"He is always like this..." Victoria said softly, her eyes slightly reddened: "When I'm about to break down, he gives me something... something that keeps me going."
Leisen remained silent, simply raising her hand to tidy the stray locks of hair framing Victoria's face.
At this moment, a gentle knock came from outside the door, followed by the attendant's slightly urgent yet suppressed voice, "Her Majesty the Queen, Prime Minister Viscount Melbourne, Duke of Wellington, Sir Robert Peel, Viscount Palmerston, and others, they have all dispatched messengers. Your Excellencies are expected to arrive at Kensington Palace within two hours."
Finally, as if worried that Victoria might not be clear about the rules, the attendant added, "Your Majesty, as per the constitutional provisions, upon succession, you must receive advice from the Prime Minister regarding the duties and conduct of a monarch."
