I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 54

The Joyful Birthday Party

Having concluded the negotiations with Dowries, I returned to London with a lighter heart.

I had meticulously inspected and received the gifts I had prepared in advance, so all that remained was to find an opportunity to hand them over.

Even though she was practically the heir apparent, she wasn’t yet the Queen, so the birthday celebration was only for close acquaintances, which meant it wouldn’t be too crowded.

I thought I could just have a pleasant chat and return, but the situation began to unfold in an unexpected way.

“Ah, Earl Aaron, you’ve returned. I’ve been visiting every day, wondering when you would be back.”

The Buckingham Palace official, who had come to my London mansion, breathed a sigh of relief and extended an invitation.

“This is the Royal invitation for you to attend the Princess’s birthday celebration.”

“Thank you. But I believe I received this before.”

“The location has been changed. To Buckingham Palace.”

It was supposed to be a small affair at Kensington Palace, but something must have changed again.

Opening the invitation to confirm, I could easily guess the reason.

“It seems His Majesty will be presiding over it himself. The scale of the event will be much larger.”

“Yes. His Majesty is now quite old and wishes to personally oversee this auspicious day when his successor comes of age. He said he doesn’t know how many more external events he will be able to preside over…”

“I understand. I fully comprehend His Majesty’s feelings. I will prepare properly and enter the palace on the appointed day.”

Our King must have decided to go all out since he has nothing to worry about anymore.

Since the Kensington System [a system designed to control the young Victoria] loses its effectiveness from the moment Victoria comes of age.

In other words, the Duchess can no longer restrict contact between the King and Victoria, so it’s no wonder the King wants to celebrate his victory.

In fact, from William IV’s perspective, this was a moment he had been waiting for over 10 years, so how refreshing must it be for him?

If I were in his position, I would be imagining ways to infuriate the Duchess the most and unable to contain my joy.

However, the problem is that if the event becomes too large, I might become too noticeable.

“Could you tell me approximately how many people have been invited to this event? Since His Majesty is presiding over it, it must be quite large, right?”

“Yes. Most of 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 also on the list.”

“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

The Christmas event wasn’t focused on Victoria, so it attracted less attention, but the main character of this event is undoubtedly her.

If I show too much intimacy, it could attract a lot of unwanted attention, but if I keep my distance, Victoria might get genuinely angry. This is quite difficult.

Of course, even though I’m complaining inwardly, the conclusion has already been reached in my head a long time ago.

I spent a lot of money and effort preparing a birthday gift, so backing out now would be absurd.

Whether I go forward or retreat, if I’m going to get struck by lightning, I should delay it as much as possible and install a lightning rod in the meantime.

There are still plenty of ways to please Victoria without necessarily expressing affection.

The timing is perfect, so I should start unpacking the gift bundles I’ve prepared for this moment.

* * *

May 24, 1837.

The Grand Hall of Buckingham Palace was filled with people’s congratulations and cheerful applause, replacing the dark atmosphere of the economic recession for the first time in a while.

Although times are tough, that’s why there are high expectations for Victoria, who will ascend to the throne as the next ruler of this country.

Of course, everyone here knew that the King couldn’t be that deeply involved in politics.

But even so, the existence of the King was still a powerful center that united the country.

For that reason alone, they were qualified to be hailed as a symbol of hope.

I could see William IV standing right next to Victoria in the distance, raising his glass with a bright smile as if he had the whole world.

“Ladies and gentlemen, and esteemed guests. Today, we have gathered here to bless and celebrate the future. I am deeply moved that my beloved niece and successor, Princess Victoria, has crossed the final threshold to 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 that you will accept the responsibilities and opportunities that come with your high position not as a burden but as a joy, and that you will always prioritize love for the people and dedication to the nation as a great leader.”

Victoria, with a slightly flushed face, smiled brightly and nodded, and William IV looked around and raised his glass high.

“Everyone, let’s toast to the health and happiness of our future leader, who has just become an adult. Victoria, I wish you and the future of this country only brilliant happiness. Happy birthday!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Blessings to the Princess’s future!”

“Thank you! Thank you, everyone! I will study harder and work harder.”

Perhaps it was because she was overwhelmed with the thought of finally tasting true freedom.

Victoria, who was usually calm, was unusually excited and offered her thanks here and there.

A deep sigh came from next to me as I watched her from a distance.

“She’s completely in her element.”

“Sir Conroy, if you can’t manage your expression on such an auspicious day, someone might take issue with it.”

“Hmph. Everyone’s gone to flatter the King and the Princess anyway, who would be looking this way.”

The man who was burning with ambition to place young Victoria on the throne and reign as the de facto owner of Buckingham was now witnessing his plans falling apart in real time, and he was bitter.

“Sir Conroy, what are your plans for the future?”

“Well… I wonder. What would be best? Now that the Princess has come of age, the choice has been passed on to her. If she says she doesn’t need a regent, then neither I nor the Duchess will have a place to stand, will we?”

“That’s right.”

If he gracefully admitted defeat and stepped down here, he wouldn’t have to see an unsightly end, but I knew better than anyone that Conroy wasn’t that kind of person.

Would a man who had only been thinking of wielding power behind the Queen’s back now say, ‘Oh, you’ve come of age? Then there’s nothing I can do. I’ll be on my way?’ and step down?

In the original history, he was a man who clung on until the very end, only to be kicked out when Victoria became Queen.

It would be more surprising if he showed a willingness to give up.

“But, if Princess Victoria herself declares that she will recognize the Duchess as regent… That means we still have a chance, doesn’t it?”

That’s right, this is the John I know, the pathetic Sir Conroy.

I nodded casually, agreeing with his opinion.

If he wanted to make such an unsightly exit, there was nothing I could do.

I had no choice but to lay out a carpet so that he could leave with as much impact as possible.

“Of course. If the Princess were to appoint the Duchess as regent, or if she were to sign a document appointing Sir Conroy as her personal secretary, that alone would have an effect. The Princess is now an adult, after all.”

“Exactly. Hope hasn’t disappeared yet. But the more time we waste, the less likely the Princess will listen, right? I should go right away tomorrow…”

When Victoria was a minor, even if she signed a document stating that she would appoint her mother as regent when she came of age, it would not be valid.

However, if she officially leaves her opinion in writing after becoming an adult, it could have legal force later on.

This was the only lifeline left for Conroy and the Duchess of Kent to cling to.

“As Sir Conroy said, there isn’t much time left. The faster we do it, the higher the chances of success will be.”

“Good. Then I’ll bring the documents tomorrow, so you stay by the Princess’s side. If the Duchess, you, and I persuade her together, we should be able to get her signature.”

“You know that it’s easier for me to push you up if I rise to a high position, right? So do your best to help me.”

Just as I was about to nod in agreement.

“Oh, who is this! Isn’t it the rising star of the Conservative Party, Earl Aaron Killian Gore? I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

A middle-aged gentleman approached me with a friendly smile.

Although it was sudden, I knew his face well and bowed politely.

“Lord Melbourne, isn’t it? I didn’t expect to see you here. It’s a pleasure.”

“Hahaha! Indeed.”

William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne.

A prominent figure who rose to the leader of the Whig Party after Charles Grey stepped down as representative.

In the original history, he even served as Prime Minister and mentored Queen Victoria, but unfortunately, he won’t be able to build that kind of career in this era.

Of course, even so, he is the leader of the Whig Party, which currently holds the most seats in the House, even if it’s not the ruling party.

His influence in the political world is incomparable to mine, let alone Conroy, who has already lost his grip.

That prominent figure looked back and forth between me and Conroy, then casually pointed to a corner on the opposite side.

“I wanted to have a word with you anyway, would you like to come with me over there? I think it’s a bit noisy here.”

Conroy’s face stiffened as he was suddenly treated like an invisible man, but Lord Melbourne didn’t even glance at him.

However, he was about to say something, but he turned around and left with a disgusted expression.

It was an unexpected intrusion, but it was helpful to me.

The more his pride is hurt, the more dramatic the disgrace that man will show tomorrow.

“Haha… It seems we don’t need to move elsewhere.”

“Indeed. It’s a relief that he has some sense, even if he has no conscience. If it were me, I would have been too ashamed to even think about attending such a gathering.”

The fact that Lord Melbourne, who is known as a kind and honest person, is showing such a cold attitude is proof that Conroy’s image is already not good among the British upper class.

Besides, now that Victoria has come of age, it’s natural to think that Conroy is finished.

“But I didn’t expect you to want to talk to me. Do you have any business with me?”

“I don’t think I’m the only one who wants to talk to you. I heard you’ve been away from London recently, where did you go?”

“I had some business in Wales.”

Look at this?

Is the Whig Party tracking my movements in London?

And the fact that they’re saying this so openly means that they’re trying to put some pressure on me.

Lord Melbourne, who was staring at my face, chuckled and shrugged.

“Ah, don’t be too wary. The truth is, what we really wanted to know was the movements of Conroy, who ran away like a whipped dog just now. But isn’t that Conroy an Irishman who has a foothold in the Conservative Party? So some of us thought that you and Conroy might be closely related.”

“I can see why you might think that. I can’t deny that we have quite a few things in common.”

I thought it was a natural flow for the Whig Party, which had practically lost Ireland, to try to keep me in check somehow.

But I didn’t expect them to try to use this to find fault with me.

Should I say they made a huge misjudgment, or should I see it as an attempt to tarnish my reputation even though they know it’s not true?

I might have been a little nervous in the past, but honestly, I’m just feeling intrigued right now.