For the British Empire, the fact that Victoria, the heir presumptive and future queen, was about to come of age meant far more than simply reaching legal adulthood.
The moment Victoria became an adult, the position her mother—Victoria, Duchess of Kent—so desperately desired would lose all meaning.
The regency she had been scheming for would vanish.
Naturally, the ambitions of the duchess—and of the man who had fueled those ambitions, John Conroy—would disappear with it.
As the royal Christmas celebration approached, closing out the year 1836, the duchess's anxiety became more visible with each passing day.
She exhaled sharply.
"Honestly… this won't do. Why is that old man clinging to life so stubbornly? What could he possibly still be so attached to in this world?"
"Your Grace," Killian replied carefully, "someone might overhear you. It would be wise to moderate your words."
"Oh please. It's just you and me here. Who would be listening?"
She leaned closer.
"Tell me honestly—did the king mention anything in his letters to you? Something secret perhaps? About his health… or anything like that?"
"Nothing of the sort," Killian said calmly.
"Although he did ask me to report on how anxious you appear these days."
"And I assured him that Your Grace is maintaining perfect composure."
The truth, of course, was the exact opposite.
But the duchess seemed to find comfort in Killian's words and slowly steadied her breathing.
"Yes… that's right."
"If I show weakness now, that old man will only laugh at me."
"I even received a letter from him insisting that I attend the event at Windsor Castle alone. I'm certain it's just an excuse to mock me."
"There are still five months left," Killian said.
"At times like this, patience is the wisest course."
"And as I mentioned before, even once the princess becomes an adult, she will not ignore your counsel."
"You speak with her every day—you know that better than anyone."
"That's true," the duchess admitted.
"She hasn't shown the slightest defiance toward me these past few years."
She looked at Killian with satisfaction.
"This is all thanks to you."
"I had no idea recruiting you would prove this reassuring. My judgment back then was clearly correct."
Then she seemed to recall something.
"You received an invitation to this year's event as well, didn't you?"
"Yes," Killian replied.
"Even if I'm still a minor and not yet eligible to sit in the House of Lords, I am still an earl."
"And with the party increasingly paying attention to Irish affairs lately, I've been fortunate enough to receive an invitation."
Until the previous year, William IV had avoided inviting Killian to royal events.
Too many eyes had been watching.
But things had changed.
The fact that even the Duchess of Kent now saw nothing unusual about his presence proved that much.
"I'm glad you'll be there," she said.
"I've had many worries this year."
"During the event, stay close to Victoria and keep all those annoying flies away from her."
"I'll probably be tied up with the king the entire time."
"Understood," Killian said.
"I'll remain by her side in your stead. Please don't worry."
In truth, Killian had not seen Victoria for months due to his increasingly busy schedule.
This reunion might prove refreshing.
And with less than half a year remaining before she became legally independent—
he was curious to hear how she felt about it.
* * *
Christmas Eve, 1836.
The night at Windsor Castle was cold.
But the dazzling decorations and luxurious feast made the chill almost impossible to notice.
Most members of the royal family were present.
So were prominent aristocrats and distinguished foreign guests.
The castle overflowed with celebration.
The atmosphere in the State Dining Room, where the highest-ranking guests gathered, was especially warm.
Seated at the head of the table, William IV raised his glass and delivered a short toast.
"My beloved family, friends, and honored guests."
"Tonight we gather not only to celebrate the birth of our Savior, but also to reflect on the bonds that unite us."
"This Christmas feels especially meaningful to me."
"Next year, my niece and heir—our Victoria—will finally come of age."
William paused.
His gaze swept across the room.
Just for a moment—
his eyes stopped on the Duchess of Kent.
Killian caught it immediately.
That look was unmistakable.
The smile of a victor.
Meanwhile, the duchess struggled to maintain her composure, glaring at the food in front of her as though she might stab it.
She was likely the only person in the room incapable of enjoying the meal.
After dinner, guests moved to the luxurious drawing room.
As expected, the duchess was summoned by William.
She was forced to leave Victoria behind.
"It's been a while."
Victoria approached Killian with a bright smile.
She wore a lavender silk gown.
"Have you been well?"
"I have," Killian replied.
"Just very busy."
"I heard the same about you," Victoria said.
"Baroness Lehzen mentioned that you've been quite busy lately."
"Your name has even appeared in newspapers."
"That paper of yours seems to be gaining attention."
"It was merely a rough essay that happened to ride the current of events," Killian said modestly.
"That's not what I've heard," she said.
"Next time you visit the palace, you'll have to explain it properly."
Her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She was still small—barely five feet tall.
But something about her presence had changed.
With adulthood only five months away, she now carried the aura of a grown woman.
She turned slightly so the gown would catch the light.
"Well?"
"What do you think of this dress?"
"My old one became too loose, so I had a new one made."
She had clearly lost weight.
The change brightened her complexion.
Delicate embroidery emphasized her narrow waist.
A lace shawl rested lightly on her shoulders.
There was no need for elaborate praise.
Sometimes the most effective compliment was the simplest.
"I feel honored to be speaking with the most radiant person in this hall tonight."
Victoria laughed.
"You should feel honored."
She accepted a glass of mild wine from a servant.
"Oh, by the way—you heard about my cousins visiting Kensington recently, right?"
"Ernst and his younger brother?"
"Yes," Killian said.
"I heard they were originally meant to visit in June, but the political turmoil surrounding the Corn Laws delayed their trip."
"So they finally came last month," she said.
"It was the first time I'd met them. I had a wonderful time."
Ernst, the crown prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, would eventually become its second duke.
But history remembered his younger brother far more clearly.
Because that brother—
Albert—
would one day become Victoria's husband.
In the original timeline, Victoria had fallen for him almost immediately.
Killian was curious how things might unfold here.
"What did you think of them?" he asked.
"I heard Ernst has quite a cheerful personality."
"That's true," she said.
"He's very lively and fond of jokes."
"And what about his brother?"
"Albert, was it?"
Victoria narrowed her eyes playfully.
"You seem to know quite a lot about him."
"You didn't even visit Kensington recently."
"Yet you've gathered information quite thoroughly, haven't you?"
She seemed to be interpreting things a bit strangely.
Killian decided not to correct her.
Victoria stared at him deliberately, unable to hide her smile.
"Albert," she continued.
"Or 'Albert' as we pronounce it."
"He's my age. One year older than you."
"And he's incredibly handsome."
"Honestly, if they gathered all the women in his duchy suffering from lovesickness because of him, it would probably fill several carts."
Killian almost laughed.
In the original history—
Victoria herself had been among them.
"I've heard similar things," Killian said calmly.
"You really are well informed."
"Were you worried about him?"
"I suppose I was," Killian replied.
"After all, I'm something like your tutor."
"Hmm."
"So that's your escape route."
She clicked her tongue lightly and took a sip of wine.
Killian knew exactly what reaction she was hoping for.
But he refused to be baited.
"If you plan to spend time with him regularly," Killian said, "I may need to adjust our lessons."
"Will he be staying in Britain?"
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
"Well, technically I'm the student here."
"If you believe I still have much to learn, I'm willing to follow your recommendation."
"The king's requested curriculum isn't complete yet," Killian said.
"But we can make up for that later."
"So do as you wish."
"As I wish…?"
Disappointment flickered in Victoria's eyes.
She looked almost irritated.
Killian chuckled softly.
"Officially that's what I should say."
"But you still lack experience in political matters."
"Especially now, with the Corn Law debates raging."
"They involve complex economic and social issues."
"There's much to study."
"So starting this week, I think I should resume visiting Kensington every weekend."
"What do you think?"
Victoria sighed.
"Well, if you insist…"
"I'll be an adult next year, after all."
"I suppose I should study harder."
"Even if your schedule is busy, please make the effort to visit Kensington."
"Supporting the future queen of this country is a grave responsibility."
"Of course," Killian said.
"Though your mother tends to monopolize me whenever I visit."
"That may interfere with our lessons."
Victoria glanced toward the duchess—still frozen like a statue beside the king.
She sighed.
"Honestly…"
"My mother has been driving me crazy lately."
"She keeps repeating the same things."
'Victoria, even after you come of age, you lack experience.'
'You must keep reliable advisers close.'
'The king is old. Something unexpected could happen at any time.'
Killian smiled slightly.
"You seem to be handling it well."
"She expected you to accept a regency even after adulthood."
Victoria scoffed.
"A regency? Absolutely not."
"The moment I move into Buckingham Palace, Conroy is finished."
"And frankly, Mother cannot be allowed anywhere near politics either."
"If she trusted someone like him, her judgment is clearly questionable."
Killian spoke gently.
"If possible, you might consider reconciling with your mother someday."
"Once Conroy is gone, there will be nothing left to stand between you."
Victoria hesitated.
"If she sincerely apologizes, I'll accept it."
"But I will never bow my head first."
"I've done nothing wrong."
"That alone is enough," Killian said.
Victoria smiled faintly.
"Recently, even when Mother or Conroy say ridiculous things, I don't really care anymore."
"In five months, this life will finally end."
"It makes me strangely tolerant."
"You've endured a great deal," Killian said.
"You deserve the freedom that's coming."
Victoria lifted a fresh glass of wine.
"And I suppose I should thank you too."
"If not for those weekly lessons…"
"I can't even imagine how miserable the past few years would have been."
She raised her glass toward him.
"So… let's take care of each other again next year."
"Earl of Arran."
Killian met her gaze and smiled sincerely.
"I wish you a new year filled with happiness, prosperity, and love."
"Princess Victoria."
Their crystal glasses touched softly.
A clear ringing sound echoed.
Then Killian excused himself as Wellesley approached.
Victoria watched him walk away.
She had considered asking directly.
Or perhaps confronting him more bluntly.
But neither option made sense.
She would soon be Queen of the British Empire.
Killian understood that reality better than anyone.
Still…
If the answer was no, shouldn't he say so clearly?
Wasn't he just confusing her?
Victoria had never been in love.
But between stories Baroness Lehzen had told her and the novels Killian himself had recommended—
she was fairly certain.
"I can't possibly be imagining this alone… can I?"
Killian had always treated her sincerely.
He had devoted himself to her education.
He had been her companion during lonely years.
He listened to her problems and offered solutions.
And yet—
he claimed to want nothing in return.
How could she not reach a certain conclusion?
So she had tried to test him tonight.
And once again—
he slipped away effortlessly.
"…Is he waiting for me to say it first?"
Perhaps he believed it impossible for someone of Irish blood to confess such feelings to the future queen.
Perhaps he was waiting for her to take the first step.
But Victoria had absolutely no intention of doing that.
A future queen openly favoring a man of Irish descent—
that alone would shake Britain with scandal.
If Killian wanted to cross that dangerous bridge, he needed the courage to charge forward himself.
Only then would she consider whether she might follow.
If he expected her to bear the burden first—
she would refuse.
And besides…
"What if I'm just imagining things?"
"That would be humiliating."
The future queen of the greatest empire on Earth sighed deeply.
Her eyes drifted across the room.
Killian stood in the distance, speaking with Wellesley.
"…And why did he have to interrupt just now?"
"If they meet often anyway, couldn't he have spoken tomorrow?"
Just moments ago, Victoria had been in excellent spirits.
Now—
for some reason—
the cheerful atmosphere of the party suddenly irritated her.