In private, Victoria and Olga paid little attention to the Great Exhibition. They talked more about clothes, family, and children.
In truth, Victoria and Prince Albert wanted more to discuss business, but Olga clearly knew nothing about the gold mine.
Though they did not ask directly, they had already gathered from scattered snippets of conversation that Olga's purpose in coming was simply to relax.
Following protocol, they exchanged gifts at the end. There was no scheming hidden in the gifts on either side—only some exquisitely crafted worldly trinkets, with no particularly profound meaning behind them.
Olga was not suited for it, and Franz had no desire to train her into a politician.
Olga also understood that she lacked any talent in that regard, so she avoided certain political topics and spoke only of what she liked.
Given Olga's status, no one could force her to answer particular questions. Besides, the maid at Olga's side was also her adviser, and would not let anyone easily lead Her Majesty the Empress into a trap.
Victoria and Prince Albert were not particularly fond of acting as lobbyists for the British government either. After Olga left, the two of them felt a touch of envy instead.
"Those parliamentarians are always shouting about freedom while making us serve as their lobbyists. What do they take us for?"
Victoria complained. Prince Albert, being a man, felt it even more keenly.
"A stamp machine without feelings. A fig leaf that never complains."
That was not something Prince Albert had said, but a description from the memoirs of a British member of Parliament.
Victoria was somewhat surprised by Prince Albert's reaction. In her eyes, although Albert was always complaining about the stupidity of the British government, he generally still stood on its side.
"There's nothing to be surprised