After about half a cup of tea's time, he finally spoke softly, as if merely continuing an unfinished topic: "So... have you seen Elphinstone again recently?"
Victoria's fingers tightened slightly, and the water in the cup almost spilled.
She slowly lifted her head, her eyes still glistening with tears.
"No." She answered in a low voice, paused, and almost seemed to grit her teeth repeating it: "No."
"Really no?" Arthur's tone held no doubt, only probing.
"I can't even receive his letters." She pushed open the window, gazing out, her eyes falling on the distant river mist: "Yesterday at Windsor Castle, he left me a letter, but I didn't open it, then Conroy took it away, I don't even know where it is now."
"Hmm..." Arthur closed his eyes in contemplation, as if pondering something: "Your Highness."
"Hmm?"
