The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 771 - 365 Prometheus Bound_2

However, from the perspective of an onlooker, it was impossible for them to know that Mr. Hastings’s mind was filled with the thoughts of rats in the sewer at that time.

Both Ada and Mrs. Shelley thought that the young officer was captivated by the painting "Prometheus Bound".

Seeing him so engrossed, and considering Arthur’s recent experiences being widely criticized by the public, Ada thought he was moved by the scene.

She asked softly, "Do you also feel bound?"

Arthur, looking at her puzzled expression, just laughed, "This isn’t bondage, but a destiny. A pair of Devil’s large hands pushed me here. However, I can’t blame him entirely, sometimes, it’s also my own fault."

Ada did not quite understand Arthur’s words; she usually did not care much about politics, but she knew a little about Parliamentary reform.

"If you find those tasks bothersome, why not quit? You can play the piano, write ’Hastings Case Files,’ you have many skills to support yourself, why choose something that makes you unhappy?"

Arthur did not know how to explain this to Ada, he pondered for a moment and half-jokingly replied, "Ma’am, I’m not as capable as you imagine, the reason I have those skills is all because I have reached this position. Climbing up is easy, at most it costs some hardships, but if you want to get down before the sun sets, then the only choice is free fall."

Mrs. Shelley, hearing this, could not help but worry, as the years she spent with Shelley had made her aware of many dirty aspects of politics.

She asked softly, "Have things gotten that bad?"

Arthur did not confirm or deny, but responded out of the blue, "Madam, in this world, no one seizes power with the intention to abolish it. Power is not a means, but an end."

As soon as Arthur finished speaking, they heard heavy footsteps coming from the staircase.

The footsteps were much slower than Edward’s fast ascent earlier, sounding cautious.

Soon, Arthur saw a glimpse of a white dress outside the parlor door, a slim delicate girl held in Edward’s arms.

Long-term paralysis had made her skin unnaturally pale, and her deep brown hair was styled into an elegant chignon at the back of her head.

Compared to the intricately decorated dresses that other ladies often wore, her dress seemed exceedingly simple, without wide hoops or bits of embellishment, just a comfortable and loose high-necked dress with long sleeves.

Despite her limited mobility, Elizabeth still smiled and nodded gently to the guests as a greeting.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Shelley. I really liked the ’Prometheus Unbound’ you gave me last time; it is Mr. Shelley’s different interpretation of Aeschylus’s original ’Prometheus Bound’. I almost can’t decide which one I prefer; both are by my bedside, and I read them every night before sleep."

Relieved, Mrs. Shelley stood up smiling, "Elizabeth, seeing you so absorbed in literature is truly gratifying. When I first met you at the congregation, I was so worried about your condition, I feared you might do something foolish."

Edward, holding his sister, carefully set her on the couch, then spoke, "It’s all thanks to your recommendation of ’The Briton’; the stories in there are simply delightful. ’Blackwood’s’ poetry, though refined, always ends up being somewhat depressing when read too much. But ’The Briton’ is different, it has many stories of fields, cities, villages, and foreign lands; each one is intriguing and leaves you wanting more."

With this, Edward did not forget to ask Arthur, "Mr. Hastings, I’ve always wanted to ask you, why hasn’t ’Hastings Case Files’ been updated lately? I’m still waiting to see the conclusion of that perfume murder case."

Arthur, upon hearing this, smiled and replied, "To be honest with you, Edward, it’s not just you—I’ve been eagerly awaiting the conclusion of this case myself."

"Ah?" Edward exclaimed in surprise. "Are you saying that you haven’t thought of the next plot yet? You don’t know how to arrange for the perfume merchant’s death?"

"Hmm..." Arthur recalled the image of Bernie Harrison when he was alive and nodded slightly. "I suppose so."

When Elizabeth saw her brother relentlessly pursuing the topic, she quickly intervened in a soft voice, "Edward, that’s quite rude."

Hearing his sister say this, Edward wasn’t immediately discouraged but instead continued to pursue Arthur.

"Mr. Hastings, you know...actually my sister has written quite a lot about literature, which you may not know. She started writing poetry at the age of four. We both had the same tutor growing up, but she was much better at it than I was. At the age of thirteen, she even wrote a four-volume epic ’The Battle of Marathon,’ of which my father was so proud he had fifty copies printed and distributed. Since you are here, why don’t I go get that book for you to look at?"

"Edward!"

Elizabeth had endured for so long, but when she heard her brother intending to show her amateurish work to the renowned British author, her face flushed with embarrassment and she swiftly interrupted.

Seeing the annoyance in his sister’s bright eyes, Edward reluctantly scratched the back of his head and stepped aside, "Alright... perhaps another time. I’ll go see if the refreshments are ready. You two carry on chatting."

No sooner had Edward’s figure disappeared from the living room than Ada remarked in surprise, "So that’s what sibling relationships are like? If possible, I would also like to have a brother; he seems to care a lot about you."

Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. She gazed at Ada, who looked radiant like a rose, and her emotions, which had just relaxed, stirred slightly again. "Edward is indeed a warm-hearted person. Back when I was in good health, we siblings would often ride horses and have picnics in the estate. Being born into the same family with him is truly a fortune. Don’t you have such siblings?"

Ada blinked. "My mother told me that I originally had a half-sister, but she died at the age of five. I also have a cousin who is also named Elizabeth, like you. I’ve met her a few times, but we are not close."

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Ada shook her head nonchalantly. "I actually do want to keep in touch with them, but every time I met them, my mother seemed very sad, as if recalling many unbearable memories. So, ever since I noticed this, I’ve rarely let my mother take me to meet relatives."

Mrs. Shelley, upon hearing this, felt as though she was hearing her own story.

She held Ada’s hand and said, "Ada, you don’t have to do this. I believe that more than memories, what your mother considers the most important is your happiness. Memories are just things of the past, and since they are past, let them be. Those are our generation’s issues, not related to your generation."

Ada, feeling the affection emanating from Mrs. Shelley, felt only discomfort throughout her body.

The forthright young lady spoke truthfully, "My lady, it might not matter if it were someone else. But my cousin Elizabeth Medora Leigh, is the daughter of my aunt, Augusta Leigh."

No sooner had Ada finished speaking than Arthur, who was drinking tea, choked and coughed continuously.

According to the gossip heard from Eld, this Augusta Leigh was not only Byron’s sister but also a love as close as glue with him. The very reason Byron had married Ada’s mother, Mil Bank, was to cover up this incest scandal.

And Byron’s going to Greece was also due to the scandal being ultimately exposed, making it unbearable for him to stay in Britain. From this perspective, Ada’s decision to not meet her cousin did indeed make sense.