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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: The Permit
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"Your Grace. I pride myself on being a rather perceptive man. In fact, it is thanks to this perceptiveness that I survived in that distant land in the Far East, and I believe it has allowed me to carve out a small place for myself in this country as well."
"It's hardly just about being perceptive. Such things are only possible when backed by a fundamental intelligence. So, could you tell me right away what danger you see in me?"
"Of course."
First, to avoid any misunderstanding, I made it clear that Cecilia had told me very little about the relationship between the Duchess and Victoria.
What I heard from my aunt was merely how wise and considerate the Duchess was, and that was enough.
It would be troublesome if the Duchess were to think Cecilia was spreading unnecessary gossip.
"When I saw you and the Princess at Eton, I sensed a subtle dissonance in her gaze, her posture, and her tone of voice. How should I put it… like she was hiding her discontent, but it was still noticeable?"
"Noticeable, you say?"
"Yes. It's not unusual, of course. The Princess is human, so she cannot escape the natural process of human development. Isn't there a time when both boys and girls reach a certain age and become incredibly sensitive and prickly? I'm not equating myself with the Princess, but even I have felt a sense of kinship when, upon receiving advice from teachers or seniors, something suddenly flares up inside me."
"She is certainly at that age. But the child still follows my words well, and I have never felt that she would become a problem."
"That may be true for now. But… have you considered this? What you would do if the Princess were to become Queen during such a time."
The Duchess's body slowly leaned toward me, the better to hear my extremely quiet voice.
"For my daughter to succeed His Majesty the King now is my greatest wish. Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? Of course… no, it's best I don't say more."
Was she about to say, 'the sooner, the better'?
Of course, she might think it advantageous, as the sooner the succession, the longer she would serve as Regent.
Having run toward that single goal for so long, she must think her dream is coming true, but there is a blind spot.
"If the Princess were younger, it would not have been an issue. But now, while not yet an adult, she is already establishing her own way of looking at the world. The basis for my saying this is that the students at Eton are the same."
"Come to think of it, the students at Eton do begin their education at the height of adolescence."
"Yes. That is why, as someone of the same age, I was able to surmise the potential sources of instability that could strongly influence the Princess in the future."
As if understanding the gist of my meaning, the Duchess lifted her teacup with an elegant gesture.
Taking it as a signal to continue, I slowly went on.
"When learning to submit to the authority of one's elders, the most crucial thing is to never grant the student a position of such standing themselves. This is because students of an age where they are becoming aware of their own position and undergoing socialization are tremendously influenced by their status and environment."
"So, am I to understand that if Victoria were to inherit the throne at this time, everything I have taught her could be for naught?"
"Yes. Of course, I do not believe the Princess would become arrogant or disregard you simply because she becomes Queen. But even if you were to become Regent, Your Grace, would you still be able to control all the nobles and royals who would approach her then?"
"I am her mother and her guardian. Why would I not be able to?"
"It will not be easy. As Queen, she must attend all sorts of official events, where she will inevitably encounter various figures of society. It is practically impossible to silence every one of their mouths."
If the Duchess became Regent, she could certainly maintain control of the Royal Household on Victoria's behalf and influence political decisions.
But no matter what, the face of the British Empire is the monarch, not the Regent.
The monarch must inevitably attend state banquets, religious services, and public events. By what means could she control the countless nobles and bishops who would flock to her at such times?
"Through continuous contact with such people, the Princess will gradually awaken to the realization that she, the Queen, is the representative of this nation."
She would surely understand the rest without me having to say it.
The moment the regency ends, the Duchess would be relegated to the status of an old woman in a back room.
And there were only four years left until Victoria came of age.
Even if she inherited the throne next year, the maximum period the Duchess could wield power over state affairs was the six-year regency term guaranteed by law.
"Surely not. After all I have taught the child, you think she would disregard me the moment the regency ends?"
"It is not about the moment it ends. What I mean to say is that the cumulative influence of those around her, from the moment she ascends the throne until she comes of age, will be that powerful."
"…"
"In fact, at Eton, it is said that students who suddenly inherit their father's title or estate while still in their first year of education show a clear change in their before and after."
As I added a vivid example to my explanation, the awkwardness in the Duchess's smile deepened.
This happens surprisingly often when handling affairs.
People become so consumed by the desire to reach their goal that they fail to coolly consider the situation that follows.
The Duchess's case was exactly that.
Make her daughter Queen, and she herself becomes Regent.
And since she has made her daughter dependent on her and her confidant, Sir Conroy, they will take the lead in state affairs after she becomes Regent.
At a glance, it seems plausible, but to put it bluntly, it's a plan with a screw loose.
The regency period is one thing, but what would she do when Victoria came of age and no longer needed a regent?
The Duchess seemed to believe that Victoria, bound by the Kensington System, would continue to rely on her even after coming of age, but how could that be?
It's hard to believe a mother could be so ignorant of her own daughter's character, but perhaps this was proof of how clouded the Duchess's eyes and ears had become.
"Indeed… what you say has merit. A few years ago, when Victoria was a child, it wouldn't have mattered, but as she has grown older, my own perception should have changed as well."
"Moreover, this is all based on the scenario of the Princess succeeding to the throne in the near future. The real problem lies elsewhere."
"There is something worse than this?"
"Your Grace must have considered it. If His Majesty is still hale and on the throne even after the Princess comes of age… do you have a plan for that eventuality?"
No longer able to feign composure, the Duchess's face hardened slightly.
It must have been the worst-case scenario she didn't even want to imagine.
If Victoria came of age and then ascended the throne, there was a high probability that all her efforts up to now would be in vain.
But from my perspective, this was what I couldn't understand.
How could she invest her entire life into this and not consider the worst-case scenario?
No wonder, in the original history, Victoria erased her mother's influence the moment she became Queen, if her mother had been indulging in such wishful thinking.
"That is why I must educate her diligently, so that even when she comes of age, she will not be much different from how she is now…"
"When the Princess comes of age, the Kensington System will lose its effect. From that point on, you will legally have no right to interfere with her."
"So, before then, I must educate her a bit more… But wait a moment. If children of that age are so easily influenced by their surroundings, then how is it at Eton that the students so thoroughly submit to the authority of their seniors?"
"That, too, is because they are easily influenced by their surroundings. Because all the students of the same age live that way, the perception that 'this must be the right way' is unconsciously ingrained in them."
The Duchess blinked and looked at me, then let out a low exclamation.
"I see. It can have a negative influence, but conversely, it can also have a positive one?"
"Yes. Peer relationships are not the only thing; relationships with the opposite sex are also very important. Or rather, it seems that relationships with the opposite sex are something to be cautious about."
"In that case, should our Victoria be cautious of you as well?"
At the Duchess's playful question, I gave a bitter smile.
"If I were someone the Princess could see as a romantic interest, then yes."
"Why are you so lacking in confidence? A boy as handsome and clever as you is plenty charming."
"Because this is a society where such things are not that great of a merit."
Greed may have blinded her, but the Duchess was not an inherently foolish person.
Understanding the hidden meaning in my words, she offered me consolation in a much friendlier tone.
"Still, you are young, so you need not set such limits for yourself already. Who knows? Perhaps when our Victoria's era comes, there will be no distinction between an Irish noble and an English one."
Her words were meant to be touching.
If only they hadn't been spoken by someone who was convinced such a day would never come.
In any case, thanks to that, the Duchess completely let down her guard against me and was lost in thought for a moment.
I've laid this much bait, it should be about time for a bite. Or do I need to be a little more obvious?
No. If I appear too pushy, the wariness I've worked so hard to dispel will only rise again.
Sure enough, as I leisurely sipped my tea, the Duchess was the first to ask in an insinuating tone.
"Killian, to have advised me so openly, you must have something you desire as well, correct?"
"Pardon? No, I was merely…"
"It's alright, I understand completely. In fact, it would be more suspicious if you were trying to help me this much with nothing to gain, wouldn't it? From what I can see, there seems to be some ambition hidden within you, unlike your aunt. Ah, don't worry, I don't see it in a bad light. I do not dislike ambitious people."
"…You are as sharp as ever. To be honest, it's not that I didn't think this could be an opportunity for me."
The Duchess nodded as if to say, 'I thought so.'
Frankly, I felt a sense of relief as well.
I had been so blatant from the start; it would have been more troublesome for me if she hadn't noticed.
"It seems I have, as you said, overlooked the importance of peer education until now. I had deliberately kept her away from children of a similar age, fearing only negative influences, but there was a way to use this in reverse."
"Anything can be a medicine or a weapon, depending on how it is handled."
"Indeed. Then, Killian, would you be willing to be the medicine that soothes my anxieties? Naturally, this will not be for free."
There it is. She took the bait.
A silent celebration erupted within me, my heart pounding, but I deliberately hardened my expression and chose my words carefully.
"Offering help in expectation of a reward may seem materialistic, but as you said, Your Grace, I believe this could make our mutual trust even stronger."
"Yes. So, tell me what you want first. I will listen and give you my answer here and now."
"What I desire is to enter the British House of Lords. I wish to receive a title of the English peerage, not just the Irish."
As an Irish Earl, I could not enter the House of Lords, but if I were to additionally receive an English peerage, it would become possible for me to enter the Palace of Westminster.
This is because every English peer is automatically granted a seat in the House of Lords the moment they receive their title.
The Duchess poured another cup of tea with a smug expression, as if she had known all along.
Just from the movement of her hands, I could tell she had regained her composure.
"Then we have all the more reason to work together. You are surely aware that the King's consent is essential to create a new title, correct? I promise you. If you help me well, I will grant you a suitable title the moment I become Regent."
"Then what must I do?"
"From now on, meet with my daughter frequently and sound out what she is currently thinking. And make sure to inform her that most of those approaching her now are vulgar social climbers, blinded by their desire for a position. If you, who are of a similar age, tell her the same thing, she will be more inclined to listen to my words later on."
To think this was a mother's method of educating her daughter—it was so bewildering that I almost felt pity for Victoria.
"Understood. Then shall I begin visiting the palace regularly to meet the Princess starting next week?"
"Is there any reason to start next week? For now, observe her reaction today and report back to me. I would like to hear about it and discuss it with Sir Conroy to plan our future course of action."
"Are you saying I should speak with her right now?"
"Of course. She should be finishing her classics lesson and taking a break around now, so go on up."
With that, the Duchess casually gestured for a distant servant to approach.
Anyone would have read it as a sign to have me guided, but I did not miss the other signal she sent the servant with her eyes.
Of course, why would she trust me enough to allow me a private audience with Victoria from the very beginning?
If I were the Duchess, I would have placed her under surveillance for the time being.
In fact, it would have been more disconcerting if she hadn't, so this actually put me at ease.
Whether they watched me or secretly listened in, now that I was aware, there were plenty of ways to handle it.
As if thoroughly tense at the prospect of meeting Victoria alone, I followed the servant with stiff steps.
And just before ascending the stairs, I turned my head one last time and my eyes met the Duchess's, who happened to be looking at me.
She gave a benevolent smile and a nod.
I bowed my head to her with sincere feeling.
My apologies in advance, Your Grace.
I do plan on receiving an English title, but I'd much prefer to receive it not from the Regent, but from Her Majesty the Queen herself.
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