The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1746: Chapter 78: Offending the Sir and Still Want to Marry the Princess? (Part 2)

If he really dared to speak out, it wouldn’t be the Conservative Party and the Whig Party criticizing him; King William IV would first hang him from the mast at the bow of the ship.

In short, this is something without any benefit, and full of pitfalls everywhere.

Fortunately, Arthur had quick wits.

He didn’t dare to recommend anyone, but if asked who was unsuitable, he felt quite confident.

The safest approach at this moment is not to show the King a path, but to block all dead ends.

Firstly, because Tsar Nicholas I of Russia was narrow-minded and vengeful, Victoria certainly wouldn’t like someone like his son, Alexander.

Secondly, because Sir Arthur Hastings’ old friends Louis Bonaparte, the Great Dumas, and Garibaldi were at odds with King Louis Philippe of France, Victoria certainly wouldn’t like someone like the French Crown Prince, the Duke of Nemour.

Then there’s the Duke of Cumberland, who was disrespectful to Sir Arthur Hastings backstage in the Royal Society’s auditorium in his early years. Children taught by such impolite people must be ill-mannered, and Victoria certainly wouldn’t like them either.

Moreover, um...

Couldn’t think of any more for the moment, but when others offend Arthur someday, he can always add to the list.

”To be honest, Your Majesty,” Arthur slightly bowed, appearing gentle but subtly sharp in his words: ”The Princess hasn’t particularly praised any character from Shakespeare’s plays, but when reading ’King Lear,’ she mentioned that she disliked not the foolish old Lear but those around him who were hypocritical, pompous, self-righteous yet uncourteous mediocrities, like the Duke of Cornwall.”

”The Duke of Cornwall? That spineless one?” King William IV paced the room with his hands behind his back: ”She doesn’t like young men without masculinity? Then do you think, she might like young men in military uniforms? Neatly pressed uniforms, adorned with shiny medals, looking like a general or a marshal.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur felt something amiss.

The implication in King William IV’s words sounded like he already had someone suitable in mind.

He sought Arthur not to consult on candidates but to inquire about how his ideal nephew-in-law should present himself before Victoria.

To confirm his guess, Arthur hesitated, pretending to be unsure as he posed a question: ”May I be so bold, Your Majesty. This young man you envision in a marshal’s attire, has he achieved any great feats on the battlefield?”

”Not necessarily,” King William IV laughed heartily: ”But they do pull off the military look quite commandingly, unlike those timid folks who blush at the sight of a lady; they at least know how to hold their heads high.”

They?

Not just one person?

Moreover, based on King William IV’s description, those young men were likely not favored due to military exploits but rather for having a well-crafted ”image,” or perhaps the King had other considerations.

Arthur, having caught onto the key points, quickly put his many unused detective wits to work, hoping to glean more clues with his inquiries.

”Indeed,” Arthur followed the King’s words, deliberately probing: ”In fact, the Princess doesn’t quite favor traditional English gentlemen. I don’t know if it’s under the influence of the Duchess of Kent, she believes English sounds too gentle, while German speakers seem more masculine.”

King William IV’s eyes lit up upon hearing this: ”Really? I also think German is more masculine, but we should keep these thoughts private; don’t teach Delina to say such things publicly. After all, we are not only the royal family of Hanover but also of Britain, and both German and English are noble and elegant languages.”

”Of course,” Arthur replied with a smile: ”The Princess is smart and naturally understands this. Moreover, I don’t think she means any harm; she simply thinks German sounds more masculine.”

”Besides that, what other preferences does she have?”

Arthur pondered for a while before suddenly speaking: ”Overall, Princess Victoria prefers handsome young men.”

Sir Herbert Taylor, hearing this, couldn’t help but quip: ”Sir Arthur, that’s no surprise. Don’t you also like pretty girls? His Majesty wants to know if she prefers brunettes or black-haired, tall or short.”

Seeing he couldn’t delay any longer, Arthur had to confess part of it truthfully: ”If it’s about that, I remember she once mentioned her second cousin, the Duke of Brunswick. She said she really liked her cousin’s dark mustache and the fringed coat he wore while riding. Of course, what the Princess admires most is her cousin’s hairstyle, as his hair always elegantly falls in front.”

Upon hearing this, King William IV nodded, then immediately envisioned the image of the young Brunswick in his mind.

After a moment, the old King shook his head, muttering: ”Mustache, fringed coat, flowing hair... all that is tolerable, but the problem is...”

Switching his tone: ”You say she likes handsome young men, so I must ask. Has she ever met those not-so-handsome noble lads? Is there anyone among them she particularly likes?”

Arthur’s eyelid twitched as he feigned ignorance: ”Your Majesty means?”

King William IV raised a hand, waving it in the air: ”I’m just saying... some people’s faces may be regular but lack spirit. Some are tall and thin, wearing military uniforms fit well, but they still lack compared to Brunswick’s Charles... in terms of character, knowledge, grace, and...”

Sir Herbert Taylor, seeing the old King like this, couldn’t help but chime in: ”Your Majesty, aren’t the two from the Orange-Nassau Family as poor as you say?”

King William IV paused, then sighed: ”But after all, they aren’t as handsome as Brunswick’s Charles...”

Orange-Nassau Family? Isn’t that the Dutch Royal Family?

Upon hearing this, Arthur pondered for a moment, realizing this choice made sense.

Not only is the Netherlands a Protestant country, but the Dutch royal family also has blood ties with the British royal family.

Back in the day, Princess Anne, daughter of George II, married the then Stadtholder of the Netherlands, Prince Orange, and Anne Princess’ direct descendants are today’s Dutch Kings heritage.

In terms of lineage, the two royal families are distant cousins.

Because Princess Anne was King William IV’s grandaunt, and at the same time the grandmother of King William I of the Netherlands.

Additionally, considering the strained relations between the Netherlands and Belgium, with Belgian King Leopold I being the brother of the Duchess of Kent, and Uncle to Victoria...

Arthur’s eyelids subtly twitched.

Now he completely understood the King’s intention.

Rather than saying this was about finding a suitable husband for Victoria, it was more like seeking pleasure for himself.

Given Belgium’s independence, the Dutch royal family naturally stood as political adversaries to the Belgian King, and King William IV, the ”Sailor King,” never concealed his hostility toward the Leopold siblings.

If a British-Dutch marriage could be arranged, not only could he silence Leopold’s criticisms, but also diplomatically balance the growing Belgian influence in Kensington Palace.

Perhaps that was what the King truly wanted.

Alas, no matter how brilliant this move, it wasn’t Arthur Hastings’ play to make.

He knew very well that though Leopold I lived abroad, he possessed extraordinary influence over his niece Victoria.

Victoria respected, trusted, and loved him, to the extent that, having lost her father at a young age, Victoria regarded Uncle Leopold as a father figure.

To attempt to undermine Leopold would be insurmountable with not only the Duchess of Kent but also Victoria herself.

While Arthur was at a loss, he heard Queen Adelaide’s voice greeting from outside.

”Your Majesty, how’s the conversation going? If you’re not busy, why don’t we have some afternoon tea together?”