Let's review the facts.
William IV, the current king of the British Empire.
An elderly monarch approaching seventy, widely known to care deeply for his chosen successor, Victoria.
From what I'd heard—and from the way Victoria herself spoke of him—it was clearly true. Whenever she mentioned her uncle, a gentle smile would always appear on her face.
Which meant I could roughly guess why he had summoned me.
What I hadn't expected was that it would be done with such absolute secrecy.
That alone showed how seriously he took the matter of succession.
And that also meant one thing.
He might judge me with ruthless standards.
Even if the British monarchy was gradually losing power, it certainly hadn't become so weak that it couldn't quietly eliminate some insignificant half-Irish provincial boy.
Still…
Objectively speaking, William IV would only live another four years.
That was a fixed point in history.
The question was how I should move the wheels of that history—something only I knew.
"Please enter. His Majesty is waiting here."
As expected, the royal official led me into the northern wing of the palace.
Inside was what appeared to be a study that also served as the king's private office.
The room was filled with priceless artworks.
And its owner sat comfortably in a large chair, watching me approach.
I met William's gaze and bowed respectfully, following proper court etiquette.
Then I waited for the king's permission to speak.
"You must have been surprised by the sudden summons," William said. "I thought it would be difficult to speak privately during the ceremony, so I called you now. If you wanted to watch the debate, I apologize."
His tone held no hostility.
I responded with appropriate humility.
"Your Majesty, being granted a private audience with the king is an honor far greater than any debate."
"I hear you're one of Eton's exemplary students. Didn't you wish to participate in the debate?"
"I felt I had attracted enough attention already, so I chose to give other students the opportunity."
"That is fortunate," William said. "I had already instructed the headmaster through one of my attendants to remove your name from the list. I was slightly worried I might have unfairly deprived you of the chance."
So Headmaster Keate's strange behavior finally made sense.
He hadn't simply met royal officials about the ceremony.
He had been told to ensure I did not participate in the debate.
Of course.
If everyone's attention was focused on the debate, it would be much easier to quietly bring me here.
And if I had been one of the participants, that would have been impossible.
The king clearly wanted this meeting to remain secret.
"I truly had no regrets about missing the debate," I said. "I'm simply grateful that Your Majesty would take interest in someone like me."
"Your actions have made that unavoidable."
William leaned forward slightly.
"We don't have much time before I must return to the Grand Hall, so I'll go straight to the point."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I trust you won't do such a thing, but I expect you to answer honestly here. If you lie, I have ways of discovering the truth."
For a normal thirteen-year-old, that threat would have been devastating.
After all, it came from a king.
Even if they tried to lie, their face would betray them.
For me, of course, it meant nothing.
Still, I nodded nervously.
"O-of course, Your Majesty. I would never dare lie before the king."
"Good. Then I will ask plainly."
William's eyes sharpened.
"You have been visiting Kensington Palace frequently. Has the Tory Party contacted you in any way?"
"…."
I deliberately hesitated.
William narrowed his eyes.
"Was my question unclear? I am asking whether the Tories have given you instructions."
"Oh—no, Your Majesty. I was simply surprised because I was asked the same question earlier in the Grand Hall."
"In the Grand Hall?"
"Yes. The Duke of Wellington and Prime Minister Charles Grey summoned me and asked what conversations took place at Kensington Palace."
That alone proved something important.
If the leaders of both parties were asking personally, then neither side was involved.
Of course Wellington might have been acting.
But if I began suspecting everyone, there would be no end to it.
"So," William said slowly, "the one who summoned you must have been the Duchess of Kent herself. Tell me—what does she want from you?"
The meaning was obvious.
Choose her side—or choose his.
A heavy question to ask a thirteen-year-old.
Of course the real problem was that both sides were doomed stocks scheduled for delisting within four years.
"I am an Irish noble," I said carefully. "But I am still a noble of this kingdom. My loyalty belongs to no one but Your Majesty."
William smiled faintly.
"A very aristocratic answer. I approve."
That earned me some points.
And points from a king—even one near the end of his reign—could still be valuable.
"To be honest," I continued, "I have always felt uncomfortable with the Duchess's plans. I simply could not express it openly, or I would lose access to the princess."
"So you pleased the Duchess in order to approach Victoria. That suggests you want something from her as well."
"Of course."
I nodded honestly.
"Part of me believes it is wrong for the Duchess and Sir John to manipulate the future monarch. But I would also be lying if I said I had no selfish motives. If the princess remembers my efforts one day and allows me to serve as her advisor… I would be more than satisfied."
William chuckled.
"Your honesty makes you more trustworthy."
"Then please explain exactly what you have been doing at the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
This time I spoke almost entirely truthfully.
Unlike in the Grand Hall, I explained the Duchess's educational plan in detail.
I described how I provided Victoria with information about books and subjects she wished to study.
The only thing I did not reveal was how close we had actually become.
"That woman's ambitions are even more absurd than I imagined," William muttered. "Listen carefully. I will remain on this throne until my niece reaches adulthood if it kills me. Make sure Victoria understands that."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Then I added carefully:
"If you permit it… I would like to inform the Duchess that I met with you."
William frowned immediately.
"Absolutely not. The entire point of this meeting is secrecy."
"With respect, Your Majesty," I said calmly, "perfect secrets do not exist. If the Duchess discovers I met you and concealed it, I will be banned from Kensington Palace immediately."
William paused.
"So your idea is to reveal the meeting deliberately?"
"Yes. If I tell her you seemed suspicious of her intentions, it will only increase her trust in me."
William's eyes gleamed.
"A double agent, then. Interesting."
"Yes. I will also claim you secretly ordered me to report on the princess's education."
"And why would you do that?"
"So I can send Your Majesty regular letters without raising suspicion."
Letters were far safer than constant visits.
And with this arrangement—
Both sides would trust me.
Normally, balancing between two factions ended with falling to one's death.
But both of these factions would vanish from history within four years.
All I had to do was maintain the balance until then.
"She chose you wisely," William said thoughtfully. "You possess remarkable cunning for someone so young."
Then he asked a final question.
"If you truly become Victoria's loyal servant in the future, what do you want from her?"
"Only one thing," I said.
"If I someday possess the ability to reach a certain position, I do not want my Irish origin to become an unbreakable ceiling."
William sighed softly.
"So even a boy your age already feels the weight of that barrier."
He shook his head.
"That may be something I should feel ashamed of as king."
He looked at me again.
"That is a reasonable reward for your efforts. I have no objection."
My background truly was a miraculous shield.
Whether Tory, Whig, or royal court—
Everyone immediately accepted my ambition the moment I framed it as overcoming my birth.
Not a single person suspected I might be trying to get close to Victoria personally.
Their imagination simply couldn't reach that far.
"So," William said at last, "since you have chosen to take my hand, I must reward you. What do you want?"
"If the reward is too obvious, people will suspect we have made a secret agreement."
"Fair point. Then ask for something indirect."
I hesitated briefly.
"…In that case, I would ask that Your Majesty recognize the marriage of my aunt, Cecilia Underwood."
William immediately understood.
"You mean the woman who married Frederick?"
His expression darkened.
"I have already publicly declared that I will not recognize that marriage. To reverse that decision now would damage my authority."
"That is understandable, Your Majesty. But perhaps… later?"
William sighed.
"Very well. I cannot reverse my declaration while I live. But I will add a clause to my will. My successor may resolve the matter after my death."
That was perfect.
Victoria had already promised privately that she would recognize the marriage once she became queen.
But overturning her predecessor's decision immediately after ascending the throne would look bad.
If William himself permitted it in his will—
Everything became simple.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said sincerely.
"From now on I will serve as your eyes and ears at Kensington Palace."
"I am glad to hear it," William said warmly. "Continue to support Victoria."
We spoke a little longer before parting.
By the time I left the room, I felt completely drained.
* * *
After Killian left, William IV remained seated.
There was still time before he needed to return to the Grand Hall.
"Well?"
The door to the adjoining room opened.
Charles Talbot, the Earl Talbot, stepped out.
"What do you think?"
Talbot smiled slightly.
"He's an interesting boy."
"Yes," William said. "Quick-witted—and surprisingly open about his ambitions."
"He even exposes his weaknesses willingly. That may be his survival strategy. A way of signaling that he poses no threat."
William had reached the same conclusion.
Killian was brilliant for his age.
But he clearly understood his limits.
He had no intention of crossing the invisible lines of British society.
A world-weary child.
Yet William could guess why.
A mixed-blood Irish bastard…
A boy like that could only survive in the upper ranks of British society by becoming exactly what Killian had become.
Even his request about his aunt's marriage likely served practical interests.
If she became a recognized duchess, Killian himself would benefit indirectly.
It was a clever request.
And far less dangerous than asking for direct royal favor.
"He will make a suitable advisor for Victoria someday," William said.
Talbot nodded.
"More importantly, he is obedient and easy to handle."
If a powerful noble had made a request, they would have demanded far greater rewards.
Killian's request had been modest.
"Still," William chuckled, "the thought of finally frustrating that dreadful woman makes me feel ten years younger."
"That would be the Duchess's worst nightmare."
William laughed heartily.
"Indeed."
Then he paused thoughtfully.
"By the way… the boy mentioned he tells Victoria about books and topics she's interested in."
William sighed.
"I should have asked what she's been reading lately."
He had been so focused on political maneuvering that he forgot to ask about his beloved niece.
But now—
He had a way to communicate with her again.
For years the Duchess had prevented him from guiding Victoria's education.
Now, through Killian, that could change.
Of course, it required the boy's cooperation.
William smiled to himself.
Perhaps I should revise my will immediately.
That would ensure Killian remained loyal.
The boy might be even more useful than he first appeared.
"Excellent timing," William murmured.
A valuable piece had fallen into place just when he needed it most.
William IV allowed himself a rare, satisfied smile.
And he offered a quiet blessing for the future of the empire—and its future queen.
God Save the Queen.