I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 40

Buckingham’s Summons (3)

After John Conroy left, looking self-satisfied, I drank some cool water to soothe my dry mouth.

It was dizzying to listen to that incompetent fool and cater to his whims.

Was the British royal family truly okay being manipulated by such a second-rate villain?

Well, I benefited from it, so it wasn’t all bad, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of how pathetic it was.

There was no point in standing around here alone. Should I head back to the group of students?

I already felt burdened by the attention I was getting because of the Eton uniform.

Unfortunately, my attempt to quietly blend into the crowd unnoticed was thwarted by Robert, who came running up to me in a flurry.

“Killian! There you are. I’ve been looking for you for ages.”

“Ah, someone asked to speak with me for a moment and took me to that corner over there. Is the headmaster looking for me?”

“No, Mr. Kit is busy trying to thaw out the frozen students. There’s someone over there who wants to see you. If you have time, would you like to go and say hello?”

“Me?”

The moment I’d been waiting for had finally arrived.

He must have been getting reports from Robert all along, but it was only natural that he’d want to see me in person, given the opportunity.

Besides, I had been diligently leaking information about visiting Kensington Palace, so he must have been curious.

I had anticipated encountering prominent figures from the Tory party [Conservative Party] at this gathering.

“I’ve been wanting to say hello, so this works out perfectly. Let’s go right now.”

“Really? Then let’s go.”

I was planning to expand into the horse racing business before liquidating the casino, so this was a good thing.

Building a relationship with the Duke of Rutland, who had some influence in that industry, would only be helpful, not a hindrance.

However, the moment I followed Robert towards the center of the Grand Hall,

I froze in my tracks while thinking about the greeting I would give to the Duke of Rutland.

“Oh, long time no see. How have you been?”

What? It wasn’t the Duke of Rutland, but the Duke of Wellington?

I turned to Robert with a dumbfounded expression, and he realized that he hadn’t told me who wanted to see me, and he quickly left.

Still, this was within the realm of my expectations.

The Duke of Wellington was the most popular alumnus of Eton, so it would have been strange if he hadn’t come here.

The problem was that there were two more people next to him who looked extraordinary.

First, the gaunt old man, who looked even older, was standing next to the Duke of Wellington, not taking his eyes off me.

On the other hand, the plump middle-aged man smiled kindly and looked back at the Duke of Wellington.

“Oh, is that the boy that Your Grace wrote a letter of recommendation for? You can tell just by looking at his face that he’s bright. Or is it just because he’s good-looking? Haha.”

“You’ll be able to feel it yourself if you talk to him, Representative.”

“Well, that’s why Your Grace wrote a letter of recommendation right after the first meeting.”

The plump middle-aged gentleman, who had been examining me with interest, suddenly reached out his hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you. I’ve been wanting to meet you. I’m Robert Peel, who will be in charge of our party from this year.”

He somehow lacked a charismatic aura, but he definitely had the air of a seasoned politician.

A resourceful man who founded the London Metropolitan Police Service during his time as a minister, and who succeeded the Duke of Wellington as the leader of the Tory party.

His eyes, belonging to a big shot who would later become Prime Minister and abolish the infamous Corn Laws [tariffs on imported grain], clearly reflected my image.

I took his hand and bowed politely.

“It’s an honor to meet the party leader. I have always admired your achievements in dramatically improving the security of London.”

It wasn’t a lie.

Wasn’t it thanks to him creating the police force that I was able to hire a large number of detectives and thief-takers who had been pushed out of the competition?

He was a supporter who unintentionally helped me build a solid team of professionals.

“I’ve heard about you too. I realize that it’s my job to create a soil where seeds like you can grow well, so I’m feeling motivated again. I’ll keep working hard, so please give me a lot of support and encouragement.”

“I don’t know what to do with myself, knowing that the party leader cares so much about the younger generation like us.”

I exchanged pleasantries and glanced at the old man who was still next to the Duke of Wellington, scrutinizing me.

If he was with big shots like the Duke of Wellington and Robert Peel, he must be someone with some clout. I wonder if he’s a Tory too.

Just as I was wondering how to greet him, the Duke of Wellington fortunately introduced the old man.

“Well, well, now that you’ve met our party leader, it’s the opposition party’s turn, right? Even if it’s the first time you’ve met, you’ve heard a lot about him. This is Charles Grey, the leader of the Whig party [a rival political faction] and the current Prime Minister. He said he wanted to see you, so he’s been waiting here.”

I thought so; the Whig party was also aware of my existence.

I didn’t know if it was after I started going to Kensington Palace or before, but I knew it was an inevitable step.

But to think that the current Prime Minister and leader of the opposition party would come out from the very first game.

This was honestly a bit unexpected.

“I-It’s an honor to meet you, Prime Minister. My name is Killian Gore.”

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a few stories about you recently. So, when the Duke of Wellington said he was calling you, I was curious and waited.”

The Duke of Wellington, the former British Prime Minister and leader of the Tory party, Robert Peel, the current leader of the Tory party, and Charles Grey, the current Prime Minister and leader of the opposition party.

I was dealing with small fry like Conroy, and suddenly final boss-level people appeared all at once, making my head spin.

Still, I had been prepared to some extent, so I wasn’t as flustered as I looked.

Of course, I was outwardly expressing how grateful and overwhelmed I was.

“I-It’s a great honor that the Prime Minister wanted to meet a student like me. But, by any chance, for what reason…”

“I heard that you’ve been going to Kensington Palace recently, haven’t you?”

At Charles Grey’s words, the Duke of Wellington and Robert Peel shook their heads as if they knew it.

“Prime Minister, that’s just a personal matter between that student and Princess Victoria.”

“That’s right. So, I was just personally curious. But does that mean that Your Grace doesn’t know why that student is regularly visiting the palace?”

“Of course. Even though he’s a student I wrote a letter of recommendation for, I’m not free enough to receive reports on his every move.”

“Then why don’t we listen together on this occasion? It’s unlikely, but if the student that Your Grace recommended has any problems with the Princess, it could be troublesome for you, couldn’t it?”

It’s good that the former and current Prime Ministers are fighting, but what am I supposed to do in the middle?

If you think about it calmly, Charles Grey knows that he can’t get the story out of me with such a crude method.

Even so, the reason he came here to poke around wasn’t to get a satisfactory answer.

He’s clearly trying to analyze me and the Duke of Wellington’s reactions in his own way.

“Um… If you’re really curious, I can tell you.”

So, I need to release poison to make it even more confusing.

Not just to the Whig party, but also to the Tory party.

“…Hmm?”

As expected, Charles Grey’s eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected that answer.

“Wait, Killian. If you’re reluctant to talk, you don’t have to force yourself. The Prime Minister is just playing a prank…”

The Duke of Wellington, who was rather flustered, tried to stop me, but I had no intention of exercising my right to remain silent when such a question came up.

I had already coordinated with Victoria in advance in case of an emergency, so if you’re suspicious, go ahead and investigate.

“No, Your Grace. When I think about it, the person I’m meeting is someone who may become the Queen of this country in the future, so it’s natural that many people are concerned. I haven’t had any deep conversations with the Princess, so there’s nothing to hide.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. As the Princess is growing up, the Duchess of Kent wanted to make some changes to the existing education policy. So, she was looking for a student of a similar age who could be a positive stimulus for the Princess.”

“And that’s you. I heard that the two of you went to Eton and talked to you. Were you selected then?”

“Yes. One of the reasons the Duchess came to Eton was to find a student who could be attached to the Princess.”

Attaching students with similar levels to improve the efficiency of studying is a method commonly used by aristocratic families since ancient times.

Even if the Duchess of Kent used it, it wasn’t a strange method, and considering her extreme personality, it would feel natural for her to go directly to Eton to find a suitable student.

“So, you’re just being called in as a study partner for the Princess?”

“Yes, to be honest, studying with someone who may become the future Queen is still nerve-wracking and burdensome. I wonder if I can really go to such a place. I feel like I’m sitting in a place that doesn’t suit me, so I’m conscious of it…”

A hint of shyness coming from honesty and a spoonful of sorrow for one’s origins added to it.

I can say with certainty that there is not a single person in this world who can imagine that a 13-year-old could act out these emotions on the spot.

Even I would probably be fooled if a young student did this.

Young age acts as a weakness in most situations, but at times like this, it boasts an almost invincible effect.

Charles Grey smiled wryly and instead offered me words of encouragement.

“Being chosen among the many students of Eton is proof that you are a talented person. Think of it as an honor rather than a burden, and if you work harder, a good opportunity will come someday. You’re still young and have a lot of potential, so rather than being intimidated by the difference in status, use that feeling as a motivation to develop further.”

“Thank you for your invaluable advice. I will take it to heart and work harder.”

“Oh… Yes. Somehow, I’m in a position to support you. I didn’t really intend to do that.”

He was convinced so easily that it was absurd, but it wasn’t just because I was young.

Of course, that was the biggest reason, but even if I was young, if my background was a plausible English aristocrat, he would have been more suspicious.

But my case is different.

-Even so, how can it be that there was no personal interaction with Victoria, even though she regularly visited Kensington Palace?

-Princess Victoria must have been lonely, growing up without a single friend since she was young. Wouldn’t it be easy for her to naturally become friends?

These obvious questions are immediately refuted by my status as a mixed-race child from Ireland.

No matter how much they outwardly praise me as a promising future, their instincts tell them that the future Queen will never sincerely communicate with someone of my status.

As expected, the status shield is reliable.

Charles Grey, who had inadvertently created a gloomy atmosphere, smiled awkwardly and subtly changed the subject.

“Let’s put aside the gloomy stories and watch the debate that’s about to start. My school days are long gone, so I don’t remember them well, but we should celebrate our juniors’ wonderful victory together. As you know, I’m also an Eton graduate, so I’m also your senior.”

“Even the former Prime Minister and the current Prime Minister are all seniors, so I’m reminded again that I did well to enter Eton.”

“Hahaha, yes. After all, the center of the British Empire’s talent pool is Eton. Isn’t that right, Duke?”

“I agree with that. We’re forcibly tied together as rivals, but the two schools are clearly on different levels.”

The Duke of Wellington, who had been in a constant battle of nerves, nodded at Grey’s words this time.

An enemy is an enemy, and an alumnus is an alumnus. It feels like they’re on the same wavelength.

“As Your Grace said, to be honest, I feel a little insulted by this anniversary debate. If we make them debate side by side like this, people will think that Eton and Harrow are on the same level.”

“Now that I hear it, that’s true. But if we clearly show the difference in intellect this time, everyone in the British Empire will know that there was never even a comparison to be made.”

The two of them teamed up to gleefully bash Harrow, and Robert Peel’s expression, who was listening next to them, gradually hardened.

Come to think of it, our current party leader’s alma mater is…

“…Well, we’ll have to see when we open the lid.”

“Ah, that’s right. Our representative is a Harrow graduate? But you’re not saying that Harrow students can beat Eton students, are you?”

“No, well… Yes, honestly, aren’t both schools similar? No matter how I look at it, I think Harrow will win…”

“Hahaha! Your Grace, the new leader of the Tory party has a great sense of humor. At least in terms of humor, the Whig party won’t be able to beat the Tory party.”

“He’s younger than us, so he’s different. When you’re young, you have a lot of courage.”

The former leader of the Tory party and the current leader of the Whig party teamed up to ridicule their own party leader. What am I watching?

Robert Peel couldn’t directly refute the political elders who were 20 years older than him, but you could tell from his expression that he didn’t agree at all.

I think it’s childish to act like that when you’re old, but it seems that people show more childish behavior in such trivial places when they get old.

I never imagined that I would see the big-shot politicians who were shaking the British Empire arguing about which school was better.

“The gap between Eton and Harrow can be seen by comparing the outputs…”

“That’s within the margin of error. There have been years when Harrow’s output was better.”

“Hoo… Our representative is good in every way, but the only flaw is that he bends his arm inward in places like this [shows favoritism].”

“In fact, the Earl of Melbourne, who will take over as my successor, is also from Eton. Just looking at this, the difference between Eton and Harrow is…”

I listened to the three people’s debate, who had already lost interest in me, quietly greeted them, and quickly backed away.

The operation to give the impression of a naive and easy-to-use Irish student was successful, so I want to take a break while taking a breather.

I was serious.

* * *

“Are you Killian Gore?”

“Yes, I am Killian Gore, but…”

But the heavens really had no intention of allowing me even a moment’s rest.

As soon as the debate started, a neat middle-aged gentleman came to find me again.

Who is it this time, Tory party? Whig party?

“You must come with me right now. There is someone waiting to meet you.”

I changed my clothes so that my identity wouldn’t be identified, but the attitude that I had become accustomed to didn’t go anywhere.

He’s not a member of the Tory or Whig party.

Judging from his movements and gait, he’s probably one of the royal officials who received strict training.

Besides, no one was paying attention to this side because the debate had just started.

The fact that he chose this time clearly meant that he didn’t want to show anyone that he was contacting me, so then…

“Is the person waiting for me here in the Grand Hall?”

“No. I’m afraid you’ll have to come with me to another palace.”

The gentleman’s gaze naturally turned to the north, and even I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous this time.

How many people can take a seat in a space other than the space where events are held in Buckingham Palace, where the king resides, and invite people?

And if it’s the North Palace, where the King’s private space is located, there’s no need to say more.

“I understand. Then can we go right now?”

“Yes. Please follow me.”

It’s one mountain after another. Is it the King of this country after the Prime Minister? My heart is pounding, really.