Chapter 51
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Year of Destiny
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The coming of age of Victoria, the heir presumptive and future queen of the British Empire, signified more than just her legal entry into adulthood.
Once Victoria became an adult, the position of Regent, so desperately coveted by her mother, the Duchess of Kent, would lose its reason for being.
Naturally, the Duchess's ambitions, as well as those of Sir Conroy who had incited them, would vanish like bubbles.
With the royal Christmas celebration—the final event of 1836—drawing near, the Duchess of Kent's anxiety visibly deepened with each passing day.
“Hah... This can’t be happening. What lingering attachments does that old man have to this world to be clinging on so tenaciously?”
“Ma’am, perhaps you should moderate your tone. Someone might overhear.”
“It’s just you and I here, Killian. Who is there to eavesdrop? Tell me, has the King confided anything secretive to you in his letters? Something about his health being poor, or anything of that sort.”
“Nothing of the kind. Instead, he asked me to report on how anxious you were. I replied that you were maintaining your composure, same as always.”
Though the truth was the exact opposite, the Duchess of Kent seemed to have an epiphany at my words. She calmed her excitement and steadied her breathing.
“Yes. If I show any sign of disarray here, that old man will surely laugh at me. I’ve already received a letter insisting that I, at the very least, attend the event at Windsor Castle alone. It must be for the sole purpose of mocking me.”
“There are still five months left. At times like these, you must wait with great composure. And as I’ve said before, even when the Princess comes of age, she is unlikely to disregard your words, so please do not trouble your heart so. You, who speak with the Princess every day, know this best, do you not?”
“You’re right. It’s true the child hasn’t shown any sign of rebellion toward me in recent years. Killian, this is all thanks to you. I never knew having you on my side would be so reassuring. My judgment back then was surely correct. By the way, I heard you were also invited to this event?”
“Yes, even though I am still a minor and my title does not yet grant me a seat in the House of Lords, I am an Earl nonetheless. The party has also been placing greater importance on Ireland recently. Thanks to that, I was granted the honor of an invitation.”
Until last year, William IV had not invited me to royal events due to watchful eyes, but the situation had now changed significantly.
The proof was that even the Duchess of Kent felt no sense of incongruity at my attendance.
“I was especially worried this year, so it is a relief that you will be there. Please stick close to Victoria throughout the event and keep the bothersome flies from buzzing around her. I expect I’ll be tied up with the King for the duration.”
“Understood. I will stay by the Princess’s side in your stead, so please do not worry.”
I haven’t seen her face in months due to her packed official schedule. This will be a nice change of pace.
I wonder how she feels, with less than half a year left until she’s legally a free woman. Perhaps I’ll ask her for her thoughts.
* * *
Christmas Eve, 1836.
The night at Windsor Castle was cold, but the brilliant, glittering decorations and luxurious food were enough to make one forget the chill.
Most members of the royal family, prominent nobles, and foreign dignitaries had been invited, filling the castle to capacity, and all joined in celebrating the festive night with one heart.
The atmosphere in the State Dining Room, where those of high station had gathered, was exceptionally cheerful.
William IV, seated at the head of the table, raised his glass and delivered a concise toast.
“My beloved family, friends, and honored guests. We are gathered here tonight not only to celebrate the birth of our Savior but also to reaffirm the important bonds that unite us. What makes this Christmas feel particularly special to me is that my niece and successor, our Princess Victoria, will be coming of age next year.”
William IV paused for a moment and looked around.
And though it was for a fleeting instant, I did not miss the fact that his gaze lingered on the Duchess of Kent.
That was, without a doubt, the smile of a victor.
The Duchess, on the other hand, was failing to manage her expression, glaring at the food before her as if she wanted to kill it.
She was likely the only person in the dining room not properly enjoying her meal.
After dinner, the guests moved to a lavish drawing room, and as expected, the Duchess was summoned by William IV, separating her from Victoria.
“It’s been a while.”
Victoria, dressed in a lavender silk gown, approached me with a bright smile.
“Have you been well?”
“I have, though I’ve been a bit busy. I heard from Baroness Lehzen that you’ve been extremely busy yourself, Killian. So much so that your name is making the rounds in the newspapers.”
“It was just a flimsy thesis that was lucky enough to catch the tide of the times.”
“That’s not what I hear. The next time you come to the palace, I’ll have to ask you about it in detail.”
Victoria’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Her short stature, just over five feet, remained the same, but perhaps because she would be an adult in five months, her presence felt different than before.
Now exuding the air of a mature woman, she turned slightly to show off her dress and asked.
“By the way, what do you think of this dress? My old ones have become a bit loose, so I had a new one tailored to fit me.”
She had clearly lost a significant amount of weight, which had the effect of making her complexion even more radiant.
The intricate embroidery accentuating her slimmer waist and the delicate lace shawl draped over her shoulders added a confident sophistication.
What need was there for flowery words?
When something is beautiful, a sincere compliment is always the most effective.
“I was just thinking what an undeserved honor it is to be speaking with the most radiant person in this hall tonight.”
“Right? You should feel honored.”
She smiled playfully, took a glass of mild, low-alcohol wine from a serving person, and continued.
“Oh, you know, don’t you? My mother’s nephew, Crown Prince Ernst, and his younger brother visited Kensington recently.”
“Ah, yes, I heard. They were originally scheduled to come around June, but their visit was delayed by a few months because of the political turmoil surrounding the Corn Laws.”
“Yes, so I met them for the first time last month. It was my first time meeting my cousins, so I enjoyed it very much.”
Crown Prince Ernst would later become the second Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, but in history, his younger brother is far more famous.
That is because his younger brother, Franz Albert, was none other than Prince Albert, Victoria’s husband in the original timeline.
Originally, Victoria, with her weakness for handsome faces, was said to have fallen for Albert at first sight. I wonder how it will play out here.
“What were they like? I hear Crown Prince Ernst is a very cheerful person.”
“He is. He’s good at telling jokes, cheerful, and seems like a nice person.”
“And what about his younger brother? His name was Albert, I believe.”
“Hmm, you know not only the Crown Prince’s name but his brother’s as well? You haven’t been able to visit Kensington Palace because of your official duties, yet you’ve been gathering information quite diligently, haven’t you?”
It seemed she had misunderstood in a peculiar way, but there was no need to correct her, so I said nothing.
Victoria stared at me intently, not hiding the smile that escaped her lips.
“Albert, as we would say it, right? He’s my age and a year older than you, but he’s so handsome that no one could help but stare. It made me think that if you loaded up all the women in his duchy who are lovesick over him, it would take several carts.”
I wonder if she knows that in the original history, she was proudly on that list.
“I have heard that he is quite the handsome man.”
“Your information network is impressive. Why would you know so much? Were you concerned?”
“I was concerned, yes. After all, I am something of a tutor to you, Princess.”
“Hmm, so that’s how you’ll slip away.”
Victoria clicked her tongue lightly, as if displeased, and slowly brought the glass to her lips.
Honestly, this wasn’t my fault.
It was obvious what kind of reaction she wanted, but I couldn’t just let myself get hooked and flail about.
“I suppose I should ascertain your intentions to adjust the schedule. Will Prince Albert be staying in Britain for the foreseeable future? If you plan to meet with him often, I will adjust your lesson times.”
“What should I do? Technically, I’m still the one learning, aren’t I? If you think I still have much to learn, Killian, I am prepared to follow your opinion.”
“We haven’t made as much progress as His Majesty requested, but that can be supplemented later. You may do as you wish, Princess.”
“Do as I wish...?”
When the desired answer didn’t come, Victoria’s eyes filled with disappointment.
She even seemed a bit cross, so I let out a soft chuckle and added a few more words.
It was fun to tease her since her reactions were so immediate, but if I pushed it too far, that fiery temper of hers might actually explode. It was best to humor her a little.
“In principle, that is what I should say, but it is true that you are still inexperienced in politics, Princess. Moreover, the recent controversy over the Corn Laws was a major issue, involving a complex web of economic and social problems, so there is a great deal to study. Therefore, I think it would be best for me to resume my weekend visits to Kensington starting this week. What is your opinion, Princess?”
“Well, if you insist, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll be an adult next year, so I was just thinking I should study harder. I know your schedule is busy, but please make an effort to find the time to visit Kensington. You mustn’t forget your grave responsibility of assisting the future queen of this country.”
“Of course. However, every time I enter the palace, the Duchess holds onto me and won’t let go, which might interfere with our lesson time. I must ask for your understanding on that point.”
Victoria instinctively glanced over at the Duchess, who was listening to the King with a face as stiff as a statue, and then let out a bitter laugh.
“Hah... Mother, really. She’s been nagging me nonstop lately. ‘Victoria, even if you come of age, you still lack experience.’ ‘Even as an adult, you must keep reliable advisors by your side to govern steadily.’ ‘His Majesty is old, so an unforeseen accident could happen at any time,’ and so on.”
“Still, you seem to be handling it well. Your mother was hoping you wouldn’t refuse a regency even after you came of age.”
“Ha, a regency? How utterly absurd. The day I move into Buckingham, it’s over for Conroy. Unfortunately, since my mother has only the discernment to be fooled by such a worthless man, she must be prevented from ever getting involved in politics.”
“Still, if the opportunity arises, it would be good to find a way to reconcile with your mother. Once Sir Conroy is gone, there will be no one left to stand between you.”
I couldn’t be sure if it was true, but I vaguely remembered hearing a story that after the Duchess of Kent’s death, Victoria broke down in tears upon discovering that her mother had treasured the belongings and diaries from her daughter’s childhood for her entire life.
That kind of regret follows you for a lifetime, a memory that never fades, so it’s best to resolve it when you can.
Of course, with so much resentment built up now, she probably didn’t feel like it.
“I’m willing to accept my mother’s apology if it’s sincere. But I won’t be the first to bow my head. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“That mindset alone is more than enough.”
“Lately, though, whatever nonsense my mother or Sir Conroy spouts doesn’t bother me. Perhaps it’s because I know this life will be over in five months, and my heart has naturally become more generous?”
“You have endured for a long time. A liberating result will follow your hardship, so enjoy it to your heart’s content and receive your reward.”
“When I think about it, it’s also thanks to you, Killian. I don’t even want to imagine how terrible my life would have been these past few years without those weekly lessons.”
Victoria held out a fresh glass full of wine and smiled brightly.
“Then, I’ll be in your care for the next year as well, Lord Arran.”
“I wish you a new year filled with happiness, prosperity, and love, Princess Victoria.”
As I smiled sincerely and met her eyes, Victoria’s gaze remained fixed on mine, unwilling to look away.
The clear sound of crystal glasses clinking echoed briefly.
Composing myself, I excused myself to greet Wellesley, who was approaching.
* * *
...She had thought about telling him to reveal his true feelings.
Or perhaps asking him more directly.
But, in the end, neither made any sense.
She was to be the future queen of the British Empire, and Killian was someone who understood their respective positions perfectly.
But still, if the answer was no, he should just say no. Wasn’t he just confusing her at this point?
Although she had never been in a relationship, based on the stories from Baroness Lehzen and the novels Killian had procured for her, she was quite certain of her suspicions.
“No matter how I look at it, I don’t think I’m just imagining things. Or am I? No, I must be right.”
The Killian she had known until now had always been sincere with her.
He had devoted himself to her education, been a wonderful conversation partner to keep her from feeling lonely, and whenever she had a problem, he would worry over it as if it were his own and offer solutions.
And yet, he claimed he wanted nothing for himself.
Thinking about it, how could she not be convinced?
So, since a good opportunity had arisen, she had tried to sound out his true intentions, but once again, he had slipped away with infuriating ease.
“Is he waiting for me to say it first?”
From his position as a man of Irish descent, it might be a difficult thing to even mention, so perhaps he was hoping she would make the first move.
But Victoria had not a single speck of dust’s worth of intention to do so.
For the future queen of the British Empire to have feelings for a man of Irish descent was in itself a massive scandal that could shake all of Britain.
He had to be prepared to face that realistic barrier and charge forward with enough resolve to shatter it. Only then would she even begin to consider whether or not to cross that dangerous bridge.
A man who pushed the burden onto the other person was not for her.
And above all...
“If I’m just getting carried away by my own delusion, it would be too embarrassing.”
The woman who would become queen of the most powerful empire in the world let out a great sigh and watched Killian’s back as he conversed with Wellesley in the distance.
“And why did that man have to come over and interrupt our conversation? If they see each other all the time, he could have just talked to him tomorrow.”
Just a moment ago, she had been in the best of moods.
For some reason, Victoria found the cheerful atmosphere of the party to be utterly displeasing.