The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1644: Chapter 41: Arthur Hastings in Victoria’s Eyes

Outside the Royal box at the Covent Garden Theatre, attendants clad in blue-black uniforms trimmed with gold stood solemnly on the crimson velvet carpet, blending seamlessly into their surroundings and adding a touch of splendid beauty to the atmosphere.

Guests passing by might assume that someone of high rank, like a Royal Duke, was seated inside, but in reality, the attendants were guarding only four little girls—more specifically, four little girls with German blood.

Princess Alexandrina Victoria, dressed in a pearl-grey satin gown with a hem adorned with delicate silver threads, wore a slightly tilted feathered beret that half-covered her eyes, concealing the fact that the British heir to the throne was completely absorbed in the world of ”The Sleepwalker,” brought to life by Italian singer Giovanni Rubini.

Seated beside her were three close companions, the daughters of Prussia’s Envoy in Britain, Heinrich von Bloh—Gabrielle, Adelaide, and Caroline.

Though they were from the noble von Blo family of Mecklenburg, and not of Victoria’s esteemed status, they were still first-class aristocratic ladies.

Each of the three sisters had a distinct style.

The eldest, Gabrielle, wore a violet crepe gown with an intricately gold-embroidered hem and a lace shawl pinned at her chest with an emerald brooch. Her hair was styled into a simple yet elegant bun, gently fastened with an ivory hairpin. Seeing her graceful figure and dignified demeanor from afar, one would never suspect she was just 12 years old.

The second sister, Adelaide, appeared more lively compared to her elder sister, wearing a pomegranate-red velvet dress with silver trim on the sleeves and a soft satin belt embroidered with pearls around her waist. Occasionally, she would mischievously wink at a young gentleman seated in the lower tier of the box.

This gesture immediately prompted a disapproving cough from little Caroline, seated beside her, who gently nudged her second sister’s waist with her elbow, reminding her to focus on the performance.

Seated behind them was Lady Louise Leisen, the Royal Family’s appointed governess, the only adult permitted to remain in the box. This daughter of a pastor from the Kingdom of Hanover was quietly seated on a sofa chair at the rear of the box, book in hand.

Lady Leisen was a quintessential German and a pastor’s daughter. She was traditional in thought, rigorous in her work.

Though she was quite talkative by nature, she seldom spoke out of turn.

When Lady Leisen did speak, it was always well-reasoned and appropriate, never untimely.

Right now was a moment of joy and happiness for the children, and she evidently thought it best not to speak.

Giovanni Rubini’s voice lingered over the mournful aria: ”Ah! non credea mirarti...”

Upon hearing this, Gabrielle felt goosebumps rising all over her skin, and she couldn’t help but quietly exclaim, ”I declare, from today, Giovanni Rubini will replace Antonio Tamburini as the finest tenor in my heart.”

Adelaide, hearing her elder sister’s remark, pouted, clearly disagreeing with her view, ”When it comes to tenors, I still prefer Manuel Garcia; I don’t think anyone can surpass Garcia’s performance in ’The Barber of Seville,’ his virtuoso vocal technique is unmatched, rendering even the closest contenders invisible.”

The youngest, Caroline, was not as experienced as her sisters but was unwilling to be seen as a girl without knowledge, so she raised her hand to express her opinion, ”Turandot is the best opera I’ve heard, Adolphe Nourri is the best tenor, Felix Mendelssohn is the best composer, Alexander Dumas is the best playwright, and...and Arthur Blac—”

”Turandot, my God! Turandot again!” Adelaide interrupted her sister before she could finish, rolling her eyes, ”Turandot is all you talk about! I don’t even know if mom showed you anything else when she took you to Berlin the year before last! But for you to remember the cast list from Turandot so thoroughly is something!”

Caroline, irked by her sister’s criticism, imitated their mother’s tone when scolding Adelaide and grumbled, ”Adelaide, clearly you don’t understand what true art is.”

”You!” Adelaide, angered by her sister, widened her eyes, ready to teach the little rascal why she was the elder, but was interrupted by Victoria, the eldest, speaking up.

At just 15 years old, Victoria was not tall, but when she spoke, she did so with full authority, ”My dear, if you insist on arguing here, then I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

The von Blo family’s three sisters fell silent at the princess’s words, though the expressions on their faces remained colorful.

Adelaide’s lips twisted in defiance, as though still reluctant to exit from the recent debate on art.

Little Caroline tilted her head and used a child-sized feather fan to shield half her face, as if to say, ”I’m above your level of pettiness.”

As for the eldest, Gabrielle, she was never fond of disruptions and swiftly reverted to her usual ”eldest sister as mother” demeanor. She sipped from her lemon water, casting her gaze back toward the stage.