"Incredible… I never imagined I would witness something like this in my lifetime."
Daniel O'Connell sat quietly, reviewing the stack of newspaper articles he had collected over the past week.
Victoria's visit to Ireland had been, from beginning to end, a masterpiece of political engineering.
Most people simply cheered.
Our Queen is wonderful! Our minister is magnificent!
But O'Connell understood what had truly happened.
"Who would have thought… that Her Majesty would eat rutabaga in front of everyone."
"And without even cooking it…"
"And without the slightest change in expression."
Well.
Strictly speaking, her expression had changed.
But instead of grimacing, she had smiled radiantly.
Watching that moment, O'Connell had felt something beyond admiration.
A quiet sense of respect.
He himself had tasted rutabaga several times before arriving in Ireland, after Killian mentioned it.
It tasted worse than potatoes.
The texture was unpleasant.
And one needed to eat one and a half times more just to feel as full.
Yet the Queen of the British Empire had calmly eaten it in front of an entire crowd—and even declared it would appear regularly on the royal table.
Even the Irish legislators who had witnessed the scene alongside him admitted they now saw the Queen differently.
"She's not merely a young figurehead after all."
"She's far more impressive than I expected."
"At the very least, she's better than the previous monarchs."
"Has any British monarch ever shown this much concern for Ireland?"
"And I heard she said the same things again in Dublin."
"Public opinion toward the Crown is improving rapidly."
O'Connell glanced down at the headlines scattered across his desk.
Victoria's Politics of Compassion
Why Did Queen Victoria Visit Ireland? — Persuaded by Foreign Secretary Killian Gore
Minister Killian Gore Announces Active Irish Migration Policy
Canada: The Land of Opportunity for Ireland's Future
In just one week, countless articles had appeared.
Newspapers had already spread throughout the major towns.
And in rural areas, Catholic bishops were carrying the news from village to village.
Soon, every corner of Ireland would know.
Inviting so many Catholic clergy—especially those serving remote communities—had clearly been intentional.
Show respect for the Catholic faith of the Irish.
Demonstrate a willingness to share the suffering of the people.
And prove that sincerity not just with words—but by eating the famine crop personally.
And it hadn't been a single performance in Cobh.
Victoria had repeated the gesture in Dublin.
Now she was even planning to meet with industrial workers and merchants in Belfast.
At this point, O'Connell found himself wondering something.
Why is the Queen doing this?
Killian was Irish.
Naturally he would devote himself to this land.
But Victoria had never even visited Ireland before.
Why would she go so far?
Because she was close to Killian?
That seemed absurd.
No queen would travel across the sea and eat rutabaga simply for friendship.
Most husbands wouldn't do that even if their wives begged them.
Of course, she had declared herself devoted to her people—even refusing marriage for the sake of the nation.
Perhaps she truly meant it.
Still…
No one had expected her to show this much concern for Ireland.
It had even led to jokes.
"Have you heard the rumors, Mr. O'Connell?"
"Some people say they hope Minister Killian becomes the Prince Consort."
"That's nonsense," O'Connell replied immediately.
Still…
He understood why such rumors existed.
Ireland had been ignored by Britain for generations.
So when Killian rose to become a powerful minister and brought honor to the Empire, Irish citizens celebrated him as one of their own.
And if he were to become Prince Consort…
The sense of vicarious pride would be immense.
But realistically, it was impossible.
A Prince Consort held little real political power.
Killian was a natural politician.
Why would he abandon politics to become a ceremonial royal husband?
And more importantly—
The idea that Queen Victoria would fall in love with an Irish aristocrat was absurd.
Still…
Their relationship is certainly closer than I expected.
Even for a politically astute monarch, Victoria's actions had been astonishing.
No one had imagined such a powerful way to win the hearts of citizens.
It was no wonder people were already calling it the "Victoria Method of Communication."
Soon, politicians everywhere would likely imitate her in hopes of gaining popularity.
And considering Killian had designed the entire Irish itinerary…
It was obvious where the idea had originated.
O'Connell had known from the moment they first met that Killian was extraordinary.
But to reach this level at only twenty years old…
It was almost unbelievable.
The victory in Qing China had been impressive.
But that had only been a result reported from afar.
Here, O'Connell had witnessed the process firsthand.
From the moment Victoria stepped onto Irish soil…
The independence movement had effectively collapsed.
If the potato blight were overcome…
If Irish migrants established themselves successfully in Canada…
Then independence advocates would likely be viewed as nothing more than agitators.
"The difference in political ability is simply overwhelming…"
"Perhaps this is the inevitable course of events."
Yet O'Connell did not view it negatively.
Politics required public support.
And political skill was the tool used to gain that support.
High ideals meant nothing without popularity.
And Killian was far more than a mere populist.
The independence movement had collapsed within ten days because the contrast in competence was undeniable.
People were already saying things like:
— Minister Killian sent investigators to study the potato blight while serving abroad in Qing China. What were the independence leaders doing?
— Killian persuaded the Queen herself to visit Ireland. What did the independence faction accomplish?
— Killian found rutabaga and created the Canadian migration program. And the independence leaders… what exactly did they do?
Even in the southern regions that once supported independence, people were saying things like that.
Painful.
But impossible to refute.
Because it was true.
Still, O'Connell could not help feeling some frustration.
Compared to most politicians, he had worked tirelessly and achieved genuine results.
The problem was simply that Killian existed outside normal standards.
How could anyone compete with a man who investigated a continental famine while conducting diplomacy in Qing China?
But ultimately that meant admitting inferiority.
And that truth had become impossible to ignore.
More importantly—
O'Connell was now an aging man.
Killian was barely twenty.
Most politicians at that age had not even begun their careers.
Yet Killian had already achieved this much.
"If I confirm one final thing…"
"Then perhaps I can finally let go."
What truly served Ireland?
That question had defined O'Connell's entire life.
Closing the newspapers filled with praise for Killian and Victoria, he sighed deeply.
The Queen's historic "rutabaga performance" had ended with overwhelming applause.
The meetings in Dublin and Belfast had also been tremendous successes.
At this rate, Victoria would likely become the most beloved monarch in Irish history.
And as a bonus—
I had emerged as the patriot who orchestrated the entire effort.
Ireland's hope.
With the visit concluding triumphantly, we planned a grand ball on the final evening to celebrate Ireland's future.
Victoria had already informed me she intended to dance with me the entire evening.
After everything she had done—especially eating rutabaga for my sake—it was the least I could do.
Refusing would feel worse.
And having the Queen and her minister appear together constantly would further strengthen public opinion.
There were no downsides.
As I reviewed the final schedule for our last day in Ireland, Daniel O'Connell came to see me.
"Still working at this hour?"
"If we relax after success," I replied, "that's when mistakes happen."
"The final step is always the most important."
"Indeed," O'Connell chuckled.
"But seeing you remain so focused after such a victory makes me feel rather ashamed."
He looked around the room with nostalgia.
"I remember the first time we met."
"I never imagined you would become such a giant in such a short time."
"Did you know?"
"Of course not," I said.
"I simply did my best."
"And luck followed."
"Luck alone cannot explain your achievements."
"Do you know what people are saying now?"
"The conflict between the independence faction and the autonomy faction is already tipping toward autonomy."
"By the time the Queen leaves for Scotland, the independence movement may disappear entirely."
Once the Irish accepted Victoria as their Queen…
They implicitly accepted themselves as citizens of the Empire.
Even if they didn't consciously realize it, that psychological shift was inevitable.
"You can trust that Her Majesty genuinely cares for Ireland," I said.
"And I will never allow the Irish people to remain poor."
O'Connell studied me carefully.
"…Is the Canadian migration plan part of that?"
"Of course."
"It benefits Ireland, the Empire, and Canada simultaneously."
Ireland was trapped in a Malthusian trap.
As long as the population remained this high, poverty was inevitable.
And if the potato harvest collapsed, even rutabaga could not fully prevent starvation.
Large-scale migration was necessary.
"Canada is vast," O'Connell said slowly.
"A million Irish could move there and still live comfortably."
"But wouldn't such massive migration create chaos?"
"That's why we'll spread it over three years."
"We'll divide settlers among industrial zones, farming regions, and western expansion."
"Western expansion?" he asked.
"You intend to expand Canada's territory?"
"At present that land seems worthless."
In modern times, the Pacific was strategically vital.
But in this era, few people understood its importance.
The Atlantic remained the center of the world.
Even the United States had not yet fully reached the Pacific.
But the future was obvious.
If we wanted influence, we had to reach the Pacific first.
"The New World is rich in resources," I said.
"The more land we secure now, the greater our future mining rights."
"But people won't move west without incentives."
"That problem is already solved."
One announcement would be enough.
Gold has been discovered in western Canada.
History had already proven that trick worked every time.
O'Connell laughed softly.
"You've thought of everything."
"Then allow me one final question."
His expression suddenly grew serious.
I straightened.
"If I can answer, I will."
"The independence movement will continue shrinking."
"That much is clear."
"But I still cannot be certain."
"If Ireland gains autonomy…"
"Will it truly become better?"
It was the question of a man who had devoted his entire life to Irish independence.
I answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
"But if Ireland remains within the Empire," he pressed, "won't it always be overshadowed by England?"
"I will ensure that does not happen."
"That is why I am working so hard."
"…Then this migration plan…"
"Yes."
"Ireland cannot confine itself to this small island."
"If the Irish wish to gain real power, we must play on a larger stage."
"And we will use the power of the Empire to do it."
Perhaps not in our lifetime.
But if Ireland survived the famine…
And if Irish communities came to dominate key positions in Canada…
Then the influence of Irish people would change dramatically.
"Using the Empire's power to strengthen the Irish position…" O'Connell murmured.
"In the distant future," I said quietly,
"there is no guarantee England will remain the center of the Empire."
"We'll simply have to watch and see."
O'Connell laughed gently.
"So that's your vision."
He looked far more relaxed.
"Very well."
"I must admit it."
"You have plans for every concern I had."
"And you have achieved results I could only dream of."
He took a deep breath.
"Which is why I have reached a decision."
"In the next general election, the entire Repeal Association—including myself—will join the Conservative Party."
"We will support you."
"And we will assist the migration of Irish settlers to Canada."
I looked at him carefully.
"Are you serious?"
"Completely."
"I was still uncertain when I came here."
"But after hearing your vision…"
"My mind is made up."
So the moment had finally arrived.
I had expected it someday.
But I hadn't expected it before we even left Ireland.
For a man who had led his own movement for half a lifetime…
Submitting to a leader less than half his age was no small decision.
False modesty would only insult him.
"Very well," I said.
"Then I look forward to working with you."
"And I with you," O'Connell replied.
"Not just for myself or my party."
"But for the Irish people."
"Make it so that they may live lives equal to any Englishman."
"I swear it."
Even without that promise, Ireland would rise within the British Empire.
Now that the entire island rested on my shoulders…
It could be no other way.
From this moment onward—
I was Ireland.
And Ireland was me.