The Shadow of Great Britain

This is a question that Victoria had endured for many years, finally gathering the courage to ask.

Leisen lowered her eyes, just about to reply.

But at that moment, there was a faint yet very formal sound of footsteps halting outside the study.

Immediately after, a deep and steady announcement sounded at the doorway: ”Your Majesty, Sir Arthur Hastings has arrived.”

Leisen raised her eyes, seeing the Queen’s fingertips tremble slightly, she immediately understood and softly asked, ”Your Majesty, if you prefer, you could ask Sir Arthur to wait a moment.”

Victoria’s lips moved slightly.

She was almost about to utter the words ”wait a moment,” but soon, she recalled Arthur’s sacrifice. Ultimately, she merely closed her eyes, ”No need, talk after Sir Arthur leaves.”

Victoria lifted her head, instructing towards the door outside, ”Let him in.”

...

From the slightly cool corridor of Buckingham Palace, Arthur stepped in, instantly spotting the overly bright afternoon sunlight.

Winter light poured down from the high windows, bleaching the central carpet of the study.

Victoria stood with her back to the light, her silhouette stretched long and thin, yet her shoulders were even more rigid than usual.

Arthur paused at the doorway, customarily taking a few steps forward, kneeling on one knee at the edge of the carpet, bowing his head in salutation: ”Your Majesty.”

”Please rise, Sir Arthur.”

Arthur stood up, as usual maintaining the proper distance with the Queen, his gaze habitually sweeping lightly around the study.

The documents on the desk were stacked tidily, the window sill laid with a copy of ”The British,” its edges slightly curled.

Oh...

Someone has already read the latest issue.

Arthur glanced once, then immediately withdrew his gaze, as if he hadn’t noticed anything.

He refocused his attention on the person before him.

Victoria dressed more formally today than usual, her waist tightly corseted, the lace at the neckline impeccably pressed.

Customarily, considering his close relationship with Victoria, his summons would be more casual. Sometimes, when no others were present, he would sit with Victoria, enjoying some snacks while chatting about recent novels they were reading or discussing new plays at the London theatre.

But today, there was no scent of snacks in the study.

No cream, no almonds, no cakes, not even the simplest jellies and puddings were prepared.

This made Arthur wonder if something had gone wrong recently?

Could it be?

But, if nothing was wrong...

Then coming to Buckingham Palace, he surely wouldn’t receive this kind of treatment?

The cautious knight refrained from charging recklessly, opting instead to probe prudently: ”Your Majesty, no snacks today?”

Victoria was momentarily stunned.

She didn’t expect Arthur’s first words to be about this.

”So... you’re asking me why there are no snacks today?”

Arthur observed her emotional changes but couldn’t discern any clue, so he silently nodded.

He thought it was just the most ordinary opening remark, thinking he simply noticed some anomaly and asked casually.

Yet to Victoria, the weight of this question was astonishingly heavy.

She raised her eyes, looking at him, a somewhat humorous sentiment in her eyes: ”Oh... you would ask me such a question too?”

Arthur was suddenly taken aback.

Victoria shook her head, seemingly unable to stop from chuckling lightly: ”I thought... you would never make any requests of me, even something so trivial...”

Arthur did not expect the topic to be led here by Victoria, momentarily confused about her intentions.

However, Victoria did not give him time to continue reacting but instead raised her hand to instruct gently: ”Bring up the snacks, gingerbread biscuits, and baked apples.”

The attendant outside immediately bowed and left.

Arthur softly said: ”Your Majesty, there’s no need for such trouble...”

”That won’t do.” Victoria interrupted him directly: ”You’ve hardly ever made a request.”

Arthur was surprised by her words.

What is with today’s atmosphere?

Wasn’t Christmas just over?

Is it time to make wishes again?

After the attendant quietly closed the door, only an excessively silent air remained in the study.

Victoria sat on the small sofa beside the desk, the skirt spread out in the light, Arthur also came to sit at the familiar seat opposite.

But his butt had barely touched the velvet cushion when he heard Victoria ask: ”You are quite familiar with Earl Dalhousie, aren’t you?”

Arthur abruptly closed his eyes.

Well, it seems something has indeed gone awry!

He steadied his posture, organizing his language to sound probing: ”Of course, during my time at the University of London, I attended Earl Dalhousie’s lectures, and later assisted him at the Russian Embassy. I wouldn’t dare say I know Earl Dalhousie the best, but Earl and I could be considered friends.”

Victoria’s eyelashes trembled: ”Then... what do you think of him?”

Arthur paused upon hearing this; those who know him understand it’s a precursor to Sir Arthur concocting a tale.

However, Victoria did not seem to anticipate his immediate response, instead continuing: ”Viscount Melbourne says he is smart yet stubborn to the point of danger. Sir Peel seems reluctant to mention him. Count Grey claims he is gifted with foresight but unsuitable for working within the Cabinet. Lord Lindhurst... I heard him mutter a few times, saying Earl Dalhousie lacks understanding of political realities.”

She spoke a string of evaluations in one go, perhaps hoping to restore her father’s image through Earl Dalhousie, or perhaps the pebbles accumulated in her heart over the years can finally be laid on the table: ”But Arthur... I’m very puzzled. I’ve heard too many evaluations about Earl Dalhousie. Smart, proud, unsociable, stern, lonely, uncompromising, contemptuous of mediocrity... everyone says he’s difficult to get along with.”