The Rise Of Australasia - Chapter 47
Chapter 47: Death of the Queen
Translator: 549690339 |
Arthur was deeply moved. At the end of her life, Queen Victoria was concerned and worried not about the British Empire she managed all her life, nor about her many offspring revolving around her, but about Arthur.
Queen Victoria poured all her love into Prince Albert. After the loss of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria transferred all her love to Duke Arthur.
Yet once again, after the loss of Duke Arthur, Queen Victoria transferred her love untouched, to Arthur.
Perhaps Queen Victoria, due to loss of husband followed by the loss of a son, led to significant deterioration in her mental and physical condition, but no one can deny that Queen Victoria’s love for Prince Albert, Duke Arthur, and Arthur was so pure, so wholehearted.
At this point, everyone’s eyes were focused on Arthur. Everyone knew that, besides Queen Victoria, Arthur had become the main character of the day, and was even about to become the most watched noble in the world in the coming time.
Do not underestimate Queen Victoria’s influence. In original history, it was because William II held Queen Victoria’s hand tightly at the end of her life, which caused the British people who originally had no good feelings about Germany to generally have a favorable impression of William II. Perhaps, if it was not for William H’s obsession with defeating France and challenging the maritime power of the British Empire, everything might have had a turn of events.
Now, during the important stage of making a will, Queen Victoria mentioned Arthur first, and Arthur was always by her side.
Under such circumstances, who dares to reject any conditions Queen Victoria promised to Arthur in the future?
According to Queen Victoria’s towering prestige in the United Kingdom, plus Arthur’s tragic background of losing his father and grandmother, even Prince Edward has to weigh whether he can withstand the consequences of threatening Arthur.
“Arthur,” said Queen Victoria after instructing Prince Edward, looking at Arthur trying to maintain her smile. “I leave British New Guinea and New Zealand to you, hoping that you can manage these two regions well, combining Australia, creating a powerful country, never worrying about any dangers. Grandmother might not be able to accompany you in the future, Arthur. You have to go on, grandmother will be watching over you from heaven.”
“Grandmother, don’t talk like that.” Even if Arthur’s heart is mature, he is moved to tears facing this situation, and can only hold Queen Victoria’s hands tightly, expressing his complicated and tangled feelings.
“Child, don’t cry. You are the Duke of Australia, a noble I’m proud of. Even in the face of any situation, don’t cry, okay? You have to remember, you still have millions of people waiting for your management and rule, you cannot show this in front of them,” Queen Victoria wiped away Arthur’s tears with a smile, speaking gently.
The next step was for Queen Victoria to formally confirm the will. Throughout this stage, Arthur was in a daze and did not listen to all of Queen Victoria’s will.
Fortunately, this stage was one that everyone could listen to together. Also, there would be a special person recording it to prevent any tampering with the will.
It was only when Queen Victoria had finished all the will, that Arthur gradually came back to his senses. Looking at Queen Victoria who was utterly exhausted, Arthur was deeply moved and reluctant, but death isn’t something ordinary people can stop. Seeing Queen Victoria’s condition gradually worsening, everyone understood that perhaps today would truly be the last day.
“Arthur, Arthur!”
In the quiet, Queen Victoria’s weak call sounded desperately strained.
“I’m here, I’m here! Speak up, grandmother, Arthur is here.” Arthur quickly tightened his grip on Queen Victoria’s hand in response.
“Live well. Your grandmother and father will pray for you in heaven. Arthur, you are a good boy, your grandmother is proud of you.” Queen Victoria’s eyes gradually dimmed, using the last bit of energy to squeeze out a few words: “Albert, Arthur, I’m coming.”
It ended. Everything ended.
The great monarch, vital to both the British government and ordinary people, Queen Victoria, who single-handedly created the Victorian era of the British Empire during her 63-year reign over Britain and 24-year reign as Empress of India, bid farewell to everyone this way.
When Queen Victoria’s hand dropped completely, Arthur understood that he had lost his beloved grandmother, and perhaps, from now on, Britain would truly have nothing to do with him.
“Mother!” “Grandmother!” “Great-grandmother!” “YourMajesty!”
Each callout of the chaotic and heavy voices represented the mood of everyone at the scene.
When everyone surged forward , pushing Arthur down in front of Queen Victoria’s bed, Arthur gradually came back to his senses. Everything seemed so incredible, yet it was so real.
“Alright everyone, the departure of Her Majesty the Queen is something none of us wanted to see. But at least Her Majesty left with a smile, without any worries or troubles. Let’s all pray for Her Majesty, everyone, there is no need to shout here.” William II stood up and said to everyone.
Although everyone’s sadness and breakdown over Queen Victoria’s departure was understandable, if they continued to scream and howl in such a situation, it would appear disrespectful to Queen Victoria.
“Folks, we all can’t bear the departure of Her Majesty the Queen, but it’s not in our control. Her Majesty’s departure was a happy one, she was accompanied by all her offspring, and she fulfilled all her wishes. But Her Majesty’s departure has a profound impact on everyone, on the entire British Royal family, and even on the entire British Empire. It is unacceptable. I suggest that all nations organize activities to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen. All nations shall half-mast for a week in memory of Queen Victoria.” Crown Prince Edward would not let William II steal the show under such circumstances, and so, he continued speaking.
Given Britain’s status in Queen Victoria’s era, having all major European nations half-mast to commemorate Queen Victoria was entirely acceptable.
The reason Crown Prince Edward said this was, on one hand, to highlight the status and power of the British Empire. On the other hand, it was to subtly remind William II that although on noble level, being an Emperor William II is the most noble, but this place is still Britain’s territory, and he, Edward, will soon become King of Britain and Emperor of India.
