Once Parliament officially approved the creation of a new title bearing the name of a colony, there was nothing left to obstruct it.
Victoria widely publicized the ceremony in Canada where the title Duke of Canada would be created and granted to me.
The position of High Commissioner of Canada was also legally clarified in terms of authority and responsibility and incorporated under my ducal title.
Rather than a position that exercised power directly, it was structured more like a constitutional monarch above the Governor, overseeing the entire colony.
But that was merely a polite fiction.
The Governor of Canada?
The mid-level officials appointed locally upon recommendation from both the ruling and opposition parties?
How could they possibly manage affairs in Canada without my approval or support?
The one who carried out the massive immigration policy, the one who purchased the western territories and the lands in the north and south, the one who became the symbol uniting all immigrants—
Was me.
At this point, I was Canada, and Canada was me.
Of course, I had no intention of pushing them aside and personally handling every trivial administrative task.
Sooner or later, after Victoria's child was born and we were certain the baby could safely endure a long sea voyage, I would have to return to Britain.
However, this land needed to feel my influence more strongly than that of Britain itself.
And preparations for that were steadily underway.
At the moment, the most urgent issue was Canada's population supply.
Thanks to the American–Mexican War, the number of Black migrants pouring in from the south was extremely satisfying.
To the generous teachers of the United States who are providing not only land but also population—Canada will repay your kindness with development.
Now that California and Oregon had also been secured, I was considering ways to attract large numbers of Asian immigrants there.
The best sources would obviously be Joseon, Japan, and Qing China.
But of course those governments would never permit it.
What kind of insane country would accept a request like "Hand over some of your citizens so we can take them"?
Still, the seeds had already been planted.
If things went well, there might be room to maneuver.
It depended on how Russia and France acted.
They were weaker than Britain, but in this era they were still nations competing for the world's second or third strongest military power.
They were somewhat unreliable, but they were still capable when they chose to act.
For now, Asia was simply a variable to prepare for.
Before the United States stabilized, we needed to absorb as many Black migrants as possible.
Even if Black slaves escaped to the northern states, the moment they were discovered by slave hunters they were immediately returned to the South under the Fugitive Slave Act.
But under the Treaty of Kingston, slaves who reached Canada became Canadian citizens.
Slave hunters could no longer touch them.
If they were caught attempting to do so, they would become criminals—human traffickers—even under American law.
As this fact spread throughout both the North and the South through underground networks, the number of Black migrants crossing the border began to increase rapidly.
"Unexpectedly, large numbers of Blacks are arriving not only from the South but from the North as well."
"The North abolished slavery, but they still do not treat Blacks as equals."
"That's not the only reason. Many escaped slaves from the South were hiding quietly in the North. Now that they hear Canada offers safety, they are crossing the border in droves."
"Is the South protesting?"
"They are demanding the North strengthen border controls. The North is formally blocking routes toward Ontario, but now that a long western border has appeared, they are responding half-heartedly. They say it is unreasonable to seal the entire Rocky Mountains."
Although it was only a proxy organization, the National Black Liberation Association (NBA) led by the fake James had already established several secret escape routes from the North into Canada.
Through these routes, Black migrants were continuously crossing into Utah and Idaho.
And the United States had no practical way to stop it.
As the North argued, it was impossible to seal the Rocky Mountains.
How could they possibly block it?
"In truth, I would like to bring every Black slave from the South here," I said.
"But that's impossible. If we could bring even one million people from both the North and South combined, that would be ideal."
"The South is tightening its surveillance more and more. Escaping is becoming harder. The recent rebellion seems to have been decisive."
At that time, nearly 40 percent of the Southern population consisted of Black slaves.
In places like South Carolina and Mississippi, more than half the population were Black slaves.
That meant there were many people who could potentially become part of our population.
But there were limits.
"How much of the Southern rebellion has been suppressed? Soldiers who were fighting in Mexico have returned."
"Most of the rebels have already escaped to Canada through the routes we prepared. But some chose to remain and continue resisting in order to inspire other slaves who have not yet heard the news."
"They'll almost certainly be captured and executed."
"Probably. Do you remember someone named Stewart? A report about him came in before."
"Stewart? The agent we sent south from the Ontario settlement?"
I remembered.
He had been sent to Boston to guide oppressed Blacks to Canada, but later insisted on going south to rescue more people.
James nodded with a bitter smile.
"Yes. That's him. He helped many slaves escape to Canada this time as well. But he remained behind, saying he wanted to awaken American society. He went north, confessed publicly, and stood trial."
"…What a waste. Someone with that kind of conviction could have done much more here."
"Even so, Stewart's final defense speech has caused quite a stir in the North. Of course, our organization helped spread it widely."
James unfolded an American newspaper.
[The Appeal of the Free Slave Stewart]
"If we are beasts rather than men, then do you who speak the same language as us also speak the language of beasts? I recall a senator who once said that if a Black man could speak Greek, he would be treated as a human being. After escaping slavery, I studied and can now understand basic Greek and geometry. I have just begun to understand Descartes' coordinate system, but I have taken the first step. So what am I now? Have I evolved from something less than human into a creature that might finally be considered human?"
Senator Calhoun of South Carolina, clearly targeted by the statement, refused to respond.
People who feel threatened often fall silent.
The more incidents like this occurred, the harder it became to ignore the growing conflict within the United States.
If it were up to me, the North and South would split permanently.
But slavery could not last forever.
Even so, we had already gained enough time to stabilize our newly acquired territories.
As I spent that time laying the foundations of this country, the months passed like a bullet fired from a gun.
Yet after a few more months, I finally understood what it meant to be unable to focus on work.
Victoria's due date was approaching.
I needed to remain at her side and help her move comfortably.
And finally—
When the Queen's labor began, the doctors and royal attendants entered a state of full emergency.
The entire residence where she stayed trembled with tension and expectation.
Tradition said a husband should not be present during childbirth.
But I didn't care about such nonsense.
Victoria was giving birth to twins, and the process would be even more difficult.
So I remained by her side the entire time.
Each time she gripped my hand and groaned in pain, my heart sank.
Still, I kept whispering that everything would be alright.
I had never imagined that my ability to maintain a perfect poker face would prove useful in such a moment.
How long did that long ordeal continue?
By the time the feeling in my left hand—gripped tightly by Victoria—had almost disappeared—
"It's out! Your Majesty, Your Highness! A healthy prince!"
The loud cry of the first child echoed through the silent room.
The attendants sighed in relief.
Soon the second child followed.
And the midwife exclaimed.
"A princess! They are fraternal twins!"
The newborns were not exactly adorable at first glance.
But none of that mattered.
The overwhelming emotion I felt was indescribable.
How could such beautiful little lives exist?
And not just one—
But two.
I placed my hand gently on Victoria's back as she held the children wrapped in blankets.
"You did well."
I wanted to say more, but relief, joy, and emotion kept rising in my throat.
Victoria, pale from exhaustion, smiled faintly and handed the first child to me.
"This is our child. Would you call his name first?"
"Not you?"
"Of course. You were with him from the beginning until he entered the world. At least for our firstborn son, I want you to be the first to call his name."
"…Then I will."
I looked down at the baby in my arms.
Just moments after being washed, he already looked unbelievably adorable.
But he seemed so small and fragile.
Was I holding him too tightly?
What if I hurt him?
As I hesitated, the baby opened his eyes.
Our gazes met.
"Killian Edward."
Perhaps it was just my imagination.
But for a moment, it felt as if the child smiled.
The eldest son was named Killian Edward.
The eldest daughter was named Victoria Adelaide.
Their names had already been decided.
The son destined to become the first king of the Gore–Hanover dynasty and inherit everything I had built.
Do you know this?
On the day you were born, all of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland—and Canada—whispered your name.
As I thought those words to myself, a strange excitement rose in my chest.
If this child was to inherit everything and succeed in life, then I must first become stronger than I am now.
Canada alone was not enough.
North America alone was not enough.
Beyond the Pacific—
To Asia itself.
We will take everything.
I promise you, my son.
Your father will leave you the whole world.