I had met Victoria once before, but with the Duchess present we hadn't been able to exchange more than a few polite words.
In that sense, this was practically our first real meeting.
The servant who escorted me to the room where Victoria was waiting first delivered the Duchess's instructions.
"His Grace says you are the finest student at Eton. Share what you've learned and discuss it together. It will surely be a valuable experience."
Victoria, who clearly understood what that "valuable experience" truly meant, looked up at the ceiling for a moment. Then she gave a knowing smile and nodded.
"Very well. Mother has never told me to speak privately with someone my own age before. I'm rather curious. You're Killian, correct? Please, come and sit."
She pointed to the seat opposite her.
The servant who had brought me here bowed slightly and stepped outside.
"Then I shall leave you. I hope you have a fruitful discussion."
The door closed with a quiet click.
But instead of moving immediately, I paused and listened.
Just as I expected.
The servant had shut the door, but there were no footsteps leaving the corridor.
So the Duchess wanted us to speak alone—while someone pressed an ear to the door.
Victoria must have noticed my hesitation because she looked at me curiously.
"Is something wrong?"
"N–no, Your Highness. I'm simply a little nervous."
Since my voice would carry through the door, I deliberately tapped the floor with my shoe so the sound echoed.
Still, there was no movement outside.
That poor servant must have quite the job.
Even if he pressed his ear against the door, he'd have to concentrate incredibly hard to hear everything.
Of course, now that I knew we were being watched, whispering or falling into suspicious silence would be foolish.
I sat naturally in the seat Victoria indicated.
Looking around the room, I noticed paper and ink placed conveniently nearby.
Someone careless might have used them to exchange written messages.
But I never trusted tools provided by others.
Fortunately, I had brought a deck of playing cards, just in case I found an opportunity to show a magic trick.
That would do nicely.
I pulled out a card and a small bottle of ink from my coat, wrote a message on it, and handed it to Victoria—whose eyes were already sparkling with curiosity.
"Forgive my awkwardness," I said aloud. "The Duchess suddenly told me to come upstairs, so I was a little flustered."
The words written on the card were completely different.
Do you realize the servant outside is listening to our conversation?
Victoria read it and let out a quiet laugh.
Then she glanced toward the door with clear annoyance before shaking her head slowly.
"It's alright," she said casually. "To be honest, this is the first time I've spoken alone with someone my own age. It feels rather refreshing."
She took one of my cards and quickly wrote something on it.
"Mother seems very interested in Eton's education. I must admit I was impressed when I visited the school."
The card she returned to me read:
Just as before… she's a very calculating person, isn't she?
Apparently this was a brand-new experience for her.
Her excitement was obvious.
"Normally we would start with introductions to ease the awkwardness," she continued aloud, "but since we already know quite a lot about each other, perhaps we should skip that. Let's just ask whatever we're curious about."
"Of course. The Duchess told me to answer any question Your Highness might have."
"Then let's continue from where we left off at the school. I heard the classes there are quite strict. Do you ever feel overwhelmed?"
Judging by the fact she didn't write anything this time, the question was genuine.
"At first I did. But I've grown accustomed to it."
"I also heard Eton focuses heavily on literature and classical studies. Do you enjoy those?"
"Sometimes they can be a little tedious, but I believe they are essential to a proper education."
While I spoke loudly enough for the eavesdropper behind the door, my hand was writing something entirely different on the card.
To be honest, they're so boring I could cry. Please save me.
"Pfft—!"
Victoria nearly burst out laughing.
She quickly coughed to cover it.
"Excuse me… the tea went down the wrong way."
Composing herself, she asked another question.
"Then could you explain why literature and classical studies are so important?"
"Modern politics and society are becoming increasingly complex," I replied. "At first glance, one might think we should focus solely on those subjects. But literature and the classics contain thousands of years of accumulated human wisdom and ideas."
I paused.
"They are like fertile soil. Politics and social issues are merely the plants that grow from it."
"I see."
"Therefore it is important to strengthen the soil first. Just as a larger vessel can hold more water, a person with a solid foundation can later master the techniques of politics far more effectively."
The card I slid toward her said something entirely different.
That was nonsense. You can ignore it. But building general knowledge will still help you someday.
"Ah, I understand now," Victoria said. "When you put it that way, it makes perfect sense. To be honest, I've been feeling quite frustrated lately, but that explanation actually clears my mind."
"I'm glad it was helpful."
"Killian, I heard you're from Ireland and of mixed heritage. Have you ever experienced discrimination at Eton? If so, please tell me. I could ask my mother to intervene."
"Thankfully, Arthur—the Duke of Wellington—has taken an interest in me, so no one dares show open prejudice. And perhaps because I resemble my father strongly, my mixed heritage isn't immediately obvious."
Of course, anyone studying my face carefully could notice.
But how often did people stare that closely?
Well…
Perhaps in a situation like this.
As I glanced up, I met Victoria's gaze.
Most girls might have felt embarrassed.
But she simply studied my face with open curiosity.
"What did you speak about with my mother?" she asked.
"She asked me to do my best to have a positive influence on Your Highness, who will one day hold the highest position in this country."
"A positive influence… like this conversation?"
"Exactly. Today was somewhat sudden, so I came unprepared. But starting next week, I will bring topics that might genuinely interest you."
Victoria's eyes lit up far brighter than before.
Her pen moved quickly across the card.
"Then next time, shall we discuss Cicero's speeches?"
The card she showed me read:
I've heard many social issues are being debated lately—factory laws, abolition of slavery, and so on. Cecilia says you know far more about these things than she does. Could you tell me about them?
Just as I had heard, she was deeply interested in political and social matters.
A future monarch needed exactly that kind of curiosity.
If anything, without the absurd restraints of the Kensington System, the Victoria of real history might have become an even greater queen.
I nodded lightly.
"I will prepare whatever topics Your Highness wishes."
"Really? Thank you."
The card she wrote next said:
What a relief. Mother and Sir Conroy keep saying the most ridiculous things lately. I was about to explode.
Apparently the fiery temperament she inherited from her father was quite real.
Even through written conversation, her personality showed clearly.
I almost laughed.
"I will likely visit once every weekend," I said aloud. "If I can help you even a little, I would be honored. I hope you grow into a queen who will be remembered throughout the history of this nation."
"Thank you," Victoria replied warmly. "And I hope you continue your studies and become someone this country cannot do without."
As I accepted her sincere words, I quietly collected every card we had written on and slipped them back into my coat.
We arranged our next meeting and left the room.
Not a single trace remained of the secret conversation only we knew.
* * *
"How was the conversation?"
About an hour after Killian left to see Cecilia, the Duchess entered Victoria's room with a bright smile.
She had already heard the report from the servant.
"Just as I thought when I visited Eton," Victoria replied. "He's incredibly intelligent and thoughtful."
"Oh? Did he say something that impressed you?"
"He compared literature and the classics to soil. It really resonated with me. I had been worried that I knew too little about ordinary people's lives, but now I feel reassured."
"See? I told you," the Duchess said warmly. "All you need to do is follow the education I give you. Trust your mother. I will make you the greatest queen in the history of the British Empire."
Normally Victoria would have felt anger rising inside her.
But this time she surprised even herself by remaining calm.
"Yes. I suppose I misunderstood many things before. I'm sorry."
"That's alright, dear. I'm just happy you understand me now. Killian will come again next week. You should discuss other topics with him as well."
"He'll be coming every week?"
"Yes. And since we're alone, I'll tell you this. When you become queen, it's good to have at least one loyal subordinate devoted entirely to you. Someone capable—but not too powerful."
The Duchess continued excitedly.
"Brilliant, yes. But ultimately he's only an Irish mixed-blood. No matter how hard he tries, there's a limit to how high he can rise on his own. When you become queen, grant him an English barony. He'll be so grateful he'll pledge absolute loyalty."
"So that's your plan."
"Of course. Victoria, in this world you cannot trust anyone except family. Don't grow too attached to him. Think of him as a useful tool who gives you good advice."
Victoria nodded quietly.
As the Duchess spoke, she glanced casually toward a stack of papers she had prepared earlier.
Had she really anticipated the possibility of written conversation?
Victoria was secretly impressed.
"Mother."
"Yes?"
"Someone who is Irish and of mixed heritage… it would be impossible for such a person to reach a truly high position in this country, wouldn't it?"
"I told you already," the Duchess said. "And you've heard from Cecilia that he's also illegitimate. These days illegitimate children can inherit property, but the upper classes of this country are obsessed with bloodlines. He will never rise beyond a certain level. At best… perhaps a cabinet minister, if he's extremely lucky."
In truth, the Duchess added, she would wager even that was impossible.
Victoria finally understood.
Even with surveillance in place, she now knew why her mother had attached Killian to her.
She wanted a clever noble to guide and influence Victoria.
But nobles with powerful backgrounds were dangerous.
Killian, on the other hand, was safe.
A man who needed a title from the crown.
A brilliant dog on a leash.
Victoria confirmed there was no trace left of their written conversation.
As the Duchess left the room in high spirits, Victoria murmured quietly to herself.
"Mother… I'm sorry."
"But no matter how I look at it… I don't think he's someone you can use as a tool."