The Shadow of Great Britain

But in private, Victoria’s conversation box was obviously opened.

She asked with concern, ”Are you feeling better? I heard that after I left the hospital that day, you fainted again.”

What was called fainting was actually Sir Arthur Hastings falling asleep due to staying up all night the previous day. He smiled calmly and said, ”Her Majesty’s concern is the best remedy for recovery. Moreover, I think the doctor’s diagnosis might be a bit exaggerated; in my view, I’ve long been fully recovered.”

Victoria nodded as if she was relieved, but she still couldn’t help but ask, ”But why don’t you rest a few more days? Even if the Buckingham Palace concert is delayed because of this, I will never blame you.”

”Duty calls, Your Majesty,” Arthur’s reply was straightforward: ”Moreover, this is the first major cultural event since your accession, and I don’t wish for Your Majesty’s first concert to leave any regrets.”

Victoria uttered a soft ”hmm,” and her appearance seemed to be in some sort of dilemma.

After a long while, she seemed to have made up her mind and shook her head: ”Well then, let’s go back.”

Unexpectedly, Arthur did not immediately turn around.

”Your Majesty,” he asked in a low voice, ”Are you troubled by the Duke of Wellington’s words earlier?”

Victoria’s steps paused, and she lightly pursed her lips, seemingly seen through.

”Troubled?” Victoria smiled faintly: ”Not exactly troubled. It’s just that... since the old Duke can’t hear clearly, let’s have someone move the chair forward. After all, the stage is not some kind of altar; there’s no need to maintain that distance.”

”And what if, after moving the chair, the Duke of Wellington still can’t hear clearly?”

”This...” Victoria didn’t know what to do, but she obviously didn’t want to mention this matter in front of Arthur, lest this stubborn patient continue to worry: ”This is not for you to worry about.”

Victoria thought that saying this would make her little teacher retreat, but Arthur smiled slightly and said, ”But if I don’t worry, then Your Majesty will worry for others.”

Victoria turned her head, looking a bit angry: ”Are you trying to show off again? The doctor clearly said you need rest.”

”Forgive me, Your Majesty,” Arthur answered softly: ”When I see you more tired than I am, I can’t rest. If you really wish for me to get a good night’s sleep, please allow me to ensure everything is ready for the concert.”

This sentence left Victoria stunned; she sighed and shook her head helplessly: ”You, sometimes you are even more stubborn than I am.”

Arthur gently bowed, responding with the courtesy of a subject: ”Then I shall speak only of official matters. The Duke of Wellington’s issue isn’t actually so difficult to solve. Didn’t he just say? He just can’t hear the violin and piano, but the drumbeats and bugles are still fine. This is at most a matter of adding a march, which is not difficult to solve.”

Victoria turned slightly with a hint of hesitation: ”Then what do you suggest... what kind of march should be used? Like the ’Grenadier March’? That one always sounds very spirited.”

Arthur lightly shook his head, smiling as he said: ”Such a piece is indeed reliable, but it is rather common. That is the sound of a parade, not a sound of tribute. If we truly wish to satisfy the old Duke, it’s best to have a new piece, a piece written for him.”

”For him?” Victoria’s eyes suddenly brightened: ”You mean... to compose a march especially for the Duke of Wellington?”

”Yes, Your Majesty,” Arthur answered softly: ”That would be a tribute beyond formality. As long as this piece exists, even if the Duke of Wellington can’t hear other piano pieces, rest assured he will not blame us.”

Victoria’s eyes shone with a gleam of surprise, but she immediately frowned: ”But... the concert is just in a few days. To compose now, I fear time is running out?”

Arthur’s expression remained unchanged; he smiled slightly, and in a tone almost as if he was prepared, he said: ”If we are only starting now, indeed it’s too late. But what if there is already a piece ready?”

Victoria was momentarily stunned, almost incredulous: ”Ready? Are you saying you already have a suitable piece?”

”Precisely, Your Majesty,” Arthur replied: ”While in Paris, I exchanged skills with a few musicians, and their inspiration struck me. At that time, I drafted a few melodic fragments. Then, I took a trip to Brussels midway...”

As he said this, he paused slightly: ”There, I met your cousin Prince Albert. You may recall that his passion for music is no less than any professional composer. We talked about music, about military music; his interest was very high, so I took out those unfinished melodic fragments. His Highness immediately suggested some harmonies and brass arrangements. So, one night in Brussels, we completed the piece together.”

Victoria’s eyes widened slightly, her tone filled with an indescribable surprise: ”You and Albert? Completed a piece in two days and nights?”

Arthur chuckled: ”Inspiration always comes quickly. I was responsible for the main melody, and His Highness was responsible for the instrumentation. I still remember that windy morning, when the guards were practicing drills outside the window, and we went along with that rhythm, completing it in one go. However, we didn’t have time to name it.”