I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 106

Became a Hidden Power in the British Empire 106

How about a draw?

While watching a fight might be the most entertaining thing in the world, things change a bit when it’s a family feud.

The conflict between the old and new generations that started in the House of Commons was naturally a topic of great interest and observation in the House of Lords as well.

Especially since the Conservative Party held dominant influence in the House of Lords, they wanted the Conservative Party to remain strong in the House of Commons as well.

So, with this kind of commotion breaking out, it was inevitable that some lords would be displeased.

The Duke of Wellington gathered distinguished nobles around the time such talks began to surface.

“As you all know, the House of Commons has been quite noisy lately. So, I thought it would be good for us to decide on a clear policy, and that’s why I’ve called you all together.”

“For something like that, the Prime Minister isn’t here.”

“He’s the former Prime Minister. Strictly speaking, he’s not the Prime Minister anymore. Anyway, the former Prime Minister is at the center of the issue, so I didn’t call him for the sake of fairness.”

Although the Prime Minister attends the House of Commons, Robert Peel was strictly a member of the House of Lords, having received a peerage [the rank of nobility], making him a Lord himself.

But when the Duke of Wellington drew a firm line, the other nobles didn’t raise any objections.

“Duke, I heard that your son gathered all the reporters in London yesterday and gave a tremendous speech. Did you know about it in advance?”

“I didn’t hear the details, but I heard what beliefs he’s acting on. Of course, I have no intention of taking sides personally just because he’s my son. The important thing is for our party to continue to hold power.”

“The Prime Minister… I’m sorry, the former Prime Minister said that he hoped the House of Lords would unite and put pressure on the House of Commons. He said that if things continue like this, the influence of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons will inevitably weaken…”

“The influence in the House of Commons will weaken? Well… if we look at it coldly, how would the citizens view it if the House of Lords took the side of the former Prime Minister now? The reason why the current cabinet collapsed is because they excessively oppressed the young people and tried to monopolize power.”

The House of Lords already has a strong, overbearing image, and if they support Robert Peel here, it would only cement this perception.

In fact, the conservative-leaning nobles weren’t very happy with Wellesley’s actions, which were close to insubordination.

But more than that, they refused to have mud splashed on them because of Robert Peel’s blunders.

The Marquess of Anglesey, who had been given a heads-up by Killian, nodded immediately and added a word.

“I agree. Aside from right and wrong, this is just proof that he lacks ability.”

The members of the House of Lords had no intention of criticizing the intention to discipline subordinates itself.

But you have to tread carefully; if you try to suppress them too much and end up getting ‘pushed out’ yourself due to backlash, wouldn’t that be too unsightly?

“But Duke, the election will be held in just a few months. What if we end up losing the election because we’re fighting each other like this…”

“What do you mean, ‘What if?’ At that time, we’ll have to hold my incompetent son responsible for causing discord in the party. If he started this without even setting up a plan to win the next election, we can’t entrust the helm of the House of Commons to such a person, can we?”

No matter how much he is his son, if he harms the party, he will be cut off without mercy.

However, if he wins the next election and proves his ability, there’s no reason not to watch him.

The other nobles slowly nodded at the Duke of Wellington’s clear stance.

“Then, shall we just remain neutral and watch until the next election?”

“I think that would be good. There’s no need to get involved in such a muddy fight, is there? Frankly, we have our dignity; how can we get involved in such a low-level fight? Haha.”

“I agree with the Earl of Aberdeen. There’s no need to raise our voices in a fight that’s beneath us.”

To put it bluntly, whether it’s Charles Wellesley or Robert Peel, whoever can win the next election and bring a majority of seats to the Conservative Party is on our side.

Robert Peel is a member of the House of Lords, but Charles Wellesley is also the son of the Duke of Wellington, a veteran of the House of Lords.

Moreover, not only him but also his brother is a member of the House of Lords.

Since both are not outsiders, it’s only natural to give strength to the more useful person.

The Conservative members of the House of Lords almost unanimously decided to remain neutral in this incident.

Robert Peel’s request to help him scold Charles Wellesley’s insubordination ultimately received no response.

* * *

There’s a saying that the turmoil in the secular world cannot cross the thick walls of the royal family, but that’s an old story now.

Queen Victoria, who is more interested in politics and the lives of citizens than any other monarch in history, summoned me the day after Wellesley’s press conference.

“I’ve heard about what’s going on. Are you alright?”

“I’m sorry for causing you concern. But fortunately, there’s no problem. Everything is proceeding according to plan.”

“Everything according to plan? Then why didn’t you tell me in advance?”

“Well, that’s because it was a plan I made after hearing the news from Congressman Disraeli in Ireland. I was going to tell Your Majesty, but you kept avoiding opportunities to be alone with me, so I couldn’t help it.”

If I try to tell you to listen because you need to know in advance, and you turn red and run away, wouldn’t I be too wronged if you said that?

Momentarily reminded of what had happened before, Victoria blushed and touched her forehead with her finger.

“That… that was my mistake. I’m sorry, my heart wouldn’t calm down at the time.”

“It’s alright. Actually, if it was something you absolutely had to know, I would have told you somehow. At the time, Your Majesty also needed time to collect yourself.”

“Then, is there anything I can do this time?”

“The former Prime Minister will probably come to see Your Majesty. He has to come no matter what because he has to request the dissolution of the parliament. At that time, he might ask you to take his side or request mediation.”

“I already have a meeting scheduled with the former Prime Minister today. I’ll just make some appropriate excuses and refuse. I heard that he was trying to send the Minister back to Asia as a special envoy?”

Is it just my imagination? I thought I saw a flash of murderous intent in her smiling eyes.

“Yes… he did. But it was canceled in the middle.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? No, does it make sense to send someone who has returned with great merit back to Asia? Are you kidding me…”

“If Your Majesty publicly opposes it, it could be seen as political intervention. And it’s something I can handle sufficiently on my own, so I deliberately didn’t tell you to avoid causing you worry.”

“…I see. Still, I can’t forgive it. If I say it directly, it could be seen as political intervention, as the Minister said, so I’m thinking of leaking a statement through unofficial channels. That’s okay, right?”

Is she telling me to use the phrase ‘according to an anonymous source,’ which is used like a family heirloom even in modern times?

If she just lets the words out like that, it seems like it will have a significant effect.

“I understand. Then, I’ll try to release an article like this. I interviewed a maid in Kensington Palace, and according to her, Her Majesty the Queen hates unfair acts the most. It’s an act that degrades the dignity of the British Empire, and those who have achieved merit should be treated accordingly. Well, no one wouldn’t know who that’s criticizing if I use phrases like that.”

“Very good. I can’t forgive the man who tried to keep the Minister stuck in Asia, no matter what.”

“Hahaha…”

I never imagined that Robert Peel would incur the Queen’s wrath in this way.

It seems like our Queen is quite angry, and if I’m not careful, he might end up in a worse situation than I expected.

“If the parliament is dissolved, an election will be held, and if we win there, can we assume that the former Prime Minister’s faction will be almost completely destroyed?”

“Yes. The defection has already begun. By the time the election is over, most of the members will be on my side.”

“But the former Prime Minister is a member of the House of Lords, so even if he’s pushed out of the Prime Minister’s office, he can just return to the House of Lords, right? He doesn’t even need to hold an election.”

“Still, the nobles in the House of Lords won’t protect someone who’s like a dog that lost a fight. Wouldn’t they rather try to distance themselves from him?”

“That’s not satisfactory…”

Anyone would think that Victoria, not Wellesley or I, is fighting with Robert Peel right now.

To be honest, I wanted to thoroughly crush the former Prime Minister as well.

But even so, Robert Peel is strictly a member of the British House of Lords.

If we show him being trampled on too harshly, the House of Lords will naturally say it’s too much, and this could lead to resentment towards me or Wellesley.

So, I was deliberately trying to kick out only the surrounding factions and give him some breathing room, but wouldn’t things change if the royal family stepped in?

“Your Majesty, do you have any methods in mind?”

“No. I don’t have anything specific yet. But…”

Knock knock knock.

Just as Victoria was about to continue speaking, a servant who had been waiting outside knocked on the door and announced that a guest had arrived.

“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Robert Peel has arrived. Shall I bring him in?”

“Yes. Tell him he can come in.”

As soon as Victoria’s permission was given, the door opened, and Robert Peel, who looked a little haggard in the past few days, came in and bowed.

“Your Majesty, thank you for taking the time. The reason I came to see you today is, as I said, to dissolve the parliament…”

As he continued to speak, he saw me sitting across from the Queen, and his face stiffened.

Seeing this, Victoria nonchalantly drank her tea and gave a businesslike smile.

“I was getting an explanation from the Minister because I was curious about what’s been going on lately. Don’t mind me and continue speaking. Didn’t you come because of the dissolution of the parliament?”

“…Yes, that’s right. A vote of no confidence was passed, but I’m not in a position to nominate a successor, so it seems like we’ll have to form a new parliament. So, I would be grateful if Your Majesty could come to the House of Commons and dissolve the parliament. I’m sorry for causing you trouble with this unpleasant matter.”

“No, it’s something I have to do, so there’s no need to apologize. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

It was a voice full of benevolence, but in fact, Victoria is most scary when she speaks in this tone.

Robert Peel also felt the unspoken pressure and looked back and forth between me and her before sighing and shaking his head.

“No, I don’t think I can trouble Your Majesty any further than this. But… if it’s alright with you, may I have a word with the Minister for a moment?”

Does he have anything more to say now?

As I gave a signal that I was okay with it, Victoria chuckled and nodded.

“Of course. You two probably have a lot to say, so go ahead and talk.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll be back.”

After bowing to Victoria once, I followed my dear former Prime Minister outside.

Robert Peel, who had walked silently to the garden in front of the palace, sighed heavily before turning to me.

“What did you tell Her Majesty?”

“I was just explaining because she said she wanted to know how the political scene has been going lately.”

“…You must think you’ve already won, right?”

“Where is there winning and losing? I also think it’s a shame that things have turned out this way.”

“A shame? If you really think so…”

What is it? Does he have any more tricks up his sleeve?