughing very happily every day. However, you should know that the more heartily she laughs, the heartier she eats.”

Hearing this, Leopold couldn’t help but frown.

As Victoria’s uncle, he had long noticed his niece’s excessive appetite and had repeatedly advised her to eat less, as overeating could jeopardize her health.

But from what’s apparent, Victoria has not heeded her uncle’s advice; moreover, she secretly kept her overeating incidents from him, never mentioning them in her letters to Leopold.

Leopold couldn’t help but ask, ”How much does Delina weigh now?”

”Uh...” Arthur scratched the side of his face: ”I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to say...”

Leopold urged, ”Sir Arthur, don’t worry, I promise I won’t let Delina know I found out from you.”

”Alright then.” Arthur pursed his lips: ”I remember before the Windsor Castle parade, it was about 8 stone 9 pounds.”

”8 stone 9 pounds?!”

It’s no wonder Leopold was shocked, as for a young lady standing at 4 feet 11 inches, that weight does indeed seem a bit heavy.

Leopold couldn’t help but ask, ”Have you tried persuading her to eat less?”

”I have indeed tried; in fact, Her Majesty the Queen feels that her current weight is a bit excessive,” Arthur replied: ”At one point, Her Majesty mentioned her fear of gaining weight and her numerous stout female relatives. I told her if she keeps it up, she stands a good chance of joining their ranks.”

Arthur’s sudden witticism made Leopold chuckle: ”And how did Delina react?”

Arthur spread his hands innocently: ”Her reaction was exactly like yours now, Her Majesty the Queen burst into laughter.”

Arthur added, ”I’ve also suggested she exercise more, but Her Majesty countered that exercise makes her feel tired and uncomfortable. However, it’s not that she hasn’t tried other remedial measures.”

”Oh?” Leopold inquired, ”What did she do?”

”Her Majesty had all her clothes altered to a size larger.”

This left Leopold speechless regarding his niece; at that moment, he didn’t know what to say.

This much-admired King of Belgium held back for a while before finally commenting, ”The girl is smart, but sometimes not in the right way.”

Hearing this, Arthur couldn’t help but apologize to Leopold: ”Your Majesty, I’m sorry, with regard to Her Majesty the Queen’s weight issue, I’ve done everything possible, yet... I’m still not very influential. If Viscount Melbourne could set an example for Her Majesty, I believe things might improve a lot.”

Leopold discerned the veiled criticism towards Melbourne in Arthur’s words but didn’t rush to express his opinion; instead, he rebutted: ”Does Viscount Melbourne not persuade Delina?”

”Of course he does, he advises her almost daily. However, Viscount Melbourne hasn’t been of much help. Surely you’ve heard, while in London, that Viscount Melbourne is a gourmet, much like Her Majesty the Queen in his love for lamb chops. Moreover, he’s fond of French consommé, truffles, pears, ice cream, and anchovies, challenging his stomach to its limits daily.”

Arthur paused briefly and added, ”There are times when Her Majesty the Queen even advises Viscount Melbourne not to eat so much. Therefore, whenever I try advising Her Majesty about health, she counters with Viscount Melbourne’s eating habits. Her Majesty claims that, although they do the same things, because she is a woman, her problems seem more pressing.”

After Leopold listened, he merely lifted his hand to rub his forehead; his tone sounded like self-talk: ”They really make a pair.”

Realizing he had spoken too bluntly, Leopold quickly gave a light cough and added, ”I mean, in terms of appetite.”

Arthur neither confirmed nor denied, only picking up his teacup, seemingly acquiescing to the joke.