The Shadow of Great Britain

”Marriage? And... for money?”

Arthur didn’t rush to nod but neither did he deny: ”Your Majesty, talking about money is too vulgar. I would rather say that this is a very rational choice.”

Victoria looked up at him, her eyes showing clear confusion.

”In our society,” Arthur continued, ”marriage is not entirely about feelings. For a young MP burdened with massive debts and in urgent need of political stability, such a union is almost the safest and most dignified solution.”

Victoria naturally knew Arthur made sense, but as a 19-year-old girl in her prime, she had always silently yearned for the flawless love depicted in novels.

”Does the lady know?”

”She certainly knows,” Arthur replied straightforwardly, ”and she is more aware of what she’s doing than most people.”

Victoria said in surprise: ”Since she knows, why would she marry someone who merely values her wealth?”

Arthur couldn’t help but laugh: ”I was puzzled by this at first, but a few days ago, Benjamin introduced his fiancée to us friends. I have to say, the lady is a very wise person. She said the reason she is willing to marry Benjamin is not only because Benjamin is a good man, but most importantly because she believes her Diz will certainly become Prime Minister in the future. After all, Benjamin promised her that he would seek a title for her and make her a genuine Lady.”

Victoria couldn’t help but chuckle lightly: ”It sounds like Mr. Disraeli’s glib tongue has come in handy again.”

”If it were just glib talk, I wouldn’t say a word in Benjamin’s defense.”

Arthur stood up for his friend: ”Your Majesty, glib talk refers to those who mention the future but never intend to pay the price for it. But Benjamin is not such a person. Quite the contrary, from the day I met him, he was determined to enter No. 10 in the future. At that time, he had neither money nor status, not even a decent best-selling novel. He had more creditors than readers, and those waiting to laugh at him could line up from the Tower of London to Knight Bridge, yet he could say that so confidently. You could call this ambition or arrogance, but in any case, it wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment pretty talk.”

Arthur paused slightly and lowered his tone a bit: ”Because over these years, he’s been paying the price for that statement.”

”Paying the price?”

”Yes. Writing books, campaigning, being ridiculed, rejected, treated as a joke, even including this marriage contract to solve his debts, are not things a daydreamer could pull off. Eight years ago, he was merely a penniless failure, but now, he is one of the most notable young MPs in the Lower House. Benjamin might not be considered pivotal yet, but no one will laugh at his ambition anymore.”

”Listening to you speak... he is indeed a legend,” Victoria mused, ”but people like him are also quite dangerous.

”There are two types of distinguished gentlemen,” Arthur replied with a smile, ”One is the sort of dangerous gentleman who doesn’t follow conventional paths, like Benjamin. The other, well, that would be a traditional gentleman like Prince Albert.”

Upon hearing this, Victoria couldn’t help but tease Arthur: ”And which type do you belong to?”

”Me?” Arthur placed a hand on his chest, humorously bowing a little: ”Your Majesty, I’m just an ordinary vulgar person, far from distinguished.”

Victoria was waiting for Arthur to say this: ”An ordinary vulgar person perhaps couldn’t write a coronation ode within three months, right? In that case, when the Coronation Committee inquires, you might as well turn them down.”

Arthur was momentarily stunned by the remark, then laughed aloud.

”Is Your Majesty deciding on my behalf?” he sighed half-jokingly, ”Then I should really worry on behalf of the members of the Coronation Committee.”

Victoria turned her head to look at him: ”What, do you actually intend to agree?”

Without knowing precisely what Victoria thought, Arthur was also unwilling to express his thoughts first.

Because, for him, writing a coronation ode was really redundant. First of all, his relationship with Victoria had long reached a point that didn’t need this piece of coronation ode.

Secondly, Sir Arthur had long decided not to make a living in the music world anymore.

He had mixed in that circle only out of necessity in his early years, especially since playing ’Clock’ at the London Philharmonic Association could earn two or three pounds. At that time, Arthur’s annual salary was only one hundred pounds. Hence, playing ’Clock’ was quite an important source of side income for him.

But now, his status was higher, and his perspective naturally broadened.

Although Sir Arthur had no intention of looking down on musicians subjectively, objectively, he did have such thoughts.

Perhaps in the eyes of the girls in Paris who were crazy about Liszt, sharing the stage with Liszt would be an honor for Arthur Hastings.

But to Sir Arthur, having his name alongside Liszt on a news headline was really degrading.

If given a choice, he’d prefer to share an article with Metternich, Gizo, the Pope, and the Tsar.