I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 127

The Joyful Wedding (3)

There’s a common joke that weddings are a celebration enjoyed by everyone except the bride and groom.

In reality, there’s some truth to that. The couple is usually extremely nervous and has so much to worry about that it’s hard for them to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the wedding.

But since this was a royal wedding, it was no exaggeration to say that there was virtually nothing for me to do personally.

From the moment I sat in the carriage that came to pick me up at St. James’s Palace, I didn’t need to do anything myself.

“Your Majesty will arrive after passing through the crowds waiting in the park. Lord Gore will arrive first and wait for Her Majesty.”

“Did Her Majesty seem well today?”

“Yes. She slept well and had a good breakfast precisely at 9 AM. Baroness Lehzen and the Duchess of Inverness, the head lady-in-waiting, will accompany Her Majesty.”

I woke up at dawn, but she slept well until morning. Was she more strong-hearted than I was, unexpectedly?

They say that people like Victoria tend to be bolder at crucial moments, and it seems this situation is just like that.

I nodded along to Wellesley’s endless stream of advice, offering only perfunctory agreement, and entered the chapel where the wedding would take place.

While heading towards Queen Anne’s Room, senior figures from both the ruling and opposition parties, as well as ministers from other countries with whom I had recently exchanged harsh political words, offered their congratulations.

“Minister, congratulations!”

“I suppose today is the last day we’ll call you Minister. Congratulations! Wishing you happiness!”

“I envy you, Minister!”

Ironically, the opposition party members offered their congratulations with broad smiles, which were so transparent that I couldn’t help but laugh.

Their expressions seemed to shout, ‘Finally, we’re getting rid of that annoying guy! What a relief!’

Especially Palmerston and Russell, you guys.

Gladstone, at least, seemed to have some conscience, wearing a somewhat apologetic expression, but since I hadn’t suffered any harm, there was no need to say anything. If he felt even a little guilty, I could use it to my advantage later when needed.

“Thank you for your congratulations. With your support, I will live happily ever after, more than anyone else!”

After accepting the greetings and taking my place on the altar, the royal family members lined up next to me offered their greetings one by one.

At the very front were my adoptive parents and the great elders of the royal family, the Duke of Sussex and his wife, the Duchess of Inverness.

And next to them were Queen Victoria’s mother, the Duke of Cambridge, her aunt Princess Augusta, and the still young Princesses Mary, George, and Sophia Matilda, all gathered together.

Wellesley, the Prime Minister, stayed close to me to bolster my prestige.

Soon, Victoria, wearing a pure white dress, entered the hall, and the somewhat chaotic atmosphere inside instantly focused on her.

Wearing a wreath of orange blossoms, a symbol of fertility, she walked gracefully towards the altar in the wedding high heels I had gifted her.

I could hear words pouring out from around me and the bishop saying something, but surprisingly, not a single word registered properly.

When I came to my senses, I was putting a ring on her finger, waving to the cheering people, and leaving the hall.

Victoria looked at me, who was half out of it, and couldn’t hide the smile on her face, as if amused.

From morning until afternoon, we were constantly on the move, receiving congratulations, giving greetings, and waving to the cheering citizens, but surprisingly, the schedule was not even half over.

After that, we talked with our beloved royal elders, had a glass of wine with the Prime Minister, played with the young and cute royal children, and then we moved to Windsor Castle for the evening banquet.

Even on the way, endless lines of crowds continued to cheer, and Victoria kept smiling and waving to them.

Perhaps due to the lack of sleep, I was already exhausted by this point, and I couldn’t remember what happened after that.

When I came to my senses, it was past 9 PM, and only then was I able to spend time alone with Victoria in a room.

To make me go through such a grueling schedule for nearly 12 hours, royal weddings are truly amazing!

As I was soothing my tired body in one of the rooms in Windsor Castle that would become one of our bedrooms, Victoria, wearing a silk gown made of swan down, came and sat next to me.

“You looked like you were half-gone from the middle, are you okay?”

“…I’m okay. Because I’m okay.”

“You’re definitely not okay. But now there’s no more schedule, so let’s rest together. From now on… well, we can always sleep together here…”

Sleep together? The moment I heard those words, something inside me stirred, and the sleepiness that had been pouring in belatedly vanished in an instant.

Before, we had only kissed and hugged all night, but there’s no need to say how much of a torment that is for young men and women.

“I didn’t realize it until now, but having the wedding makes it feel real. The fact that we’re married.”

“Right? Now you are officially the Prince Consort of the British Empire and my husband. My beloved Killian.”

Perhaps because there was no longer any need to hide or be ashamed of expressing affection,

She called my name even more actively than before and leaned closer to me.

Moist eyes and parting lips, as if desiring something.

Moreover, the owner of that voice, so desperately seeking love, was none other than the Queen of this country.

If there was nothing stirring even in this situation, there would be something seriously wrong with that man.

And I am a robust man in my early twenties, at least physically, even if not mentally.

In a different sense than at the wedding, my reason snapped, and I grabbed Victoria’s hand and collapsed onto the bed with her.

Until her trembling body, her plaintive breathing, and her voice sweetly whispering love grew weary and strained.

The enchanting first night of the two of them did not end until dawn approached.

* * *

Even after daybreak, it was well into the afternoon when Victoria finally opened her eyes in bed.

Although she woke up much later than usual, she wasn’t particularly flustered.

Since she hadn’t slept until dawn yesterday, it was only natural to wake up when the sun was high in the sky.

Perhaps knowing that, the maids didn’t even come near the room today.

Seeing herself wearing only a thin gown that seemed to slip off, she was momentarily embarrassed as she recalled the events of yesterday.

Turning her gaze, she saw the face of the man still fast asleep, now her husband, Killian.

I really don’t know how to express it.

How could he look so lovely with his white neck exposed in a thin shirt?

Victoria carefully watched his sleeping face, making sure not to wake Killian.

As she did, the memories of yesterday became clearer and clearer, and a smile leaked out.

Really, I swear, in the name of God, I have never had such an enchanting time as last night in my life.

Always keeping a diary, she felt the need to record this feeling before it subsided, and carefully took out her diary.

-My love Killian, whom I love the most, so, so, so much in the world, is sleeping next to me now. The affection and love he gave me yesterday brought me such great happiness that I don’t think I can express it with my writing skills.

Maybe I won’t be able to feel happier than yesterday even if I go to heaven?

Unlike his usual gentle self, Killian held my arm tightly yesterday and wouldn’t let go. After that, he kissed me, and kissed me again, and kept kissing me and whispered love in my ear!

His beautiful face, his touch that combined power and tenderness. I am so happy that this is now part of my life. If God has given me this joy, I will live my whole life with gratitude to God.

And to tell you how energetic he is…

There were many explicit expressions that made her face burn even to her own thinking, but so what?

It’s a personal diary anyway, and I’m writing it down to not forget the overwhelming emotions of the moment, so this level of expression wouldn’t be a problem.

After recording her sincere feelings for a long time, she closed her diary again and went back to bed.

Perhaps because she was so tired, Killian was still not waking up and was only making regular breathing sounds, even while she was moving around so busily.

No one will disturb us today, so I should tell him to stay close to me again like yesterday when he wakes up later.

I am the happiest woman in the world.

Victoria felt a sense of fulfillment and snuggled into the arms of the sleeping Killian, closing her eyes with a happy feeling.

* * *

Several months after the wedding of the century, the peaceful Joseon palace was swept up in a commotion.

In fact, the Bibyeonsa [a high-level council in Joseon dynasty Korea], the supreme power organization that virtually controlled Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] as it pleased, was completely overturned by a letter that flew in from Shanghai.

“What? Killian Kwae married the Queen of England!”

“Wait! Then, in terms of genealogy, our royal family is intertwined with their royal family?”

“Even though it’s a royal family, Killian Kwae is virtually a mere relative who cannot claim any rights. There’s no problem at all.”

“Whatever it is, our royal family is mixed with the blood of their royal family. At least, that’s what it means in terms of genealogy!”

“Wasn’t it a mistake from the beginning that we acted on the same level as the Jap wretches who were running wild? No, before that, what is the reaction of the Japs? The family of Jeongidae General has also become combined with the royal family of England.”

“Hush! Acted on the same level? Killian Kwae is a Joseon relative. And what do we care about the reaction of the Japs? They only lied with fabricated genealogy.”

From Dojejo, Jejo, and even Bujejo [various ranks within the Joseon government], there was no one who agreed, and this was an unimaginable major accident.

It was later learned that the Europeans, as if they were all barbarians, married each other among the royal families, eating away at their own roots.

However, in the country of gentlemen, Joseon, such cases were hard to find, so rare that it was virtually impossible to say that it could happen.

Moreover, it’s not just any royal family, but the Queen of England.

Since there was no precedent, it was so headache-inducing that I didn’t know how to handle this.

Naturally, people’s resentment was focused on Kim Jwa-geun, who first brought this proposal.

“If something goes wrong, you will take all the responsibility as promised at the beginning. We don’t know anything about it.”

“That’s what I intended from the beginning. But why do you think of this only as a bad thing? Rather, looking at the following content, isn’t this a fortunate thing for us?”

“The following content?”

The news of the marriage itself was so shocking that they couldn’t even pay attention to what other reports were behind it.

Kim Jwa-geun gave a bitter smile and read the contents of the emergency letter from Shanghai as it was.

“Do you know what the situation is now? The Qing Dynasty [the last imperial dynasty of China] was defeated by England, and the great powers of Europe are trying to reveal their claws towards Asia in earnest. Immediately, the country called France, which previously sent missionaries to us and shook the order of Confucianism, is preparing to send warships. The English governor in Shanghai kindly added a speculation that there is a high possibility that they will find fault with the persecution of missionaries in the past.

Following that, we were secretly informed that the Russians may attack the Maritime Province. Those barbarians whom King Hyojong sent troops to the north to fight are those Russians. Currently, they have become a powerful nation strong enough to compete for second place in Europe after England.”

“Heo… not just one European, but two?”

“Yes. Strictly speaking, the Maritime Province is Qing territory, but if they border us, will they be satisfied with that and stay quiet? In particular, Russia has a history of causing numerous disputes in Europe to occupy a port that does not freeze. If they occupy the Maritime Province, they are likely to aim for our port and move south as it is.”

It wasn’t that Joseon had no history of experiencing foreign invasions, and there was no one here who would be afraid of the enemy coming.

But that was only the story when one guy was attacking.

If France reveals its fangs in the West Sea and Russia in the north, it was impossible for Joseon’s current national power to block both sides even if they died and woke up.

In particular, France and Russia are said to have the national power to compete for second place in Europe, even if they are not as good as England.

Then, does that mean they are stronger than the Qing Dynasty, which was hopelessly defeated by England? Can Joseon be safe even if it is simultaneously exposed to the threats of two countries stronger than the Qing Dynasty?

“Th, then, if those Westerners really approach us and demand trade, what should we do?”

“If that really happens, wouldn’t we have no choice but to ask England for mediation? Seeing that they have given us all this information in advance and told us to prepare, Killian Kwae must be very pleased that we have made him a relative.”

“This may be an opportunity for England to extend its influence to our Joseon.”

“If that were the case, wouldn’t they have waited until something really happened and then appeared as saviors when the situation became serious? If we prepare in advance and block them, England will have nothing to gain.”

The Bibyeonsa officials did not make any particular objections to Kim Jwa-geun’s reasonable reasoning and showed an atmosphere of agreeing.

“If Killian Kwae is really satisfied with our treatment, mediation may not be as difficult as we thought.”

Originally, wasn’t it the characteristic of barbarians to quickly become satisfied and change favorably if you flattered them a little?

Even if Killian Kwae doesn’t, if we coax the English barbarians in Shanghai well, they may move as we want.

Originally, when dealing with barbarians, the strategy of using barbarians to control barbarians is the basic law.

Soon, the Bibyeonsa conference room was filled with voices discussing how to use the power of England without giving them anything.

‘Will that be as easy as it sounds!’

Kim Jwa-geun, who was inwardly sneering, realized that he seemed to be the only one who knew that fact at the moment, and gave a bitter smile.

Fortunately or unfortunately, that was the reality so far.