Even if it were the tiniest, most trivial thing.
Even if it were only asking her to change a single phrase in a speech, or to postpone a meeting of the Privy Council, or even…
Even if it were only asking her to save him a seat at the dinner in Buckingham Palace.
As long as Arthur could take the initiative to ask something of her, even just once, it would make Victoria feel as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart.
Because that would at least allow her to believe that he was not forever placing himself in the position of sacrifice.
That he was not forever putting her, putting Britain, putting everyone else's needs ahead of his own.
As long as, at any moment, he had ever been willing to "reach out his hand," she would not be suffering as she was now.
But in truth, he had never asked anything of her.
Never, not once.
