Until now, I had never shared my long-term plans for Canada with anyone.
Not with the Cabinet.Not with Parliament.
What I intended to achieve through Canada—and how the British Empire might preserve its global supremacy—was simply too far ahead of its time.
To people living in this era, it would sound like nonsense.
How could they possibly understand the importance the Pacific Ocean would one day hold?
And who, in this century, could imagine that the United States would eventually surpass Britain, Russia, and France to become the dominant power on Earth?
Anyone making such claims would be dismissed as a lunatic.
Write that fantasy in your diary, they would say.
Even Charles Wellesley—who trusted me almost unconditionally—still looked puzzled about how the American continent could possibly influence the future of British hegemony.
"First," I said, "you must understand just how absurdly advantageous the American continent is."
"In hindsight, the greatest strategic mistake in the history of the British Empire may well have been losing the American colonies through poor colonial administration."
Charles scratched his chin.
"Well… it is an enormous landmass. Large enough to rival Europe itself."
"It's far more than that," I replied.
"If you want agricultural production, there are vast plains perfect for it. If you want industrial development, there are regions geographically superior to anywhere else in the world."
Agriculture.
Industry.
Commerce.
In America, every sector—from primary to tertiary industry—could find the ideal environment within the same country.
It was, quite simply, an absurdly overpowered piece of land.
Wellesley frowned.
"You mean to say it's that advantageous?"
"Did I not submit a detailed report explaining the value of Canada?" I replied. "The United States possesses land even more advantageous than that."
"And no matter how many immigrants arrive from overseas, the continent can absorb them all."
"In other words, its population will grow at an insane rate over time."
Disraeli leaned forward.
"Are you suggesting that the United States will eventually surpass France or Russia in national power?"
"It's only a matter of time."
"Imagine it," I continued calmly.
"A country where population can explode without causing food shortages, where industrial resources exist domestically, and where immigration constantly supplies new labor."
"Can you imagine how quickly such a nation would grow?"
Even the Americans themselves would not fully realize their own strength until the twentieth century.
How could other countries possibly grasp it?
But I knew.
Better than anyone.
I knew just how frighteningly powerful that nation could become.
Wellesley narrowed his eyes.
"So that's why you invested so much effort into Canada."
"You intend to use Canada to contain the growth of the United States."
"Yes."
"But for that to work, Canada must grow into a nation capable of standing against them."
Originally, the vast waves of Irish emigrants would have gone south into the United States.
Instead, many of them had begun settling in Canada.
Add the influx of Black migrants from the United States, and Canada's population shortage could be alleviated—at least for now.
The next step would be western expansion and aggressive immigration policies.
But for that strategy to succeed, one more obstacle remained.
"The problem," I said, "is that the United States will never willingly allow its interests to be taken away."
"Until several decades pass, Canada simply won't be strong enough to oppose them."
Disraeli tilted his head.
"Would they really risk conflict with us? Canada is British territory, after all."
"Yes," I replied flatly.
"They would."
When the United States purchased Louisiana from France, they had made it clear—implicitly—that if France refused to sell, they would eventually take it by force.
These were the same people who preached Manifest Destiny—the absurd belief that God intended the entire continent of North America to belong to them.
Expecting peaceful compromise from such people was naïve.
Wellesley frowned.
"You believe they would wage war against us merely for western territory?"
"If I were an American leader," I said calmly, "I would assume Britain could only project power across the Atlantic."
"Sending large forces to the western half of North America would be extremely difficult."
"So the logical strategy would be to seize the western territories first—then negotiate afterwards."
Wellesley slowly nodded.
"…That is, unfortunately, true."
"We have almost no means of deploying troops to western Canada."
"Unless a transcontinental railway exists."
"And as you said, that will take decades."
"Exactly."
"That's why the present moment is so critical."
"If we miss this window, containing the United States in North America will become nearly impossible."
"We'll simply have to watch as their power grows without limit."
Wellesley leaned back.
"I understand the basic idea now. But what does that have to do with the war you mentioned earlier?"
Both men were now completely focused on my words.
They watched me like hawks.
Waiting.
"As I said before," I continued, "the United States will not stop expanding until it has seized every piece of land it considers necessary."
"And the territory they currently desire…"
I tapped the map.
"…is Texas."
Wellesley studied the map carefully.
"I see."
"You believe the United States will go to war with Mexico."
"If nothing interferes," I said, "they'll happily beat Mexico senseless and swallow Texas whole."
Disraeli raised an eyebrow.
"You said if nothing interferes."
"That suggests you have another idea."
"Of course."
The United States was powerful.
But it was not invincible.
And at this moment in history, it carried a ticking time bomb inside itself.
Internal unrest could sometimes be suppressed by creating an external enemy.
But what if the bomb exploded faster than that?
The key was simple.
Britain had to secure the gateway to the Pacific—and refuse to give it up.
For now, Canada could not possibly match the United States.
But if America wasted time fighting among itself and battling Mexico…
Canada could steadily grow stronger.
Strong enough that the United States could no longer ignore it.
"In the coming war," I said quietly,
"the most important question will be how quickly Canada can expand southward and reach the Pacific."
"The objective is simple."
"Deny the United States access to the Pacific."
"And delay confrontation with them for as long as possible."
"If we achieve those two goals…"
"…British global supremacy will endure."
If Canada eventually grew to rival Britain itself, the question of colonial governance would naturally arise.
But if that day came, my importance would only increase.
I ended the meeting by emphasizing that my predictions were only possibilities.
The future could always change.
Of course—
I didn't believe that for a second.
The Final Obstacle
Parliament and the Cabinet had finally reached a compromise regarding my authority.
But one mountain remained.
A mountain named Queen Victoria.
Her Majesty greeted the ministers with a gentle smile and a soft voice.
Yet she stood firmly in their path.
"Oh my… how astonishing."
"To think that in the entire British Empire, there is not a single person capable of replacing my husband."
The ministers laughed awkwardly.
"Well… Your Majesty… the opposition party was supposed to recommend a candidate, but unfortunately they failed to produce anyone suitable…"
"I find that difficult to understand."
"In a nation that possesses the finest minds in Europe—perhaps the world—there truly isn't one person capable of replacing my husband?"
"The situation in Canada is… rather unique," Wellesley said nervously.
"Irish migrants and Black settlers are arriving in increasing numbers. The Prince Consort enjoys their absolute trust, so his leadership is essential to stabilizing the situation."
The Prime Minister attempted to shift blame onto the Whigs.
But Victoria's displeasure remained obvious.
From a purely logical perspective, she was entirely correct.
How could a government with hundreds of officials claim that none of them were capable of stabilizing Canada?
The real issue was structural, not personal.
But explaining that would take far too long.
Victoria clicked her tongue softly and surveyed the ministers.
"So."
"Does that mean my husband must depart for Canada immediately?"
"No, Your Majesty," Wellesley replied quickly.
"For now, written instructions will suffice. If circumstances arise that require his presence, he may travel then."
"The most important thing is that his authority alone stabilizes the colony."
Victoria tilted her head slightly.
"If he must go in person… that means something serious has happened, doesn't it?"
"Well… even then, there would be no danger whatsoever."
"In that case," she said calmly,
"should there not be appropriate compensation if he resolves such a crisis?"
I blinked.
Wait.
Had she been displeased earlier…
just to steer the conversation here?
To pressure the government into rewarding her husband?
While I was still absorbing the revelation, Wellesley nodded enthusiastically.
"Your Majesty is absolutely correct. Anyone who renders such service deserves proper honor and reward."
"I will personally secure Parliament's approval."
"Please do," Victoria replied sweetly.
"After all, it is the husband of the Queen who would be traveling across the Atlantic for the sake of the nation."
"If he receives no reward, I would feel terribly guilty."
Her worried expression was completely genuine.
Which meant I had better be extremely careful not to mention the word war in front of her.
If she reacted like this to the mere possibility of Canada—
she might lock me inside the palace if she learned a war might occur.
"Oh, and one more matter," she said suddenly.
"If Killian is not leaving immediately, we should settle another issue first."
"The matter of his titles."
"The husband of the Queen of Great Britain cannot remain merely an Irish earl and an English baron. It hardly seems fitting."
Wellesley nodded immediately.
"You are absolutely right. Have you considered a particular title?"
Victoria glanced at me and smiled warmly.
Apparently this had been a surprise.
"My father held the titles of Duke of Kent and Strathearn, and Earl of Dublin."
"He died without sons, so those titles became extinct."
"I believe those titles would suit my beloved husband perfectly."
"So you intend to restore them?"
"Not exactly," Victoria said thoughtfully.
"Killian is Irish by birth. I would like to emphasize unity with Ireland."
"So I propose creating a dual dukedom."
"Kent and Dublin."
"Strathearn can be excluded."
Wellesley nodded.
"I see no problem with that at all."
Since the Act of Union, the Hanoverian monarchy had often favored composite titles that symbolized unity.
Combining Kent and Dublin carried exactly that meaning.
There was also sentimental value.
The title of Duke of Kent had once belonged to Victoria's father.
Passing it to her husband carried a certain emotional weight.
As for me…
Hadn't I recently become the legal heir to the Duke of Sussex?
If so, I might one day inherit that title as well.
At this rate, my list of titles would grow so long that introducing myself might take an entire afternoon.
"Oh, and one final suggestion," Victoria added.
"When the situation stabilizes, I would like to consider visiting Canada myself."
"…Your Majesty?" Wellesley froze.
"You wish to travel to Canada?"
"That would be extremely—"
"Dangerous?" Victoria interrupted gently.
"If that is the case, then would I not appear a terribly cruel wife?"
"Sending my husband to such a place while never setting foot there myself?"
"But Your Majesty," Wellesley protested, "you are the sovereign of the British Empire. No monarch has ever traveled so far."
"And yet," Victoria replied calmly,
"no Prince Consort has ever been sent across the Atlantic to govern a colony either."
"With proper preparations, the journey will be perfectly safe. British navigation is the finest in the world."
"And more importantly—"
She smiled.
"Imagine the meaning if the Queen personally traveled to encourage her husband, who is sacrificing himself for the nation."
She was right.
A royal visit alone would have enormous positive impact on Canada.
It would also create a powerful story:
A Queen crossing the Atlantic to support her devoted husband.
And, of course…
It would firmly cement my authority in Canada.
If the Queen herself appeared there, who could possibly oppose me?
I had wondered whether Victoria might truly be upset.
But it turned out she had been laying out an entire strategy.
First, the Dukedoms of Kent and Dublin.
Then the government's promise of additional rewards if the Canadian crisis were resolved.
And finally—
a royal visit that would seal everything.
So this was the happiness of marrying a capable wife.
Honestly…
It was almost too sweet.