Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 556 The Queen of England has been conquered by Sorel! (Bonus Chapter 1)

Buckingham Palace, the Queen's living room.

Queen Victoria sat in an armchair by the window, a book in her hand. But her eyes were looking out the window, as if waiting for something.

At this time, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened. Entered was Raymond Lister, the chief assistant to the Royal Prosecutor's Office.

He bowed and greeted the emperor: "Your Majesty!"

He then saw the person standing in the shadows beside the Queen and quickly bowed again: "Your Highness!"

Standing beside Victoria was her eldest son, Albert Edward von Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

He is also the future heir to the British Empire, and currently holds a long list of titles such as Knight of the Garter, Prince of Wales, Earl of Chester, Earl of Dublin, etc.

He is forty years old this year. His most famous deeds are that he entered Oxford University and Cambridge University twice but failed to graduate from both. In addition, he frequently travels across the ocean to Paris to solicit prostitutes.

Queen Victoria glanced at her son, Albert Edward, who bowed to his mother expressionlessly and then silently left the living room.

Raymond Lister kept his head down, not daring to look at the mother and son whose relationship was strained.

In Britain, it is well known that Her Majesty the Queen still harbors resentment towards the prince because his father, Prince Albert, contracted typhoid fever and died after visiting him in Cambridge.

Queen Victoria believed that it was her son's absurdity that led to her being widowed in middle age, so she isolated him from state affairs and royal matters, not allowing him to touch any power.

After her son left, the Queen put down her book and asked, "Raymond, how's it going at the court?"

Raymond Lister took a few steps forward, but stopped when he was about an arm's length away: "Your Majesty, the trial is not over yet. Charles, as the prosecution's lawyer, has made his interim statement."

Based on the situation at the scene, the verdict is favorable to the prosecution, and the outcome is unlikely to change.

"Tell me."

“Yes.” Lister began his report, “Charles stated the charges: the defendants gathered at the Bentham Bar, repeatedly contacted newspapers to praise Lionel Sorel, and publicly endorsed the content of Pirates of the Caribbean and 1984.”

Furthermore, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the imperial system on more than one occasion in private discussions. He provided police statements, journalistic testimonies, and newspaper clippings as evidence.

The defendant's lawyer, Henry Brad, argued that these were just ordinary people's everyday remarks, unorganized and without any inflammatory intent.

He emphasized that the defendants were merely grateful for Sorel's good deeds and believed the Empire should be forgiving.

At this point, Lister hesitated for a moment before continuing, "But the defense couldn't produce any compelling evidence, nor did they have any witnesses to testify. Foster mocked this in his final statement..."

Queen Victoria asked with great interest, "What did Charles say?"

"Mr. Foster said their only witness was 'the kind Mr. James Bond,' but unfortunately he was in Paris..."

Queen Victoria's lips curled into a slight smile upon hearing this: "I never knew Charles could be so sharp-tongued—well, so what?"

"Then... as you instructed, I left the courtroom to report to you when the outcome was roughly determined, without listening any further."

However, although the final decision on whether the defendant is guilty rests with the jury, they are all reasonable, wealthy, and respectable gentlemen.

They will judge strictly according to the evidence, and will not show sympathy to the defendants just because they are civilians. The evidence is completely biased towards the prosecution, and besides, the judge is Sir Collridge, who is always...fair and impartial!
Therefore, these twelve civilians will certainly be convicted. James McGregor and Sean O'Mara, in particular, as the 'organizers,' could face even longer sentences.

The Queen paused for a few seconds, then asked, "Does Gladstone know?"

Raymond Lister nodded. "They should know. The Justice Department assistant has already reported to Downing Street. The Prime Minister is well aware that if these civilians are convicted, it will be a complete disaster in terms of public opinion."

The Queen nodded, smiled, and looked very satisfied.

“Very good.” As she spoke, she picked up a scroll of paper tied with a deep red silk ribbon from the small table beside her. “Raymond, take this to court and read its contents aloud yourself.”

Raymond Lister took the scroll. He roughly knew what was inside, but dared not ask further, and simply bowed deeply: "Yes, Your Majesty. Shall I go now?"

The Queen nodded: "Go now. By the time you arrive, the jury will probably have already made its decision."

Raymond Lister bowed again, turned and left the room.

The living room door closed again.

The Queen picked up the book again, but did not open it; her gaze drifted back to the window.

The sunlight shone on her face, making the wrinkles appear even deeper; but her eyes were bright, as if they held something hidden within them.

She murmured to herself, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "Anger is not just an emotion, it's also a means."

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10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's Office.

Prime Minister Gladstone sat behind his desk, with several key cabinet members standing before him—Home Secretary Harcourt, Chancellor of the Exchequer Childers, Foreign Secretary Granville, and Colonial Secretary Kimberly.

The atmosphere was heavy. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Assistant Attorney General Edwin Norris entered the room: "Prime Minister, ministers. The prosecution has made its interim submissions, and the outcome should not change."

Prime Minister Gladstone nodded: "How is the situation?"

Edwin Norris began his report. It was similar to what Lister had told the Queen: the prosecution's evidence was overwhelming, the defense had no grounds for rebuttal, and the jury would almost certainly convict him.

After he finished speaking, the office was quiet for a while.

Harcourt spoke first: "It seems everything is going according to plan. These people will be convicted, the sedition will be dealt a blow, and His Majesty should be satisfied."

Gladstone glanced at him, his eyes filled with disgust, but he remained silent. Chancellor of the Exchequer Childers frowned. "Harcourt, do you really think this is a 'victory'? Twelve civilians, convicted of sedition for saying a few words."

If this gets out, how will Europe laugh at us? How will public opinion in China react?

"Does public opinion still need a 'backlash'?" Foreign Secretary Granville asked sarcastically. "The Manchester Guardian and Labour Voice have been criticizing us for ages. Not to mention the French newspapers, which are constantly mocking us as the 'new Tsar'."

Harcourt was somewhat annoyed: "Then what do you suggest? Not prosecute? Let those people continue to spread rumors about that Frenchman? His Majesty is personally overseeing this matter, what can the Cabinet do?"

“Does the Cabinet have to do something so foolish just because Her Majesty is watching?” Childes retorted. “Politics isn’t about pleasing the monarch; it’s about governing the country. Is it worth ruining the government’s reputation to appease the Queen’s anger?”

“You call this a ‘stupid thing’?” Harcourt stood up. “Children, watch your words! Upholding the dignity of the monarchy is also the cabinet’s responsibility!”

"Your duty does not include undermining justice! If it weren't for you instructing customs..."

"I did not give any 'instructions' to customs!"

The two were about to start arguing.

Gladstone tapped the table.

"enough."

The office fell silent. Everyone looked at the Prime Minister.

Gladstone slowly stood up, looked at everyone in front of him, and felt a wave of exhaustion.

By now, he had a vague idea of ​​the Queen's purpose—she wanted to return to the center of public attention, to influence the political situation of the empire as she had twenty years ago, and to reverse the political inertia of London. She needed a good reason.

A compelling and irresistible reason that compels the cabinet to yield to her.

The line "OLD LADY IS WATCHING YOU!" from the movie 1984 is one such reason.

Is "Old Lady" really worse or more infuriating than "The Famine Queen" or "Mrs. Brown"?

Britain is indeed a constitutional monarchy, but many people only see the "constitutional" aspect and often overlook the "monarch." He is not the president; he is still merely the "First Chancellor of the Exchequer" under the Queen's scepter.

Before him, nine people had held this position; after him, it is unknown how many more will take it. The only constant is that they all must kneel before the Queen and swear allegiance to her.

Therefore, when the Queen expressed strong feelings that "the dignity of the Royal Family and its members has been greatly humiliated," he, as the "First Chancellor of the Exchequer," had to respond from the Royal Family's perspective, even at a great political cost.

Otherwise, it could also lead to a "constitutional crisis".

After a long pause, he finally spoke: "Everyone, it's not anyone's fault that we've come to this point. It's the situation that has gradually forced us here."

The dignity of the monarchy must be upheld... Once the verdict is handed down and these people are convicted, I will submit my resignation to His Majesty. This cabinet... is finished.

Edwin, tell the Times this news today, so that the public can be prepared.

No one spoke. Harcourt was deathly pale. Childes lowered his head. Granville sighed.

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When Raymond Lister pushed open the doors of the Royal Courthouse No. 1 in London, nearly two hours had passed since he left.

Inside the courtroom, things were lively. Henry Brad was still talking, while Sir Coleridge, sitting in a high chair, frowned and looked somewhat pained.

Raymond Lister's appearance quickly silenced the crowd.

He held the scroll of paper tied with a silk ribbon aloft in his hand, the royal seal on it clearly visible.

He walked along the central aisle and soon arrived at the center of the courtroom.

He faced directly to the judge's bench, his voice loud and clear, making sure everyone could hear: "Your Honor, I apologize for interrupting the proceedings. I bring with me a decree from Her Majesty the Queen."

The courtroom was completely silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Sir Coleridge opened his mouth as if to stop him, but Lister had already turned around to face the entire courtroom.

He untied the silk, unfolded the parchment inside, took a deep breath, and began to read aloud:
"I, Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India, hereby decree."

Given that the current case involves freedom of speech, and considering that the defendants are all ordinary civilians with no intention of causing actual harm, I hereby exercise my power of pardon.

I hereby order that the sedition charges against the twelve defendants in today’s trial—James McGregor, Sean Omarah, and ten others—be dropped, regardless of the verdict the jury is expected to deliver.

All defendants were released in court and no further action may be taken against them for this matter.

In addition, twenty other civilian defendants who had been charged but whose trials had not yet begun were also exempted from prosecution.

All charges have been dropped and no further action may be taken.

Raymond Lister paused, then read the last paragraph:
"The greatness of the British Empire lies not only in the solemnity of its laws, but also in the benevolence of its monarch. I am willing to forgive unintentional transgressions, but I also expect all my subjects to be careful in their words and deeds in the future, and to work together to uphold the dignity and unity of the Empire."

He finished reading and his gaze fell on the new portrait of the Queen on the wall, as if the ruler were watching him.

The courtroom was deathly silent—there were no cheers, no praises—only an eerie stillness.

Raymond Lister was puzzled and was about to reprimand the crowd for their ingratitude, but his gaze inadvertently swept across the witness stand and caught sight of a figure.

He was a tall young man with dark chestnut hair, a sharply defined face, and a slight smile on his lips.

Raymond Lister's mind went blank for a moment—shouldn't this person be in Paris?

Then he heard a voice from the gallery, exceptionally clear in the deathly silent courtroom:
"Her Majesty the Queen of the British Empire has actually been won over by Sorel's courage!"

(I didn't have any tests done today, just an IV drip, so I drafted this during the day and finished writing it tonight. Thank you everyone, please vote with your monthly tickets!)

　Because of her close relationship with Scottish valet John Brown, Victoria was privately called "Mrs. Brown" in the court and high society, implying that she might secretly marry her personal servant; "the Queen's stallion" was a sarcastic reference to Brown.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)