I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 124

Wedding Announcement

Regardless of East or West, informing one’s parents of a decision to marry is only proper.

After Parliament officially gathered opinions to recommend Killian Gore as a potential husband for the Queen, I immediately returned to Kensington Palace.

My adoptive parents, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Cecilia Inverness), were leisurely drinking tea in the garden. They openly clicked their tongues.

“You’ve come to tell us awfully quickly.”

“It’s a misunderstanding. Her Majesty said she would mention it first, so I was waiting until after Parliament made a formal decision to tell you.”

“I know. I was just joking, don’t mind me. Come sit down. Let’s have a leisurely chat over tea for the first time in a while.”

“Yes. But what did Her Majesty say? I only heard that she would tell you, but not the details.”

“Just something minor… well, marriage isn’t minor. She said she’s decided to marry you and wanted our blessing.”

From the Duke of Sussex’s perspective, Victoria is his niece, and I am his adopted son.

In a way, he’s marrying off two people he cares about, so wouldn’t he be the happiest person at this wedding?

“So, what did you say?”

“What could I say? At first, I thought she was joking.”

The Duke of Sussex chuckled, and my mother nodded with a bright smile.

“I wasn’t surprised, I thought it was bound to happen. I had a feeling Victoria was head over heels for you.”

“But, my dear, didn’t you say marriage would be difficult?”

“That was before I knew Killian was from Asian royalty. Now that there are no issues with status, it’s natural Victoria would want to get married as soon as possible.”

“They were that much in love? How did I not know?”

“That’s because you don’t understand the delicate hearts of women.”

I made sure not to show it except when we were alone so people around us wouldn’t notice, so it’s natural the Duke wouldn’t know.

Cecilia or Lechen might have noticed because Victoria subtly asked them questions about romance.

“Anyway, you don’t object to me marrying Her Majesty, do you?”

“Object? Why would I object? You may not know this, but my brother mentioned it briefly when he was alive. He said if you were a great nobleman of England, he would want you to be Victoria’s husband. My brother dismissed it as unrealistic nonsense, but in the end, I was right, wasn’t I? Haha.”

“Do you know how the other royals are reacting?”

“Who would object when I, the most senior member of the current royal family, am in favor? Even though we are not blood-related, you are my son, a formal nobleman of this country, and now even recognized as Asian royalty.”

Even if Victoria were pushing for it alone, no royal or noble would openly object as long as Parliament recommends it and the Duke of Sussex actively supports it.

“It’s all thanks to you, Mother and Father. Because you are here, I don’t have to worry about how to get along with the royal family without causing discord after the marriage.”

Strictly speaking, I am closer to being completely incorporated into the realm of royalty from a position that straddles both royalty and nobility.

In that light, wouldn’t it be more likely that the citizens would accept my marriage without much sense of incongruity?

“Ah, but one thing. Victoria did ask me for my opinion on what title to give you. As the Queen’s husband, the titles of Earl of Ireland or Baron of England that you currently use are obviously not fitting.”

“Wouldn’t King Consort be an appropriate title?”

“Besides that, you will be called a Grand Duke as the Queen’s husband, so you will need an appropriate title. But I told her to think about that part a little more since there is still time. I may be overly concerned, but I thought it might cause some minor disputes.”

Although it was vague, I immediately understood what the Duke of Sussex wanted to say.

In other words, we need to monitor public opinion in Ireland and England a little more.

I agree with that as well.

When this marriage is officially announced, Ireland and England will surely react in some way.

There’s a possibility it will become more heated than expected.

Even a trivial title with no real meaning could turn into a point of contention at any time.

“Titles can be decided at any time, so I will discuss it further with Her Majesty.”

“Alright. It seems she has thought of various other things, but you should hear them directly from her. But what I’m curious about is your intention. Do you fully agree to marry Victoria?”

“That’s why I said I would marry her.”

“You have been rising through the ranks as a war hero, followed by a ministerial position and then a plenipotentiary ambassador for the colonies. But you are giving up all of that to support the Queen as her husband? Of course, you are young, so you might be blinded by love for a moment…”

“Just a moment. I’m sorry for interrupting, but it’s nothing like what you’re worried about. I’m not giving up political power because I’m blinded by love, and I have no intention of doing so.”

Both of my adoptive parents’ faces were almost simultaneously filled with bewilderment.

“Even if you don’t intend to, you will have to, won’t you?”

“No. I have already obtained some concessions from Parliament regarding the colonies. I can’t do it too openly, but it is realistically impossible to eliminate my influence, at least in Canada.”

And Asia will soon be the same.

Even if they don’t know it now, if Russia or France seriously try to get involved in Asia, they will have no choice but to look for me.

“So, you’re saying you won’t give up your influence even if you give up your title.”

“Yes. So, you don’t have to worry about anything.”

What I want is power, not some insignificant position.

Those who are blinded by the hat that wraps around the appearance and cannot fathom the essence of power will never understand, but power and title are not directly proportional.

Of course, if I act too recklessly, I could be branded as an behind-the-scenes manipulator and get taken down, but who am I?

I have experience being caught in my previous life for being too reckless, so I am confident I will act thoroughly this time so I will never be caught.

No, rather than being too flashy and coming to the forefront, I feel more psychologically stable in this position, so it’s perfect.

“Alright. Then I will stop worrying and wish you and Victoria happiness with a joyful heart. Ah, but there is one thing you must keep in mind?”

“Yes? Is there anything else I should be aware of?”

“Of course. This is the most important and essential thing. Your mother is still healthy, so she can wait, but I am almost seventy years old now. So, please let me see a grandson or granddaughter to inherit the throne as soon as possible. Are you confident?”

It was half a joke, but the other half felt like a desperate wish.

In fact, unlike my mother, my father already has children, but they are all illegitimate, so they cannot legally inherit anything.

So, is he saying I should do my best to show him filial piety in this way?

What can I say when he puts it like that?

The answer was already decided, and I just had to answer.

“Leave it to me. I will show you grandchildren frolicking around as soon as possible.”

The Duke of Sussex burst into hearty laughter at my confident answer, and I enjoyed tea time all afternoon, exchanging stories without any calculations for the first time in a long time.

* * *

Exactly two days after Parliament passed the motion to officially recommend Killian Gore as the Queen’s consort of the British Empire.

Prime Minister Charles Wellesley officially visited Kensington Palace with the recommendation written by the Queen’s Parliament.

He conveyed the position that he hoped the Queen would seriously consider marriage one more time for the sake of the British Empire’s unity and future.

Victoria responded by accepting the Prime Minister and Parliament’s wishes.

And this news, of course, spread throughout Britain in an instant.

[Queen Victoria Announces Marriage! Who is the Lucky Man? Asian Prince Killian Gore!]

[Irish and English Noble and Asian Royalty Killian Gore, Now to the English Royal Family!]

[What Does This Marriage Mean? Why Did Queen Victoria Abandon Her Single Life?]

[Killian Gore, the Man of Mystery, Captivates Even the Queen of the British Empire!]

All sorts of articles spread like wildfire, and the major and minor issues that had been the talk of the town until then were completely buried.

Now that the whole nation knows, there is no turning back.

“Minister! Just a word, please!”

“Times here! Minister! Did you receive a proposal from Her Majesty?”

“Minister! Is it true that you will become the Grand Duke of Ireland?”

“Have you always had feelings for Her Majesty?”

“Minister! Answer this too!”

“Minister!”

I knew it would be chaotic, but the commotion that took place around my mansion every day far exceeded my expectations.

Indeed, the country of hooligans with history and tradition.

The level of those who are causing trouble is also on a different level.

Frankly, at this point, my presence itself could be a nuisance to the neighborhood, so I had no choice but to move into Kensington Palace, where my adoptive parents lived, for the time being.

But despite this commotion, Victoria, the bride-to-be, couldn’t stop smiling on her beautiful face.

She said she was even happier because I came to Kensington and could see me almost every day.

“Look at this, Killian.”

After finishing dinner, she took me to her private room, unfolded a newspaper, and held it right in front of my eyes.

[Killian Gore, the Most Charming Man in the British Empire. Is the Queen Really His First Woman? The Truth About the Rumor That He Has Five More Hidden Children?]

What kind of absurd article is this?

It seems they wrote the content in a way that avoids responsibility by saying that there are such rumors, but they don’t believe them.

The trash that sold their souls for views hasn’t changed their ways, then or now.

“They should at least put some effort into writing a novel, instead of just throwing anything together.”

“I agree. Is it possible to write an article with such absurd insults and get away with it?”

“They wrote it in a way that says there are such rumors, but they don’t believe them, so they will try to get away with it even if they get caught.”

“Still, if this is the most malicious rumor, it’s not too bad. I’m glad public opinion isn’t as bad as I thought in England.”

“It seems focusing more on Asian royalty than Irish has been effective.”

Killian Gore is a nobleman from Ireland, but half of the blood flowing through his body is from the royalty of two Asian countries, and he is actually a hero who has made tremendous contributions in the war with the Qing Dynasty [the last imperial dynasty of China].

For this reason, Parliament strongly supported me, and in fact, the media also analyzed that the British Empire could gain considerable benefits from this marriage.

In the end, from England’s point of view, Ireland is only an additional element that comes with it.

Ireland was naturally thinking the opposite, but priorities vary depending on each person’s judgment, and there is no right answer.

In any case, England was burning with the happy circuit that the British Empire could actively expand into Asia and dominate the entire world with this marriage.

Ireland was enthusiastically turning the happy circuit with pride and national pride that there is now an Irish person at the heart of such a British Empire.

Since both sides are satisfied in this way, it can be said to be a win-win situation as a result.

“Oh, did you hear that from your uncle? Even though he adopted you, he couldn’t pass on legal rights, but now that he doesn’t have to be mindful of that, he wants to make Killian his official heir.”

“I heard a similar story. Her Majesty’s official approval is all that’s needed to end the matter.”

“I asked Lord Chamberlain [a senior officer of the Royal Household], and he said it would be okay now, even if it wasn’t before. So, since there’s no need to drag it out any longer, he decided to give official approval when you marry me.”

Then I will become the next Duke of Sussex?

In fact, the Duke of Sussex’s wealth and title were nice to have, but not essential, but I was grateful for the very fact that he was trying to pass everything on to me, his adopted son.

“What are your plans for the wedding?”

“I was originally going to keep it simple, but I changed my mind. This is also a wedding that symbolizes the unification of the British Empire, so I’m going to make it as lavish and large-scale as possible. We need to show that this marriage is such a great marriage to raise Killian’s status, don’t we?”

Victoria, who was very excited, continued to talk endlessly about how many high-ranking officials would come to the wedding and what procedures would be followed.

If she planned such detailed parts in a customized way, it couldn’t have been done solely by the royal staff.

Perhaps Victoria herself was meticulously involved from start to finish.

“Ah, and I almost forgot, I talked to the Prime Minister and Parliament and decided to give Killian the position of Admiral of the Navy. The opposition party said that the navy was a bit much, so how about Field Marshal of the Army, but I strongly pushed back, telling them not to talk nonsense, and they gave up. The ruling party also confirmed that there was no problem since Killian was practically in command during the war with the Qing Dynasty, even though he had no military service period.”

I didn’t expect to receive the title of Admiral of the Navy, even if I was the King’s consort or Grand Duke.

For England, the navy is a symbol of their pride, which is the strongest in the world.

It was really rare to give the title of Admiral to someone who had not even formally enlisted in the military, even if it was an honorary rank.

In fact, didn’t Prince Albert of the original history receive the position of Field Marshal of the Army instead of Admiral of the Navy because he was a draft dodger?

Of course, it was possible in my case because I am clearly a nobleman of this country and have actually made great contributions in the war.

But still, it is an undeniable fact that I heard this news before the wedding thanks to Victoria’s consideration in many ways.

As Wellesley advised, I was convinced that this was the best time for me to propose.

“Thank you so much. I didn’t expect you to be so considerate.”

“Husbands and wives are like one body, so of course I have to be considerate.”

“So, about that, it’s humble compared to what you’ve done for me, Your Maj… no, Victoria, but I’ve prepared something, would you accept it?”

When I took out a brooch with a beautiful sapphire from my pocket and attached it to her dress, Victoria’s eyes widened as if she had never imagined it.

“I, is this… a gift?”

“Rather than a gift, it’s a proposal. Actually, I’m already in a position to have received a proposal, but I thought it was right to give you my own answer, so I prepared it. Oh, and this too.”

“Is this a shoe?”

“Yes. I felt like you were subtly conscious of your height when we were walking together, so I asked a craftsman I know to make it.”

Victoria, who saw the modern and beautifully designed high-heeled shoes, looked back and forth between the shoes and me with a much more moved face than when she saw the brooch earlier.

“Did you know I was worried about that?”

“Yes. So, I looked it up, but there weren’t any women’s shoes in this form yet. So, I just asked a craftsman to make a new one.”

In fact, with the current era’s technology, making high-heeled shoes that can support a woman’s weight was much more difficult than I thought.

If the Queen were to get hurt while wearing them, it would be a disaster, so I put in a tremendous amount of effort and time to make dozens of prototypes, and only after improvements could the current product be made.

Strictly speaking, I didn’t ask a craftsman, but I mobilized the craftsmen of the clothing company I newly acquired to make it, but I did ask them, didn’t I?

If Victoria wears this in the future, it will have a huge promotional effect, and the company that made it will be known throughout England.

Of course, Victoria’s reaction to receiving this gift and liking it so much gives me much more satisfaction, so I guess I can’t help but be a man.

“Thank you. I really didn’t imagine it, I’m so happy. I’m going to wear it from tomorrow and show it off to everyone I meet.”

“I’m glad you’re so happy, it makes me feel good too.”

I took her hand, who was so happy she didn’t know what to do. And I bent one knee slightly and said in a serious voice.

“Victoria, will you be my wife?”

“…Yes. Gladly.”

The atmosphere was softer and more relaxed than when I first received the confession last time, but my heart was pounding with a strange heat rising from inside my chest.

Soon, slowly.

Very slowly, her lips and mine grew closer. Victoria’s breathing quickened, and her body trembled.

We continued to stick together at a close distance where we could feel each other’s breath.

Until this night was over.