Considering that the Kingdom of Britain needs the Sardinian Kingdom as a "catalyst" to stir up the situation on the Italian Peninsula, allowing the Kingdom of Britain to undermine the French Empire’s power in the Mediterranean without resorting to war.

Therefore, Prince Albert did not explicitly accept Cavour’s proposed conditions, but neither did he outright refuse. This ambiguous attitude gave Cavour hope, bringing a joyful smile to Cavour’s face.

"On behalf of the Savoy Royal Family, I thank you for your generosity! Your Majesty!" Cavour responded to Prince Albert with extraordinary humility.

Then, Cavour cautiously signaled to Victor Umberto, who also followed Cavour’s lead in expressing gratitude to Prince Albert, stating that if he were fortunate enough to be selected by Princess Alice as her husband, he would do his utmost to protect Princess Alice, ensuring she suffers no harm, while loving Queen Victoria and the Kingdom of Britain just as Princess Alice does.

Prince Albert did not take Victor Umberto’s promise seriously.

After all, any monarch must first guarantee their own country’s interests and only then consider other issues.

Even if Albert were to marry his daughter to Victor Umberto, when the Sardinian Kingdom turns against the Kingdom of Britain, Prince Albert would not hesitate for even a second because Victor Umberto is his son-in-law.

Albert also believed that Victor Umberto thought the same way; even if he truly loved his daughter, he would not let familial ties cause any hesitation.

Ultimately, people like them prioritize the stability of their thrones over questions of succession.

As for family ties, they only serve as casual conversation over tea or dinner.

Of course, Prince Albert would not have anticipated that decades later, Victoria’s son and grandson would be involved in a massive conflict involving millions in Europe, where family ties prove frail in the face of interests.

However, despite these thoughts, Albert could not reveal such sentiments on his face.

Albert showed a comforting smile, patted Victor Umberto on the shoulder, and encouraged him, saying, "Umberto, both Victoria and I are fond of young people like you!

We look forward to establishing a marital alliance with the venerable Savoy Clan!

However, royal marriages must consider the impact on the Cabinet, so I cannot immediately provide you with an answer!

I hope you will understand!"

"Your Majesty, I understand!" Victor Umberto replied to Prince Albert. "Even if your country does not choose me as Princess Alice’s husband, I will continue to respect you and Queen Victoria!"

Subsequently, Prince Albert chatted with Cavour and Victor Umberto for a while.

Until a knock on the door was heard from outside the room, Prince Albert revealed an apologetic smile.

Cavour gestured with a courteous "be at ease," allowing Prince Albert to call out to the room, "Please come in!"

With a gentle creak, the door slowly opened, and John Brown appeared at the entrance, slowly making his way to the couch, first apologizing to Prince Albert.

Prince Albert raised his hand and asked John Brown, "Mr. Brown, what has occurred?"

John Brown glanced at Cavour and Victor Umberto on the sofa, hesitating slightly. It seemed that this matter was unsuitable for outsiders like Cavour and Victor Umberto to hear.

Noticing this, Cavour quickly understood John Brown’s intent, swiftly standing up, with Victor Umberto following suit.

Then, Cavour gracefully bowed to Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, saying, "Your Majesties, it’s getting late. It’s time for us to take our leave!"

Having adjusted to the environment, Victor Umberto no longer stammered and similarly responded to Prince Albert and Queen Victoria fluently, "Your Majesties, thank you very much for taking the time to meet with us despite your busy schedules!"

Despite the enthusiastic invitation from Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, Cavour and Victor Umberto insisted on leaving Windsor Castle.

Prince Albert reluctantly escorted Cavour and Victor Umberto out of the living room, while requesting John Brown to ensure a skilled driver safely delivered Cavour and Victor Umberto to their hotel.

Following Prince Albert’s orders, John Brown took action. After a while, John Brown appeared before Prince Albert again to report the situation.

"Your Majesty, I have already seen Cavour and the young prince off in a carriage!" John Brown reported to Prince Albert and Queen Victoria.

"The carriage doesn’t bear the Royal Family’s emblem, does it?" Prince Albert asked uneasily. He was concerned that news of Cavour and Victor Umberto’s visit might be detected by the French secret police lurking in London.

In those days, every country’s capital had a few secret police from other countries.

Of course, Britain’s police were also competent, and thanks to their counter-surveillance efforts, a few undercover secret police were caught.

And the reason why the British Government doesn’t choose to arrest them is that it intends to make use of these secret police.

They want to use these secret police to convey some false information to other countries, making them make erroneous judgments.

However, this time Albert must not let the French secret police find out.

Otherwise, the Emperor in Paris might make some extreme moves.

"Your Majesty, rest assured!" John Brown patted his chest, assuring Prince Albert, "I guarantee that the carriage sending Cavour and the Prince back to the hotel will have nothing to do with the Royal Family!"

"That’s good!" Prince Albert nodded with satisfaction and then asked John Brown what he wanted to say in the reception room.

John Brown told Prince Albert that just now, a telegram was sent from 10 Downing Street to Windsor Castle, asking in a covert manner about Prince Albert’s conversation with the Sardinian Kingdom envoys and what stage it was at.

"Mr. Brown, please immediately send a telegram to 10 Downing Street!" Prince Albert calmly instructed John Brown, "Tell them the conversation with the envoys from the Sardinian Kingdom went very smoothly. However, some specific issues still need Prime Minister Palmerston and Minister Russell to come and discuss together!

Please have the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs come quickly!"

"Yes!" John Brown responded to Prince Albert, then turned to send the telegram.

About twenty minutes later, in the Prime Minister’s office at 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Palmerston received a telegram from Windsor Castle.

After briefly scanning the contents of the telegram, Palmerston’s eyes showed a hint of dissatisfaction. He then ordered his chief secretary to call Foreign Minister Russell to the office.

A while later, Russell appeared in Palmerston’s office, and Palmerston pushed the telegram in front of Russell.

Minister Russell glanced at the telegram, and his expression similarly showed a trace of somberness.

After Russell finished reading all the contents, he couldn’t help but complain to Palmerston, "Our King’s Consort (sarcasm) is really too reckless, handling such important matters without discussing with us beforehand.

Instead, he sends us such a telegram after the conversation ends.

Does he want to become the Emperor in Paris?"

Faced with Minister Russell’s unrestrained remarks about the monarch, Palmerston just smiled and then responded to Minister Russell with a light tone, "What can we do! After all, he’s Her Majesty’s husband. He inherently carries the responsibility of assisting the Queen in ruling the Kingdom of Britain!"

"I am aware of the King’s Consort’s responsibilities, but doesn’t he regard the Cabinet too lightly?" complained Minister Russell once more, "If all British monarchs acted like him, then what would be the point of our existence?"

At this moment, Russell seemed to forget that the British Cabinet’s ability to fight the Royal Family on equal footing has only existed for the last few decades.

It was George V’s indulgence that gave the Cabinet some authority, and Queen Victoria’s natural disinterest in power allowed the Cabinet’s power to continue.

During the reign of George IV, British politicians could not become Cabinet Prime Ministers based on votes. It depended on the monarch’s preferences.

Of course, generally speaking, George IV would not reject a smooth and sophisticated Cabinet Prime Minister.

As long as the Prime Minister did not attempt to seize power with his hands.

The topic drifted away, and although Minister Russell’s complaints were shared by Palmerston, Palmerston clearly did not wish to overly criticize Prince Albert on this matter.

Inside and outside the Palace, who isn’t aware of his (Palmerston’s) relationship with the two sovereigns.

If it weren’t for the French Empire’s looming threat, making Britain need a determined hawk as a leader like Palmerston, then Palmerston wouldn’t have thought of acquiring the right to form a Cabinet.

"Mr. Russell, now is not the time for complaints!" Palmerston responded to Russell, "We must quickly head to Windsor Castle and inquire directly with Prince Albert about the contents of the discussion with Cavour!

However, I believe Prince Albert will not let the Kingdom of Britain’s interests suffer!"

"Alas!" Minister Russell sighed in response to Palmerston, "We can only inquire face-to-face about the content of their conversation now!

Who knows what conditions were agreed by our King’s Consort with Cavour!

Hopefully, the Kingdom of Britain, just out of India’s troubles, does not get entangled in the Italian Peninsula’s conflict again!"

Having said that, Minister Russell and Palmerston ordered the chief secretary to prepare a carriage for their trip to Windsor Castle.