Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: A Joyful Birthday Party
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Having finished my negotiations with Dowlais, I returned to London with a much lighter heart.
I had already meticulously inspected and received the gift I'd prepared in advance; all that was left was to find the right moment to give it to her.
Even though she was all but the confirmed heir, she wasn't yet the queen, so the birthday celebration was meant to be a small affair with only close acquaintances. It wouldn't be too crowded.
I thought I could just enjoy some pleasant conversation and then head back, but things took a strange turn.
“Earl Aaron, you've returned. I've been visiting daily, wondering when you would be back.”
An employee from Buckingham Palace, who had arrived as soon as I returned to my London residence, let out a sigh of relief and held out an invitation.
“This is a royal invitation, requesting your attendance at the Princess's birthday celebration.”
“Thank you. But I seem to recall already receiving one.”
“The venue has changed. It's now at Buckingham Palace.”
It was supposed to be a modest affair at Kensington Palace. Had something changed?
Opening the invitation, I easily surmised the reason.
“It seems His Majesty will be presiding over it himself. The scale of the event will be much larger, then.”
“Yes. His Majesty is getting on in years, and he expressed a desire to personally oversee such an auspicious day—the coming of age of his successor. He mentioned he's unsure how many more external events like this he'll be able to preside over...”
“I understand. I can certainly empathize with His Majesty's feelings. I will make the proper preparations and attend on the appointed date.”
So, our good king has decided to go all out, now that there's nothing holding him back.
After all, the Kensington System becomes void the moment Victoria comes of age.
This meant the Duchess could no longer restrict contact between the King and Victoria. It was no wonder the King wanted to rub it in.
From William IV's perspective, this was a moment he had waited over a decade for; how satisfying it must be.
If I were in his shoes, I'd also be unable to contain my delight, imagining all the ways I could infuriate the Duchess.
The only problem was that if the event became too grand, I might stand out too much.
“Do you happen to know roughly how many people have been invited to this event? Since His Majesty is personally presiding, I imagine it's quite large, isn't it?”
“Yes. Nearly all the nobles close to the royal family have been invited, and a significant number of influential politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties are on the list as well.”
“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”
At the Christmas event, Victoria wasn't the star, so I drew relatively little attention. But the protagonist of this event was, without a doubt, her.
If I appeared too close to her, I could draw massive unwanted attention. But if I tried to keep my distance, Victoria might genuinely get angry. This was truly difficult.
Of course, while I was complaining inwardly, I had already reached a conclusion in my mind long ago.
Having spent so much money and effort preparing a birthday gift, backing down now would be absurd.
If I was going to get struck by lightning whether I moved forward or retreated, I might as well delay it as long as possible and install a lightning rod in the meantime.
Even without overt displays of affection, I still had plenty of ways to please Victoria.
The timing was perfect. It was time to start unwrapping the bundle of gifts I had prepared for this very moment.
* * *
May 24, 1837.
For the first time in a while, the Grand Hall of Buckingham Palace was filled not with the gloomy atmosphere of economic depression, but with the sounds of congratulations and cheerful applause.
Times were tough outside, but that was precisely why all eyes and hopes were on Victoria, the next monarch of this country.
Of course, no one present was unaware that a monarch could not be so deeply involved in politics.
Nevertheless, the sovereign remained a powerful unifying force for the nation.
That reason alone was enough to qualify her to be hailed as a symbol of hope.
In the distance, I could see William IV standing right beside Victoria, raising his glass with a radiant smile as if he owned the world.
“Ladies and gentlemen, and distinguished guests. We are gathered here today to celebrate and bless the future. I am overcome with emotion to see my beloved niece and heir, Princess Victoria, cross the final threshold into adulthood.
I have no doubt that she, who will succeed me, will continue to embody the virtues of love, kindness, and wisdom.
Victoria, I hope you will embrace the responsibilities and opportunities that come with your high station not as burdens, but as joys, and become a great leader who always prioritizes love for your people and devotion to your country.”
Victoria, her face slightly flushed, smiled brightly and nodded. William IV then looked around and raised his glass high.
“Everyone, let us toast to the health and happiness of our future leader, who has just come of age. Victoria, may your future and the future of this nation be filled with radiant happiness. Happy birthday!”
“Happy birthday!”
“Blessings on the Princess's future!”
“Thank you! Thank you, everyone! I will study harder and strive to do more.”
Was it because her heart was swelling with the thought of finally tasting true freedom?
An unusually excited Victoria offered her thanks here and there.
As I watched her from a slight distance, a deep sigh sounded beside me.
“She's like a fish in water.”
“Sir Conroy, if you can't manage your expression on such an auspicious day, someone might take issue with it.”
“Hmph. They've all gone to fawn over the King and the Princess. Who would be looking this way?”
The man who had burned with the ambition to place a young Victoria on the throne and rule as the de facto master of Buckingham.
John Conroy was tasting bitterness as he witnessed his plans crumble in real-time.
“Sir Conroy, what do you plan to do now?”
“Hah... I don't know. What's to be done? Now that the Princess has come of age, the choice is hers. If she decides she doesn't need a regent, neither the Duchess nor I will have a place, will we?”
“Indeed.”
If he were to gracefully admit defeat and step back now, he could avoid a disgraceful end, but I knew better than anyone that Conroy was not that kind of man.
Would a man who had spent all this time scheming to wield power from behind the queen's throne now just say, 'Oh, you've come of age? Well then, I suppose that's that. I'll be on my way,' and retreat?
In the original history, he had clung on disgracefully until the very end, only to be cast out after Victoria became queen.
It would be more surprising if he were to give up meekly.
“But say... if Princess Victoria herself declares she will accept the Duchess as her regent... that would mean we still have a chance, wouldn't it?”
This is the John Conroy I know.
I nodded nonchalantly, feigning agreement.
If he was so determined to make a disgraceful exit, what could I do?
I might as well roll out the carpet to make his departure as impactful as possible.
“Of course. If the Princess were to sign a document appointing the Duchess as regent, or you, Sir Conroy, as her private secretary, it would be effective in its own right. After all, the Princess is now an adult.”
“Just as I thought. There's still hope. But the more we delay, the less likely the Princess will listen, right? I must act tomorrow, immediately...”
When Victoria was a minor, any document she signed promising to appoint her mother as regent upon coming of age would have no legal effect.
However, if she formally put her opinion in writing after becoming an adult, it could become legally binding.
This was the last lifeline Conroy and the Duchess of Kent could cling to.
“As you say, Sir Conroy, there is little time left. The faster you act, the higher the chance of success.”
“Good. Then I will bring the documents tomorrow. You be sure to stay by the Princess's side. If the Duchess, you, and I persuade her together, we should be able to get her signature.”
“Understood. As it happens, I expect to be reading with the Princess around noon tomorrow. You can come at that time.”
“You know it will be easier for me to support you, a man of similar background, once I've risen to a higher position, don't you? So, you must do your utmost to help me.”
Just as I was about to nod in agreement.
“Oh, look who it is! If it isn't the rising star of the Tory Party, Earl Aaron, Killian Gore. I didn't expect to run into you here.”
A middle-aged gentleman approached me with an affable smile.
Though he had abruptly interrupted our conversation, I recognized him and bowed politely in greeting.
“Viscount Melbourne, is it not? I didn't expect to see you here. It's a pleasure.”
“Hahaha! Indeed.”
The 2nd Viscount Melbourne, William Lamb.
A titan among titans who had risen to become the leader of the Whig Party after Charles Grey stepped down.
In the original history, he had served as Prime Minister and acted as Queen Victoria's mentor, but unfortunately, in this timeline, he wouldn't be able to build such a career.
Still, even if not the ruling party, he was the leader of the Whigs, who currently held the most seats in Parliament.
His political influence was incomparable to mine, let alone to Conroy, who was now a spent force.
This heavyweight glanced between me and Conroy, then casually pointed to a corner on the opposite side.
“I was hoping to have a word with you, as a matter of fact. Could you join me over there? This spot seems a bit noisy for my taste.”
Conroy's face hardened, having been suddenly treated as if he were invisible, but Viscount Melbourne still didn't spare him a glance.
But just as he was about to say something, he turned and left with a sour expression on his face.
It was an unexpected interruption, but from my perspective, it was actually helpful.
The more his pride was wounded, the more dramatic his disgraceful behavior tomorrow would be.
“Haha... It seems we won't need to move after all.”
“So it seems. He may have no shame, but at least he has the sense to take a hint. If it were me, I'd have been too embarrassed to even think of attending such an event.”
For Viscount Melbourne, a man reputed to be kind and honest, to show such a cold attitude was proof of just how poor Conroy's reputation was among the British upper class.
Besides, now that Victoria was of age, it was only natural to think that Conroy was finished.
“But I must say, I'm surprised you wished to speak with me, my lord. Do you have some business with me?”
“I doubt I'm the only one who wants to speak with you. I hear you've been away from London recently. Where did you go?”
“I had some business in Wales, so I was there for a short while.”
Well, look at this.
The Whig Party is keeping tabs on my movements in London?
And saying it so openly must be an attempt to apply some pressure.
Viscount Melbourne, who had been staring intently at my face, chuckled and shrugged.
“Ah, don't be so wary. To be honest, what we were really interested in were the movements of that fellow who just ran off like a puppy with its tail between its legs. But isn't Conroy an Irishman with ties to the Tory Party? That's why there's been talk on our side that you and he might be close.”
“I can see why you would think that. It's an undeniable fact that we have quite a bit in common.”
I had expected the Whig Party, which had all but lost Ireland, to try and keep me in check one way or another.
But to think they'd try to link me to him like this.
Are they barking up the wrong tree, or is this a deliberate attempt to tarnish my name, even though they know it's not true?
In the past, I might have been a little intimidated, but right now, I honestly just found it interesting.