The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1820 - 110: A Pawn Crossing the River Becomes a Rook_2

"Conroy? You mean that Irishman?"

"Indeed, that Irishman." Arthur’s voice deepened: "Conroy’s political stance is actually ambiguous, and his relationship with the Whig Party is not solid. However, as someone who craves power and status, he currently can only associate with the most influential people he can reach, those who are most helpful to Victoria’s succession to the throne. But you know, the Conservative Party nobility mostly looks down on this Irishman. As a result, what Her Highness the Princess sees every day are teachers and guests recommended by the Whig Party trying to please her."

Rowan raised an eyebrow: "Are you trying to connect Conroy with the Peel Party?"

Arthur smiled and shook his head: "I’m afraid this is difficult to achieve in the short term. You also know Sir Robert Peel’s personality. Although he never judges a person’s value based on bloodline, from the perspective of ability and knowledge, Sir John Conroy is equally unworthy in his eyes."

Rowan still didn’t understand what Arthur meant: "If that’s the case, what was the purpose of your lengthy speech just now?"

Arthur placed his pipe on the table, revealing a meaningful smile: "Sir, I mentioned this not to bring the Peel Party and Conroy closer, on the contrary, I don’t recommend the Peel Party getting too deeply involved with Conroy."

Rowan squinted slightly, as if he understood something: "You mean to say that Conroy not only can’t help us but might actually do harm?"

"That’s right, sir. You might not understand Sir Conroy’s true situation inside Kensington Palace. He is indeed the most trusted right-hand of the Duchess of Kent, and the most important advisor around Her Highness the Princess, but at the same time, Her Highness the Princess also loathes him. His control over the princess is meticulous, from daily living to public appearances, he intervenes in everything, even going as far as interfering with what books the princess reads and whom she sees. This suffocating control mode has long driven Her Highness the Princess to the brink."

Arthur paused slightly, then continued: "The princess is only sixteen this year, sir. At this age, young people are often more sensitive and rebellious against authority imposed on them. Therefore, Sir John Conroy’s oppressive rule seems solid, but it has actually backfired."

Rowan frowned. For a retired army officer, he clearly didn’t like going in circles: "Alright, Arthur, I’ve understood these situations. But what I really want to know now is, what exactly do you want to do?"

Arthur saw that the groundwork was laid, so he no longer held back: "Sir, to be frank, the real need inside Kensington Palace now is not a person like Conroy."

"Then what kind of person is needed?"

Arthur didn’t answer directly but asked back: "What do you think? What kind of person do you think Kensington Palace needs?"

Rowan rubbed his chin in brief contemplation. After being guided by Arthur for so long, he quickly found the answer: "Kensington Palace needs... needs someone who can better influence Her Highness the Princess and also aligns more with the interests of Scotland Yard..."

As soon as he uttered these words, Rowan couldn’t help but open his eyes slightly. If he still didn’t understand what Arthur was hinting at, then he was just a Guard Cavalry.

Arthur smiled and clinked his teacup with Rowan’s: "Cheers, sir! Your idea is not bad."

"You brat..." Rowan held his teacup, looking as if he’d seen a ghost: "Arthur, I have to say, when you were still at Scotland Yard, I thought many of your ideas were very innovative, but I also have to admit, I didn’t expect you to maintain this characteristic."

"Thank you for your recognition, sir."

"I’m not praising you." Rowan held his head, feeling that apart from rheumatism, he now had a migraine: "How did you come up with these outrageous ideas?"

However, Arthur wasn’t giving him time to think and continued: "You might not know, Conroy’s solid position in Kensington Palace mainly relies on two pillars: one is the unconditional trust from the Duchess of Kent. The other is support from Princess Sophia."

"Princess Sophia?" Rowan furrowed his brow, finally comprehending everything that had happened tonight.

"Exactly." Arthur nodded in explanation: "The Duchess of Kent controls everything about the princess’s daily life, and Conroy took advantage of the Duchess’s trust to indirectly control the crown prince’s activities. Simultaneously, he needs to leverage Princess Sophia’s court connections to ensure he can grasp every small movement within the court."

On hearing this, Rowan couldn’t help but mutter: "No wonder His Majesty the King and His Majesty Leopold both dislike him, yet can’t manage to oust him from Kensington Palace. So, His Majesty the King has Princess Sophia’s protection on one side, and His Majesty Leopold has the Duchess of Kent appeasing him on the other..."

Rowan gradually understood Arthur’s intention: "So, you’re saying that as long as you can break Conroy’s connection with either of these pillars, his position in Kensington Palace will immediately become unstable?"

Arthur slightly nodded: "Even if we can’t make him roll out at once, we can at least blind his eyes."

"Hmm..." Rowan pondered for a moment, then agreed: "Alright, if it’s just dealing with Conroy, I don’t have much to be concerned about. He may dominate within Kensington Palace, but as soon as he steps out into the London Metropolitan Area, he’s nothing."