I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 180

The White Paladin (2)

Even though the British royal family’s actual power isn’t that strong, the 19th-century British Empire was clearly a monarchy.

It was a great honor for a member of the royal family to personally invite a specific family to the palace, and the invitation itself was considered a privilege.

Most of the people who could enjoy this honor were usually prominent nobles, military generals, or influential politicians.

Or, in rare cases, famous individuals who had a significant impact on society.

Especially now that the royal family’s popularity and influence are higher than ever, many people regard Buckingham Palace as an object of envy.

With all this in mind, the fact that an entire family was invited to the palace was sure to reach Victoria’s ears.

“I heard you’re planning to have guests this time?”

“I was going to tell you anyway, but the news has already reached you.”

“I’ve never heard of the family name before. Do you know them personally?”

“Well… I spoke with them a while ago, so if knowing them means having spoken with them, then yes.”

To be sure, this invitation was close to unprecedented.

It was no wonder Victoria was puzzled.

Until now, I have personally called individuals to the palace, but I have rarely invited an entire family.

“Since it’s something you’re doing, I’m sure you have something in mind. That… Nightingale? Does that person seem promising? Enough to think it’s good to invest in them in advance?”

“I invited them because I wanted to see if that’s really the case or not.”

“I’m curious. You saw such outstanding potential in someone that you even called your daughters to treat them well.”

Hmm? I think there’s some misunderstanding.

Come to think of it, she wouldn’t know that the person I actually have business with is the daughter, and the father is just a bonus.

The person who reported it would naturally think that I invited William Nightingale, not Florence Nightingale.

But now that I’m about to say it, how should I explain this?

Victoria is unlikely to misunderstand since we haven’t even met yet, but that’s why it’s even more difficult to explain.

“Um… Victoria? So, the person I have business with this time, to be exact, is not the father. It’s the daughter.”

“…Daughter? Two people were said to be coming; which one of them?”

“I heard it’s the second one. I thought she could be a very useful talent for the work I’m going to do this time… saying ‘useful’ sounds a bit harsh, but.”

“Does that mean it will help improve the military’s medical situation? How?”

Fortunately, she seems to be concerned about that.

Considering Victoria’s trust in me, it’s only natural that she wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand.

“I was originally just going to have a light greeting with the sponsors, but William Nightingale’s background was quite unique, so I had a little chat with him.”

“Was he a gentleman [a man of high social standing]? It’s certainly rare for someone who has run for governor to sponsor that kind of thing, even if he is not currently involved in politics or the military. In fact, he wouldn’t have sponsored you to get on your good side if he didn’t have political ambitions. And the amount of sponsorship wasn’t enough to attract your attention.”

As she said, most of the sponsors had clear goals.

Some were genuinely opening their wallets out of concern for the soldiers, but most approached me because I was the one doing this.

The status of the royal family is rising endlessly, so they threw money in the hope of somehow making connections, but unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to attract my attention.

William Nightingale’s sponsorship itself was not enough to attract my attention.

No matter how wealthy a gentleman he was, I had far more money than all the sponsors combined.

If you want to attract my attention with money, you have to be at least at the level of Rothschild or Baring Bank [prominent banking families].

Victoria is the same.

What caught her attention was the fact that a wealthy class like the gentry [people of good social position, specifically, wealthy people who were not of noble birth] was interested in this.

“As you said, that’s why I talked to him, and William said he was having a hard time because his daughter turned the house upside down saying she would become a nurse. So I became interested. At first, I thought it was a naive act of a child who didn’t know the world, but that wasn’t the case.”

“Really? That’s certainly unusual. A young lady from a wealthy family is a nurse. It’s too hard and difficult, so she won’t be able to stand it and will soon give up.”

“She’s been studying while persuading her family, rejecting a nobleman poet who has been courting her for years with the determination to become a nurse, so isn’t that amazing?”

“That’s commendable. So, did you call her to praise her for working harder in the future?”

“Nursing is such a hard job, so the father wants his daughter to take an easier path. It’s natural for a father to think that way, so I decided to talk to him first. If Miss Florence can’t do well as a nurse, I’ll persuade her to quit. But if the opposite is true, I should give her an important role.”

What I pay attention to in Florence Nightingale’s actions in the original history is not simply her ability as a dedicated nurse.

Of course, she was a legendary figure as a nurse and left achievements worthy of respect and reverence.

But her true contribution to society was that she dramatically improved the medical environment itself by actively using statistical data.

It is never common for someone to be active in both microscopic and macroscopic perspectives.

If I give her appropriate education from now on and help her maximize her abilities, she may become an even greater person than in the original history.

“Above all, this is very good for the image. Nurses are currently recognized as mere errand runners, so no women with proper education want to do it. Unless we completely overhaul this perception, no one will apply no matter how much we improve the system and establish educational institutions.”

“Ah~ so you’re going to actively use the Nightingale family. That’s a good idea.”

Um, um, she understands everything so well.

“But simply having a good status won’t cause a big ripple. If someone is going to be a promotional model for my policies, they need to have the skills to back it up. That way, they can continue to be successful and there will be a change in the overall social perception.”

“Florence Nightingale…”

Victoria, who was sipping milk tea, suddenly smiled and put down her cup as if a whim had struck her.

“I’m getting interested. I want to meet her too.”

“…Um?”

Why is the conclusion coming out like that?

Of course, it may be natural for the Queen to be interested in a wealthy young lady who is dedicated to the poor while being from the upper class of society.

If I’m going to push her for sure, it would be more effective for Victoria to join me than just me alone, so it doesn’t matter, right?

They’re about the same age and both have progressive tendencies, so they’ll have something in common.

So far, the feeling is very good.

* * *

“William Edward Nightingale, Parthenope Nightingale, Florence Nightingale. Is that correct?”

“Yes, yes. I’m William, and here are my daughters, Parthenope and Florence.”

“Yes. Please come in. His Highness and Her Majesty are waiting.”

“…Yes? Her Majesty?”

Clearly, at first, I was told that I would have a simple tea time with the Prince Consort, but suddenly, Her Majesty?

The Nightingale family’s eyes were filled with bewilderment, as they had hoped to see the Queen, but they honestly thought it was just a wish.

“Ah, that’s because His Highness originally told me to arrange a meeting, but Her Majesty heard the story from His Highness and said she was interested and wanted to see your face and have a conversation. Are you feeling burdened?”

“Ah, no! Burdened? It’s an honor. An honor… hahaha.”

Even if I ran for governor before and I’m a well-known figure in the region, I’m just a candle in front of the sun compared to the Queen, who is the pinnacle of this country.

Florence Nightingale, who had never seen her father so flustered, thought that this might be an opportunity that would not come again for her.

No matter how you look at it, the reason why the Prince Consort invited the family was not simply because of her father.

Just looking at it now, he is noticeably flustered by the fact that he is meeting Her Majesty.

She respected and loved her father the most in the world, but she was an objective person.

Her father is not the kind of person who would be invited to the palace by the Prince Consort of this country.

Then what is the reason?

She didn’t have a clear idea yet, but it seemed certain that it was related to the sponsorship event her father went to this time.

If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be a great help in walking the path of a medical professional if I somehow caught the eye of His Highness or Her Majesty here?

Of course, it’s easier said than done to express one’s opinion in front of the Queen, who is no one else.

It is said that the class system is not so strict these days, but that is only the story of ordinary nobles, gentry, and large capitalists [wealthy people who own or control a lot of capital].

If the target is the King and the King’s spouse, the story is different.

But what… if I delay any longer here, I really don’t know what will happen in the future.

If I keep persuading him for about 5 more years, my father will send me off as if he can’t win, but wasting 5 years persuading him is too much of a blow.

Some people might say I’m crazy, but she’s always been like this.

She does not bend her beliefs no matter who says what on the path she believes is right.

Even if it’s in front of the King of this country, it won’t change.

“I greet Her Majesty! I am grateful just for being allowed to set foot in Buckingham, but I am so overwhelmed to be allowed the honor of seeing Her Majesty’s face in person.”

“This is not an official reception, so there is no need to feel so burdened. Was the trip to London uncomfortable?”

“I was so excited to be invited to Buckingham that I couldn’t even think about the fatigue of the trip. Not only me, but all my daughters must have felt the same way.”

“Is that so? Looking at it this way, both daughters are very beautiful and full of energy, so it’s very pleasing to see.”

When I received praise directly from the Queen, my father and sister bowed their heads deeply, not knowing what to do.

Of course, I also felt a little dazed with a feeling that one side of my chest was floating.

To think that I would be able to directly see the Queen of this country in Buckingham.

Even though they must be eating foods made by the best chefs in this country, she was surprisingly thin and felt beautiful.

Besides, there’s nothing more to say about the person sitting next to her.

My sister was pretending not to, but she couldn’t come to her senses as she glanced at the Prince Consort’s face.

Objectively, he was a very handsome person, but what I’m concerned about now is not just that wonderful appearance.

Unlike ordinary royals, the Prince Consort and the Queen seemed to be very interested in the medical environment that soldiers and commoners had to face.

I don’t know if it’s a misunderstanding, but I could feel a clear curiosity in the Queen’s gaze towards me.

Then wouldn’t it be okay to throw a winning number here?

I have to attract attention.

I looked at the Queen and the Prince Consort seriously, completely erasing any signs of being grateful, even though it might seem a bit rude.

The Queen, feeling interested in that gaze, soon looked at me and asked.

“You said your name is Florence Nightingale?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am honored that you remember my name.”

“Is this your first time in London? If you don’t mind, I would like to hear what your impressions of Buckingham are.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. So…”

Fortunately, the opportunity has already come.

An ordinary person might hesitate at least once, but if she was that kind of person, she wouldn’t have been acting like she was going to be a nurse since she was a child.

“I was surprised to see so many sick people.”

“……?”

“……”

“I thought it could be dangerous if they didn’t receive treatment in a proper environment.”

I could see my father’s mouth gaping open in shock and my sister’s pupils trembling like an aspen leaf.

Ah, I really did it.

But what can I do?

Some boldness is necessary to achieve the original purpose.