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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: A Pleasant Conversation
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Though I had met Victoria before, I hadn't been able to have a proper conversation with her because of the Duchess.
In that sense, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this was our first real meeting.
The servant who led me to the room where Victoria was waiting first relayed a brief message to her.
"He is the top student at Eton, so share what you've learned and discuss it with him. It will surely be a valuable experience."
Victoria, knowing what that "valuable experience" implied, glanced at the ceiling for a moment before nodding with a meaningful smile.
"I understand. This is the first time Mother has suggested I speak with a student my age alone, so I'm looking forward to it. Your name is Killian, isn't it? Please, come and sit."
As Victoria gestured to the seat opposite her, the servant who had brought me gave a slight bow and exited the room.
"I shall take my leave now. I hope you have a fruitful conversation."
The door clicked shut, but instead of moving, I strained my ears to gauge the situation outside.
As expected, the door was closed, but I couldn't hear the servant's retreating footsteps.
So, she tells us to speak alone, but has someone pressing their ear to the door to hear what we say.
My stillness must have seemed odd, as Victoria stared at me and asked.
"Is something the matter?"
"Ah, no. I believe I'm just a bit stiff from nervousness."
Victoria's voice would have been audible outside the door, so I deliberately tapped my shoes on the floor, making a crisp sound.
But still, there was no hint of movement from beyond the door.
That servant must have a tough job.
Even with an ear pressed against the door, they would have to strain immensely to catch everything we say in here.
Of course, I wouldn't do something as foolish as whispering that we were being watched or creating an unnatural silence.
I sat down as naturally as possible in the seat Victoria had indicated.
Looking around, I noticed paper and ink conveniently placed nearby.
A less cautious person might have used them to exchange notes, but I was of the principle to suspect everything and avoid using tools provided by others.
I had brought a deck of cards, wondering if I'd get a chance to perform a magic trick. They would serve as a fine substitute for paper.
I suddenly produced the cards and a small inkwell from my coat, wrote a short message, and passed it to Victoria, whose eyes were shining with curiosity.
"I apologize for my awkwardness. I was also a bit flustered when the Duchess suddenly asked me to come up."
-Do you know the servant is listening outside?
Victoria let out a faint laugh upon reading the message, which was completely different from what I had said.
At the same time, she glanced toward the door with an expression of annoyance and slowly shook her head.
"It's quite all right. In fact, this is my first time speaking alone with a student my age, so it's a refreshing experience for me as well."
She then took one of my cards and quickly began to write on it.
"Mother seems to be very interested in the education at Eton. To be honest, I was also very impressed during my visit."
-She seems to be a very calculating person, just like last time, no?
As if this were her first time doing something like this, Victoria continued to speak with unconcealed excitement.
"Normally, we would start with introductions to break the ice, but since we already know a fair bit about each other, that won't be necessary. Shall we just ask what we're curious about?"
"Yes. The Duchess also instructed me to answer anything the Princess is curious about with the utmost sincerity."
"Hmm, then shall we continue our conversation from the school last time? I hear the classes are incredibly strict and demanding. Have you ever felt suffocated or burdened by them?"
Judging by the fact that she didn't write anything down, this must be a genuine question.
"I did at first, but I have grown accustomed to it now."
"I was told Eton's curriculum is focused on literature and the classics. Do you find that interesting?"
"To be honest, it can be a bit tedious at times, but I persevere, believing it to be a necessary process."
While I was speaking for the benefit of the person listening behind the door, my hands were, of course, writing something entirely different.
-To be honest, it's so boring it could bring a man to tears. Save me.
"Pfft… Ahem, my apologies. How unladylike of me. The tea went down the wrong way."
Victoria, who had nearly burst out laughing, hastily cleared her throat and fidgeted with her hair.
"Could you share your thoughts on why literature and the classics are essential?"
"With politics and society becoming increasingly complex these days, one might think it's better to focus on those subjects directly. However, literature and the classics are the condensed knowledge and ideas humanity has accumulated over thousands of years. They are, in a way, a vast and fertile soil. Political and social issues are merely the sprouts that grow from that soil."
"I see."
"Therefore, it is crucial to first strengthen the soil. Just as a larger vessel can hold more, a person with a solid foundation can master practical skills like political arts at a higher level."
-It's all nonsense, so just ignore it. Still, building a foundation of culture will certainly be helpful later on.
"Ah, so that's what you meant. Hearing it explained that way, I can certainly agree. Frankly, I've been feeling quite frustrated lately, but this feels somewhat refreshing."
"I am grateful that you received it so well."
"Killian, I heard you are of Irish descent and mixed blood. Have you ever experienced any unfair discrimination at Eton? If you have, please tell me anytime. I will ask my mother to lend her support."
"Thankfully, His Grace the Duke of Wellington has been looking out for me, so it seems no one dares to discriminate openly. Fortunately, my father's blood is strong, so my mixed heritage isn't immediately obvious from my appearance."
Of course, one could tell upon closer inspection, but how often does someone stare so intently at another's face?
Unless, of course, they were sitting alone together, staring intently at each other… come to think of it, that's exactly our current situation.
I subtly raised my head and my eyes met Victoria's, who had been watching me quietly.
A typical girl might have been embarrassed, but she showed no signs of hiding her interest and continued with her questions.
"What did you and my mother speak about?"
"I was asked to do my best to be a positive influence, however small, on the one who will become the most noble person in this country."
"A positive influence… you mean, through conversations like this?"
"Of course. As this is our first day, my preparations were lacking, but starting next week, I will come prepared with various topics that will be truly helpful to you, Princess."
At that, Victoria's eyes lit up even more than before.
The speed of her hand moving the pen became much faster.
"I look forward to it. Then next time, shall we discuss Cicero's orations?"
-I've heard that all sorts of social issues have been cropping up lately. Things like the Factory Acts and the debate on the abolition of slavery. Cecilia said her nephew would know much more than her. Could you please tell me about them?
Just as I had heard, she was a young lady with a keen interest in social issues.
To become a better monarch in the future, it was only natural to expose her to such news from a young age to broaden her perspective.
In a way, if it weren't for the ridiculous shackles of the Kensington System, the Victoria of the original history might have become an even greater queen.
I gave a slight nod.
"I will prepare whatever the Princess desires."
"Really? Thank you."
-Phew, what a relief. Lately, Mother and Sir Conroy have been spouting such nonsense that I was about to explode. I think I can endure it for a while longer now.
I had heard she inherited her father's fiery temper, which no one could stop once it erupted.
Even through our written exchange, I could see glimpses of her true nature, and I almost laughed out loud.
"I expect I'll be coming once a week on weekends from now on. I could ask for nothing more than to be of some small help to you, Princess. Please continue to grow as splendidly as you are now and become a great queen who will be remembered in the history of this nation."
"Thank you for your kind words. I hope you, too, will continue to strive as you are now and grow to become a great and indispensable talent for this country in the future."
Accepting her sincere farewell, I collected all the cards we had used for our written conversation and placed them in my coat.
After arranging to meet again, I left the drawing room.
Not a single trace of the secret conversation known only to her and me remained in the room.
* * *
"How was your conversation?"
About an hour after Killian had left to see Cecilia, the Duchess, having been briefed by the servant on what the two had discussed, entered the room with a smile.
"I felt it when I visited Eton, but he truly is a brilliant and thoughtful student, isn't he?"
"Is that so? Was there anything in particular he said that made you feel that way?"
"His analogy of literature and the classics to soil was very compelling. Honestly, I was worried he might be too out of touch with the real lives of the citizens, but now I don't think I need to worry."
"I told you, didn't I? All you need to do is listen to me and receive the education I provide. I will make my daughter the greatest queen in the history of the British Empire, so just trust your mother."
Normally, her stomach would have churned with anger, but this time, Victoria found herself letting her mother's words wash over her with a calmness that surprised even her.
"Yes. It seems I have been mistaken about many things. I am sorry."
"Yes, yes. This mother is so happy that you finally understand my heart. Killian will be coming next week as well, so try discussing a different topic this time."
"Is he going to come every week from now on?"
"Yes. And this is just between us, but when you become queen, it's good to have at least one trusted subordinate who will move only for you. The more capable, the better, but if their background is too strong, they might harbor other ambitions. Someone like him is just right."
The Duchess, feeling that everything was proceeding according to her plan, continued to speak excitedly, unable to contain her elation.
"He is exceptionally bright, but in the end, he is merely of mixed Irish blood. No matter how hard he tries, there's a limit to how high he can climb on his own. Later, when you are queen, if you create an English barony for him, he will likely be overcome with gratitude and swear his loyalty. Having someone like that will make things very convenient, so it will be helpful to coax him along from now on."
"What a grand plan. So you weren't just showing him kindness one-sidedly."
"Of course not. Victoria, in this world, there is no one you can trust besides your blood family. You, too, should not grow too fond of that boy. Think of him as a tool that can provide useful advice."
As Victoria nodded, the Duchess, feigning casualness, glanced at the stack of paper she had placed there beforehand.
Had she really brought that here, thinking they might actually communicate in writing?
Victoria, who had honestly thought Killian was being overly paranoid, was inwardly shocked.
"Mother."
"Yes? What is it, dear?"
"For someone who is of mixed Irish blood, it would be impossible for him to rise to a high position in this country, wouldn't it?"
"I just said so, didn't I? And as you heard from Cecilia, that boy is illegitimate. Of course, it's become more common for illegitimate children to become legal heirs these days, but you know how obsessed the upper class of this country is with lineage and bloodline, don't you? That boy can never rise above a certain level. Well, if he's truly capable and has luck on his side, he might make it as far as a minister."
The Duchess added that if she were to bet, she would wager he couldn't even secure a minister's post.
Victoria now understood why her mother, despite having her watched, had assigned Killian to her.
She wanted a clever nobleman who could control her and instill in her the right ideology, but most such men had backgrounds that were too powerful.
Killian, however, posed no such threat, and he had a clear weakness: the need to receive a title.
So, her mother thought of him as a clever dog she could keep on a leash and drag around at will.
Victoria watched her mother's back as she left the room, triumphant after confirming there were no traces of a written conversation, and murmured softly.
'But Mother… I'm sorry, but no matter how I look at it, he doesn't seem like someone you can handle as a mere tool.'
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