Arthur looked at her, his gaze quiet, as if he was pondering, yet also as if he was just waiting for her to finish speaking.
Only when Victoria mentioned "nor did Uncle Leopold say so" did he gently raise an eyebrow.
"Hmm... yes." Arthur's tone was gentle, as if agreeing, yet also as if deliberating: "But His Majesty Leopold is a King, Viscount Palmerston is a seasoned politician, and you, perhaps in the eyes of most people, are just an eighteen-year-old girl."
Arthur glanced at her again and smiled: "They say you shouldn't act as if seeking revenge because they think you are not yet a mature political figure. If you were a mature Queen, then even if you spoke as frankly as His Majesty William, no one would dare to say otherwise."
Victoria snorted, nodding empathetically: "And they have never been as wronged as I have."
"That's true." Arthur nodded: "They were born with the right to make mistakes, and you have only now gained a bit of freedom without interference."
