I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 6

“You said you were a British nobleman?”

As I stepped off the ship, the elegant silhouette of the Palace of Westminster, looming in the distance, immediately captured my attention.

If you were to name the most iconic parliament building globally, this would undoubtedly top the list.

Originally a royal palace, it now stands as a historical landmark, serving solely as the seat of Parliament.

It seemed subtly different from my memories of visiting London in my previous life. Then, I recalled an explanation from a tour guide.

Apparently, the palace had been largely destroyed by fire in the 19th century and subsequently rebuilt.

So, does that mean the building I’m seeing now is the actual Palace of Westminster before that devastating fire?

Thinking about it that way fills me with a sense of awe.

Based on what I remember, the south side of the building houses the House of Lords, while the north side is home to the House of Commons.

And Westminster Abbey, renowned as a royal church, is situated just west of the Palace.

But the most striking feature was the absence of the clock tower, a quintessential landmark symbolizing London and the Houses of Parliament.

The spot where the clock tower, commonly known as Big Ben, should have been was conspicuously empty.

The reason was simple: the clock tower was a later addition, a new design incorporated when the Palace of Westminster was rebuilt after the fire.

Seeing that empty space, so different from my memory, truly drove home the reality that I was standing in the heart of the British Empire in the 1830s.

“Master, you’re admiring that building too. I knew you would. Didn’t I explain on the journey here? Unlike many Asian countries, the British Empire elects members of parliament to represent the will of the citizens. Those elected, even without noble titles, lead the political discourse in the House of Commons.

And those who possess noble titles convene in the House of Lords to deliberate on matters of state. They wield the power to veto laws passed by the House of Commons, granting them even greater authority. The Palace of Westminster is where both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are located. Even as we speak, a session is likely underway inside.”

“Wow. It’s really different from Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom]? The British Empire is amazing. It’s the most advanced country in the world!”

Much of this is common knowledge, but here, I have to react enthusiastically, like someone from an uncivilized land encountering advanced civilization for the first time.

British nobles must take immense pride in their sophisticated system.

“Well… yes. It’s objectively an advanced country. If you remain here, Master, you’ll undoubtedly learn a great deal.”

Oh, why the lukewarm reaction? Is he less patriotic than I imagined?

Regardless, I’m about to enter the Palace of Westminster.

The mere thought of entering a place I couldn’t even dream of visiting in my previous life fills me with elation.

The man known as Father is supposedly a Count, placing him among the members of the House of Lords.

From the 20th century onward, the authority of the House of Lords diminished, becoming largely symbolic in modern times. However, in the early to mid-19th century, it was a different story.

Even nearing the end of its era of peak power, the nobility still possessed considerable influence, wielding tremendous authority.

In modern times, people question, ‘Why should those who inherit their status by blood have the power to veto laws made by the people’s representatives and demand revisions?’ But in this era, the opposite was true.

The right of the House of Lords to veto or demand revisions to laws was considered inherent.

It even served as the final court of appeal in certain legal cases.

Such a powerful figure has become my father, so all that remains is to walk a smooth path… but why does the carriage seem to be heading away from Westminster?

It’s not just my imagination. Looking outside, it’s clear that the carriage is moving away from the Palace of Westminster.

I wondered if there was some mistake, but James’s expression suggested otherwise.

Earlier, he mentioned a meeting taking place inside the palace, but perhaps that only applied to the House of Commons.

Well, their meeting places are distinct, and their roles differ, so there’s no inherent reason for them to convene on the same day at the same time.

Unable to conjure any other explanation, I leaned back in my seat and waited for the carriage to reach its destination.

In any case, I’m just a ten-year-old child. I’m not even old enough to receive secondary education, so I have ample time.

I simply need to gradually acclimate to 19th-century England and position myself to inherit my father’s title.

I was a lowly slave in Joseon, and now I’ve woken up as a member of the British Empire’s House of Lords?

To write such a dramatic rags-to-riches story, first…

“James, it would be best to greet Father with my own words first, right?”

“Of course. You’ve practiced diligently, so the Count will be very pleased.”

I need to ensure I get the man called Father on my side first.

Regardless of East or West, most parents find their children beautiful.

What if the child is so bright that they want to boast about them to everyone?

No further explanation is needed.

* * *

“Hello, Father. It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time.”

“Oh, oh, oh! You can speak English. James, this child greeted me in our language!”

“Master insisted on greeting the Count himself, so he studied diligently. His learning ability is also remarkable; he can already understand simple sentences.”

“My goodness, having grown up in a remote corner of East Asia, he wouldn’t have even been exposed to our language, yet his comprehension is already so advanced? This child must be a genius. Besides, he bears a striking resemblance to me, so handsome! Hahaha, James, you’ve worked so hard. Actually, I should have gone to the harbor to meet him myself, but I was fully occupied until just now.”

No matter how I examine him, unless the Count underwent a significant transformation with age, it doesn’t seem like we resemble each other.

Still, genes are remarkable. There’s no discernible resemblance in any individual feature, but when we stand side by side, one gets the impression that we might be father and son.

Is this the amazing and mysterious power of genetics?

The Count’s eyes welled up with emotion, and he couldn’t resist turning my face this way and that, embracing me once or twice.

I can roughly imagine how he feels.

He’s well past middle age, nearing old age, and he’s meeting his young son for the first time, so how could he not be overjoyed?

“My child, I’m your father. If I had known you were alive, I would have sent someone to bring you here long ago. I can only offer my apologies.”

“Thank you, Father. I’m so happy that Father brought me here.”

With the most accurate pronunciation possible, yet still slightly awkward to convey the impression of diligent practice.

As I bowed my head deeply, adopting the demeanor of a bright child, the Count’s face, already half-melted, completely dissolved into a smile.

“Yes, yes. Don’t worry about anything from now on and live comfortably here. Ah, how forgetful of me. James, did you tell our son his name?”

“Didn’t the Count instruct me to withhold that information, as he wished to reveal it himself?”

“That’s right, that’s right. Our son, your father is Earl Aaron Arthur Gore. And from this day forward, you are my son, Killian Gore. Even if there are those who speak ill of you, remember that you are my only blood, so pay them no heed.”

“Yes! I will study diligently here and become a great son who will repay my father’s grace.”

No wonder James didn’t disclose the name I would assume in England. This was the reason.

Killian Gore.

From Yoon Sun-woo in my previous life to Yoo Seok, a slave in Joseon, this is the third new identity I’ve embraced.

And the circumstances are far superior to my previous lives as an orphan.

I wonder if things can truly proceed so smoothly, but perhaps it’s time for my luck to change, given my past misfortunes.

To be honest, if a person is perpetually unlucky, how can they endure such resentment?

At least once, one must be born with a silver spoon in their mouth to appreciate the beauty of life.

“Then, our son, you must be weary from the long journey, so rest well today. Let’s take a break for the entire week, and we’ll commence with the headache-inducing studies next week.”

“Thank you. But I haven’t received basic education, so I’m far behind. I’m eager to learn as soon as possible. Shouldn’t I aspire to become a great nobleman like Father?”

“How admirable. Yes, yes. You wish to become a great nobleman like your father?”

“Yes. James informed me that the nobles of this country serve the nation in a magnificent palace called Westminster. I aspire to grow up and serve the people of this country in such a place.”

“Ah… Westminster. The House of Lords.”

Earl Aaron, who had been beaming until that moment, offered a subtly bitter smile upon hearing the mention of the House of Lords.

Could it be that I gave the impression that a young boy was already coveting power?

I believed I spoke from a thoroughly childlike perspective to avoid such an interpretation.

“Uh… um, James. Didn’t you inform him of that?”

“Master has just arrived from Joseon. He’s unfamiliar with this country’s political system, and explaining such a complex relationship would only overwhelm him. I intended to explain it gradually later.”

“That’s right. You’re right, but… um. How should I explain this?”

What? Could it be that Earl Aaron isn’t a member of the House of Lords?

If that’s the case, I can roughly understand James’s earlier reaction and Earl Aaron’s current demeanor.

But how can a nobleman with the title of Count not hold a seat in the House of Lords?

I distinctly recall from my past studies that nobles who received formal titles among the 19th-century British nobility were automatically granted seats in the House of Lords.

The Count, observing my face as I quietly awaited an explanation, scratched his head and spoke again.

“As our son mentioned, the nobles of this country decide the major and minor affairs of the country in that Westminster Palace. But I am a nobleman, though not an English nobleman, but an Irish nobleman, so I cannot attend the House of Lords.”

“An Irish nobleman?”

“Uh… yes. You’ve only recently begun learning English, so it’s understandable that it’s difficult to grasp, but I’ll explain it anyway. Ask James to elaborate later. Essentially, the British Empire is a united kingdom of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Among these, Scotland and Ireland joined the union later, but due to various circumstances, only select representatives of the nobles of these two kingdoms can enter that Westminster Palace.”

“Ah… I don’t fully understand, but I get the gist.”

“Still, our family is among the most prominent in Ireland, so by the time you succeed me, you may be newly elected as a representative. There are a total of 28 representatives of Irish nobles, and upon the death of one, a new person is elected from among the nobles. It’s a bit complicated, so you won’t grasp it immediately, but you’ll learn it all later.”

I thought things were progressing too smoothly, but there was a catch after all.

This isn’t a golden spoon; it’s a gilded one?

Well, upon reflection, it’s no one’s fault but my own naivete.

I only heard the word ‘noble,’ but what led me to assume that my father was an English nobleman?

There were numerous possibilities that he was a Scottish or Irish nobleman, yet I still haven’t abandoned this optimistic disposition.

I was so overjoyed to escape the status of a slave in Joseon that my mind was completely overtaken by fanciful thoughts.

Anyway, Ireland…

Let’s concede that it’s acceptable that he’s not a member of the British House of Lords.

Our family seems to be quite wealthy, and an Irish nobleman is still a nobleman, so I have no complaints.

If I win the election later and enter the House of Commons, or if I receive the title of British nobleman and enter the House of Lords, that’s all I need to do.

Rather, the fact that there’s still so much room for advancement stimulates my desire to challenge, so this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

However.

While it’s called a united kingdom, it’s undeniable that Ireland in the early 19th century was subjected to various discriminatory policies within the British Empire.

Following Joseon, this time it’s Ireland, so I suppose I have an unavoidable underdog fate.

It wasn’t as idyllic as I had anticipated, but I felt more at ease.

“Yes, Father. I may not know much, but I will study diligently and become a great representative of Ireland. I will strive to create a country where the people of Ireland can live happily.”

“What? Hahaha! Who does our son take after to speak so eloquently? Ah, he’s my son, so he must take after me.”

Being an Irish nobleman and of Joseon mixed heritage may seem like disadvantages now, but complaining about difficulties is the mark of a third-rate individual.

True first-raters must be able to smile and overcome all obstacles, surpassing their competitors.

Fortunately, I possess at least two absolute strengths that no one in this era can match.

So, the term ‘underdog’ may be technically inaccurate.

Regardless of how chaotic my background as a bastard nobleman and mixed-blood may be.

In a society where capitalism was beginning to flourish, I was someone who could not afford to be weak.