The Shadow of Great Britain

Liverpool nodded slightly, patiently listening.

”Firstly...” Victoria began her speech item by item, her voice somewhat hurried but striving to be clear and orderly: ”I will not appoint a personal secretary. I refuse to have anyone in this capacity act on my behalf in handling political duties or sway my personal judgment. Secondly, I am willing to delegate the authority over daily affairs to Prime Minister Lord Melbourne. I know he has experience and a sense of responsibility. Compared to others, he is the advisor I trust the most.”

Victoria paused briefly, and her tone instantly turned cold: ”However, it is absolutely impossible to continue working with Sir John Conroy.”

This sentence was almost blurted out, carrying strong emotion and dissatisfaction.

Earl of Liverpool raised his eyebrows slightly but did not immediately interject, wanting to hear the reasons out.

”Your Excellency.” Victoria continued, her words mixed with barely concealed excitement: ”You are more aware than anyone else of the neglect and impertinence Sir John has shown me over the years. It’s not accidental rudeness but repeated disrespect and oppression. Besides...aside from these, there’s more I know about him. These matters make it impossible for me to keep him around in any key position, including the management of the Royal Family’s Treasury.”

Upon hearing this, Liverpool finally spoke, cautiously asking: ”Your Highness, could you let me know more about what you’ve mentioned? If we are to convince the Cabinet and Privy Council, you must provide sufficiently convincing reasons.”

Upon hearing this, Victoria immediately blushed.

She didn’t know how to explain to Earl of Liverpool all that had transpired over the years; the Ramsgate incident could be brought to light readily, but...

She had witnessed, first-hand, Conroy’s overly intimate behavior with her mother, the Duchess of Kent, those actions...

Whether from the standpoint of a daughter or considering royal dignity, she could not bring herself to speak out in front of outsiders.

”I cannot. I will not tell you. I don’t need any corroborative evidence, nor do I need others to testify for me. Because these matters were witnessed and heard personally by me. They were not told to me by others, nor are they rumors or hearsay. I know them personally, and these matters are enough for me to lose all trust in Sir John Conroy.”

Victoria handed over the letter in her hand. It was hand-copied by Leisen, clearly expressing her stance: rejecting all arrangements concerning Conroy, unwilling to make any promises.

Liverpool received the letter, unfolded a corner, glanced at it, then closed it again.

It had a clear signature but bore no promises, only stark refusal.

Earl of Liverpool lowered his eyes, seemingly in contemplation or perhaps in sigh.

He gently tapped the ground with his cane: ”Your Highness, is there really no room for compromise at all?”

Victoria couldn’t help but speak with a hint of tears in her voice as she heard Earl of Liverpool still speaking on Conroy’s behalf: ”Your Excellency, everything is clearly written above, please open your eyes and look, look at the difficult situation they have caused me over the years. Please forgive me, but I cannot accept any stance that defends Conroy.”

Earl of Liverpool noticed the Crown Prince nearly in tears, realizing that the situation might be more serious than he imagined.

He was silent for a long while, only casting a glance at Arthur by Victoria’s side, confirming Arthur had no intention of speaking for Conroy either. He could only bow and deeply saluted: ”Your Highness, although I do not know exactly what you have experienced, I assure you: I will faithfully convey your wishes.”