Chapter 2371 - 304: Coronation Ceremony (Part 2)

His personal chauffeur Whitridge and maid Becky had already risen early and were currently sitting in the downstairs living room, enthusiastically discussing today’s coronation ceremony.

Perhaps to alleviate his sense of guilt, Arthur casually placed two guineas on the table.

"I have some official business and may return late today. You two make sure to explore the city during the day, don’t just stay at home; as for your expenses today, I’ve left them on the table."

Whitridge and Becky stood up gratefully, Becky beaming with a radiant smile while Whitridge lowered his head and bowed politely.

"Wish you a safe journey, Sir."

"Take care on the road, Your Excellency."

Arthur nodded slightly, saying nothing, and simply opened the door and left.

Outside, the Scotland Yard mounted police team had been waiting for some time.

Arthur’s gaze fell upon the commander of the mounted police within the team. The commander had dismounted, taken off his white gloves, and saluted: "Sir, Scotland Yard has completed clearing the road from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Cathedral. Security checks on all key routes have also been completed and are ready for your inspection and supervision."

Arthur nodded, looking towards Hyde Park behind the commander, where the Second Guard Cavalry Regiment was stationed. Horse silhouettes appeared faintly in the morning mist as they lined up in the dim light of dawn.

Arthur walked over to his familiar black horse, adjusted the saddle, and patted the horse’s neck gently.

The black horse clearly remembered its old friend, snorting as if to greet Arthur good morning.

"Let’s go."

Arthur mounted the horse and raised the whip, pointing forward: "First to Westminster."

As the horse stepped forward briskly, the mounted police team began to move slowly.

Riding his horse, Arthur looked ahead, casually asking: "Hall, are the reinforcement police forces from the counties surrounding London in place?"

The mounted police commander, Chief Inspector Hall, quickly answered as he followed closely behind Arthur: "Yes, Sir. Reinforcement police forces from the counties surrounding London are all in place. Police units from Kent, Surrey, and Hertfordshire have gathered at designated locations and are ready to handle any emergencies. Additionally, with Chief Meine’s organization, we’ve established rapid communication channels with the police of the Financial City and the Army forces through the telegraph system, ensuring we have sufficient resources and strength to cope with unexpected situations."

Arthur’s gaze remained fixed on the street ahead: "Are there any unusual reports for the Greater London area?"

Hall replied solemnly: "Everything is stable at present, with no unusual circumstances reported by the police stations. Although there are sporadic Charter Party activists attempting to cause trouble, based on the intelligence we currently have, most are inconsequential. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, we’ve arranged special teams to closely monitor the city center and government buildings, particularly in areas with higher concentrations of Charter Party members. Currently, all tactical instructions are clear to ensure nothing unexpected happens today."

"How many emergency squads are prepared? If the situation changes, I need Scotland Yard to ensure immediate control of the situation."

"We have deployed three mobile squads near the parade route. Each squad has sufficient support and can reach any key area within minutes." Chief Inspector Hall spoke with confidence: "All teams are positioned at crucial routes and in front of buildings. Should any gatherings or disturbances occur, we have enough force to immediately conduct lockdown and dispersal actions."

Despite Chief Inspector Hall’s month-long effort on today’s response, he was unaware that Sir Arthur actually hadn’t listened much.

Or rather, Arthur was already well aware of these circumstances.

He spoke simply because he wanted to speak; he asked questions merely because he needed them to help calm his restless mind.

Arthur proceeded silently on horseback, his gaze still fixed on the street ahead.

Suddenly, he pulled the reins, turned the horse’s head, and changed direction.

Chief Inspector Hall saw this and quickly spoke: "Sir, that’s not the road to Westminster."

Arthur glanced back at him: "The coronation ceremony is of great importance; I need to personally confirm some key areas to be assured."

"Understood, Sir." Hall nodded, ordering the mounted police behind him: "New order, follow..."

However, before Hall could finish speaking, Arthur interrupted him: "You proceed to Westminster and await orders; manpower is scarce right now, and it shouldn’t be wasted on me."

Upon hearing this, Hall felt deep respect for the legendary figure of Scotland Yard.

He saluted Arthur: "Then, take care, Sir."

Immediately, Hall commanded the following mounted police team without hesitation: "Everyone, maintain formation, target Westminster, quick march!"

Arthur watched their backs disappear into the end of the street, exhaling deeply. He looked up at the gradually brightening sky and patted the horse’s cheek: "Let’s go, to Paddington."

...

Though the outside streets were already permeated with the festive atmosphere of coronation day, the morning at Buckingham Palace remained solemn and dignified.

Like many citizens awakened by the sound of salutes, Queen Victoria also rose early from her bed.

She sat at the vanity, motionlessly looking at herself in the mirror.

Maids busied around her, gently tending to her smooth black hair.

Almost inseparable from her, Lady Leisen stood by her side. This Hanoverian governess looked at her reflection of her student, and somehow, watching, the tears began to flow.

"Leisen?" Victoria called her name in surprise: "What’s the matter?"

"I’m sorry, Your Majesty. On such an important day, I shouldn’t be like this." Lady Leisen took out her handkerchief to gently wipe the corners of her eyes, her voice trembling: "Today is your coronation day, the most important moment of your life. Seeing you standing here, beginning to bear such great responsibilities, I simply..."

Lady Leisen lowered her head gently, unable to stop the emotional tide, she could no longer suppress her cries: "Your Majesty..."

Victoria looked at the mirror reflecting Leisen crying, and couldn’t help but have teary eyes as she stood up to embrace her: "I understand, Leisen, I understand everything."

Leisen’s shoulders trembled slightly, her face streaked with tears: "You just arrived in this world, you were so small and fragile. The Duke of Kent predicted that you would become queen someday. At the time, everyone disbelieved it, considering your father mad, yet I never doubted it. I always knew, I always knew you would have this day, I knew you would have this day."

Victoria looked at Leisen, overwhelmed by her sobbing, and reached out to gently stroke the face of this lady who was no longer young.

Leisen joined Kensington Palace in 1818, even a year before Victoria’s birth.

Leisen was 34 then, and now, she’s 54.

Away from her hometown Hanover for 20 years, without a husband, without children, and barely any friends.

At Kensington Palace, she continuously endured malice from Conroy and the Duchess of Kent.

Leisen devoted her post-34 life, her strength, and all her love to protect Little Delina’s interests.

Leisen was tearful, unable to utter a complete sentence: "Your Majesty, I know, I always knew... you are destined... for greatness."

Those present, not only Victoria but even the maids couldn’t help but be moved.

Victoria gently patted Leisen’s hair: "I also know, Leisen, you have always been by my side, you know better than anyone where I came from, you know how I step by step have come to today. Your trust, your support, whether faced with loneliness or those spiteful glances, you never wavered, you are my irreplaceable support. Leisen, you never let me down."

Leisen’s tears soaked Victoria’s dress as she nodded lightly, too choked to speak.

Victoria held her tightly and gently patted her back: "You don’t have to say anything, I know, I know everything."

Knock knock knock!

Just as everyone was steeped in this deeply moving atmosphere, the attendant’s knock interrupted the tearful ladies.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and your brother Prince Leiningen as well as your sister Princess of Hohenzollern-Longenburg are waiting outside."