The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1832 - 115: Victoria’s Free Love? This Is a Matter of Belgium’s Survival! (Part 2)

"Your Excellency," Arthur suddenly spoke, "you didn’t come to London merely to help the Duchess of Kent manage accounts, did you? I guess you’re here for Her Majesty Victoria’s marriage arrangement?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

A butterfly on the rose trellis fluttered up, circled between the two of them, and then stumbled towards the end of the garden.

Stockma did not immediately answer; he just sighed lightly, "I thought you would ask this question a bit later."

Arthur smiled, "But you’re not denying it now, are you?"

Stockma turned to look at the garden, "Her Majesty the Princess is growing up. As her uncle, His Majesty Leopold naturally has some concerns about her future."

Arthur asked plainly, "Afraid she’ll choose the wrong person?"

"More precisely, afraid she will be arranged incorrectly," Stockma smiled slightly, "The most dangerous things in this world are not wrong decisions, but those decisions that seem appropriate on the surface. His Majesty Leopold hopes to consider from a long-term perspective for Her Majesty the Princess, wouldn’t you agree?"

Although Stockma spoke very tactfully, the truth he revealed between the lines wasn’t difficult to understand.

Simply put, Leopold became anxious after seeing King William IV trying to orchestrate a marriage between Victoria and two Dutch crown princes.

Everyone knows that the Netherlands is Belgium’s number one enemy. If Victoria really were to marry into the Dutch royal family, once the European political situation changes in the future, Leopold could not ensure his niece would steadfastly stand by Belgium.

Arthur had no interest in meddling in the trivial affairs between Leopold I and King William IV; to him, as long as Victoria could smoothly succeed to the throne, that was enough.

As for whom she would marry?

As long as it’s not Tsar Nicholas I’s son or the Duke of Cumberland’s son, he could reluctantly accept anyone else.

However, from Stockma’s words, he seemed to hope to persuade Arthur, a much-admired tutor of Victoria, to stand on Belgium’s side, or at least not to help the Dutch.

This request was actually insignificant to Arthur.

But he didn’t want to deal with it just yet, as he had something to hint to Stockma.

Arthur lightly steered the topic back, "This is indeed a problem. Young girls coming of age are prone to misunderstand freedom and fantasize about love, especially after being confined for years. You know, the court’s atmosphere is too stuffy, while the outside world is too noisy. A smart young person like Her Majesty the Princess, if trapped in Kensington Palace and royal protocols for long, might develop ideas of escaping like a bird, leading her astray."

Stockma still didn’t speak, only fiddling with his glove, waiting for Arthur to continue.

"So, I understand His Majesty Leopold’s concerns." Arthur’s words sounded sincere, "At her age, if she meets a young man with a polished appearance, as sweet-talking as honey, and that young man happens to have an attractive facade and a noble character... then Her Majesty might find it hard not to be moved."

Hearing this, Stockma stared at Arthur for a long time before speaking, "Sorry, I thought you were talking about yourself?"

In other settings, Arthur would have taken it as a compliment, but Stockma’s words now seemed a bit probing.

But fortunately, unlike when speaking before Leopold, Arthur hadn’t overcommitted, saving himself from embarrassment. Arthur gently waved his hand, "Your Excellency, I’m not joking with you. However, if His Majesty Leopold truly wishes Her Majesty the Princess not to go astray, I think it’s better to correct things sooner, even if only unfavorable signs are slightly present now."

Arthur didn’t elaborate further or show more emotion after saying this; he simply reached out and patted the head of the cane on his knee.

"Time is up." He stood up, donned his gloves, and bid farewell, "I have a lesson to attend, so I won’t accompany you further."

After saying this, Arthur, having tossed off his burden, slowly turned and walked along the gravel path in the garden’s center, heading toward the main building.

Stockma did not rise, maintaining his seated posture, one hand resting on the bench’s back, the other supporting his chin.

He couldn’t believe someone like Arthur Hastings would toss out such an argument without a reason, especially considering Arthur currently had command over the plainclothes police around Kensington Palace. Perhaps he really knew something...

Thinking of this, Stockma couldn’t help but feel a chill.

Victoria’s uncle and uncle-in-law were busy competing with each other, introducing the finest young men from the European royal family to the Princess, but no one expected that Victoria might have her own ideas...

This...

Stockma suddenly felt a bit uneasy. Regardless of the truth of Arthur’s words, even if there was a tiny possibility, Belgium could not let its guard down.

After all, this future Queen of England could be said to be Belgium’s strongest diplomatic guarantee of independence. Without this layer of protection, relying solely on France’s promise to Belgium...

That would be far from secure!

Though Leopold had just married King Louis Philippe of France’s daughter two years ago, it didn’t stop the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Talleyrand, from favoring the Dutch on issues of territorial and national debt division.