The Queen's Death

Arthur was deeply moved. In the final stages of her life, Queen Victoria's thoughts and concerns were not for the British Empire she had ruled for a lifetime, nor for the many grandchildren and children surrounding her, but for Arthur.

Queen Victoria had poured all her love into Prince Albert. After losing Prince Albert, Queen Victoria transferred all her love to Duke Arthur.

After losing Duke Arthur once again, Queen Victoria transferred this affection, intact, to Arthur.

Perhaps Queen Victoria's mental and physical condition had deteriorated significantly due to the successive losses of her husband and son, but no one could deny that Queen Victoria's love for Prince Albert, Duke Arthur, and Arthur was pure and unwavering.

At this moment, all eyes were on Arthur. Everyone knew that, besides Queen Victoria, Arthur had become the protagonist of the day, and was even about to become the most talked-about nobleman in the world for some time.

Do not underestimate Queen Victoria's influence. In the original historical timeline, it was precisely because William II held Queen Victoria's hand tightly in the final stages of her life that the British public, who generally had no fondness for Germany, developed a favorable impression of William II. In fact, if William II had not been so obsessed with defeating France and challenging the British Empire's naval power, perhaps everything could have taken a different turn.

Now, during the crucial stage of Queen Victoria's will, Arthur was mentioned first, and Arthur was by her side the entire time.

Under these circumstances, who would dare to reject any conditions Queen Victoria set for Arthur in the future?

Given Queen Victoria's immense prestige in Britain, coupled with Arthur's tragic background of losing his father and grandmother, even Crown Prince Edward would have to consider the consequences of threatening Arthur.

"Arthur." After instructing Crown Prince Edward, Queen Victoria turned her gaze back to Arthur, forcing a smile, and said, "I am entrusting British New Guinea and New Zealand to you. I hope you will manage these regions well, combine them with Australia, and build a powerful nation, so you will never have to worry about any dangerous situations. Grandmother may not be able to accompany you anymore, Arthur. You must live well. Grandmother will be watching you in heaven."

"Grandmother, please don't say that." No matter how mature Arthur was, facing this situation, he was already in tears, clutching Queen Victoria's hands tightly, expressing his complex and conflicted emotions.

"Child, don't cry. You are the Duke of Australia, a distinguished nobleman I am proud of. No matter what happens, don't cry, okay? Remember, you have millions of subjects waiting for your management and rule. You cannot appear like this in front of them." Queen Victoria smiled, wiping Arthur's tears, and spoke gently.

The next part was Queen Victoria formally confirming her will. During this phase, Arthur was in a daze and did not hear all of Queen Victoria's will.

Fortunately, this was a stage where everyone could listen together, and there were dedicated recorders present to prevent any tampering with the will.

It was only after Queen Victoria finished dictating her entire will that Arthur gradually came back to his senses. Looking at Queen Victoria, whose strength was completely depleted, Arthur felt a mix of deep emotion and reluctance. However, death was not something ordinary people could prevent. Seeing Queen Victoria's condition worsen, everyone understood that perhaps today was truly the last day.

"Arthur, Arthur!"

In the silence, Queen Victoria's faint call sounded so desperate.

"I'm here, I'm here! Please speak, Grandmother. Arthur is here." Arthur quickly tightened his grip on Queen Victoria's hand and responded.

"Live well. Grandmother and your father will pray for you in heaven. Arthur, you are a good boy. Grandmother is proud of you." Queen Victoria's eyes gradually dimmed, and with her last ounce of strength, she uttered a few words: "Albert, Arthur, I'm coming."

It was over. Everything was over.

After reigning over Britain for sixty-three years, ruling India for twenty-four years, a great monarch of immense importance to the British government and people, Queen Victoria, who had personally forged the Victorian era of the British Empire, bid farewell to everyone.

The moment Queen Victoria's hand finally fell, Arthur understood that he had lost the grandmother who loved him most, and that Britain might truly have nothing to do with him anymore.

"Mother!" "Grandmother!" "Maternal Grandmother!" "Your Majesty!"

The panicked and heavy cries all represented the emotions of everyone present.

As everyone rushed forward, even pushing Arthur to his knees before Queen Victoria's bed, Arthur slowly came to his senses. Everything was so unbelievable, yet so real.

"Alright, everyone. Her Majesty the Queen's passing is something none of us wished to see, but at least she departed with a smile, free from worries and distress. Let us pray for Her Majesty, everyone. Please do not cry out so loudly here," William II stepped forward and said to the crowd.

While the grief and breakdown of the crowd over Queen Victoria's passing were understandable, continuing to wail so hysterically in this setting would seem disrespectful to Queen Victoria.

"Everyone, we are all reluctant to see Her Majesty the Queen depart, but this is not something we can decide. Her Majesty's departure is a happy one; she was accompanied by all her children and grandchildren, and she fulfilled all her wishes. However, the departure of Her Royal Highness is a heavy blow to everyone, to the entire British Royal Family, and even to the entire British Empire. It is unacceptable. I propose that all countries hold commemorative events for Her Majesty the Queen and fly their flags at half-mast for a week in her honor," Crown Prince Edward, unwilling to let William II steal the spotlight in this situation, continued.

Given Britain's status during the Victorian era, it was entirely acceptable for major European countries to fly their flags at half-mast to commemorate Queen Victoria.

Crown Prince Edward's proposal served a dual purpose: first, to showcase the status and power of the British Empire, and second, to subtly remind William II that although William II, as an emperor, held the highest noble rank, this was still British soil for the time being, and he, Edward, would soon become the King of Britain and Emperor of India.

First update, please support! The Victorian era has come to an end, and now it's time to develop with peace of mind.