Chapter 65
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: To a Higher Place (3)
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In the British Empire, the creation of a new title was the monarch's prerogative, while the Prime Minister's role was primarily to identify and recommend suitable candidates.
Receiving an English title also meant receiving a ticket into the House of Lords.
As it was such an important decision, it was customary for the Prime Minister to consult with ministers and leaders of other political parties before making a recommendation.
Robert Peel, the Conservative Prime Minister who had returned to power with the support of the Repeal Party, followed tradition and convened a meeting.
Although he had already reached an understanding with his ministers, Robert Peel did not yet have enough influence to silence all the senior members of his own party, so he needed to gather as many opinions as possible.
Viscount Melbourne, leader of the Whig Party, and Daniel O'Connell, leader of the Repeal Party, were present.
Representing the Conservative peers were the Duke of Wellington and the Duke of Rutland, both of whom had close ties to the candidate in question.
“Thank you for accommodating my request despite your busy schedules. With the new Parliament set to begin its activities in three days, I thought it best to conclude our discussions before we become even busier.”
“Does our opinion even matter? As I understand it, there would be no procedural issue if you were to push ahead with the recommendation, even if we objected.”
“That is true, but I wish to give this particular recommendation a certain significance. I want to show that Parliament, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, is moving with one heart and one mind.”
His reasoning was grand, but it was essentially a request for the Whig Party to back the candidate recommended by the Conservatives.
Honestly, if it were a case like the creation of the Duke of Wellington, which had the entire nation's support, he would have approved with both hands. But this was a different matter.
Viscount Melbourne read the recommendation letter drafted by Robert Peel in a brusque tone.
“It is an objective fact that the House of Gore, Earls of Arran, has made great efforts toward the harmony of Ireland and England, and the Crown and Parliament have a duty to duly recognize their labors. Therefore, we shall grant the current Earl of Arran, Killian Gore, the new title of Baron of Sudeley, so that he may dedicate himself even more to this nation not only as a peer of Ireland but also of England… In short, you’re asking us to accept Killian Gore as a member of the House of Lords.”
“I believe the House of Gore is more than deserving. You are well aware, Lord Melbourne, of how favorably public opinion in Northern Ireland has shifted thanks to the Earl of Arran.”
“That may be so, but our House of Lords already accepts as many as twenty-eight representative peers from Ireland. When a vacancy arises, the House of Gore will surely find its way in.”
“That would not have the right appearance of us rewarding an Irish peer for his contributions to the mother country.”
Of course, Viscount Melbourne knew exactly what the Prime Minister was saying.
Frankly, considering the positive influence the Earl of Arran was having not only in Northern Ireland but also in central Ireland, granting him a title was a natural step.
However, was the Earl of Arran not a Conservative figure?
If the Whig Party joined in to approve his recommendation, it was all too easy to predict how much his prestige would soar.
To bestow upon him the objective fact that not only the Conservatives but also the opposition Whig Party had unanimously approved his title.
The Prime Minister’s aim was to preemptively silence any voices questioning the wisdom of admitting a young Irish earl, who was just coming of age, into the House of Lords.
He didn't want to play along with such a transparent ploy, but the fact that it was an Irish matter gave him pause.
He couldn't rashly declare his support or opposition without knowing the intentions of O'Connell, who was presumed to hold a weakness of his.
“Ahem, I believe it is proper to first hear the opinions of those from the region. Mr. O'Connell, what are your thoughts?”
“Our party could have no objection. Why would we oppose having one more person who can speak for Ireland in the House of Lords?”
“…But I understand that your views and the Earl of Arran’s differ somewhat.”
“They do. However, I believe that our desire for the good of Ireland is the same, regardless of ideology. What more is needed?”
Right. This was the kind of man O'Connell was.
He possessed the magnanimity to not ostracize even a Home Rule supporter if it truly benefited Ireland.
Of course, Ireland was not in a position to be picky, but to be able to make such a judgment showed he was a politician of great caliber.
*Perhaps O'Connell really was the one who sent the warning.*
If so, expressing an opinion contrary to O'Connell's here was too risky.
“If the Repeal Party, whose ideology clashes with the Earl of Arran’s, is in favor, then our party cannot blindly oppose it. Indeed, even Irish or Scottish peers deserve a place in the House of Lords if they have dedicated themselves to the interests of the British Empire. The more such precedents we set, the better the local sentiment will be.”
At this point, it was better to at least cultivate an image of not being engrossed in partisan interests when the nation's welfare was at stake.
As Viscount Melbourne abruptly changed his opinion, Robert Peel blinked in surprise before turning his gaze to the Duke of Wellington.
“With the Whig Party also expressing its approval, we can consider the opinion of the House of Commons to be virtually unified. Next, I would like to hear the esteemed opinion of the Duke of Wellington, the spiritual pillar of the Conservative Party.”
“Hmm… So you’ve decided to grant him a title as soon as he comes of age?”
The Duke of Wellington, whom he had expected to be the first to agree, scratched his head and continued in a surprisingly hesitant tone.
“But Prime Minister, as you know, the age for formal participation in the House of Lords is twenty-one. While observing proceedings is possible, isn't it too hasty to grant a title and a seat in the Lords to someone who cannot yet formally participate? Moreover, you are aware that before the year is out, the Duchess of Inverness, wife of the Duke of Sussex, plans to adopt the Earl of Arran as her son, are you not?”
“Yes, of course, I have heard as much.”
“In that case, might the Earl of Arran not be recognized as a member of the Royal Family, if not immediately, then in the future? Therefore, preparing a seat for him in the House of Lords now might seem a bit premature.”
“That will not happen. His Majesty would not make such a decision, and more importantly, the Earl of Arran himself is adamant about refusing such a privilege.”
This was a story Viscount Melbourne had also heard.
The Duchess of Inverness would continue to hold her position as Mistress of the Robes now that the ruling party had won the general election.
And becoming her adopted son meant gaining the backing of the Duke of Sussex, the most senior member of the current Royal Family.
If he were to receive a title and enter the House of Lords on top of that, it would be safe to say that the Earl of Arran had effectively joined the highest echelons of the British Empire.
Looking at it all together, it did seem like they were pushing him excessively.
No, perhaps they judged that they needed to push him this much to diminish O'Connell's influence in Ireland.
“Did Killian… No, did the Earl of Arran say that? That he would refuse even if His Majesty were inclined to accept him as a member of the Royal Family?”
“Yes, he drew a clear line, stating that he is already receiving more than his share of grace and would not shamelessly covet anything greater.”
“Hmm… He was like that as a child, but it seems he still knows how to observe boundaries. In that case, I have no objection.”
The Duke of Rutland, who had been silent until now, added a word from the side.
“My son shared a room with the Earl of Arran at Eton until last year. I can assure you that his loyalty to the British Empire is genuine. And since he has always known his place and strictly observed boundaries from a young age, there is no chance he will go astray.”
“Then I will take it that the Duke of Wellington and the Duke of Rutland are also in favor. With this, it is practically confirmed that the Earl of Arran will become a member of Parliament next year, which will make it easier to bring him into the cabinet.”
In this era, it was customary for key government posts like Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary, and Foreign Secretary to be held by members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons.
But even so, wasn't the Earl of Arran still too young?
Viscount Melbourne, who had intended to remain silent, found himself interjecting.
“You intend to give the Earl of Arran a cabinet post? Isn't it too soon for a young… a very young man who has just graduated from Eton and will be coming of age next year?”
“Of course, I don’t intend to make him a minister, but to appoint him as a temporary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He cannot participate in the House of Lords right away, but the cabinet has no age restriction.”
“Even so, he is too young to hold the post of an Under-Secretary.”
“That is why it is temporary. I don’t know if he will do well, but there may be matters to which the Earl of Arran can contribute.”
He had heard the boy was a tremendous prodigy, but what could a young nobleman of only eighteen possibly do…
Viscount Melbourne, about to say just that, clamped his mouth shut at Robert Peel's next words.
“The grievances of the merchants are growing stronger by the day. At this rate, we cannot possibly balance our trade deficit. Does the Whig Party happen to have any brilliant ideas?”
“…Ah.”
He had completely forgotten.
Come to think of it, the Earl of Arran was not a pure-blooded Irish peer but of mixed heritage, and his origins were unmistakably…
“In that case, he might indeed be the most suitable person for the job in the current situation.”
Viscount Melbourne, as if he had never objected, immediately changed his tune and nodded.
Neither the Duke of Rutland nor even the Duke of Wellington raised any objections to the decision to appoint a young man, barely of age, as an Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, even if it was temporary.
There was no other reason.
This was a matter that required bipartisan cooperation from all politicians of the British Empire, transcending party interests.
***
Just as the Prime Minister had boasted, the conferment of my new title was decided much more quickly than I had anticipated.
The Prime Minister submitted the recommendation to Victoria in a form that had received the approval of both parties and the House of Lords, and she, of course, announced that she would respect the opinion of the Prime Minister and Parliament.
In addition to this, Victoria kept the Duchess of Inverness on as Mistress of the Robes and held a celebratory banquet to congratulate her on adopting me as her son.
Though it was called a banquet, it was a private affair to which only the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and I were invited. Still, it was a meal with the Queen and the most senior member of the Royal Family.
While less splendid than a public event, the dining room at Kensington Palace was decorated with an elegance I had never seen before.
Victoria naturally sat at the head of the table, followed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex according to rank, and finally myself.
She had coordinated her dress and accessories to make the locket I had given her for her birthday stand out, and as was proper, she initially conversed mainly with the Duke of Sussex.
This was only because it was an informal dinner; at a state banquet, I would likely have been seated at the far end of the table, unable to exchange a single word with her.
The early part of the meal was spent on matters of health and court gossip, and soon, a dish of roasted pheasant, marinated with herbs and spices, was served.
Victoria elegantly picked up her fork and finally turned her gaze to me, striking up a conversation.
“Now that you are the Duchess of Inverness’s adopted son, will you be moving into Kensington, my lord?”
“I will not. Even as an adopted son, it would not be well-received by many if I, who have not been incorporated into the Royal Family, were to live in the palace.”
“What a shame. Oh, but how long will you continue to use the title ‘Aunt’? Our dear Duchess will be disappointed.”
Victoria smiled brightly as she joked, and Aunt Cecilia, who was beside her, immediately nodded.
“Now that you mention it, with the formalities complete, calling me ‘Aunt’ does feel a bit awkward.”
“Ah… It certainly does, but, um… Very well. As a nobleman, I must be all the more meticulous about such titles. From now on… should I call you Mother?”
“Yes, yes! It has been my lifelong wish to be called that at least once. I am so happy.”
True, having never had children, the title "Mother" must sound especially precious to her.
I, on the other hand, couldn't recall ever calling anyone by that title, so it felt incredibly awkward.
I was an orphan in my past life, and in this one, my biological mother had already passed away by the time my memories returned.
Even when I came to England, my mother on paper had been in poor health, and I never even saw her face before she died.
Looking back, I've lived quite a harsh life.
In truth, Cecilia had long been playing the role of a mother to me, so there was no reason I couldn't grant her wish.
And honestly, the thought of having someone I could call Mother warmed my heart a little.
“This is all thanks to Your Majesty's kindness. I am nothing but grateful.”
“It was my duty, so it is I who should not be thanked. The same goes for the conferment of your title next week. As the Queen of the British Empire, I am bestowing a title upon one who has contributed to the nation, so accept it with pride.”
“I shall do my utmost.”
She had certainly grown accustomed to her role as queen. Though she used very polite words, her tone was imbued with confidence and dignity.
As if sensing my pleased gaze, Victoria gave an awkward smile and lightly raised her glass.
“You will officially receive an English title next week. May I hear your thoughts?”
“The thought of being able to enter the House of Lords is truly overwhelming. I cannot yet participate in speeches or votes as I am not yet twenty-one, but I suppose I must watch and learn a great deal until then.”
“I should hope the House of Lords learns from the Earl of Arran’s wisdom, rather than the other way around. The complaints I hear about the Lords seem to be growing more severe these days.”
“The conflict between the House of Commons and the House of Lords is not a recent development. Does Your Majesty believe the responsibility lies entirely with the Lords?”
Victoria elegantly sliced the venison that followed the pheasant and asked back, amused.
“Weren’t you the one who said the influence of the House of Lords was bound to weaken?”
“That is an unavoidable trend, as long as this country employs a system of voting. But the future is the future, and we are living in the present. Your Majesty must keep a close eye on this trend.”
Even if the power of the House of Lords was fated to decline, their strength was still formidable.
It wasn't simply because of the authority the House of Lords held.
It was because the power, wealth, and influence of its members still extended throughout the British Empire.
Considering all these factors, one could say that the power of the recently strengthened House of Commons and the weakened House of Lords had reached a balance.
And it was precisely when their powers were in equilibrium that a monarch with only ceremonial authority had a good opportunity to assert their presence.
Simply listening more to the voice of the Commons because the Lords' power was waning was a poor strategy.
A bright woman like her would have understood the meaning of my words from our brief conversation.
As expected, Victoria took her time, pretending to savor her wine, and remained silent for a while.
When cheese, fruit, and cake were served as dessert to conclude the meal, she smoothly changed the subject.
“Oh, I almost forgot. When the Prime Minister gave me the recommendation, he also asked for my consent on the cabinet composition. Have you ever been to the Qing Dynasty, my lord?”
“…Pardon?”
I was, of course, aware that the monarch's consent was required for high-ranking cabinet appointments, even if it was a formality.
But I couldn't understand how the conversation suddenly jumped to whether or not I had been to the Qing Dynasty.
“Hmm? I thought you would know. Did the Prime Minister not tell you? The Earl of Arran’s name was on the list for the new cabinet to be formed next year.”
“My name?”
“Wait, if Your Majesty’s consent is required, it must be for a high-ranking post like a minister or an under-secretary… Is Killian qualified for such an appointment?”
My thoughts exactly.
Appointing a fledgling who was just turning eighteen to a high-ranking cabinet position? And without a word to me?
Was Robert Peel deliberately trying to mess with me because I’d been leading him around a bit too much lately?
“The Prime Minister’s opinion was quite firm, and he said it was a matter agreed upon by both parties, so I consented. You will be the youngest Under-Secretary, but I am sure you will do well, my lord.”
“I mean… leaving aside the fact that my own opinion was not sought, why the sudden question about the Qing language…?”
“That part was a bit puzzling to me as well. As I recall, the Earl of Arran was born in a country called Joseon, not the Qing Dynasty, but the Prime Minister said there would be no problem. Since Joseon is a vassal state? A colony? Something like that to the Qing, he said you would be fluent in Qing culture and language.”
Uh… well, Joseon was a tributary state of the Qing, but if I called it a colony, the people of Joseon would foam at the mouth. But would there be any point in explaining?
It was unlikely that the West in this era, so hopelessly ignorant of Eastern culture and thought, would properly understand the concepts of the Sinocentric world order and tributary states.
“I do know some of the Qing language and culture. It’s nothing to boast about, but I probably know more than any other member of the House of Lords.”
“That is why he wants to appoint you as a temporary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. As you know, the trade deficit with the Qing has accumulated to a serious degree in recent years, and there is no sign of it being resolved. On top of that, diplomatic friction has been added, and the atmosphere is growing more hostile by the day.”
So, they wanted a nobleman familiar with the Qing language and culture to go and smooth things over.
Well, given how wrecked their trade balance must be at this point, I could understand their desperate intentions.
But…
The reason your diplomatic relations with the Qing Dynasty have gone to hell is because you bastards have been selling them opium.
*To them, Asia is just India or the Qing Dynasty. If not that, then maybe Cipangu?*
*‘You’re of Joseon mixed blood, so go use your connections to improve relations with your homeland, the Qing Dynasty.’*
Trying to follow this dizzying train of thought suddenly brought back a memory from my past life. I was traveling in Australia, and someone with a thick, hard-to-understand accent said, "You're from Korea? Ni hao! Wait, no? Konnichiwa!"
If it was like that in the 21st century, what could I expect from the 19th? Pathetic as it was, I’d just have to be the one to understand.