The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1945 - 160: Conroy’s Fall from Power (Part 2)

He paused for a moment and then slowly added what he truly wanted to say: "I just want to know... if you’re confident that the Princess will let go of her prejudices."

The air suddenly went still for a moment.

Arthur lowered his head, as if in thought, and after a brief pause, he said, "I’m not sure if I can make her let go of anything."

The Earl of Liverpool slightly furrowed his brow.

Arthur quickly added, "But perhaps I can arrange a... less sharp opportunity for dialogue. At the right time and place, if you need, I can also accompany you, but as for what the Princess will say or do at that moment, that entirely rests on her own decision."

"That will be enough." The Earl of Liverpool’s eyes lit up again, and he patted the silver head of his cane: "Sir Arthur, please understand, I’m not trying to pave a path for Conroy’s reinstatement. I merely wish for everything to maintain decorum and propriety on the surface."

Arthur spoke with deeper implications: "Like this unsigned letter."

The Earl of Liverpool didn’t directly respond but smiled as he extended his hand to Arthur: "Then I’ll leave it to you."

...

The black carriage rolled through the archway on the west side of Trafalgar Square. The morning in London was gradually awakening, the gas lamps had not yet extinguished, and the streets were still shrouded in a milky white mist. Due to today’s arrangements, the main entrance to the National Gallery was not open to the public as usual at eight-thirty in the morning; a temporary barrier, emblematic of a Royal Family event, had been set up alongside the steps, with several teams of Scotland Yard’s Royal Mounted Police silently standing guard by the roadside.

At nine in the morning, Kensington Palace’s carriage appeared as scheduled on the street near the National Gallery, prompting jubilant cheers from the citizens who had gathered to watch the spectacle. Many gentlemen tossed their hats into the air; however, Kensington Palace’s entourage did not proceed directly to the main entrance as planned.

Under Arthur’s arrangement, the convoy turned early into the garden path near the east wing of the gallery under the guise of security concerns.

Having arrived at Trafalgar Square as early as seven in the morning, Sir Arthur Hastings had completed the inspection of the Scotland Yard security arrangements on-site. He awaited at the end of the garden path. Behind him was an art exhibition room that had yet to open; its door was unlocked, and the interior was empty.

Today, Victoria had chosen a deep blue morning dress. As she alighted, the hem of her gown swayed gently, and the morning mist dampened the tips of her shoes.

She looked up to see Arthur waiting at the path’s end, her expression first tense for an instant and then visibly relaxing.

"Your Highness." Arthur put away his pocket watch and approached: "I’ve arranged a brief meeting time for you; the place is very quiet, and no one will disturb you."

Victoria lowered her voice, almost as if confiding in a friend: "Sir Arthur, you don’t need to explain much. If it’s arranged by you, I feel at ease."

Lady Leisen, following behind her, lightly cleared her throat to remind her to be mindful of her status.

Arthur took the opportunity to bow: "My honor, Your Highness."

Victoria merely waved slightly stubbornly and followed Arthur straight into the still-closed exhibition hall.

Inside the exhibition hall, it was very quiet. The air carried the scent of lime and fresh varnish, with many canvases on the walls still covered in burlap, seemingly unfinished.

Arthur pulled out a chair for her, but Victoria did not immediately sit down. Instead, she spoke softly: "I didn’t sleep well all night. I know the Earl of Liverpool will certainly speak on Conroy’s behalf, but I really... really can’t stand him anymore."

Arthur listened and offered quiet comfort: "I understand, Your Highness. Just remember Sir Herbert Taylor’s words: if you truly do not wish to compromise, no one in this country can force you."

Upon hearing this, Victoria’s expression immediately softened greatly.

She exhaled gently, as if a burden had been lifted from her heart: "Only you and Leisen have always stood by my side. Everyone talks about propriety and balance, but none truly speaks from my perspective."

Her tone was tinged with the urgency and subtle unease of a young girl: "You and Leisen will always remain by my side, right? Even if they all pressure me, you won’t abandon me, correct?"

Arthur smiled and nodded slightly: "Not only me and Lady Leisen, but also Scotland Yard, Your Highness. There are far more people supporting you than you imagine."

Upon hearing these words, the weight in Victoria’s heart finally settled back down.

According to King William IV’s original decree, once she came of age, she would be able to immediately move out of Kensington Palace and receive an annual financial subsidy of ten thousand pounds.

However, due to Uncle William’s sudden worsening health condition, this matter had to be temporarily postponed. The sudden thwarting of her wish inevitably led to Victoria tossing and turning, trying as much as she could to grasp at any lifeline.

Victoria managed a reassuring smile, then quickly suppressed it, straightened her posture, and attempted to speak in a more mature tone: "Alright. Then please bring in the Earl of Liverpool. I want him to hear my stance directly."

Arthur gently pushed open the side door of the exhibition hall and led the Earl of Liverpool in slowly.

The Earl first bowed respectfully to Victoria: "Your Highness, thank you for taking the time to meet with me amidst your busy schedule."

Victoria did not immediately signal for him to sit down but first unfurled a stack of letters in her hand. They were filled with dense notes, written in neat handwriting, clearly a transcription by Leisen: "I thought about this for a long time last night and wrote down some key points that I must clarify today."