I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 41

The King’s Interrogation

Let’s review the information.

King William IV of the Great British Empire.

Aged and nearing 70 in a few years, he is rumored to deeply cherish Princess Victoria, his designated heir.

Indeed, Victoria always wore a subtle smile when speaking about William IV.

Therefore, I can roughly guess the reason for being summoned.

However, I didn’t expect it to be done so secretly.

This shows how serious he is about the succession issue, which also means he might apply very strict standards to me.

Even if the British royal family’s power is waning, it hasn’t become so weak that it can’t deal with a mere Irish-blooded country bumpkin.

But realistically, it’s also a given that William IV only has about four more years to live.

It was time to seriously consider how to steer this wheel of history, known only to me, and then make a decision.

“Please come in. He’s waiting here.”

As expected, following the guidance of the official who led me to the north side of the palace, a space resembling a study came into view.

As befitting a study that also serves as the King’s office, the interior was decorated with all sorts of artworks of unimaginable value, and the room’s owner was sitting in a comfortable chair, looking at me.

Following the etiquette I had learned, I met William IV’s gaze and bowed respectfully.

Then, I waited for the King’s permission to speak.

“You must have been surprised by the sudden summons, weren’t you? I thought it would be difficult to have a personal conversation during the award ceremony, so I called you now. I’m sorry if you wanted to see the debate.”

Confirming that there was no particular negative emotion in the King’s voice, I received his greeting with a respectful attitude.

“I am honored to have a private audience with Your Majesty. What could be more important than such a debate?”

“I heard you’re a well-known model student at Eton [a prestigious boarding school]. Didn’t you want to participate in the debate?”

“I decided to give other students a chance because I thought I might stand out too much.”

“That’s a relief. I had the chamberlain ask the headmaster to remove you from the list in advance, but I was a little worried that I might have been depriving a student of an opportunity for an unfair reason.”

Was Kit’s meeting with the royal official not just for the anniversary preparations, but also to ensure I wouldn’t participate in the debate?

Now I understand why he was acting so uncharacteristically.

They needed to bring me in while everyone’s attention was on the debate, and if I participated, they wouldn’t be able to do that, so they made arrangements in advance.

Seeing how thoroughly they’re handling this, they really don’t want my meeting with them to be known to the outside world.

“I really had no regrets about the debate, so it’s fine. Rather, I am simply grateful that Your Majesty has taken an interest in a mere student like me.”

“It was an inevitable move. I need to send you back before the debate ends, and I have to go down as well, so we won’t have much time to talk. May I get straight to the point?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I trust you wouldn’t, but I hope you will answer honestly in this meeting without any lies. Even if you say something untrue, I have the means to find it all out, so keep that in mind.”

If the person in front of the King was an ordinary 13-year-old student, that threat would have worked very well.

After all, it’s the word of a king, so even if they were to lie, it would immediately show on their face.

Of course, it had no effect on me whatsoever, but I hastily nodded as if I was flustered.

“O-Of course. How could I dare to utter even the slightest falsehood before Your Majesty?”

“Good, then let me ask. I’ve heard you’ve been frequently visiting Kensington Palace recently. Has the Tory Party [a British political party] given you any kind of instruction?”

“······.”

As I deliberately remained silent with a blank expression for a moment, William IV narrowed his eyes and asked again.

“Was the question a bit ambiguous? I’m asking if the Tory Party has given you any kind of directive.”

“Ah, no. It’s just that I heard the same question in the Grand Hall earlier, so I was just… Sorry.”

“In the Grand Hall?”

“Yes. Anyway, the Duke of Wellington and Prime Minister Charles Grey summoned me and asked what kind of conversations took place at Kensington Palace.”

The fact that the top leaders of the Tory and Whig [another British political party, historically opposed to the Tories] parties asked directly is proof that they have nothing to do with this incident.

Of course, the Duke of Wellington might have been acting, but if I start suspecting and digging that deep, there’s no end to it.

“So, you’re saying that it was entirely the Duchess of Kent’s intention to summon you to the palace… Can you tell me what she wants from you? Since you’re said to be a bright student, you can understand what I mean, right?”

He’s telling me to choose whether to side with the Duchess or with him. Isn’t he putting too much pressure on a 13-year-old student?

Of course, the catch is that both are stocks whose delisting is confirmed in the near future, so it’s not worth betting everything on either side.

“Your Majesty, I am an Irish nobleman, but I am still a nobleman of this country, and I have no intention of being loyal to anyone other than Your Majesty.”

“Is that your answer to my question? Good. It’s a truly noble sentiment, and I’m pleased.”

In the original history, William IV passes away in the same year that Victoria comes of age, but until then, he will remain on the throne.

If I can score points here, I might be able to do some preliminary work that will be of great help to me in the future.

“In fact, I have had strong reservations about the Duchess’s policies for some time. However, if I showed it, my access to the Princess would be restricted, so I couldn’t reveal it.”

“So, you’re saying you were trying to please the Duchess of Kent in order to get close to Victoria. But that sounds like she wants something from you too, doesn’t it?”

“Of course. First of all, as a nobleman of this country, I can’t stand by and watch the Duchess and Sir Conroy manipulate the future queen. But besides that, I can’t deny that I also have a snobbish desire that the Princess will not forget my contributions in the future and will take me as her close aide.”

“You’re honest, so I find you more trustworthy. Now, tell me in detail what you’re doing in the palace.”

“Yes. Then, let me start by explaining the educational policies that the Duchess wants…”

Unlike in the Grand Hall, I told William IV almost the truth about what requests I had received from the Duchess.

Of course, I didn’t say how close I had become to Victoria, but I revealed that I was giving her the contents and information of the books she wanted to read, which was different from the Duchess’s orders.

“I knew her vain ambitions were great, but hearing this is absurd. I will do whatever it takes to keep that devil from even uttering the word ‘regent’ until my niece comes of age, so you also tell Victoria my will. Tell her there’s no need to worry.”

“Yes. And Your Majesty, if it’s alright with you, I would like to tell the Duchess that you summoned me.”

“What nonsense. The reason I went to such lengths to summon you is that I wanted this meeting to never leak to the outside.”

“But there’s no such thing as a perfect secret. If the Duchess finds out that I hid the fact that I met with Your Majesty, I will immediately be banned from entering Kensington Palace. So, wouldn’t it be better to leak this fact here and gain the Duchess’s trust?”

“Oh ho, so you’re saying you’ll be a double agent? Indeed… That would be much more effective.”

William IV nodded as if he was impressed and continued.

“Then, when you return, you can say something like I seem to be trying to keep her in check, so you need to be careful.”

“Yes. And I will also say that I was given a secret mission to regularly report to you what kind of education the Duchess is giving the Princess.”

“And why is that?”

“That way, even if I regularly send letters to Your Majesty, the Duchess won’t think it’s strange. Of course, I will say that I am falsely reporting about the Duchess and will have it checked in advance.”

If I go in and out of the palace too openly, I will be easily checked, but I can send letters unnoticed as much as I want.

In addition, this way, I can gain the trust of both the Duchess of Kent and William IV, so there’s no need to make enemies with either side.

Originally, if you only walk a tightrope like this, you’ll end up falling to your death, but aren’t these two people destined to retire from the stage of history within four years anyway?

Until then, I just need to maintain an appropriate distance and extract only what I can.

“I see why she coveted you. You have a deep mind that’s hard to believe for a young student. So, I need to confirm this point even more. If you become Victoria’s loyal servant in the future, what do you want her to do for you?”

“What I want is just one thing. If I ever have the ability to go to the position I want, I don’t want to be crushed by the ceiling of my origin.”

“Hmm… I see. At such a young age, you already feel the limitations of being Irish. In a way, it may be something that I, as the king of this country, should be ashamed of that a young child like you feels that way. If it’s that much, it will be enough as compensation for your efforts, so I won’t object.”

I felt it just now, and I feel it at this moment too, but this status of mine is a cheat key that works everywhere to the point of being absurd.

Whether it’s the Tory Party, the Whig Party, or someone from the royal family, anyone I want just needs to hear the four letters ‘overcoming status’ and they immediately understand and send me a look of sympathy.

And when I say I want this kind of reward and that I’ll get involved, they believe in my desperation without any suspicion.

No one even suspects that I might have a scheme to get closer to Victoria in a romantic way.

Of course, I know very well that if I did such a thing, I would face the wrath of our British gentlemen, who would say that a lowly Irish guy dares to covet her, along with the stern judgment of society.

However, that doesn’t mean I can’t build a personal relationship with the Queen and use her influence as my own.

The unimaginative elders can’t even guess.

“Then, since you’ve chosen to take my hand, I need to give you a reward. What do you want? I’ll grant it as far as I can.”

“If I receive too much, there will be those who suspect that I have made some kind of secret agreement with Your Majesty. So, if you give me something too obvious, it will only make things difficult for me.”

“That’s also true. Then, tell me something that can help you indirectly.”

“…In that case, I would like you to acknowledge the marriage of my aunt, Cecilia Underwood.”

“The woman who married Frederick? Come to think of it, she was said to be from the same family as you…”

William IV’s face, which had seemed so kind as if he would grant anything, was momentarily clouded with embarrassment.

He scratched his head and let out a soft sigh.

“It’s truly admirable that you’re asking for your aunt’s happiness rather than your own advancement. But I have already declared that I will not recognize marriages that violate royal customs. To reverse that in just a few years would inevitably damage my prestige. I can’t grant that request right now, no matter what else.”

“Then, it’s okay if it’s a little later. The two of them truly rely on and love each other. I have no doubt that Your Majesty will also recognize that.”

“This is… To think that my brother would cause me so much trouble even in my old age. Then, let’s do this. Since I’ve already spoken my words while alive, it’s impossible to reverse them. So, I’ll add that content to my will. If I do this, the child who succeeds me on the throne after my death will be able to handle it posthumously, although I don’t know when that will be.”

Even before, Victoria had said that she would recognize the marriage of the Duke of Sussex and her aunt when she became queen, but it seemed difficult to handle the matter immediately after becoming queen.

It wouldn’t look good to reverse the decision of the previous king as soon as she ascended the throne, unless it was at least two or three years later.

However, if William IV wrote in his will that it was okay to reverse the decision, Victoria would be able to bless the two without any worries.

If that happens, I can now ride on the prestige of the Duke of Sussex and my aunt, who will become the new Duchess, without any problems.

I might even consider the option of being adopted, not just as a godson or godmother.

“Thank you for your generous decision. I will never disappoint you in the future, and I will become Your Majesty’s eyes and ears, thoroughly watching Kensington Palace and serving the Princess to the best of my ability.”

“Yes. I’m really glad that you’re a child I can talk to. Continue to be a strong support by her side.”

After that, William IV asked some minor questions, and I answered them before we parted ways.

I felt like I had no energy left after spending so much mental energy in one day.

* * *

After Killian Gore left, William IV did not get up immediately.

There was still a little time left until he had to go down to the Grand Hall.

“What do you think?”

As he suddenly asked, the door to the adjacent room, which had been closed, opened and the Lord Chamberlain, Earl Talbot, slowly walked out.

“He’s an interesting child.”

“Isn’t he? He’s very quick-witted and doesn’t hide his desires, which was quite impressive.”

“He didn’t even hesitate to reveal his weaknesses, and I think that’s his own way of surviving. If we understand it as a signal that he’s such an insignificant being compared to the other party, so there’s no need to worry, it makes sense.”

William IV’s feelings were exactly the same as the Lord Chamberlain’s.

He’s definitely smart enough to be unbelievable for a student of that age, and he knows the ways of the world well, but that’s it.

He’s the type who knows exactly where he should be aiming and doesn’t try to cross the line.

In a bad way, he’s a type who’s been worn down by the world.

But I can guess why that young child became like that, so I can’t just see him in a bad light.

‘A mixed-race bastard from Ireland… If such a child wants to survive in the upper class of this country, he has no choice but to become like that.’

The reason he asked to recognize his aunt’s marriage is probably not entirely for pure purposes.

If his aunt is officially recognized as a duchess, Killian, as her nephew, will inevitably enjoy reflexive benefits.

If the king directly takes Killian under his wing, he may be subject to checks and jealousy, so he’s aiming for indirect benefits, which is a great judgment.

At that level, he would be a perfect talent to be by Victoria’s side and act as her advisor.

“Anyway, I feel like my stuffy heart has been washed away because I think I can finally give that devilish woman a good blow this time. I feel like my lifespan has increased by a year just from today’s work.”

“That would be the greatest disaster for the Duchess.”

“Hahaha, that’s right. I put in quite a bit of effort, but it was a worthwhile event. By the way, I think that child said that he knows and conveys the topics and contents of books that Victoria is interested in… I should have asked what my niece is so interested in these days, but I forgot.”

To be so distracted by the behind-the-scenes story that he forgot to ask about his beloved niece.

It was a painful mistake, but he could ask her to let him know through a letter next time, so he would bear with it for now.

At the same time, he realized that it was time to resume the goal he had put aside because of the Duchess’s interference.

Until now, it was impossible to meet Victoria and educate her, but now he can convey his words through Killian, can’t he?

So, it was time to try again to educate his successor, which he had not been able to do properly until now.

Of course, Killian’s cooperation was essential for that.

‘I need to fix my will right away and have him check it. Then he will faithfully follow my orders.’

Perhaps that student’s value is more useful than I thought.

He was even more so in terms of being obedient, easy to handle, and subtly small-minded.

If they were high-ranking nobles who he faced every day, they would have asked for a much bigger price, but what Killian demanded was only a trivial level from William IV’s point of view.

“Hahaha. The timing is perfect.”

William IV let out a pleasant laugh after a long time. It was truly a blessing for the royal family and the empire that a useful card had rolled in on its own when he was frustrated.

William IV blessed the Great Empire, which would shine even more brilliantly in the future, and the future Queen.

God Save the Queen.