Chapter 2362 - 300: The Most Loyal of Loyal Subjects, the Most Knightly of Knights (Part 2)

Arthur snapped shut The Times with a sharp sound: "When all is peaceful, they think I’m too dirty like an old rag, but when things go wrong, they still have to pick me up to clean their tables, don’t they?"

Blackwell considered that if Sir Arthur were willing to lower himself to act at Drury Lane, there might be no room for William Macready; Arthur Hastings was truly Britain’s national-level actor, so deeply immersed in his role.

Blackwell saw that Arthur was unwilling to leak any information, so he had to trust that Arthur had made a rational decision regarding the Russian delegation issue this time.

He changed the subject: "Then... Sir Arthur, do I need to make early arrangements for this afternoon’s schedule?"

Arthur took out his pocket watch and glanced at it, seemingly calculating when it would be time for lunch.

"This afternoon? This afternoon I shouldn’t be sitting in the office." He snapped the watch closed, saying this as he casually grabbed his coat from the chair back: "I have to make a trip to Kensington Palace, handle the routine work this afternoon on my behalf."

"Yes, Sir Arthur."

Arthur had just reached the door when suddenly he seemed to remember something and turned back to instruct: "If there’s something particularly urgent or something that absolutely requires my decision, send someone to Kensington Palace to find me."

As soon as the words were out, Arthur’s footsteps had already disappeared at the end of the Whitehall corridor.

The office returned to its tranquil quietness.

Blackwell stood in place for a few seconds, only tossing the documents aside casually once he was certain Arthur had truly left, then sat down boldly in the chair.

He yawned, ready to lay his head on the desk for a good nap, when his eyes caught the few newspapers Arthur had casually left on the desk’s edge.

"The Russian Royal Family’s Visit to Britain Continues to Attract Attention"

Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich of the Russian Royal Family continues his visit in London. It is understood that both the Foreign Office and the Royal Family attach great importance to many items on his itinerary.

This heir to the Russian throne will receive genuine royal treatment throughout his visit. Whether it’s a reception, ball, coronation, or sightseeing, all activities are meticulously arranged around this distinguished Russian guest.

Meanwhile, it is considered a symbol of British and Russian relations’ stability that His Highness the Grand Duke was received at Buckingham Palace on his first day in Britain.

According to court sources, His Highness the Grand Duke showcased exceptional manners and grace at the court ball, while Her Majesty the Queen also displayed great confidence during her reception of foreign guests. High society generally sees this as a further manifestation of the young monarch’s diplomatic style.

"Springtime at Buckingham Palace"

Recently, the court seems busier than in springtimes past, especially since the young Duke from the northern court arrived in London, leading to a significant increase in the frequency of Buckingham Palace’s carriage deployments. According to a certain court source, there’s been a rare pleasant atmosphere at Buckingham Palace recently. We dare not speculate carelessly on the source of this cheer, but the sensitivity of London’s air is well-known.

According to a self-proclaimed "gentleman close to the court," Her Majesty the Queen’s conduct at the ball was refreshingly different. He insists Her Majesty has never danced with a foreign guest as engaged as on that night, as if the rhythm of the dance was not led by the orchestra, but by some deeper, indescribable understanding.

Of course, we consider this statement somewhat exaggerated, but since it came from a gentleman, it cannot be entirely ignored.

As for Her Majesty sitting beside this Highness and engaging in lively conversation during the intermission, court insiders explain it as "Her Majesty’s innate diplomatic talent." Our paper fully agrees, for if diplomacy can be conducted so pleasantly, then the future of British and Russian relations will surely be sunny and clear.

"Rumors End with Etiquette, But Matters Outside of Etiquette Always Leave Room for Imagination"

A few ladies at the city’s tea party privately discussed that this distinguished Duke from the north seemed to have a more leisurely stay in Windsor than the itinerary suggested.

The Palace Minister’s Office naturally explained it as "Her Majesty’s warm hospitality," which we don’t doubt at all. However, according to the coachmen near Windsor, the number of carriages dispatched by Buckingham Palace a few evenings ago seemed "slightly abundant" compared to the usual scale of receiving foreign guests.

Of course, we won’t speculate on what this implies, for the number of carriages has never been able to reveal any substantive content about royal life, but it is indeed an interesting fact.

On the other end of London, some young noble gentlemen are quite displeased with this. They assert that while they fully understand the necessity of diplomatic protocols, if His Highness the Grand Duke’s three-day stay at Windsor is still considered diplomacy, such actions are shocking to any decent young lady, especially to an unmarried queen!

Blackwell, seeing this, couldn’t help but murmur softly: "These rags are risking their lives for money. Writing about Her Majesty the Queen like this, haven’t they considered the possibility of being sued?"

Especially the line "the future of British and Russian relations will surely be sunny and clear."

It’s so sarcastically written that Blackwell, trained in professional etiquette at Oxford, even feels anxious for it.

Just as Blackwell was yawning and about to sleep, his head barely touched the desk before he suddenly sensed something amiss.

He sat up straight with a jolt, recalling the calm expression Arthur wore earlier.

No! Something’s not right!

Under normal circumstances, Sir Arthur, being "Britain’s most loyal of the loyal, most knightly of the knights," would have exploded upon seeing such reports.

Why is he so indifferent today?

Did he drink too much orange soda, clouding his mind?

Or was the University of London not teaching English, so he couldn’t read the newspapers?

There must be something strange when things deviate from the norm.

Blackwell recalled Arthur’s recent assignments, and a terrifying thought emerged in his mind like a ghost.

"No way... Could it be... possibly..."

Just moments ago half-asleep, Blackwell suddenly became spirited, and even his facial expressions became quite lively.

Arthur Hastings who stirred up the Caucasian incident, for this fellow, there should be nothing impossible in the world.

Blackwell stared at the newspaper for a while: "He asked me to keep an eye on the Russian delegation, could it be..."

...

Meanwhile, the ever loyal, honest, disdainful of deceit, and eternally righteous Sir Arthur Hastings was sitting in a swaying private carriage.

Outside the window, the buildings of Whitehall retreated one by one.

He covered his legs with his coat, looking as if he had just returned relaxed from a vacation amidst the pile of documents at the Home Office.

Arthur casually took out the stack of papers from his pocket that he hadn’t finished reading, unfolding the top one.

The carriage gently jolted, and his pipe wobbled at the corner of his mouth.

"Slandering Her Majesty the Queen? Suggesting something about her private life? Making an issue out of Grand Duke Alexander staying in Windsor for three days? Who else in all of London could think of such nauseating tactics? Probably it’s just that Irish scum! It’s an embarrassment to Kensington Palace, and to the Duchess of Kent. If I find out who ordered the tabloid to write these things, I’ll have him sued to the House of Lords!"

The coachman Whitridge didn’t understand what was being said inside, but from the tone, he could tell Sir Arthur was very impassioned.

Whitridge drove the horse, hesitating for a moment, then couldn’t help but speak up: "Sir... did you see some news that’s displeasing you? Was there another bit in the Morning Paper saying you fell at the Whitehall gate?"

Arthur nearly choked: "When did this happen?"

"You didn’t know?" Realizing he’d misspoken, Whitridge quickly corrected himself: "It’s better if you didn’t know, at least you won’t get angry."

With important matters at hand, Arthur had to dismiss the Morning Paper’s bit about him tripping at the Whitehall gate to leverage Whitridge and disseminate the rumor that Conroy defamed Victoria.

"If they’re just slandering me, it doesn’t matter, I’ve long been accustomed to it. British news media always imagine me with the most malicious intentions, but if they treat Her Majesty the Queen with the same attitude, that’s something I absolutely cannot tolerate!"

"Slandering Her Majesty the Queen?" Whitridge perked up, getting more energetic with the whip: "Who’s got such nerve?"