Chapter 124
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Marriage Announcement
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It's a universal truth, timeless and borderless: once you decide to get married, you tell your parents.
After Parliament officially agreed to recommend Killian Gore as a candidate for the Queen's husband, I immediately returned to Kensington Palace.
My adoptive parents, the Duke of Sussex and Cecilia, Duchess of Inverness, who were leisurely sipping tea on garden chairs, clicked their tongues openly.
“You certainly took your sweet time telling us.”
“It's a misunderstanding. Her Majesty said she would speak to you first, so I was waiting for Parliament's formal decision before I said anything.”
“I know. It was just a joke, so don't mind me and have a seat. Let's all relax and talk over tea for a change.”
“Yes. But what did Her Majesty say? I only heard that she would speak to you, not the details.”
“Just something trivial... no, marriage isn't trivial, is it? She said she had decided to marry you and hoped for our blessing.”
From the Duke of Sussex's perspective, Victoria was his biological niece, and I was his adopted son.
In a way, he was marrying off two people he cherished, so perhaps he was the happiest person in this whole affair.
“So, what did you say?”
“What could I say? At first, I thought it was some kind of joke.”
As the Duke of Sussex let out a dry laugh, my mother smiled brightly and nodded.
“Rather than being surprised, I thought, 'The time has come.' I had a feeling Victoria was completely smitten with you.”
“But, my dear, didn't you say marriage would be difficult?”
“That was before we knew Killian was of Asian royal descent. With no issues of status, it's only natural Victoria would want to marry as soon as possible.”
“They were that in love? Why didn't I know?”
“That's because you don't understand the delicate heart of a woman.”
We never showed it except when we were alone, so it was natural for the Duke not to know.
People like Cecilia or Lehzen might have noticed, since Victoria had apparently been subtly asking them questions about romance.
“In any case, you aren't opposed to my marriage to Her Majesty, are you?”
“Opposed? Why would I be opposed? You may not know this, but when my brother was alive, we once spoke of it in passing. He said that if you were a great noble of England, he would have wanted you as Victoria's husband. My brother dismissed it as unrealistic nonsense, but in the end, I was right, wasn't I? Hahaha.”
“Do you happen to know how the other members of the royal family are reacting?”
“As the most senior member of the royal family, I approve. Who would dare oppose it? Though not by blood, you are my son, a proper nobleman of this country, and now, you've even been recognized as an Asian royal.”
If Victoria were pushing this alone, it might be different, but with Parliament's recommendation and the Duke of Sussex's active support, it was unlikely any royal or noble would openly oppose it.
“It is all thanks to you, Mother and Father. Because of you both, I don't have to worry about how to get along with the royal family without feeling out of place after the marriage.”
Strictly speaking, I was transitioning from a status straddling the line between royalty and nobility to being fully integrated into the realm of royalty.
From that perspective, it seemed likely the public would also accept my marriage without much resistance.
“Ah, but one thing. Victoria did ask for my opinion on what title to give you. As the Queen's husband, your current titles of Irish Earl and English Baron are, of course, not suitable.”
“Wouldn't 'King Consort' be a suitable title?”
“Besides that, since you'll be the Queen's husband, you'll also be called a Prince, so you'll need a proper title, won't you? However, I told her there's still time, so she should think on it more. It might be an overcautious worry, but it could become a minor point of contention.”
His words were vague, but I immediately understood what the Duke of Sussex was trying to say.
In other words, it meant we needed to keep a closer eye on public opinion in Ireland and England.
I agreed with him on that.
Once this marriage was officially announced, both Ireland and England would certainly react.
But there was a very real possibility that the reaction could become more heated than expected.
It meant that even a trivial title with no real significance could be twisted into a source of conflict at any moment.
“A title can be decided at any time, so I will discuss it further with Her Majesty.”
“Yes. It seems she has other things in mind as well, but you should hear those from her directly. What I'm curious about, however, is your own intention. Do you truly, fully consent to this marriage with Victoria?”
“That's why I said I would marry her.”
“You were rising as a war hero, became a minister, and then an ambassador plenipotentiary to the colonies—you were on a continuous path of success. But to give all that up to support the Queen as her husband? Of course, you're young, so for a moment, you might be blinded by love...”
“Wait a moment. I apologize for interrupting, but it's not what you're worried about at all. I'm not blinded by love, nor do I intend to give up my political power.”
My adoptive parents' faces clouded with confusion almost simultaneously.
“Even if you don't intend to, you'll have to, won't you?”
“No. I've already secured some concessions from Parliament regarding the colonies. I can't be too overt, but it's practically impossible to eliminate my influence in Canada, at the very least.”
And soon, the same will be true for Asia.
Perhaps not now, but when Russia or France decide to seriously get involved in Asia, they will have no choice but to seek me out.
“So you intend to give up the title, but not the influence.”
“Yes. So you have nothing to worry about.”
What I want is power, not some trivial position.
Those blinded by the trappings of a title, unable to grasp the true nature of power, would never understand even if they died and came back to life, but power and position are not directly proportional.
Of course, if I get too carried away, I could be branded a shadow ruler and be done for, but who am I?
Having been caught in my past life for being too conspicuous, I am confident I can act flawlessly this time to avoid being discovered.
No, in fact, this position feels more psychologically stable than being flamboyantly in the spotlight. It's just right.
“Alright. Then I, too, will set aside my worries and happily wish for your and Victoria's happiness. Ah, but there is one thing you must keep in mind.”
“Yes? Is there something else I should be careful about?”
“Of course. This is the most important and crucial matter of all. Your mother is still hale and can wait, but I am nearly seventy. So, please let me see a grandson or granddaughter who will inherit the throne as soon as possible. You're confident, aren't you?”
His tone was half-joking, but the other half was filled with earnest desire.
Unlike my mother, my father did have children, but they were all illegitimate and could not legally inherit any of his rights.
So he was asking me to step up and be a dutiful son in this way?
With him putting it like that, what could I say?
The answer was already decided; I just had to say it.
“Leave it to me. I'll make sure you see your grandchildren fawning over you as soon as possible.”
At my confident reply, the Duke of Sussex burst into hearty laughter, and I too enjoyed the afternoon tea, exchanging conversation without any ulterior motives for the first time in a long while.
* * *
Exactly two days after the bill to officially recommend Killian Gore as a candidate for Prince Consort of the British Empire passed Parliament.
Prime Minister Charles Wellesley officially visited Kensington Palace, bearing the letter of recommendation drafted by Her Majesty's Parliament.
He conveyed the position that for the unity and future of the British Empire, they hoped Her Majesty the Queen would seriously reconsider marriage one more time.
Victoria responded by announcing that she would accept the will of the Prime Minister and Parliament.
And, as expected, the news spread like wildfire throughout Britain.
[Queen Victoria Announces Marriage! Her Partner? The Asian Prince, Killian Gore!]
[Killian Gore, Noble of Ireland and England, Royal of Asia, Now Joins the English Royal Family!]
[What Does This Marriage Signify? Why Did Queen Victoria Abandon Her Stance on Remaining Single?]
[The Devilishly Charming Killian Gore Captures the Heart of the Queen of the British Empire!]
All sorts of articles spread, completely burying all other major and minor issues that had been the talk of the town.
Now that the entire nation knew, there was no turning back.
“Minister! Just one word, please!”
“The Times here! Minister! The proposal... did you receive a proposal from Her Majesty the Queen?”
“Minister! Is it true you're to become the Grand Duke of Ireland?”
“Have you always harbored feelings for Her Majesty?”
“Minister! Please answer this one too!”
“Miiiiniiiisteeer!”
I knew there would be a commotion, but the daily uproar around my mansion far exceeded my expectations.
Truly, the nation of hooligans with its long history and tradition.
The level of fervor from the people was on another dimension.
Honestly, at this point, my very presence was becoming a nuisance to the neighborhood, so I had no choice but to stay at Kensington Palace with my adoptive parents for the time being.
But despite this turmoil, the bride-to-be, Victoria, couldn't keep the smile off her beautiful face.
She said she was even happier now that I'd moved into Kensington and she could see me almost every day.
“Look at this, Killian.”
After dinner, she led me to her private room, unfolded a newspaper, and held it right in front of my face.
[The Most Charming Man in the British Empire, Killian Gore. Is Her Majesty the Queen Truly His First Woman? The Truth Behind Rumors of at Least Five Hidden Children?]
What kind of ridiculous article is this?
It looks like they wrote it in a way to avoid all responsibility, saying things like 'there are such rumors, but we don't believe them.'
I guess trash who've sold their souls for clicks never change, then or now.
“If you're going to write fiction, you should at least put some effort into it. They're just throwing random words together.”
“I know, right? Can they really get away with writing such outrageous insults in an article?”
“They've written it in a way that says 'such rumors exist, but we don't believe them,' so even if they're caught, they'll deny everything.”
“Still, if this is the most malicious rumor out there, I suppose it's not so bad. It's a relief that public opinion in England isn't as bad as I thought, either.”
“Focusing more on the 'Asian royalty' aspect rather than the 'Irish' one seems to have been effective.”
Killian Gore is a nobleman of Irish descent, but half the blood running through his veins is that of royalty from two Asian nations, and he is a hero who performed great deeds in the war against the Qing Dynasty.
For these reasons, Parliament strongly backed me, and the press also published analyses suggesting the British Empire stood to gain significantly from this marriage.
In the end, from England's perspective, Ireland was merely an incidental factor, not the main point.
Ireland, of course, thought the complete opposite, but it was an issue with no right answer, merely differing priorities based on one's perspective.
In any case, England was burning with happy fantasies that this marriage would allow the British Empire to actively expand into Asia and potentially rule the entire world.
And Ireland was busy spinning its own happy fantasies, filled with pride and nationalistic fervor that an Irishman was now at the heart of that same British Empire.
Since both sides were satisfied, it could be called a win-win situation.
“Oh, by the way, did you hear from my uncle? He said that although he adopted you, he couldn't pass on legal rights, but now there's no need to be cautious, so he wants to make you his official heir.”
“I heard something similar. He said it would be settled once Her Majesty officially approves it.”
“I asked Lord Chamberlain, and he said it might have been an issue before, but it should be fine now. So there's no need to delay it further; I've decided to give my official approval to coincide with our marriage.”
Does that mean I'll be the next Duke of Sussex?
In truth, the Duke of Sussex's fortune and title were nice to have but not essential. Still, the sentiment behind his desire to pass everything on to me, his adopted son, was touching.
“What are your plans for the wedding ceremony?”
“I was originally planning something modest, but I've changed my mind. This wedding also symbolizes the unity of the British Empire, so I want to make it as grand and splendid as possible. We need to show how momentous this marriage is to elevate your status as well, don't you think?”
An ecstatic Victoria went on and on, detailing how many high-ranking dignitaries would attend the wedding and the procedures for the ceremony.
To have planned such minute details in a bespoke manner, it couldn't have been just the work of royal officials.
Victoria herself must have been meticulously involved in every single detail.
“Ah, and I almost forgot. I spoke with the Prime Minister and Parliament, and we've decided to bestow upon you the rank of Admiral of the Fleet. The opposition party suggested Field Marshal in the army would be better, but I pushed back strongly, told them not to be ridiculous, and they gave in. The ruling party also confirmed that even without formal military service, it's not an issue since you effectively took command during the war with the Qing Dynasty.”
I hadn't expected to receive the title of Admiral of the Fleet, let alone Prince Consort or Prince.
If nothing else, for Britain, the navy was a symbol, the very embodiment of their pride as the world's strongest.
Even as an honorary rank, bestowing the title of Admiral upon someone who had never formally enlisted was an exceptionally rare occurrence.
In the original history, didn't Prince Albert receive the rank of Field Marshal instead of Admiral of the Fleet precisely because he hadn't served in the military?
Of course, in my case, it was possible because they took into account the fact that I was a nobleman of this country and had actually achieved great merit in war.
Nevertheless, it was an undeniable fact that I was hearing this news even before the wedding, all thanks to Victoria's considerable efforts.
Just as Wellesley had advised, I was certain this was the perfect moment for me to propose.
“Thank you so much. I didn't expect you to go to such lengths for me.”
“A husband and wife are like one body; of course, I should take care of you.”
“Speaking of which, Your Maj—no, Victoria. It may be modest compared to all you've done for me, but I've prepared something. Would you accept it?”
I took a beautiful sapphire-encrusted brooch from my coat and pinned it to her dress. Victoria's eyes widened as if she'd never imagined such a thing.
“Is... is this a gift?”
“It's more of a proposal than a gift. I know I'm the one who has already been proposed to, but I felt it was right to give you my own answer. Ah, and this too.”
“Are these... shoes?”
“Yes. I had a feeling you were always a bit conscious of your height when we were together, so I commissioned them from an artisan I know.”
Seeing the beautifully crafted, modern-style high-heeled shoes, Victoria looked even more moved than when she saw the brooch, her gaze shifting between the shoes and me.
“You knew I was conscious of that?”
“Yes. I looked into it, but there were no women's shoes of this design yet. So I just commissioned an artisan to create them.”
In truth, creating high-heeled shoes capable of supporting a woman's weight with the technology of this era was much more difficult than I'd thought.
If the Queen were to wear them and get injured, it would be a catastrophe, so it took immense effort and time, creating dozens of prototypes and refining them, before the current product could be made.
Strictly speaking, I didn't commission a single artisan; I mobilized all the craftsmen from the new clothing company I acquired. But I did commission them, didn't I?
If Victoria wears these in the future, it will have a tremendous promotional effect, and the company that made them will become famous throughout Britain.
Of course, seeing Victoria's delighted reaction to the gift gave me far greater satisfaction. I suppose I'm just a man, after all.
“Thank you. I truly never imagined... I'm so happy. I'm going to wear them starting tomorrow and show them off to everyone I meet.”
“Seeing you so happy makes me feel proud for preparing them.”
I took the hand of the overjoyed woman. Then, I bent one knee slightly and spoke in a serious voice.
“Victoria, will you be my wife?”
“...Yes. With pleasure.”
The atmosphere was softer and more relaxed than when she first confessed to me, but a strange heat rising from within my chest made my heart pound.
And then, slowly.
Very slowly, my lips and hers drew closer. Victoria's breathing quickened, and her body trembled.
We remained there, close enough to feel each other's breath.
Until the night was over.