shadow of britain

Chapter 857 I, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The curtains in the study on the west side of Kensington Palace were only half drawn, and the morning light streamed in from the opposite corner, illuminating the dark green leather desk.

The clock on the wall had just struck 8:30 when a servant in a silver-grey cloak by the door whispered, "The Viscount Melbourne has arrived," and then quietly withdrew.

Victoria sat at her desk, now dressed in a dark blue, fitted gown. Her hair had been neatly styled, leaving only a few soft strands hanging behind her ears. Her hand still rested on her quill pen, and beside her lay three freshly written letters, addressed to her uncle Leopold, her sister Feodora, and her aunt, Queen Adelaide, who had recently lost her husband.

Although it is highly inappropriate from a etiquette standpoint to continue referring to Adelaide as Queen, Victoria has insisted on using this title.

Just now, when she had breakfast with Baron Stockmare and Arthur, her actions were also approved by these two "private advisors" who were deeply trusted by Victoria.

However, unlike Victoria, who was unwilling to hurt her aunt's feelings at this time due to the change in address, the two advisors believed that this was a move that could win public favor, so even if it did not conform to etiquette, it was worth doing.

The door creaked open, and the Viscount of Melbourne entered.

As he drew closer, Victoria suddenly realized that the Whig leader was taller and older than she had imagined.

Although she had seen Viscount Melbourne from afar at a banquet at Windsor Castle before, this was the first time she had interacted with him so closely.

But this doesn't mean Victoria was unfamiliar with the Viscount Melbourne. She often heard his name mentioned in other people's conversations, and occasionally overheard ladies whispering about embarrassing incidents involving Melbourne during tea parties.

In London's aristocratic circles, there are many rumors about the eccentricities of the 58-year-old Whig leader, such as his free-spirited nature or the fact that he once had three barbers spend three hours plucking out every single gray hair that had grown on him.

There's also talk of his alleged adultery with Lady Caroline Norton, his deceased wife Caroline Ponceby, who had a scandalous affair with Lord Byron, and occasionally, some of the older ladies-in-waiting would speak of the Viscount Melbourne's mother, the mistress of George IV, the old Viscount Melbourne.

However, these things were hardly a major flaw for the aristocratic circle, especially for the Viscount of Melbourne, who was on the victim's side. Take, for example, the Marquess of Cunningham, who came with Arthur this morning as Lord Chamberlain. The Marquess of Cunningham was able to establish himself at court, becoming a courtier during the reign of George IV and Lord Chamberlain under William IV, all thanks to his mother, who was George IV's mistress.

The Marchioness Cunningham's mother was the last of George IV's countless mistresses, and also the most voluptuous. There is a famous description of the old Marchioness Cunningham in London's high society: "She had no ideas in her mind, no opinions in her mouth, only hands that received pearls and diamonds, and a huge balcony adorned with pearls and diamonds."

However, Victoria would sometimes hear some unsavory gossip about the Viscount of Melbourne from strange and unusual sources.

For example, a powerful figure at Nightingale Mansion once hinted that the Viscount of Melbourne was suspected of being an addict of whipping games, and that he was always the one holding the whip. The source speculated that this might be related to the Viscount of Melbourne's upbringing and tumultuous love life.

Of course, that source may not be entirely credible, especially considering that the Viscount of Melbourne, during his tenure as Home Secretary, displayed astonishing indifference towards Officer Robert Culley, who died in the line of duty during the Cold Baths incident, and subsequently attempted to shift all blame onto Scotland Yard's "unauthorized actions."

But for the newly enthroned Victoria, among the many government departments in Britain, there was none that she felt closer to than Scotland Yard.

After all, Scotland Yard had already shown her the utmost respect and courtesy when she was still the Crown Princess.

This very morning, the same group of kind and respectable police officers escorted the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chamberlain of the House of Lord Cunningham into Kensington Palace.

But now, as she sits facing this person, she doesn't let those emotions surface.

As Arthur advised at breakfast: You are the queen, so even if you don't like some people, you must learn how to talk to them.

“Your Excellency,” Victoria stood up and said, “thank you for coming so early. I know this morning’s arrangements were also unexpected for you.”

“It is my duty, Your Majesty.” Viscount Melbourne knelt on one knee, and after kissing her hand, he stood up and said, “Your Majesty, the situation today is extraordinary. Since dawn, messengers have been running around Windsor, Whitehall, and St. James’s Palace, and crowds are gradually gathering on the streets of London. Within about two hours, most of the Privy Council members and many political figures will have gathered at Kensington Palace. According to our expectations, there should be about two hundred and twenty people.”

Victoria listened quietly, her eyelashes lowered, as if she was thinking about how to answer.

Viscount Melbourne had anticipated this, since in the general societal perception, it would be difficult for a young lady not to blush, feel afraid, giggle, or cry simply by appearing in front of a room full of men.

As the new monarch of England, Victoria appeared extremely young and naive, and the world knew very little about her.

Therefore, if she cannot help make a reliable and strong impression on the Queen at this "first meeting," she can forget about getting those high-ranking, elderly political veterans to take her seriously.

After all, even a royalist leader as loyal to the monarchy as the Duke of Wellington had clashed with George IV over the Catholic Emancipation Act. If Victoria didn't appear strong enough, and with Conroy fanning the flames, the already invalidated Regency Act might just be revived.

After all, although the Conservative Party originated from the Tories, and its High Tories are staunch royalists, the attitude of these most ardent royalists toward a female monarch is actually quite ambiguous.

If given a choice, they would prefer a strong-willed monarch with grand ambitions, or at least someone who appears to be ambitious. And in the realm of appearing ambitious, male monarchs clearly have an advantage over female monarchs, which is why the Higher Tories preferred the Duke of Cumberland as their successor.

The Viscount of Melbourne had always harbored doubts about Victoria's political leanings.

He was very worried that under the education system designed by the Duchess of Kent and Conroy, Victoria would be educated to be a radical like Lord Brougham and Earl Dalamore.

It took him two years of hard work to remove these two biggest troublemakers from the core of British politics.

Lord Brougham went to France and the Mediterranean coast, where he lived a semi-retired life.

The Earl of Dallamo stepped down as ambassador to Russia. Out of consideration for his father-in-law, the former Prime Minister Earl Grey, the Viscount of Melbourne gave him some face and appointed him as Governor General of Canada.

Viscount Melbourne was still considering these matters when Victoria spoke first.

“Your Excellency, at this turbulent time for the country, I hope that you and your cabinet members will remain in office, and I hope that you will seriously consider my request.”

Melbourne's fingers trembled slightly upon hearing this. He had expected to hear such a thing only after some build-up and a test. The fact that Victoria had spoken so readily and without hesitation truly surprised him.

“His Majesty’s trust is our greatest honor.” He bowed, his tone carrying an undisguised lightness: “On behalf of the Cabinet, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to you.”

Victoria shook her head slightly, her voice low but clear: "This is not an honor, but a responsibility. For the sake of the country's stability, I must ask you to stay."

Viscount Melbourne then produced the prepared speech: "Your Majesty, with all due respect, this is a speech draft prepared in advance by the Privy Councilor, the Earl of Bethborough. If you require it, you may keep it for reference; hopefully, it will be of assistance."

After speaking, he put on his gentle smile again, his demeanor still elegant: "Or, if you permit, I can accompany His Majesty when you meet with the Privy Council. In that case, if you have any questions, I can immediately offer you advice."

Victoria instinctively wanted to agree, but then she remembered Arthur's last words at breakfast: "Your Majesty, the moment they watch you walk out, you must walk alone. If you need anything, I'll be right here in the audience."

“No need, Your Excellency, I’m not a little girl anymore.” Victoria shook her head. “But thank you anyway, but I want to travel alone this time.” Viscount Melbourne was slightly taken aback by her firm answer, but then his smile faded and his expression became solemn.

He bowed deeply to Victoria, then rose to take his leave: "Then, Your Majesty, may God grant you courage and wisdom."

Victoria nodded slightly and said nothing more.

She summoned Leicen, who was waiting at the door, handed her the three written letters, and checked the time again, saying, "It's 9:15 now?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Please prepare that black dress and pearl earrings for me."

Laichen looked slightly surprised upon hearing this: "Not this dark blue dress?"

“No.” Victoria’s tone was calm and unquestionable. “I want to dress as I said yesterday.”

Victoria quickly changed her clothes, wearing a black dress that trailed on the ground and her hair neatly styled, just like in her dream yesterday.

She stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself, and murmured to herself, "I can go downstairs by myself."

Behind her, Lezen silently adjusted her shawl without saying a word.

……

As Victoria walked through the familiar corridor, sunlight streamed in through the windows on the west side of Kensington Palace, casting dappled shadows on the red carpet.

Arthur stood at the corner, just like during recess, waiting for her.

He wore a black tailcoat, carried a sword with a polished hilt, and remained calm and silent.

"Are you ready, Your Majesty?"

Victoria nodded.

Arthur did not speak again.

He simply bowed slightly to her, stepped back, and watched her ascend the familiar and steep stairs before following closely behind.

That's the spiral staircase leading to the red reception room.

She remembered that when she was very young, whenever she stood at the top of this staircase, her mother would call a maid to help her down, and Conroy had severely reprimanded the maid more than once. Even if she herself accidentally slipped and fell, she would be severely punished.

Everyone felt that her bad knee shouldn't have been able to withstand such stairs; she was a little princess made of glass.

But today, she walked on, step by step. Each step was more solid than she remembered, and each stride felt like breaking free from the shackles of the past.

No one held her hand, no one helped her up.

She knew that behind that vermilion door downstairs, a group of the kingdom’s oldest, most powerful, and most contemptuous people were gathered.

The political old foxes, Royalist henchmen, Whitehall gargoyles, and even Privy Council Secretary Charles Greville, a professional scathing critic who always enjoyed cryptic palace gossip.

She had overheard countless times the ladies-in-waiting mimicking their sarcastic remarks at tea parties.

"She's just a little girl."

"She should cry."

"How can someone who can't even walk steadily in high heels rule an empire?"

But she wasn't there to respond to this group of people today.

Instead, it was about ruling over this group of people.

The Kensington Palace servants at the entrance saw her walking alone and a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes, but then, as if realizing something, they quickly bowed and pushed open the red door with both hands.

The lights in the red drawing room were all on, mingling with the sunlight streaming in through the tall arched windows, bathing the entire room in a warm golden-red hue. Layers of velvet curtains, gilded chair backs, oak paneling, and silver candlesticks evoked a sense of nostalgia.

The moment she stepped inside, almost all of the hundreds of eyes in the room turned to her.

A petite, fair-skinned young girl, who looked only fifteen years old, was wearing a black dress and had her hair styled simply. Her face was radiant and looked very clean; this was everyone's first impression of her.

But she appeared calm and composed, with no lady-in-waiting by her side, no mother holding her hand, and no Conroy supporting her from behind. She seemed unlike an ordinary noblewoman, and everyone else's assessment was that she was extraordinary.

She came alone, walked alone to the red velvet chair engraved with the royal crest, and sat down alone.

The moment she sat down, the entire room fell into an eerie silence. Everyone held their breath, waiting for her to speak.

Victoria stood up quietly, straightened her back, and looked around.

Sunlight shone on the pearl earring beside her ear, reflecting a faint glow.

She unfolded the parchment in her hand, her voice clear, bright, and without the slightest tremor:
"I, Alexandrina Victoria, by the grace of Almighty God, have ascended to the throne as Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and defender of the Christian faith..."

(End of this chapter)