The Shadow of Great Britain

Her Majesty the Queen has a strong beastly spirit, stepping into her new role with a childlike interest and curiosity. No one was better at catering to her than Melbourne. He treated her with infinite consideration and respect, mindful of her tastes and desires, making her feel at ease with his sincere and natural demeanor, while entertaining her with his humorous, bizarre, and satirical leaps of thought and his wide-ranging knowledge on all topics.

——”Greville Memoirs” by Charles Greville (1821-1859, Clerk of the British Privy Council)

Arthur bowed, after which the Queen gently waved her hand, signaling him to sit down.

Sunshine streamed through the entire glass window, making her lavender ceremonial gown almost glow.

She turned her head to look at the roses in the garden, her expression almost childishly excited.

”Sir Arthur,” she began with uncontrollable delight, ”do you know? Although I’ve moved into Buckingham Palace for half a month already, I still can’t believe I’m really here.”

Her eyes sparkled: ”It’s even better than I imagined. The light here, the space, the mirrors, the ballroom chandeliers... everything makes one feel bright. After I attend the closing ceremony of Parliament on the 17th, I’m going to Windsor for a summer retreat, planning to stay there for the whole summer. These days, I’ve heard everyone saying that since I ascended the throne, I seem like a different person. But I think I look great, feel great, living a happy life, this is exactly the life I like.”

Arthur smiled slightly, tapping his cane: ”When I came in just now, I already saw the maids busy scrubbing the floors, the craftsmen laying carpets, everyone bustling like ants. Once the renovations of Buckingham Palace are completely finished, you’ll like it even more.”

Victoria laughed aloud at this, but her tone carried a hint of pride: ”I’ve given the order that they must finish by the 13th of July. Yes, they’re as busy as ants, and perhaps my demands are somewhat harsh, but I had to move in immediately, bring all my things here. This is my true home, not Kensington Palace.”

She paused, looked at Arthur with a bit of embarrassment: ”You must think I’m too picky, right? I previously heard from Leisen that the American Minister’s Wife may have privately complained about me, saying something like, the young Queen sure has a lot of demands.”

Arthur laughed heartily, shaking his head: ”I think, if your uncle George IV were alive, he would just chuckle at such remarks. The amount of money he spent on renovations back then was far more than you. If we’re talking picky, Your Majesty is far from it.”

Victoria’s smile grew wider at his words: ”But I won’t expend as much heart power on interior designs as he did. I don’t care for flashy decorations, as long as it’s bright, spacious, and comfortable, that’s enough.”

”Your Majesty.” Arthur glanced at the garden outside the window: ”The location of Buckingham Palace is excellent, with a fresh coat of paint, indeed it’s a new atmosphere. But I must advise you not to think of it as too pristine here. The air in London, the coal dust, and those factory chimneys still under construction outside will eventually make you displeased.”

Victoria listened but was unconcerned, lifting her chin with eyes full of longing for a beautiful future life: ”Perhaps, but at least for now, I’m happy. Everyone’s saying I became a different person after ascending the throne. But I look great and feel great, and that’s the life I like. Once everything here is fully finished, I plan to host a grand concert to celebrate the completion...”

At this point, Victoria couldn’t help but look at Arthur, having always wanted to hear him play his famous piece. Though she had previously listened to the recording of ”Clock,” she had never seen Arthur perform it live, and now having the chance, she naturally couldn’t resist inviting her teacher: ”Would you be willing to perform at this event?”

Arthur naturally couldn’t avoid some trepidation upon hearing this, but he still smiled gently: ”If it’s a solo performance, with my current level, I’m afraid I can’t sustain an entire event.”

”No, not a solo, you just need to play one piece.” Victoria’s eyes sparkled: ”I’ve invited many pianists, and Sigismund Thalberg has already accepted the invitation, and John Strauss from Vienna has agreed to compose a dance for my ball.”

With that, Victoria quickly turned around and handed Arthur the sheet music that had just arrived from Vienna: ”Take a look, this is the one, ’Huldigung der Königin Victoria von Grossbritannien’.”

Arthur took the sheet music, the neat German title on the cover gleaming black in the sunlight.

He had actually heard this piece before, but that was many years ago, and now having the draft of this piece arrive in his hands this way, it indeed felt delicate to him.

What felt even more delicate to him was the possibility of having to perform alongside Sigismund Thalberg, hailed by Londoners as the world’s greatest pianist.

Sigismund Thalberg was the prized disciple of Ignaz Mozesales, joint director of the London Philharmonic Association, who just last year, at his solo concert in Paris, set a world record with concert ticket sales reaching ten thousand Francs.

After hearing Thalberg’s performance, Berlioz even enthusiastically praised in a column of ”The Minstrels’ Gazette”: Mozesales, Kalkbrenner, Chopin, Liszt, and Herz have always been great artists to me, but Thalberg has created a whole new art, the originality of which I have never seen before. He is not only an unparalleled piano master but also an extraordinary composer.