Sir Herbert Taylor paused slightly, not imdiately rejecting, but his official tone, devoid of human touch, already conveyed everything.
"Your Highness, His Majesty the King did not specifically prohibit any particular person from accompanying. But according to my personal understanding, His Majesty’s intention today is to have a private conversation with Princess Victoria without external interference. If you insist on sending Colonel Conroy to accompany, I’m afraid... I’m afraid it would only stir more misunderstanding."
The words were already quite tactful, but the warning within was very clear.
The Duchess of Kent finally stopped shaking the ivory fan in her hand, and the smile on her face gradually froze, replaced by a burning silence of anger.
She knew well that this was King William IV’s deliberate humiliation, but she worried that if she refused, it might indeed summon William IV’s presence to Kensington later.
Not allowing her to go along, nor Colonel Conroy...
Ha...
Isn’t that essentially singling out Leisen to accompany Delina to Buckingham Palace?
But it’s not surprising, after all, in the enormous Kensington Palace, the only person the old fellow could tolerate was Leisen.
Let’s hope that once Leisen arrives at Buckingham Palace, she won’t speak recklessly in front of that "old sailor."
"Well then..."
Just when the atmosphere seed to freeze, even the fireplace in Rose Hall dimd for a mont, Arthur suddenly spoke softly from behind the lectern, as if a perfectly sized key gently inserted into the seemingly unbreakable shackles.
"If you are worried." Arthur’s tone was calm, and he walked around from behind the desk with grace: "After the classes finish this afternoon, I will accompany Her Royal Highness to Buckingham Palace."
Having said this, Arthur offered a slight apologetic bow to Sir Herbert Taylor: "I will only escort to the main gate of Buckingham Palace, I will not go in, this should not infuriate His Majesty the King, right?"
Since the Duchess of Kent was right in front, to avoid angering this proud mother of the Crown Prince, Taylor’s original plan was to privately call Arthur to Buckingham Palace after classes ended.
At this mont Arthur unexpectedly offered to accompany, and also provided a compromise solution that seed acceptable to the Duchess of Kent, naturally Taylor had no reason to reject.
The veteran who had served three generations of British kings feigned hesitation, then slowly nodded: "If it’s you, His Majesty should be able to accept. After all, your Junior Knight title was awarded by His Majesty personally, he always shows concern for the young n he nurtures."
The Duchess of Kent similarly nodded gratefully to Arthur, but monts later, her gaze tightened, as if recalling sothing.
"Sir Arthur, although I am grateful for your goodwill, this is by no ans a trivial matter. For you are not only my daughter’s tutor but also the Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of London, I’ve heard daily affairs there are cumberso, and school duties are nurous. If today’s arrangents hinder your other important tasks, I fear I would not be at ease."
Arthur slightly smiled upon hearing this: "Your Highness is too serious. Indeed, my duties at the University of London are busy, reviewing syllabi, arranging lectures, chairing academic etings every week, and diating research funds with several departnt heads of varying dispositions."
He paused briefly, raising an eyebrow slightly: "But compared to missing this week’s academic eting, royal duties are evidently more important. Moreover, I believe given the professors’ admiration for Princess Victoria at the University of London, they would definitely support my decision. Previously, upon knowing I was hired by Kensington Palace to teach, professors actively offered to reschedule conflicting class tis between Kensington Palace and the university."
Here, Arthur aptly made a joke: "Perhaps you don’t know, now the professors at the University of London often brag outside saying: I share a school building with Princess Victoria’s teacher."
The Duchess of Kent’s tense expression finally eased after hearing Arthur’s response.
"It seems I truly underestimated the elegance of the University of London." She gently smiled, and her words softened significantly: "In this city full of self-proclaid theologians and boorish sailors, there indeed are professors willing to accommodate arrangents for a young lady, not imposing authority nor flaunting prestige, which truly is a rare grace."
Everyone present certainly understood the Duchess of Kent was subtly mocking King William IV, yet they all knowingly pretended not to have heard.
She withdrew her gaze from Arthur, turning instead to address Lady Leisen standing by the window: "Leisen, prepare Delina’s attire. Use the navy blue dress with silver embroidered borders, don’t make the hair ornants too grand, but ensure they don’t look simple."
Lady Leisen respectfully curtsied: "Yes, Your Highness."
Having finished her instructions, the Duchess of Kent said no more, rely swept her skirt and turned towards the hall door.
She did not ntion inviting Sir Herbert Taylor for lunch, nor even a courteous verbal exchange, it was clear she was infuriated.
Sir Herbert Taylor did not bother with unwelco gestures, he turned to glance at the empty Rose Hall, then looked at Arthur and Victoria remaining where they were, coughing lightly in self-deprecation: "When I was young, I fought in Antwerp, facing French cannons up front, with my own n urging forward from behind. At that ti, I thought, there is nothing as arduous as the battlefield in this world. Until over fifty, when I was appointed as the ssenger between His Majesty and the Duchess, I finally realized, at least bullets on the battlefield adhere to a direction."
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