The Shadow of Great Britain

Victoria’s lips were slightly parted, as if she wanted to say something more, but the words did not come out.

She hesitated for a moment and ultimately could not resist her habit of seeking Arthur’s help, just like when she lay on the sickbed at Ramsgate.

”Arthur...” She lifted her head to look at Arthur, her voice low and somewhat uneasy: ”What should I actually do?”

This question lacked the majesty of a monarch or the command of a ruler, and was more like a novice actor on stage, unable to control the spotlight, whispering backstage to a seasoned performer for guidance.

Arthur did not answer immediately; he lowered his gaze as if contemplating, or as if sifting through the countless disputes between royal authority and human affairs, legal principles, and public opinion over the centuries.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, smiling, his gaze unusually clear yet gentle.

”Your Majesty, you should do nothing.”

Victoria was taken aback, seemingly not understanding his meaning.

”At least for now, you shouldn’t directly decide the fate of this case,” Arthur explained. ”You have just ascended the throne; your identity has not fully detached from the outline of a pure young lady, nor have you been formally recognized as a monarch independent of the Cabinet. Everyone’s goodwill towards you is based on this foundation. Therefore, at this stage, any direct interference in judicial matters or leading verdicts would be closely scrutinized.”

Arthur paced the room with his hands behind his back: ”The Royal pardon power in your hands is a very useful authority. In many cases, it is a good strategy for you to gain public favor. If social opinion overwhelmingly supports a pardon, then it is the best time for you to step forward and take all the credit. However, in most death penalty judgments, there is much gray area. During these times, if you intervene rashly, it will ultimately be an effort that goes unrewarded.”

At this point, Arthur paused, giving Victoria enough time to grasp the weight of his words before continuing: ”If you wish to avoid such situations, I suggest you set up a systematic barrier for yourself.”

Victoria raised her head, her gaze refocusing: ”Barrier?”

”Indeed.” Arthur nodded. ”Rewards and favors are what the public likes, and you can carry them out yourself. As for penalties and punishments, which the public detests, it’s better to delegate them to others for management. In this way, the responsibility does not directly fall on you, but rather on the Cabinet, the Home Secretary, or—if the Home Secretary is unwilling to bear this responsibility alone—it can initially be handled by the Police Commissioner Committee for preliminary review, and then transferred to the Home Office for final judgment review. This way, cases are not directly sent to you for a ruling, and you can use ignorance to avoid public resentment. Moreover, if there are cases where profit is evident and everyone believes the judgment is inappropriate, you can still use the Royal pardon power to directly pardon the suspects’ offenses. You remain the final arbitrator, but this way, you won’t have to endure all moral and legal impacts directly.”

”Not making decisions means no responsibility...” Victoria murmured. ”Uncle Leopold seems to have said in his letter that one should never make decisions lightly about anything...”

”Exactly, it’s an art of compromise,” Arthur nodded with a smile. ”But it’s also a strategy of power. Before you have a stable foundation, using systems to share risks is an art that all wise monarchs should master.”

”But what will the public think?” She asked. ”Will they say I am irresponsible?”

”They will say you are gentle, rational, and trust in the system, rather than being tyrannical,” Arthur replied with a smile, shaking his head. ”Furthermore, this isn’t a permanent delegation of responsibility but rather a delay in intervention. Once your wings are fully spread, once people truly accept the prestige and authority behind the name Queen Victoria, then you can choose more direct means. But not now; now is not the time.”

”You are right.” Victoria exhaled lightly. ”I cannot sign someone’s death penalty like a judge; I... I am not ready yet. I haven’t even seen Thomas Rain’s face.”

Arthur nodded and similarly exhaled a breath.

After all, for him, packaging the poison of royal authority as a merit in front of the monarch was also quite demanding in terms of heart power.

Victoria suddenly asked, ”Can you draft a letter for me replying to the Home Office?”

”Certainly.” Arthur bowed with a smile. ”I will use the most appropriate wording, expressing both your respect for the rule of law and your anticipation for institutional reform. In this way, regardless of the eventual execution, you will firmly stand at the top.”