Chapter 1: Just Crossed Over and My Father Died
"Your Highness Arthur, Your Highness Arthur, wake up quickly! Something terrible has happened, the Duke has been assassinated! Her Majesty the Queen wants to see you!"
The door of the lavishly decorated room was suddenly pushed open. A gentleman who appeared mature and steady rushed in, his eyes red, shouting loudly.
"Mm? Hm?"
Connaught Arthur jolted awake and quickly climbed out of bed. He hurriedly asked the older gentleman, "Butler Hunter, what happened?"
"There's no time to explain, Your Highness Arthur, go to Her Majesty the Queen immediately. The Duke was assassinated this morning on the streets of London. Now the royal family and the entire government are investigating the matter."
The butler, named Hunter, spoke with reddened eyes, his voice trembling with emotion.
"What? What exactly happened? How could my father be assassinated?"
Connaught Arthur was utterly shocked, asking in disbelief.
Connaught Arthur's father, Arthur William Patrick Albert, was one of the greatest monarchs in the history of the British Empire. He was Queen Victoria's third son and held the titles of Duke of Connaught and Strathearn as well as Earl of Sussex.
For such a noble prince and duke to be assassinated in the capital of his own country was something Connaught Arthur simply could not believe.
"I don't know either. Everything seemed fine at first. Who could have imagined that an assassin would suddenly appear to attack His Grace? But there's no time to dwell on that now. Your Highness, go to Her Majesty. That is the safest place right now."
Butler Hunter spoke with grief and concern.
Speaking of old Butler Hunter's record, it wasn't particularly glorious, but it was deep and steady.
Since Arthur William Patrick Albert was granted his title in 1874, Butler Hunter had served as the steward for the entire duchy and the Duke himself. That had now been more than twenty years.
Over those twenty-plus years, not only had Butler Hunter watched the Duke grow step by step into a qualified nobleman, he had also watched Connaught Arthur grow up.
This was why the butler was so deeply saddened upon hearing of Arthur William Patrick Albert's assassination.
"What should I do now?"
Connaught Arthur had only recently crossed over into this body a few short months ago, and during that time, he hadn't become very familiar with his current environment.
Moreover, his prior understanding of the British Empire had only been surface level. All he really knew was that Queen Victoria was one of the greatest monarchs in British history and was known as the Grandmother of Europe.
Under such circumstances, after his new body's father, the Duke Arthur William Patrick Albert, was assassinated, Connaught Arthur suddenly found himself at a loss for what to do.
"Go to Her Majesty first. The most important thing now is ensuring your safety, Your Highness,"
Butler Hunter said firmly.
Having lost the Duke—a lord he had watched grow up like a son—Butler Hunter would not allow anything to happen to Connaught Arthur, whom he had also raised.
"Alright then, Butler Hunter,"
Connaught Arthur nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Buckingham Palace, Queen Victoria's meeting room.
At that moment, the room was filled with high-ranking officials and royal family members from the United Kingdom, all of them at least of ministerial rank.
"Your Majesty, please accept our condolences. The passing of His Grace the Duke is truly tragic. But the most important thing now is to uncover the reason behind the assassination and the true culprit behind it."
Robert Selsey, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, spoke with a sorrowful expression.
No matter what, the fact that a prince of the British Empire and a noble duke had been assassinated in the capital was a tremendous disgrace to both the royal family and the government.
It was not only a provocation to the dignity of the royal family, but also to the dignity of the entire British Empire.
Let it be known that the British Empire was, without a doubt, the most powerful country in the world at the time, with a navy that far surpassed those of the second and third strongest nations.
Under such circumstances, someone had dared to plan an assassination of a British duke and prince in the very capital, London. It was a blatant slap in the face to the British Empire and the royal family.
"The Prime Minister is right. Investigate it immediately! Within three days, I want a full report on the assassin's identity and whether anyone was behind him. Arrest everyone involved in this assassination case. Release no one until it's confirmed they have no suspicion upon them. I want those who dared harm Arthur to understand that the dignity of the royal family is not something to be trifled with!"
At the head of the room, Queen Victoria—already eighty years old—spoke with a face full of sorrow and fury.
Since birth, Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert had been Queen Victoria's favorite son. Although that affection had lessened somewhat after the birth of his sister, Princess Beatrice, he still remained the Queen's most beloved child.
Especially after her second son, Prince Alfred, went to Germany to inherit a title, and her fourth son, Prince Leopold, died in 1884 due to hemophilia, Prince Arthur became even more precious to her.
Moreover, her eldest son Edward had never been in her favor. After repeated scandals regarding his immoral private life, Queen Victoria grew even colder toward him.
Because of this, there were constant rumors both in political circles and among the public that Queen Victoria intended to make Prince Arthur her new heir.
Although she had never made any move to strip Edward of his position as crown prince, whether she had such intentions privately was anyone's guess.
Knock knock knock!
Suddenly, a knocking sound came from outside the door, interrupting Queen Victoria's angry outburst.
Everyone turned toward the door, trying to see who dared interrupt Her Majesty in such a moment of fury.
"Grandmother."
Arthur slowly stepped inside, eyes red as he called out.
That single word—Grandmother—instantly melted Queen Victoria's anger. Looking at the face so similar to her beloved son's, two tears slid down her cheeks. Choking up, she said:
"Good child, come to Grandmother. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."
Queen Victoria stepped forward, took Arthur by the hand, and led him to the head of the room.
"Your Highness Arthur,"
the government officials all bowed to him.
"Send out the order. All of Arthur's titles are to be inherited by young Arthur, including every castle and estate. Arthur shall be buried with princely honors, and the nation will fly flags at half-mast for three days."
Queen Victoria stroked Arthur's cheek as she spoke with sorrow.
(End of Chapter)
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