The Shadow of Great Britain

”I...”

Victoria had initially furrowed her brow, but her subtle emotional shift did not escape Arthur’s keen eyes.

She hadn’t even realized that her fingertips had gently moved across the table’s surface, all for the thrill of a grand vision—a chance to do something for the people and change the country—which truly excited Victoria.

Yet, this excitement only lasted for a fleeting few seconds.

Because she recalled her uncle Leopold’s advice—to never make a decision at the first instance.

”Sir Arthur...” Victoria’s voice still carried warmth: ”I will seriously consider your proposal. But I cannot give you a response today, at this moment.”

Arthur hesitated for a moment.

This was somewhat unexpected, as he could already tell Victoria was seventy percent convinced, just missing the final push.

However, he wasn’t too disappointed; instead, he was somewhat pleased.

After all, if Victoria were too easily swayed, wouldn’t she also heed Viscount Melbourne’s advice just as heedlessly?

He slightly bowed: ”Your Majesty, caution is a virtue. I am already very satisfied to have been able to say so much to you today.”

Victoria looked at him. If she were refusing someone else, she typically wouldn’t offer an explanation, but after all, she was refusing Sir Arthur Hastings.

Victoria softly asked, ”Don’t you think... I’m being too hesitant?”

Arthur gently shook his head, stringing together a charming line of words: ”Quite the opposite. If Your Majesty had immediately agreed today, I would worry that I spoke too much or too fast, leaving you no time to think.”

Only then did Victoria feel reassured, smiling and nodding: ”That’s good. I’ll take your two versions back and examine them one by one. I promise that I will be clearer tomorrow about the significance of this bill for the country compared to today.”

”Certainly.” Arthur smiled: ”I will await Your Majesty’s judgment. Regardless of the decision, I believe it will be the most correct one.”

Victoria couldn’t quite explain why, but she suddenly felt a bit relieved.

Her gaze paused on the table for a brief moment before quickly moving away, her fingers lightly stroking the ivory-colored gown skirt as if searching for an appropriate opening.

”Has your health... improved lately?”

Her voice was so light as if she feared disturbing something.

Arthur had grown accustomed to this tone, which was not a formal ”Majestic tone,” nor did it have the small temper of a young girl, but rather emerged only in private settings when facing someone particularly trusted—a tone somewhat shy to speak.

She probably wanted to ask Arthur for help with something.

”Your Majesty?”

Victoria bit her lower lip as if hesitating whether to continue.

”I... I’ve noticed recently...” Her eyes fixated on the edge of her teacup, her voice almost swallowed: ”Fleet Street over there... has some... unfriendly reports.”

Arthur’s brows moved slightly imperceptibly, but he didn’t interrupt.

Victoria continued: ”I don’t mean... I’m not saying you haven’t managed well. After all, you can only oversee the business of Imperial Publishing moreover... I know you’ve been ill recently, still handling so many affairs, naturally I am not blaming you.”

As she spoke, she herself became anxious: ”It’s just I... I...”

She stopped.

Because she knew to continue would be to admit the targets those tabloids alluded to were herself and Viscount Melbourne.

Something she couldn’t possibly consent to directly speak aloud.

After a while, she changed to an exceedingly indirect manner: ”I just feel those newspapers... have written rather outrageously.”

Arthur portrayed extreme concern outwardly, but inwardly only uttered ”Oh.”

But seeing Victoria in such a state, he couldn’t help wanting to tease her, feigning ignorance, asked: ”Your Majesty, you mean?”

Victoria’s ears suddenly turned red.

She didn’t know whether Arthur was genuinely oblivious or just pretending.

However, nonetheless, Sir Arthur is such a straight and kind person, Victoria, no matter what, didn’t think Arthur would deliberately be naive.

Clearing her throat, she forced herself to say: ”Just... lately some tabloids... have written somewhat... somewhat outrageously.”

Arthur asked with sincere concern, ”Outrageously? You mean those articles trading insults, or sarcastic political commentaries? I recall a newspaper even attacked the cabinet’s trade policy the other day...”

Victoria lightly coughed to interrupt: ”Not those.”

Arthur raised his eyebrow: ”Then it’s about diplomatic policies? Belgium? Or that side of France?”

Victoria was so nervous she clutched the hem of her dress.

”It’s... about the palace.” She bit out her words, ”written... quite irresponsibly.”

Arthur nodded, seriously analyzing: ”Regarding the palace... so those are the ones suggesting a rift between you and the Duchess of Kent? Rest assured, I’ve already notified friends on Fleet Street about related reports; they will be vigilant going forward.”

This suddenly struck Victoria’s Achilles’ heel.

Her brows furrowed immediately: ”Not those!”

Those blue eyes resentfully stared at Arthur as if accusing him of being naive to this extent.

Taking a deep breath, mustering her courage, she spoke in the most ambiguous manner: ”It’s just... the few articles about me overly relying on the government head... written quite disrespectfully.”

”Oh...” Arthur seemed to suddenly understand as if finally enlightened: ”Those articles about your overly close relationship with Viscount Melbourne?”

Victoria’s face flushed red to her neck in an instant.

”Sir Arthur!” She glared at him, somewhat indignantly: ”You are being very impolite!”

Arthur pretended to be startled by her, suddenly clutching his heart, feigning pain.

This immediately frightened Victoria, who hurriedly approached to support him: ”Are you... are you alright?”

”It’s alright... just need to calm down...” Arthur took quite a while before saying: ”Actually...”

”Actually?”

”Actually those articles...”