Chapter 45
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: The Great Schism
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After successfully striking a deal with Daniel O'Connell, I wanted to leisurely wait for a response, but I didn't have that luxury.
I had to maintain my image as the perennial top student at Eton, manage business affairs with James, and simultaneously coach Wellesley to stand out in the House of Commons.
Frankly, if that were all, I could have at least spent my weekends relaxing my mind and body by chatting leisurely with Victoria.
However, after making a secret pact with William IV, I had to bid farewell to my delightful weekend tea times.
The reason being...
“Today's topic of study is parliamentary procedure, the monarch's role within it, and the importance of maintaining a balance of power among various political factions. His Majesty particularly wishes for you, Princess, to develop these coordination skills for the future.”
“An interesting topic. I've been waiting for the chance to discuss something like this.”
It was because I had to take charge of Victoria's education as the heir.
To be blunt, Victoria had yet to even take the first steps in many of the subjects she needed to learn as the next monarch.
Of course, the cause was the Duchess of Kent's foolishness.
As would be the case in any nation, Britain naturally invested immense effort into educating the heir to the throne.
The standard curriculum for an heir included academics such as history, literature, languages, philosophy, mathematics, and science, as well as training in politics, military, and naval affairs. On top of that, education in religion and diplomacy was also part of the course.
But while Victoria was well-versed in literature, classics, and philosophy, she had not received high-level instruction in military or political matters.
Worried about this, William IV ordered her to study the necessary subjects with me and for me to report her progress to him regularly by letter.
I understood his reasoning.
If not for this, Victoria would only begin learning the knowledge required of a monarch after reaching adulthood.
Thanks to this, I found myself in the unexpected position of being her tutor, going beyond simply conveying the contents of books she wanted to know about.
It was a self-inflicted hardship, but I figured it would be a good investment for the future.
“Then let's begin by discussing this country's parliamentary politics.”
“I know that much, of course. In fact, I already had you go over the basics with me before.”
“That's true.”
Indeed, how resolutions are passed in the House of Commons, how the veto power of the House of Lords and the monarch is exercised...
...and other basic knowledge, like 'the reason for respecting the decisions of the House of Commons,' I had explained it all before.
“But Killian, based on what I've heard so far, is the monarch's veto power really necessary? It hasn't been used in 130 years, and from the sound of it, it seems it shouldn't be used in the future either.”
“Yes. It's true that no monarch has exercised the veto since Queen Anne last used it in 1708. It is a sword that should not be drawn. However, a sword can be a sufficient threat simply by remaining in its scabbard.”
“But it's just a decorative sword that can't be drawn and used to strike, isn't it?”
“The ability to make people follow you with that decorative sword is what we call political power. And when you ascend the throne, Princess, that very political power will be the most necessary skill you'll need.”
Victoria, still a fifteen-year-old girl, nodded at my words, but her expression showed she didn't fully understand.
I suppose politics needs to be explained with easy-to-understand examples.
I set aside the summary I had written of the book William IV recommended and instead showed her the front page of a recent newspaper.
-Signs of a Whig Party Split. Minister Stanley Resigns from Cabinet, Criticizing the Church Reform Bill.
-House of Lords Announces Veto, Church Reform Bill's Failure Inevitable.
-Anglican Bishops Deliver Official Opposition to Parliament and the Crown.
-His Majesty King William IV Rejects Prime Minister Charles Grey's Demand to Expand the House of Lords. A Rift in the Relationship Between the Crown and the Ruling Party?
Regardless of whether they were pro-Tory or pro-Whig, all the newspapers were now scrambling to report on the current political situation.
Politics is a living creature, so to develop her political sense, a real-life example like this would be far more helpful than a textbook.
“Princess, as I've mentioned before, cracks are forming in the Whig party's seemingly solid foundation. There are many factors, but let's analyze the situation strictly from His Majesty the King's perspective. What do you think was his intention in rejecting Prime Minister Grey's demand?”
“Isn't it because this country has the Church of England as its state church, and the opposition from all walks of life is just that strong?”
“On the surface, yes, but this is actually a case of public opinion being overrepresented. The Anglicans in Ireland may be vehemently opposed, but realistically, most people aren't that interested.”
As society became highly industrialized, the primary, secondary, and tertiary concerns of British citizens were money and jobs.
The truth that religion and morality must step aside in the face of bread-and-butter issues was becoming a timeless one.
And this reform bill, in reality, wouldn't have a major impact on the daily lives of most citizens.
Of course, not many people would view it favorably, but it was an issue that could have been smoothed over with a bit of media management from the Crown.
Especially since the king could still wield powerful influence as the head of the Church of England, he could exert more influence than Parliament on such religious matters.
“Hmm... Then my uncle—that is, His Majesty—is a conservative man. Perhaps he felt anxious about the repeated reform efforts.”
“That's likely. But the essence of it, as I mentioned earlier, is maintaining the balance of power among political factions. This situation is a textbook example of the theory we discussed. The Whigs have been the majority party for four years, passing many reforms, and the Prime Minister now plans to gain even more support from Ireland.”
“Ah! I understand. So if the Whigs completely absorb the support from Ireland, their current position will be solidified for a long time, which isn't good for the political balance, is it?”
“Exactly. Therefore, His Majesty has made a strategic move. He intends to weaken the Whigs and support the Tories to level the balance of power again. That's how his own political standing will be further strengthened.”
“It's difficult to grasp that one shouldn't intervene in policy decisions based solely on personal inclination.”
Victoria's tone grew heavy with seriousness.
Her brow furrowed, weighed down by concerns for the future.
“You don't need to worry about being too far behind. You still have nearly three years until you come of age. Besides, luckily, various incidents are popping up that allow you to gain indirect experience, aren't they?”
“You're right. I'll have to study and learn even harder from now on. But I'm curious. I understand His Majesty wants to support the Tories to maintain balance. If this continues, the Prime Minister will have no choice but to resign due to severe internal division, and a new one will have to be appointed. Would His Majesty really appoint a Tory member as Prime Minister?”
Normally, the monarch appoints the Prime Minister based on Parliament's recommendation, but that was merely a formality; it was standard procedure for the leader of the majority party to take the role.
However, William IV is recorded in British history as the last monarch to appoint a Prime Minister without Parliament's consent.
It was highly likely that, just as Victoria suspected, he would oust Charles Grey and install the Tory leader, Robert Peel, as Prime Minister.
“If His Majesty preemptively appoints a Prime Minister and the Tories win the election at the end of this year, the Whigs' momentum will be broken in an instant, and the Tories will regain power. But since His Majesty will have orchestrated that situation, his influence will become incomparably greater than before.”
“But if the Whigs win the election despite all that... wouldn't it be a result where he loses more than he gains? From what I can see, no matter how much pressure is applied, I don't think the Whigs will lose so easily in an election.”
She had a point.
That's why no monarch after William IV dared to do the same thing.
Seeing her deduce the current political climate and predict its repercussions in such a short time showed that Victoria's instincts were by no means poor.
If she continues to learn and grow like this, perhaps she could become an even more influential monarch than in the original history.
“Even if the Whigs don't lose helplessly, an election has many variables, so no one will know the result until the votes are counted. However, it might not end with a clear winner. The Tories, the Whigs, and even His Majesty could all end up with unsatisfactory report cards.”
“Then who would be the one to come out on top?”
“That's your homework. Observe the flow of the election carefully and submit your answer, and I will grade it.”
“I'm sure at first you said we would study together, but now it seems I'm the one being taught unilaterally. Not that I have any complaints, as it's been very helpful... Oh, but I've been meaning to ask you this. Killian, do you want to enter Parliament after you graduate?”
Unlike when discussing heavy political topics, Victoria's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Come to think of it, this was the first time she had asked about my future plans.
“As someone who will inherit a title, I cannot enter the House of Commons. And unless I am chosen as an Irish representative, I cannot enter the House of Lords either.”
“Then will you return to Northern Ireland, where your estate is?”
“I'll travel back and forth occasionally, but London is more familiar to me, so I believe I'll spend more time here.”
“So, in the end, you'd prefer to enter the House of Lords if you could, right? When I become queen, I'll have the authority to grant you entry into the House of Lords...”
She deliberately trailed off, gauging my reaction.
Was she trying to sound me out? Or perhaps testing me in some way?
Whatever it was, I had nothing to hide, so I gently shook my head.
“I may have said that in front of the Duchess, but you don't need to take it to heart. One doesn't necessarily need a title bestowed by the Crown to enter Parliament.”
“Hmm, another way to enter the House of Lords without being granted a title.”
Victoria, who had been staring at me, asked in a casual, almost nonchalant tone.
“Are you perhaps planning to marry a woman who can inherit a title?”
What's with this sudden question?
I didn't know how the topic had jumped here, but I shook my head again.
“I can't make the most important decision of my life carelessly just to obtain a mere title.”
If it were to obtain something absolutely unattainable with my own abilities, maybe, but a political marriage just for a title has a very poor cost-benefit ratio.
I wasn't sure why, but my answer seemed to satisfy her, as Victoria let out a small laugh.
“Of course. If there's something you want, you should get it with your own abilities. But Killian, if what you want is difficult to achieve due to your birth or status, will you still keep trying?”
“Overcoming such obstacles one by one is what makes it rewarding. I'll have to hone my abilities to reach that point, so it will also be a driving force for my development. I don't think that's a bad thing at all.”
Trying to take the easy way out is ultimately because one's own abilities aren't sufficient to follow the proper path.
Of course, I spoke confidently, but I too am in a position where I cannot reach the highest echelons of Britain without building up considerable achievements.
Still, with the foundation I've built, plus the halo of the future queen, Victoria, it won't be me seeking power, but the British Empire itself that will come to desire me first.
“That's a very good attitude. I'll be cheering for that mindset to never change.”
For some reason, she seemed more pleased than I'd ever seen her. Was what I said that gratifying?
I nodded, drank the tea on the table, and rose from my seat.
The sun hadn't set yet, but I had more on my schedule.
To prepare for the upcoming election, I needed to get a head start now.
At this rate, even having two bodies wouldn't be enough.
* * *
Four days after the ministers' resignations in protest of the Prime Minister's decision and the king's intervention.
Grey, who had led the Whig Party as Prime Minister for four years, finally succumbed to the onslaught from both within and outside the party.
“Extra! Extra! Charles Grey resigns as Prime Minister!”
“Viscount Melbourne, William Lamb, provisionally decided as the next leader of the Whig Party!”
“Tory's Robert Peel appointed to the vacant Prime Minister post!”
With a continuous stream of scoops, the newspapers, grinning from ear to ear, happily printed their editions.
Newsboys roamed everywhere, shouting the headlines of the front page, and the commotion outside could be felt even indoors.
“...Incredible. It happened exactly as you said.”
O'Connell spread a newspaper he had bought outside on the table and let out a sound of admiration.
“The Prime Minister resigned due to conflict with the Church and the Crown. His successor, Viscount Melbourne, said he would still try to pass the bill, but we can consider it dead in the water.”
“Then our deal is now officially sealed, I suppose. Everything you stipulated as a condition, Mr. O'Connell, has come to pass.”
“Indeed. And just by looking at the person you've brought with you, I can tell there were no lies in what you've said so far.”
O'Connell shifted his gaze to Wellesley, who was sitting beside me.
He, too, offered a gentlemanly smile and extended his hand toward O'Connell.
“I've heard everything from Killian. I hope we can build a good relationship, cooperating where we can and debating where we must.”
“Does your party leader and interim Prime Minister, Robert Peel, know that we have joined hands?”
“No. This is a secret pact, so it's best we keep it strictly between ourselves. If a matter arises that requires your cooperation, Mr. O'Connell, I plan to explain it as something I negotiated.”
“Then there's no guarantee the Tory Party will accept our demands, is there?”
“No, I can assure you on that point.”
As Wellesley answered confidently, O'Connell glanced at me.
“I heard from Killian, but is the influence of the young members within the party really that strong?”
“Not yet, but after this election, I believe it can become as strong as you imagine. Of course, that's only possible with your cooperation, Mr. O'Connell.”
“Very well. Then let's nail this down right here. After the election, if our combined seats with the Tory party exceed the majority, please separate the tithe portion from the current Church Reform Bill and pass it first. In return, we will cast our votes in favor of the next bill the Tory Party wants.”
“Excellent. I give you my word, on my name. However, for this agreement to have any meaning, we must win this election. Shall we move on to the most important discussion?”
Simultaneously, as if by prior arrangement, both O'Connell's and Wellesley's eyes turned to me.
Their expectant gazes seemed to say, "You're the one who orchestrated this meeting, so give us a plausible strategy."
And I met their expectations by revealing the core strategy we should aim for in this election.
“In the upcoming election, there is only one goal we must focus on: completely eliminating the Whig Party's influence in Ireland.”
First, we expel the Whigs, and the central region will be divided between the Tories and O'Connell.
After a while, I will inherit the base in Northern Ireland anyway, so half of it will naturally become mine.
Then, after O'Connell retires and I absorb his power base, I will be the only one left with influence over Ireland.
On the long journey toward the place I aim to reach, I have finally taken a firm first step.