Chapter 2 : Funeral

"Block all the exits from London and don't let the murderer escaped. I want to hear good news from the government within three days." Queen Victoria said coldly.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Prime Minister Robert Seely responded solemnly. Prime Minister Robert Seely knew that if the murderer could not be arrested within the time stipulated by Her Majesty the Queen, then his days as Prime Minister would probably be over.

Although the United Kingdom is one of the most representative constitutional monarchies in the world, the rights of the British King have been restricted too much.

But no one can deny that Queen Victoria, who single-handedly create the glorious Victorian era, and has regained a lot of power in her hands, and the appointment and dismissal of the prime minister is just a matter of words.

"Where is Arthur now?" Queen Victoria asked.

"At the Royal Hospital, where Princess Margaret is!" Prime Minister Robert Seely responded.

Princess Margaret is the wife of Duke Arthur, Grand-niece of King Frederick IV of Prussia and Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany, Cousin of the current Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and the mother of Arthur.

"Let's go see Arthur and see my poor child." Queen Victoria signed as if resigned to her fate, her already aging body suddenly seem to become much more fragile.

The Royal Hospital is an ancient hospital build in the last century, and it is also the private hospital of the entire British Royal Family. Famous physicians from the whole of the UK and even the world gather here, and it is also one of the top hospitals in the world.

A convoy of carriage slowly set off from Buckingham Palace and headed straight to the destination Royal Hospital.

Royal Hospital

It has been two full hours since Duke Arthur was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. As early as an hour ago, Duke Arthur lost his breathing and heartbeat forever. Sitting in front of Duke Arthur's body at this time was his wife, Princess Margaret, and his two daughters, Louise and Patricia. Even the youngest daughter Patricia is 14 years old, which is no longer an age of ignorance and childish.

Seeing that the once amiable father had already lost his breath and lay pale on the hospital bed, both Louise and Patricia couldn't accept it, and cried loudly on the body of Duke Arthur.

Princess Margaret on the side is a little better, at least she can control her slightly broken emotions, so she won't be as uncontrollable as her two daughters. But the red eye sockets and the hazy mist in the corners of her eyes also proved that she also can't hold back her tears that threaten to drop at any moment.

Knok Konk Konk

Following the sound of the footsteps, Princess Margaret looked towards the door, and immediately spotted Queen Victoria walking slowly, holding Arthur's hand.

"Your Majesty! Arthur!" Princess Margaret forcibly controlled her emotion and said.

In the West, whether it is a daughter-in-law or son-in-law, they usually call their in-laws and husband by their names.

In terms of Queen Victoria's honorable status, Princess Margaret naturally cannot directly call Queen Victoria's name, but changed it to an honorific title.

"Margaret, Louis, Patricia." Queen Victoria nodded slowly towards Princess Margaret then look at Louise, Patricia in turn, and finally turned her gaze slowly to the man on the hospital bed and said softly "Arthur! Arthur! " 

When Duke Arthur's name was called out again, Queen Victoria had already walked quickly to Duke Arthur's hospital bed. Caressing Duke Arthur's face that has gradually cooled down, Queen Victoria said slowly, "Arthur, don't worry, mother will avenge you. I will take good care of Margaret and the three little ones, and I will never let anyone hurt them. May God guide you to heaven, my son."

"Prime Minister Robert"turning her head, Queen Victoria, who change from a mother who just lost her child to the monarch who had been in power for decades, and said in a cold voice

"Find me an answer, whether it's in London or the United Kingdom, even if it's in Europe or America. As long as you find out any accomplices related to the assassination, arrest them all! At the same time, inform the world that anyone who participates in or helps the murderer is the same as declaring war on the British Empire. No mater the cast, we must find out the truth!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go right away!" Prime Minister Robert responded quickly.

The furious Queen Victoria is an existence that the entire British political arena must avoid. No one dears to challenge her or question her rights.

"In addition, prepare for Arthur's funeral immediately. My child cannot wait too long. The sooner Arthur sent to heaven, the more at ease I will be." Queen Victoria instructed.

Western funerals are relatively cumbersome, especially for Duke Arthur who was buried in the style of a prince, and the process is even more cumbersome.

It is not only necessary to hire a regional bishop to pray and rejoin the soul of the deceased to ascend to heaven, but also to wash the body and perform communion.

This series of preparation will take at least several days, which is intolerable for Queen Victoria.

"I understand, Your Majesty." Prime Minister Robert, naturally did not dare to refuse and have no reason to refuse, quickly agreed.

Queen Victoria asked Princess Margaret and Patricia for a long time before taking Arthur and the others away.

Royal Burial Ground, 3 January 1900

The Royal Burial Ground of members of the British royal family, where many distinguished Kings and Royal Family member have been buried for hundreds of years, and now there is one more add to this cemetery, that is Duke Arthur.

Early in the morning, Queen Victoria took all members of the Royal family to the funeral, accompanied by a team of Royal Guard for ceremonial and vigilant work.

This dignified and prominent Duke has a short but colorful life. He's not only served as an officer in South Africa, Canada, Ireland, Egypt and India, but also the current Commander-in-Chief of Ireland and Field Marshal of the British Empire. This also let to many people seeing Duke Arthur off at his funeral.

The coffin of Duke Arthur departed from the Royal Hospital, traveled slowly in the carriage exclusive to the Royal family, and finally arrived at the Royal Cemetery.

After many British people, all members of the Royal family and government officials saw off, the coffin of Duke Arthur was also placed in the tomb prepared in advance, and the Bishop gave the final blessing.

Arthur looked at all this, feeling a little confused. Just three months later, he lost his father, Duke Arthur, who was very kind to him. Now What should he do next?