The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1748: Chapter 79: Leopold? Eld!_2

At Arthur’s suggestion, Victoria now not only reads Shakespeare, but some early British adventure novels have entered her reading list as well. The most gratifying is that the works of ”The British” author Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and Benjamin Disraeli have also successfully made it onto the must-read list for the Crown Prince.

But this isn’t what makes Victoria the happiest. What pleases her most is that her mother no longer supervises every class; in most cases, it’s just Lady Leisen accompanying her.

And in today’s class, even Lady Leisen didn’t attend.

Because she was sent to Regent Street to arrange for a private tailor to come and tailor the various evening dresses Victoria would need for the upcoming social season.

Victoria watched Arthur’s gentle way of cleaning his glasses and couldn’t help but comment with her aesthetic judgment: ”Why do you wear this monocle? It doesn’t suit you at all. You look like a melancholic old bat, the kind that just flew out of a church clock tower and refuses to admit that it’s dawn.”

Arthur didn’t respond immediately; he simply lowered his head, cleaning the lens even more meticulously: ”Since you’ve begun critiquing one’s appearance, should I assume that Her Highness has fully grasped today’s lesson content? By the way, I’m far from being an old bat. If you’d prefer another adjective, I’d be quite pleased.”

”I’d rather spend an afternoon critiquing your appearance than read ’Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day’ again.” Victoria complained as she leaned back against her chair: ”Shakespeare obviously excels at writing fight scenes; why must we memorize these convoluted metaphors?”

”Because summer also has its thunderstorms.” Arthur responded casually: ”Just as the human heart isn’t always sunny and clear. Her Highness will understand this sooner or later.”

”I’ve long understood.” She muttered quietly: ”My mother isn’t a sunny day; she’s November fog in London.”

If Victoria muttered about anything else, Arthur might have responded a bit. But given that she said such things about the Duchess of Kent, Arthur could only feign deafness and act dumb.

Yet fortunately, the young lady was energetic enough, and soon she shifted her focus to another topic.

She lowered her voice, somewhat smugly: ”Do you know where Lady Leisen went today?”

Arthur shook his head.

”She went to Regent Street to find that tailor from Paris,” she said. ”It’s said he’s particularly skilled with tulle and ruffles. I’m ordering three evening dresses: royal blue, ivory, and a newly popular silver-gray satin dress.”

When Victoria said this, her enthusiasm was practically written all over her face. But you couldn’t blame her for forgetting her ladylike composure, as this was her first time able to independently choose her attire.

She continued to express her excitement: ”The kind with a train that drags on the ground, adorned with feathers and jewels, just like what’s drawn in the magazines.”

Arthur imagined this upon hearing her words: ”Sounds beautiful, though I’m not Mr. Disraeli, so I can’t offer much fashion advice.”

”By the way, has Mr. Disraeli published any new articles in ’London Lady’ recently? I remember he said before that this year’s Parisian skirts won’t be as ballooned as before, but more fluid and philosophical... Have you asked him what exactly is meant by philosophical?”

Arthur raised an eyebrow slightly; he’d seen those magazines filled in cursive writing, dense with fragrance. He knew that the self-proclaimed ”Oriental Romanticism disciple,” the Jewish lad, was almost provocatively trying to capture the attention of all upper-class women.

However, he had to admit he didn’t expect the ”fashionista” reputation of the Jewish lad to have spread to Kensington Palace.

As for Disraeli’s concept of philosophical...

Arthur didn’t understand what Disraeli meant by philosophical, though he was quite clear on Eld’s philosophy. But that aspect clearly couldn’t be discussed openly.

Arthur pondered for a moment, lightly tapping the tabletop with his fingers: ”A philosophical skirt... I think, if we’re explaining according to Mr. Disraeli’s thought process, it would be: Conservative Party down to the anklet, Whig Party down to the knee. As for the Radical Party... Never mind, if you don’t mind, tie a copy of Hegel to your skirt. I think that would be quite philosophical.”

Saying this, Arthur suddenly pulled a pocket watch from his pocket and glanced at it.

Victoria noticed his minor action, dissatisfied, and spoke: ”You’ve been checking the time quite frequently today. Is there something urgent you need to handle?”

Arthur nodded, then shook his head: ”Yes, but also no. My matters are trivial; yours are most important.”

”My matters?” Victoria paused, recalling some unpleasant memories: ”Could it be... those two Dutchmen... they’ve returned?”

”You don’t like the Prince Orange and his family?”

Victoria nodded lightly: ”I... I just find them too boring, and their German accent is strange, nowhere near as pleasant as Lady Leisen’s Hanover accent.”

”Your meaning is that? Sounds like frogs?”

Victoria’s mouth twitched for a moment, then quickly composed a serious expression: ”I never said they were like frogs, Sir Arthur, don’t use my words to say what you dare not express yourself.”

Arthur shrugged: ”Your Highness, that wasn’t me saying it, but Mr. Heinrich Heine. I think if there’s a chance in the future, I should introduce you to him. Given your shared views on the Dutch accent, you both see eye to eye.”

Just as Arthur finished speaking, he closed the pocket watch with a snap: ”Alright, I’ll stop keeping it from you. Your Highness, the reason I’ve been frequently checking my watch today isn’t just to pass the time, truthfully, it’s because your mother sent me a note before class, instructing me to finish lessons by three o’clock.”

”Why?” Victoria instantly sensed the unusual courtly atmosphere spreading in the air.

”Because, this afternoon...” Arthur paused: ”His Majesty, the King of Belgium, your Uncle Leopold, will arrive in London. If you depart by three, you might make it to the dock in time to personally greet him.”

Victoria was still reclining against her chair, but upon hearing her uncle’s name, she instantly sprung up like being struck by lightning.

”Really? Uncle Leopold?” She blinked disbelievingly, her voice involuntarily raised: ”He didn’t notify me in advance! Lady Leisen didn’t say! Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

”Perhaps they wanted to surprise you.” Arthur chuckled: ”Of course, they might also fear you’d be too delighted to focus on your lessons.”

Victoria suddenly seemed to remember something and looked down at her clothes: ”I need to change my dress. I can’t wear this old dress to the dock to meet him; that would be too impolite.”

”The rose-red one?” Arthur asked casually.

”That’s just had its waist adjusted yesterday.” She reflected briefly, muttering to herself: ”Perhaps the ivory satin dress with pearl earrings would look more mature... Or no, I should ask Lady Leisen.”

Victoria said this as she made just for the door.

Arthur called after her twice, seeming to try to stop her: ”Your Highness, today’s lesson isn’t finished. You... Even if you’re seeking a dress, Lady Leisen isn’t back yet!”

But without the constraints of the Duchess of Kent, how could the teenage Victoria be governed by him?

The attendant guarding the palace gates watched Victoria leave and turned back with a smile, saying: ”Forget it, Sir, no need for you to bother. Her Royal Highness is rarely this cheerful, just let her go. Even if lessons end early today, I believe the Duchess won’t blame you.”

Hearing this, Arthur could only smile helplessly, then picked up his little leather bag and began to pack his teaching materials: ”Well, it seems I’ll have a leisurely moment today. Coincidentally, I also need to go to the dock to meet some friends. Ending class early is convenient for me too.”