Chapter 2: The Funeral
"Seal all exits from London, not a single escape route is to be left open. I want to hear good news from the government within three days," Queen Victoria said coldly.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Prime Minister Robert Selsey replied solemnly.
Prime Minister Robert Selsey knew well that if the assassin was not captured within the time set by Her Majesty, his days as Prime Minister would surely be numbered.
Though the United Kingdom was one of the world's most representative constitutional monarchies, and royal authority had been greatly diminished, no one could deny that Queen Victoria—who had single-handedly ushered in the glorious Victorian era—had regained significant power. Dismissing a Prime Minister was hardly more than a word from her.
"Where is Arthur now?" Queen Victoria asked sadly.
"At the Royal Hospital. Princess Louise is also there," Robert Selsey answered.
Princess Louise was the wife of Duke Arthur, the grandniece of King Frederick IV of Prussia and German Emperor Wilhelm I, the cousin of the current German Emperor Wilhelm II, and the mother of Arthur.
"Let's go, to see Arthur one last time, to look upon my poor child," Queen Victoria sighed, resigned. Her already aged body seemed to hunch even further in an instant.
The Royal Hospital, built in the last century, was an ancient institution and the private hospital of the British royal family. It was home to famed physicians from all over Britain and even the world, and ranked among the world's top hospitals.
A line of royal carriages slowly departed from Buckingham Palace and made their way directly to the Royal Hospital.
Inside the hospital, two full hours had passed since Duke Arthur had been brought in for emergency treatment. An hour ago, he had already drawn his final breath and his heart had stopped beating.
Now seated around his body were his wife Princess Louise and his two daughters, Margaret and Patricia.
Even the youngest daughter, Patricia, was already fourteen years old—no longer an innocent child.
Seeing their once kind and loving father now pale and breathless on the hospital bed, neither Margaret nor Patricia could accept the truth. They lay over his body, sobbing uncontrollably.
Princess Louise was faring slightly better—at least she managed to contain the breakdown of her emotions, unlike her two daughters who had lost control.
But the redness in her eyes and the mist of tears in their corners clearly showed she was also struggling with grief.
Knock knock knock!
With a sudden flurry of footsteps and noise, Princess Louise turned toward the door and immediately saw Queen Victoria entering slowly, hand in hand with Arthur.
"Your Majesty, Arthur," Princess Louise forced herself to speak calmly.
In the West, it was common for daughters-in-law or sons-in-law to address their in-laws by name. However, due to Queen Victoria's exalted status, Princess Louise naturally would not call her by name directly and used a respectful form of address instead.
"Louise, Margaret, Patricia." Queen Victoria gently nodded to Princess Louise, then turned her gaze to Margaret and Patricia in turn, and finally to Duke Arthur lying in the hospital bed. She opened her mouth with difficulty and said, "Arthur!"
"Arthur!"
Calling out his name once more, Queen Victoria stepped quickly to Duke Arthur's bedside.
Caressing his now-cold face, she slowly said, "Arthur, rest assured, your mother will avenge you. I will also take care of Louise and the three little ones. I will never allow anyone to harm them. May God guide you to Heaven, my son."
"Prime Minister Robert!"
Turning around, Queen Victoria—who had just been a grieving mother—once again became the monarch who had held power for decades. Her voice was cold as she declared:
"Investigate! Whether it's in London, the United Kingdom, Europe, or even America—anyone involved with the assassin must be captured! And issue a global notice: any act of participation or assistance in the murder is equivalent to declaring war on the British Empire! No matter the cost, we will uncover the full truth!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll act immediately," Prime Minister Robert Selsey responded without hesitation.
An enraged Queen Victoria was a presence that caused the entire British political world to retreat. No one dared challenge her authority or question her power.
"Also, begin preparations for Arthur's funeral at once. I will not allow my child to wait too long. The sooner Arthur enters Heaven, the more at ease I will be," Queen Victoria instructed.
Western funerals tended to be complex, especially for someone like Duke Arthur who was to be buried with the honors of a prince. The process was even more elaborate.
It required hiring regional bishops to perform prayers and commit the soul to Heaven, along with body washing, communion rites, and more.
This series of preparations would take several days, which was something Queen Victoria simply could not tolerate.
"I understand, Your Highness," Prime Minister Robert quickly agreed, not daring to oppose her.
After giving further instructions to Princess Louise and Margaret and Patricia, Queen Victoria finally left, accompanied by Arthur and the others.
January 7, 1900.
Royal Burial Grounds of Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
This was the private cemetery of the British royal family, where many kings and royals of noble status had been buried for more than a hundred years. Now, another body would be laid to rest in this land—that of Duke Arthur.
Early that morning, Queen Victoria led the entire royal family to attend the funeral. A detachment of royal guards accompanied them for ceremony and security.
Though noble and exalted, the duke had lived a short yet remarkable life. He had served as an officer in South Africa, Canada, Ireland, Egypt, and India. He was also the current Commander-in-Chief of Ireland and a recognized "Chief of the Six Nations of the Iroquois League" as well as a Field Marshal of the United Kingdom.
As a result, many members of the public had come of their own accord to bid farewell to Duke Arthur.
The duke's coffin departed from the Royal Hospital, carried slowly by a royal carriage, and eventually reached the Royal Burial Grounds.
With many citizens of Britain, the entire royal family, and government officials in attendance, Duke Arthur's coffin was lowered into the specially prepared tomb, as a bishop gave the final blessings.
Arthur stood watching all of this, feeling lost.
It had only been three months since he crossed over, and now he had lost his father—Duke Arthur—who had treated him so kindly.
What should he do next?
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997