Chapter 129
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: The Prince Consort
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I might have said I'd wait for a bite, but that didn't mean I was just sitting idle.
“Oh, my. Does that mean the shoes Her Majesty wore at the wedding were a personal gift from you, Your Highness?”
“Yes. They were custom-made by a craftsman from a company I know well.”
“Goodness, I looked everywhere to see if I could find a pair, but I couldn't get them anywhere. By the time I found out, they said the orders were already completely full...”
“I know, right? People's information networks are quite remarkable. I have no idea how they found out, but I'm told orders are already flooding in.”
I've recently dabbled in the apparel business, so I was hoping to attract some wealthy VIP clients. Things are going so smoothly it almost feels too good to be true.
It seems the promotional effect of the Queen's high heels far exceeded my expectations.
To be honest, when I saw Victoria's long wedding dress, which completely covered her feet, I assumed the promotional effect wouldn't be as great as I'd hoped.
The dress was designed in a way that her legs were not visible at all, yet how did the noble ladies manage to spot her high heels and even track down where they were sold?
I had to admit I'd greatly underestimated the ladies' desire for fashion items.
“It wasn't just at the wedding. Her Majesty wore a different style of shoe at a recent banquet, and they were simply beautiful.”
“That's right. They didn't just make her look taller; her entire silhouette looked much more elegant.”
“I imagine they were designed with that in mind, weren't they? But why is the stock so limited?”
“They require more skill to make than you might think. If a heel were to break, it could cause an injury, so they are crafted with far more care than ordinary shoes.”
“Sigh... I want a pair so badly. Is there no way? I asked my husband, but he said it was impossible.”
Seeing the prestigious noblewomen, and even Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, all desperate to get their hands on a pair of high heels, I found it hard to hide my pleased smile.
The conservative Victoria was not particularly fond of the atmosphere, but British high society at the time was practically a constant party.
The economy was growing, technology was improving daily—how could they resist spending their overflowing wealth?
Large parties and balls were held at least several times a week, where gentlemen and ladies from prominent families flaunted their wealth.
Perhaps in the original history, Victoria's emphasis on a conservative stance was a way to sound a warning bell against the increasingly debauched lifestyle of the British upper class.
In any case, many in the current British upper class lived a life of daily feasting and drinking, and such people were more likely to desire to appear special.
So, what was to be done? The best way to distinguish oneself, a method passed down since ancient times, was, of course, to adorn oneself with all manner of luxury goods and jewels.
However, in gatherings of the true upper crust, such adornments didn't have as much of an effect as one might think.
A large diamond? A sapphire necklace? The person standing next to you could buy one just as easily if they set their mind to it.
Therefore, the most effective items in such settings were not merely expensive, but rare.
A true luxury item, one that satisfies the vanity of the rich, is something that cannot be easily obtained even with money.
And Victoria's high-heeled shoes were becoming just such an item in the social circles of the noble ladies.
A new style of shoe, personally debuted by the Queen at her wedding.
And not only were they simply ornate, but they were said to make one's legs appear much longer and one's overall silhouette more beautiful.
Furthermore, they were extremely scarce and instantly recognizable, creating a clear distinction at parties between those who wore them and those who did not.
“If you ladies desire them, shall I try contacting the craftsman? He might have set a few pairs aside.”
“R-Really?”
“If Your Highness would do that for us, we would be ever so grateful.”
“Haha, of course, I should. Are not all of you here trusted friends of Her Majesty? That makes you my friends as well. If you ever face a difficulty, please don't hesitate to tell me. Even if there are no shoes set aside, I'll put in a quiet word to ensure you receive them first, so you should have them within the week. And of course, there is no need for payment. It is a token of my sincerity.”
“Oh, my! The Duke of Bedford is hosting a party this weekend. I'll be able to wear them there! Thank you so much!”
Good. With this, I've won the favor of the ladies who frequent the palace, and I can enjoy an even greater promotional effect.
As expected, there's nothing like a luxury gift that money can't buy to capture the hearts of the wealthy.
The ladies who visit here and speak with Victoria are, without exception, women from powerful families.
They were not just people who enjoyed a lavish lifestyle; they were also high-class gossipmongers who created and spread all sorts of court rumors.
Winning their favor meant gaining an overwhelming advantage in the court of public opinion within high society.
If I could gain such an advantage by giving away a few pairs of shoes, it was practically a steal.
Of course, once high heels become widespread among the upper-class ladies, this effect will fade. I'll need to prepare another luxury item by then, but that won't be a problem.
I have a general idea of what wealthy upper-class women from the modern era go wild for. I just need to introduce a few things that don't exist in this age.
And over here, I have Victoria, a promotional model of legendary status that all the celebrities of the modern era, even if they joined forces, couldn't hope to match. I don't need to worry about advertising effectiveness.
Just as I was steadily building my image as a Prince Consort who was not only well-versed in fashion but also benevolent...
“Your Highness! The Prime Minister has sent word, requesting you come to Parliament at your earliest convenience.”
I was already expecting they would call for me around this time.
But to get the call the moment I thought the time was right... it seems they're not the patient type either.
“Very well. I shall go at once.”
Considering the timing, it's unlikely to be about Asia. It's most likely about the Americas. If so, I can well imagine the atmosphere there.
They must be starting to realize it by now, right?
That they can't do this without me.
***
“You so confidently said we would discuss this later, and now look at this!”
What a thunderous roar.
Hearing Wellesley's voice booming loud enough to be heard outside the chamber as soon as I entered for the first time in a while, I smiled with satisfaction.
Ever since Charles I failed in his attempt to arrest members of the House of Commons, a tradition was established that the monarch of the British Empire cannot enter the Commons.
Therefore, it was customary for the monarch to summon the members to the House of Lords if they had business with Parliament, but other members of the royal family were not bound by this tradition.
By the time I entered the chamber of the House of Commons, guided by a parliamentary clerk, the meeting was already drawing to a close.
“Let's say we accept that the Prince Consort had to resign as Foreign Secretary. But how long must we leave the post of Plenipotentiary Envoy to Canada vacant? You said we would discuss it right after the wedding, but do you have any idea how many months it's been? Just how many months does 'right after' mean to the Whig Party?”
“Well... strictly speaking, is the composition of the cabinet not the Prime Minister's responsibility? Shifting that responsibility onto us is hardly fair.”
“Since when was the Plenipotentiary Envoy to Canada a member of the cabinet? Is it not a temporary position created by a bill passed by all of us in Parliament, not the executive branch?”
“No, what I mean is...”
“The Governor-General of Canada is practically begging for help! This is not an exaggeration. It's the truth.”
Wellesley irritably unfolded a paper and waved it, revealing the large, clearly written words: ‘Please help us. At this rate, the situation will soon become uncontrollable.’
“Did I not make myself clear? We must immediately appoint someone to take responsibility for Canada in the Prince Consort's stead. We can delay no longer. As it is, the United States is making the absurd request that we check if Black people have fled to Canada. We need to appoint a person in charge and deal with this as soon as possible. Mr. Gladstone, please name a suitable candidate from the Whig Party right now.”
“I am truly sorry, but it seems there is no one who can perfectly replace the work done by the Prince Consort. The truth is, it was only possible because the Black people settling in Ireland and Canada trust and follow His Highness so deeply...”
“Then you must find someone who can! The work has been started, but with no one in charge, we are hearing cries of distress from all sides. The Governor-General of Canada is threatening to resign if a responsible party is not sent immediately. If even the Governor-General resigns, who on earth will look after Canada? Would anyone want to take up the post of Governor-General in this situation?”
As if. If there were, they wouldn't all be standing around dumbfounded, unable to recommend a single person.
As a brief silence fell, Disraeli, who had not said a word until now, cautiously began to speak.
“Pardon me, but there is something I do not understand. Is the current Plenipotentiary Envoy to Canada not the Prince Consort?”
“...Hm?”
“Parliament has clearly defined the term for the Plenipotentiary Envoy to Canada. Unless that term has ended, the Prince Consort should still hold the position. He may have resigned as Foreign Secretary, but are the posts of Secretary and Envoy not separate?”
When you thought about it, he had a point, so Gladstone, who was about to object, closed his mouth again.
When no one refuted him, Disraeli looked around and continued.
“The truth is, it has been nearly a hundred years since the British Empire has had the husband of a queen regnant. There is no codified law. Someone like His Majesty William III was the husband of a queen, but through joint accession, he was effectively a king. On the other hand, there have been those like Prince George of Denmark, who held no real power and did not participate in politics. This is why confusion arises. Is there anyone here who can state, with clear grounds, whether or not the Prince Consort may serve as the Plenipotentiary Envoy to Canada?”
“The Prince Consort of the British Empire must remain politically neutral except in special circumstances, so it would be best if he did not intervene in politics...”
“Is that not why he resigned from his post as Secretary? But does devoting oneself to the national interest in Canada, a land far from our own, truly violate political neutrality?”
Colonial administration is, of course, a part of politics, but whether it serves the interests of a particular party is a matter of divided opinion.
In truth, no one could answer Disraeli's question.
No husband of a British queen regnant had ever been involved in colonial administration in the past, nor was colonial administration as systematic then as it is now.
“Mr. Disraeli, what is it you are trying to say? Surely you are not suggesting that the Prince Consort should continue to serve as the Plenipotentiary Envoy to Canada?”
“To be precise, I am saying that we must first decide on that very matter. Will we set a clear precedent that the Prince Consort of the British Empire can have no voice in colonial administration? Or is it acceptable for him to act as an advisor in colonial affairs for the sake of the Empire's national interest, provided he maintains strict political neutrality? We need to gather our opinions on this matter, here and now.”
“No, that is, by custom...”
“Following custom is important, but this is the legislature. We are the people who have a duty to make and execute laws. Parliament has already guaranteed the term of the Plenipotentiary Envoy to Canada by law. Are you suggesting we treat that as null and void based on custom? We cannot do that. We must either hold another vote to strip the Prince Consort of his envoy position, or we must consider it still valid, would you not agree?”
It was an argument without a single flaw, both logically and legally.
The only possible counterargument was, ‘If that's the case, why didn't you point this out from the beginning?’ but to that, he could simply claim that the thought hadn't occurred to him then.
What could they do if he claimed he'd only just thought of it?
The truth was that he had waited until the long-postponed Canada issue was on the verge of exploding, but that was just suspicion; there was no proof, was there?
“As it happens, the Prime Minister summoned the Prince Consort to the Commons today precisely because we felt this matter must be settled here. Your Highness, if Parliament were to request it of you, would you still be willing to serve as envoy?”
The eyes of the members, belatedly realizing I was present, all turned towards me.
“I am not aware of the full gravity of the situation, but if it is a problem I can resolve, I am prepared to do my duty for the nation.”
“In that case, do you believe that your official duties in Canada could result in benefits for a specific party?”
“If Canada is stabilized, it will naturally benefit the home country as well. And although I was unable to see it through to completion, Canada is currently preparing to industrialize, following the model of the British Empire. As Canada's industry develops, the British Empire will become wealthier, and the government may well take credit for that.”
“But by that logic, one could argue that everything in the world violates political neutrality.”
“Strictly speaking, most things in the world are related to politics. Of course, if you were to ask me to finish the work in Canada that I started, I would certainly not act for the benefit of any single party. I intend to strive solely for the interests of the British Empire and the people living in Canada.”
As I smoothly delivered my prepared lines, the hands of the reporters transcribing my words moved faster and faster.
After asking a few more questions, Disraeli gave a slight bow and turned back to the members.
“In my personal opinion, I believe it is right for the Prince Consort, who initiated this matter, to be the one to see it through, at least concerning the Canada affair. I believe it is procedurally appropriate to do so while the term granted by Parliament is still active. Of course, since the bill was enacted when His Highness was a member of the Conservative Party, some may feel that further amendments are needed. Therefore, I propose that we appoint aides recommended by both the ruling and opposition parties in an equal 50/50 split.”
“But...”
“If you truly cannot accept this, then the Whig Party need only recommend a suitable candidate.”
It might feel a bit unsettling, but it was true that colonial affairs were a separate domain from the affairs of the home country.
Moreover, the situation in Canada was so bizarrely complicated, and the justification that no one but me could resolve it was so clear, that they couldn't openly refuse.
Above all, by drawing a firm line that this was strictly a colonial issue, it wouldn't cross any major psychological lines of resistance.
They would naturally assume that once this problem was solved, I would step back again and enjoy a sweet, romantic life with the Queen.
“Now then, shall we proceed to a vote? Mr. Speaker, if you please.”
But the first time is always the hardest; the second is easy.
Even if the Canada issue is resolved, the great powers' struggle for interests in Asia is about to begin in earnest. What will happen then, I wonder?
With my hands clasped leisurely behind my back, I watched as Disraeli's motion—that my position as Plenipotentiary Envoy to Canada was still valid—passed with a majority vote.
Everything for the nation and the national interest.
It's a motto I'll be using time and again in the future, so I'd better practice saying it as stylishly as possible.