The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1652: Chapter 43: Britain’s Literature Totals 1 Stone, Sir Arthur Alone Takes 8 Dou_3

Arthur, provoked like this, suddenly felt a rush of fervor.

While he might not be a poet, that doesn’t mean he lacks material, especially after attending discussions at the ”British” club so many times. He happened to have a poem, reviewed by Tennyson, that was barely presentable.

Arthur slowly stood up holding his wine glass, his voice not loud, yet carrying the kind of authority often found in a Scotland Yard interrogation room.

”He came silently, and left without a trace,

Leaving behind rumors and a room full of dust.

He doesn’t lie, yet never truthful,

Loves to speak amidst laughter, merely a passerby.

He fears the sunlight revealing his face,

Yet loves to make an entrance by flickering candlelight.

If someone asks where he’s from,

He’ll sigh: I taught King Solomon.

He doesn’t get drunk on wine, but on words,

Needs no place, yet always holds the center.

If tonight he sneaks in with the wind,

Let him know: The time is perfect, no bother.”

After reciting, Arthur took a gentle sip from his glass, looking elegant and gracious, yet thinking to himself: ”I managed to get through it.”

The dining table fell silent momentarily, then Victoria was the first to applaud, asking with her bright eyes, ”Mother, who do you think Sir Arthur is referring to? Pique from ’Midsummer Night’s Dream’?”

”I taught King Solomon... Anyone bold enough to say that, if not a madman, then surely...” The Duchess of Kent chuckled lightly, ”Does this poem perhaps depict a spirit from the ’Bible’?”

Caroline from the von Bloh family eagerly raised her hand and replied, ”I think it’s more like the owl spirit from ’Faust’!”

Adelaide disagreed, correcting her sister, ”No! Caroline, that’s not the owl spirit; the owl symbolizes death.”

Gabrielle pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement with her sister’s view: ”I also think it’s ’Faust,’ but not about death, because Sir Arthur mentioned ’he doesn’t lie, yet never truthful,’ indicating it’s a deceiver. Moreover, the line ’he’ll sigh: I taught King Solomon’ suggests a mentor’s role. No matter how you think about it, Sir Arthur’s poem likely describes Mephisto, who tempts the heart in ’Faust’.”

Hearing this, Agares couldn’t help but widen his eyes, pressing close to Gabrielle’s cheek: ”Little girl, you should watch what you say!”

Arthur was surprised someone could actually guess what he wrote about; he smiled and nodded, ”As expected of Humboldt’s granddaughter, yes, this poem was indeed written in memory of Goethe. And to be more specific, it’s about Mephisto from ’Faust’.”

Upon hearing this, Agares was so angry that he was nearly fuming, his silhouette flickering into a red shadow by the candlelight.

He suddenly leaned close to Arthur, growling through gritted teeth: ”Mephisto? You dare to compare me to such a comedian from a third-rate stage play? I taught King Solomon! I helped him unify the Kingdom of Jerusalem! I...”

”I heard you,” Arthur said calmly, his eyes sparkling with red light, elegantly sipping Bordeaux without even glancing at Agares: ”But tonight isn’t the time to discuss old histories; moreover, how can the Kingdom of Jerusalem compare to the soon-to-be-formed British Empire? Agares, as a Devil, you must have a broad mind like mine.”

Unaware of this exchange, the Duchess of Kent was instead thoroughly impressed by Arthur’s composure.

She raised her wine glass, her face full of smiles: ”Sir Arthur, I originally only hoped that Victoria could learn a couple of decent poems. Now it seems my invitation for you to stay at Kensington was undoubtedly the wisest decision I’ve ever made.”

Arthur set down his glass, offering a slight smile: ”Your Highness overestimates me.”

”Such modesty,” the Duchess nodded gently: ”Tomorrow morning at ten, Victoria will be waiting for you in the Rose Hall.”

Upon hearing this, Victoria also nodded promptly: ”I’ll have my poetry book ready, Sir.”

Hoping to say more, Gabrielle hesitated, unsure of where to interject, when suddenly a light cough was heard from the doorway.

The Chief Steward Conroy, dressed in a dark suit, wore his customary smile.

He bowed to the Duchess and whispered a few words at her side; she nodded before he stepped forward, nodding slightly to Arthur: ”Sir Arthur, sorry to interrupt your literary salon, but there’s a matter I need to confirm with you if you could spare a moment.”

”Of course, delighted.”

Arthur stood up, removing his hat and excusing himself to the ladies, before following Conroy to the smoking room.

Before Arthur had even stood still, Conroy opened a cigar box, offering it to Arthur: ”I presume you’ve guessed?”

Arthur lit a match, speaking slowly: ”I suspect it’s about Miss Lily?”

Conroy offered a sycophantic smile: ”I’ve heard the new script at the Alhambra Theater is all settled by you and the rehearsals already started? Before you...”

Arthur blew a smoke ring, feigning surprise as he asked: ”Before what?”

Conroy seemed a bit vexed, thinking Arthur had forgotten the main issue: ”Don’t you remember? It’s about Lily’s supporting role...”

”Supporting role? Lead role!”

”L-lead role!” Conroy was overjoyed, stuttering: ”I... thought having a supporting role would be great, but how...”

Realizing his blunder, Conroy laughed, shaking Arthur’s hand and quickly correcting himself: ”Sir Arthur, you’ve certainly given me quite a surprise.”

Instinctively, he wanted to raise a glass in celebration, but after fumbling around, he realized he wasn’t at the table.

Both embarrassed and pleased, he apologized to Arthur: ”Please don’t take it to heart, I never doubted you before, especially with your assistance to Kensington Palace, agreeing to become a family teacher, I truly am...”

Arthur waved his hand, smiling as he replied: ”It’s nothing significant, I’ve always felt a connection with you, and besides, becoming the Crown Prince’s family teacher is a great honor.”

Despite Arthur’s words, Conroy couldn’t truly believe them, feeling indebted to Arthur: ”You... oh dear, rest assured, although the standard salary for a family teacher is eight hundred pounds, with the various roles you have, we will adjust your salary with consideration to your class hours.”