The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1744: Chapter 77: Do These Traitorous Ministers Want Great Britain to Be Ruled by the Romanovs?_2

The Queen herself probably did not expect that her words could cause such a strong reaction. Since King William IV’s accession, this was her first time publicly discussing a social event. But now it seems, the effect is quite unfavorable.

As such, she decided to return to her old ways and continue her long-standing involvement in church charity and court socializing.

At least in these two areas, she has always received the support and affection of the British people.

Before marrying her, saying King William IV was a libertine might be excessive, but saying he was extravagant and unpopular with the public was certainly accurate.

However, after the two got married, the frugal Adelaide not only helped King William IV pay off over a hundred thousand pounds of debt, but also persuaded King William IV to invest most of the family income into charity. And since King William IV ascended the throne, Queen Adelaide always refused to allow women with bad reputations and poor character into the court, even rejecting women dressed in revealing outfits from attending her gatherings.

Although some liberals disapproved of such actions, the conservatives and the British public were extremely supportive of this Queen.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the reason King William IV’s reputation can surpass that of his father George III and his brother George IV is at least half due to Queen Adelaide.

Arthur also had a good impression of this Queen, not only because she stopped King William IV from forcing him to drink, but also largely due to Adelaide’s character. She was truly a benevolent and kind-hearted lady, the schools, churches, and hospitals she funded were not only spread throughout Great Britain Island but even reached as far as Madeira in Portugal and the Australian colonies.

During the cholera outbreak in those years, initially, there were only two hospitals in all of London that provided free treatment to the poor, one was the University of London’s affiliated teaching hospital, ”London Free General Hospital,” and the other was ”Queen Adelaide’s Pharmacy” funded by Adelaide.

Although these two medical institutions belonged to the Radical Liberal Party and the Extreme Conservative Party respectively, for Arthur, a utilitarian disciple of Jeremy Bentham, he rarely categorizes based on political spectra and only states positions on specific issues.

No matter if it’s the Radical Party or the Conservative Party, as long as they can lead by example on relevant issues, Sir Arthur Hastings would express support.

Thus, for Queen Adelaide’s request, Arthur readily agreed.

Arthur nodded slightly and bowed to Queen Adelaide, saying, ”Since Your Majesty has instructed, I shall comply.”

The Queen nodded, casually advising, ”Don’t let him become angry upon seeing you, just tell him our niece is keeping me company. If he really has something urgent, he can come to the Orange Garden to find us.”

Arthur smiled lightly, bowed, and withdrew.

With Lady Leisen and Victoria absent, Arthur felt much more at ease.

He chatted with the attendant about various recent events in London, walked along the corridor, passed through the southwest of Buckingham Palace, through the long windows facing the garden, and reached the royal study where King William IV worked.

”Please inform, Arthur Hastings has come to visit.”

The attendant standing outside the study nodded slightly: ”Sir, please come in, His Majesty is waiting for you.”

Arthur pushed the door open and entered, the fireplace inside the study was burning brightly.

The elderly man, with thinning hair and rosy complexion, was pacing by the window, with his back facing the desk.

He held a pair of binoculars in his left hand and waved a slightly folded sheet of paper with his right, impatiently saying, ”I say, Herbert, didn’t I ask you to decline the marriage proposals from Wurttemberg and the Greeks? Tell Wurttemberg’s William we are not considering his son Frederich. And as for Otto from Greece, that lad has no chance either.”

Sir Herbert Taylor stood solemnly beside the old King, conveying the Parliament’s opinion: ”Do you really not want to reconsider? It seems the Cabinet and the Parliament both think you might want to take another look.”

King William IV was evidently furious about the government’s attempts to meddle in royal marriages, he cursed loudly: ”Then you go tell them, if they are dissatisfied with my decision, I’ll immediately start arranging Delina’s marriage to Tsar Nicholas’ son Alexander from tomorrow!”

As soon as King William IV said this, both Taylor and Arthur laughed.

Although these words have not yet reached Parliament’s ears, if they knew that Britain might very well have a King from the Romanov family in the future, those grandees who have just returned from their countryside holidays would surely rush back as if their pants were on fire.

Let alone intermarrying with Russians, even marrying into the July Monarchy’s Orleans family in France would be completely unacceptable to Parliament.

This is because the basis for Britain’s realization of constitutional monarchy lies in the King not having other reliance.

Although the current King of Britain also serves as King of Hanover, Hanover after all is just a small state in Germany, so the King could not possibly rely on Hanover’s strength to contend with the British Parliament.

But if the future King bears the Romanov surname and also becomes the Tsar of Russia...

Dear me!

The prospect is so dazzling, one can hardly imagine!

From now on, this British Isles finally has its own little overlord, from nobility to tenant farmers, everyone could have their own serfdom.

This life, truly seems more hopeful as it progresses.

Arthur coughed lightly, struggling to contain his laughter as he bowed to the King: ”If Your Majesty truly betroths the Princess to Prince Alexander, then Parliament might work overnight to amend the Royal Marriage Law and change it to be reviewed by the Lower House.”

Upon seeing Arthur, King William IV spoke with a grim face: ”I didn’t expect you would still have the mood to laugh, the matter of Caucasus hasn’t been too long ago, right? My Russian brother Nicholas wrote to me previously, he certainly didn’t forget to mention you in the letter.”

Arthur was somewhat surprised when he heard this, he nearly forgot about the Caucasus issue.

However, Tsar Nicholas I’s pettiness was quite remarkable, after all, Arthur was just speaking casually a few words, wasn’t he?

At most, he simply helped David Eckett charter a ship to transport some bedding and such humanitarian aid to Chechnya.

Are you asking about the Colt Company’s arms?

Arthur considered this matter as hardly related to him, he merely handed Samuel Colt’s business card to David Eckett.

Nicholas...

Honestly, why hold a grudge?

Arthur smiled awkwardly.

Only then did King William IV notice Arthur came alone: ”Where’s Delina? Didn’t she come with you?”

Arthur nodded: ”Her Highness is chatting with Queen in the Orange Garden, Her Majesty instructed me to relay that she wishes to speak with the Princess first and will send her over to pay respects later.”

King William IV was initially about to get angry but relaxed upon hearing it was the Queen who detained them, then he put down the binoculars and waved his hand saying, ”Well, well. Since she’s already here, you might as well tell me about her studies over in Kensington these days? You can skip over irrelevant subjects like electromagnetism, mainly talk about literature and history.”

”Her Highness has recently focused on revising Latin and French grammar, in terms of reading, she has just finished Tennyson’s poetry collection and is starting Shakespeare now.”

King William IV raised his eyebrows, turned and walked back to the desk: ”Shakespeare, that’s decent stuff. Which books is she reading?”

”Recently finished ’King Lear,’ currently reading ’All’s Well That Ends Well.’ Additionally, I’ve arranged for her next steps to encounter ’Othello’ and ’Henry V.’”

King William IV nodded gently, seemingly satisfied, yet also possibly still doubtful: ”Those are good choices. ’King Lear’ can teach her to see through the hypocrisy of familial ties, ’All’s Well That Ends Well’ can help her learn to read people and not be blinded by sweet talk. Did she ever mention... which character she likes most?”

Connected with the previous conversation, Arthur quickly understood what King William IV wanted to ask.

He knew the Sailor King was subtly trying to understand Victoria’s ideal type by way of literary figures. Among nobility, elders often use discussions of drama or novels to explore the emotional inclinations of the younger generation – it’s not uncommon, showcasing refinement while avoiding awkwardness.

But when posed to Arthur, it’s a question he cannot help but consider carefully.

Arthur first recalled Tsar Nicholas I’s son Alexander, then racked his brains to find literary figures as distinct from Alexander as possible.