Kensington Palace, the symbolic residence of the British monarch.
Though somewhat small for a reigning sovereign to both live and conduct official affairs, Queen Victoria had not yet moved elsewhere.
Many assumed she would eventually relocate to Buckingham Palace after marrying.
The problem was simple.
The Queen had no intention of marrying.
At least, that was what everyone believed on the surface.
Victoria herself had publicly declared that she would "marry the nation," and ever since that announcement the endless marriage proposals had vanished overnight.
Privately, she had been relieved.
Until the moment the circumstances were right for her to speak openly about Killian, it was far more comfortable if everyone simply stayed quiet.
But recently, a new development had begun to test her resolve.
Now that Killian has been confirmed as Asian royalty…
Is there really any reason to wait anymore?
The only reason she had hesitated until now was obvious.
Killian was not only Irish by origin—he also possessed Eastern blood.
Bringing such a man into the British royal family would have caused enormous controversy.
That was precisely why the Prince Augustus Frederick had adopted Killian yet never formally integrated him into the royal lineage.
But if that Eastern blood turned out to be royal blood…
Everything changed.
In nineteenth-century Europe, rank mattered above all else.
It was an age where racial hierarchies were taken for granted.
Yet foreign royalty were still treated with the respect due to their station.
Besides—
unless someone explicitly told them, most people would never guess Killian had mixed heritage at all.
At most they would simply think he looked unusually handsome and exotic.
Nine out of ten people would probably just say that.
Victoria sighed quietly.
Perhaps I should never have declared I would remain unmarried.
There was only one obstacle.
Her public declaration.
A monarch who reversed her words too quickly risked damaging the dignity of the crown.
If several years had passed, it might have been acceptable.
But changing her mind so soon would look ridiculous.
I should speak with Killian directly.
Yes… I need to talk to him seriously.
Unfortunately, her plans had been interrupted.
Two politicians from the Whig Party had requested an audience first.
Henry Palmerstonand William Gladstone.
Because of that, her mood was far from pleasant.
She had a strong feeling they were about to waste her time.
"Your Majesty," William Gladstone said politely, "we have come today representing our party to discuss a matter of national importance."
"The two of you together?" Victoria replied. "It must be quite serious then. Something only I can resolve?"
"Yes. Only Your Majesty."
Gladstone hesitated briefly.
"It concerns… the declaration you made recently regarding remaining unmarried."
Victoria's eyes narrowed slightly.
Had they truly come here to repeat the same nonsense?
Seeing the danger in her expression, Gladstone hurried to continue.
"Of course we fully understand Your Majesty's devotion to the nation. However, the stability of the royal succession also reassures the public. Therefore, we have devised a solution that both respects Your Majesty's wishes and serves the national interest."
"A solution?" Victoria asked.
"Yes."
Gladstone smiled.
"You must have heard about the recent news regarding Minister Killian. Everyone believed he was simply of Irish mixed heritage, yet it has now been confirmed that he descends from an Eastern royal lineage."
"Yes," Victoria said calmly. "It was quite surprising."
Wait.
Why was Killian suddenly entering this conversation?
Surely they didn't mean—
"Your Majesty is known to have a close relationship with the minister," Gladstone continued. "And the Irish question will only grow more important in the future. With the Canadian immigration policies now succeeding, the way we integrate Irish people will greatly affect the stability of the Empire."
Victoria nodded slightly.
There was nothing incorrect in that statement.
The Irish population in Canada was increasing rapidly.
Irish integration was no longer merely a domestic issue.
"So what exactly are you proposing?"
"If that were the only factor, we would not dare bring this matter before Your Majesty. But Minister Killian carries not one—but two—Asian ruling bloodlines. If he were incorporated into the British royal family…"
Gladstone paused for emphasis.
"…the Empire would gain immeasurable advantages. Ireland would be unified more firmly, and when Britain expands its influence into Asia, the benefits would be incalculable."
Victoria understood immediately.
They did not say it outright.
But the meaning was obvious.
Political leverage.
Potential intervention.
Influence over Asian affairs.
"So you believe marrying the minister would benefit the Empire?"
"Yes," Gladstone replied smoothly.
"Of course, Your Majesty has already declared her intention to remain unmarried. However, if the purpose of that declaration was to dedicate yourself fully to the nation, then this marriage would in fact represent an even greater sacrifice for national prosperity."
Victoria leaned back.
"And Parliament would formally recommend this?"
"That is correct."
"And the Conservatives agree?"
"Not yet," Gladstone admitted. "But the justification is overwhelming. If Your Majesty supports the idea, they will have no choice but to cooperate."
He smiled confidently.
"Ultimately the decision rests with Your Majesty. But realistically speaking, no man in the Empire would make a better consort than Killian Gore."
Victoria nearly smiled.
At least this man understands something.
Seeing her listening quietly, Gladstone pressed further.
"I knew the minister even before he entered politics. We attended the same gatherings of Eton alumni. Even in his youth he possessed extraordinary character, patriotism, political instinct, and foresight. There is simply no one like him."
"…That is true," Victoria admitted softly.
"If Your Majesty feels no personal attraction toward him, we will not press the matter further. But if your heart is moved…"
Gladstone bowed slightly.
"Parliament stands ready to welcome the future consort of the British Empire."
After they left, Victoria sat alone, slowly sipping tea.
Her heart was racing.
This is your chance.
Accept it immediately.
The temptation was overwhelming.
But she forced herself to remain calm.
If Parliament itself proposed the marriage, her earlier declaration would not matter.
The public would simply interpret it as a sacrifice for the nation.
Marriage to Killian.
Just imagining it made her lips curl upward involuntarily.
Her forehead tingled faintly—
as if remembering the kiss he had once placed there.
But marriage was not something one decided alone.
Ignoring the other person's feelings would not be love.
It would be selfishness disguised as affection.
I need to speak with him.
That was the only proper course.
Victoria postponed her afternoon schedule and summoned Killian to the palace immediately.
Strangely—
she had not been this nervous even during her first official appearance as Queen.
Apparently the human heart was impossible to control.
Normally, the monarch of the British Empire avoided summoning ministers directly.
Doing so could easily be interpreted as political interference.
So when the Queen urgently requested Killian's presence, it usually meant one thing:
Something serious had happened.
Killian had expected trouble.
Unfortunately—
his intuition was correct.
Just not in the way he expected.
"…William Gladstone said what?"
Victoria's face turned pink as she looked down.
"Well… he suggested that perhaps I should marry you."
She explained the entire conversation in a quiet voice.
Killian listened silently.
"So Parliament would formally recommend the marriage," he murmured. "That is quite an unexpected move. I thought they might try sending me to Asia as a special envoy, but this…"
"It would be impossible to oppose now that your status has risen," Victoria said. "They claim everyone will celebrate the marriage."
"That's probably true," Killian replied calmly. "It would help unify Ireland and provide useful justification for expanding into Asia. If the Whigs propose it this way, the Conservatives cannot oppose it."
Victoria hesitated.
"…What do you think?"
"What Your Majesty thinks is most important."
"I would of course be hap—"
She coughed awkwardly.
"…I mean, I don't strongly oppose it."
Then she frowned slightly.
"But the Whigs are your political enemies, aren't they? I doubt their intentions are pure."
"You are correct," Killian said.
"If I become the royal consort, I must resign as minister."
He smiled faintly.
"And a royal consort must remain politically neutral."
Victoria's eyes widened.
"So they were trying to remove you from power."
"Exactly."
Using the position of royal consort as a political weapon.
It was a remarkably effective strategy.
If Killian had been an ordinary politician, it would have destroyed his career.
Victoria clenched her hands.
"If their goal was to harm you… then I don't want to cooperate. Even if it means rejecting something I personally wished for."
Killian looked at her quietly.
"You would refuse?"
"…I don't know," she admitted. "That's why I called you. I wanted to tell you first and think about it together."
For a moment, Killian felt an unexpected warmth.
She had clearly wanted this outcome.
Yet she was willing to postpone it for his sake.
"Your Majesty," Killian said gently, "it is true that becoming consort would normally require me to resign."
In truth, he had expected something else.
He had half-anticipated Victoria suddenly proposing marriage herself.
It was unlikely—
but her impulsive personality made it possible.
Yet William Gladstone had struck first with a move far beyond Killian's expectations.
No wonder the man would one day become one of the greatest prime ministers in British history.
Killian had to admire the brilliance of the strategy.
But ironically—
that brilliance had created an opportunity.
For once, fortune was smiling on him.
Because despite what the Whigs intended—
this marriage would not become the grave of his political career.