UN, the United Nations.
With the official proclamation of a new international organization unlike anything before, the world entered a new era.
Naturally, this UN drew heavily from the one I knew in the original timeline, even down to its name.
From establishing a General Assembly and a Security Council, to granting overwhelming authority to the permanent members.
There was no reason not to adopt a system that had already been proven to function.
Of course, I was well aware of the criticism that such a structure could become little more than a puppet of the permanent members or of the United States.
But that only made it better.
It meant that this UN would inevitably operate under the influence of the British Empire.
With the interests of the great powers already coordinated, there was nothing left to hesitate over.
Others could not know this, but from the beginning my goal had been to prevent the United States from becoming a permanent member.
Various backroom agreements were made, but the outcome was satisfactory, and it was decided that the inauguration ceremony would be held in London.
The only remaining issue was the location of the General Assembly headquarters.
At first, it was planned to establish it somewhere in England.
However, concerns arose that it would appear too centered on the British Empire, so in a gesture of compromise, the location was shifted to Toronto in Canada.
In truth, this was an even better outcome for me, but I made sure to appear as if I were conceding.
"The British Empire will relinquish territorial, administrative, and judicial rights over the UN headquarters in Toronto. In addition, offices will be established in Paris, Berlin, and Vienna. As membership expands, we will also establish offices in Africa and Asia."
With the key participants and headquarters location decided, only one matter remained.
The appointment of the Secretary General.
It had already been agreed that the first Secretary General would not come from a permanent member, so there was little conflict.
The honor went to Count Gyula Andrássy, a noble of the Austrian Empire and its foreign minister.
Although Austrian, Andrássy maintained good relations with Otto von Bismarck, so Prussia did not object.
"…At last, it is finished. Once the inauguration ceremony is done, I am clearing my schedule for at least a month and finally taking a proper rest."
"Have you not said that several times before and never kept it?"
As I muttered while lying on the bed, Victoria responded with disbelief.
Perhaps she had a point.
"This time is different. Wellesley said he would handle everything, but in the end all the important negotiations came back to me."
"That is because you do them best."
"I know that, but still."
As always, the final burden returned to me.
"You have always been like that. When it truly matters, you handle it yourself."
"So this is my own fault?"
"You cannot deny it."
"That is harsh. You used to scold everyone when I was sent to Canada, and now…"
"That woman died long ago from watching her husband constantly travel. The one here now is a wiser Victoria."
I had no response.
She approached the bed, sat beside me, and placed her hand on my forehead.
"How long will you keep going like this?"
"I told you, I will rest this time. Before, I had no one to rely on, but now Edward can take over. It is time he experiences responsibility."
"I doubt it. You will say the new world order still needs you and go out again."
"I will not."
I had spent the best years of my life building this foundation.
Though I had taken care of my health, age could not be stopped.
My hair remained, but the lines on my face told the truth.
The dream of retiring peacefully still remained.
But I also felt guilty toward Victoria.
Even in our early marriage and while the children were young, I had always been away.
She endured it for the sake of the Empire.
Given her temperament, it was remarkable she had never truly erupted.
In truth, I had always been grateful.
I changed the subject.
"When this is over, let us take a proper vacation together. Leave everything to Edward and go somewhere warm and beautiful."
"To the New World?"
"If the Empress visits, they will welcome us. I have heard the Bahamas are beautiful. We could rest there, then visit Canada."
"That would be possible if Edward takes over."
"He probably wonders when his time will come anyway."
Victoria smiled, then looked at herself in the mirror.
"We have grown old."
"You? Never. Even the young ladies of the court pale beside you."
"No need to flatter me."
"If anyone says otherwise, I will deal with them myself."
She laughed and stopped me.
"Let us talk about how to enjoy the rest of our lives. We still have twenty years, do we not?"
"You could live thirty more."
"That is not the point. You must live long."
Me?
I had never truly considered it.
Having once died, the thought lingered.
If I died again, where would I go?
The seventeenth century?
I would rather not.
In truth, I simply did not want to die.
To live long, peacefully, and close my eyes without pain.
That was my wish.
"If you were reborn, what would you want?"
"That is an odd question."
"You never thought about it?"
"…Perhaps a life with moderate power and wealth, but more freedom."
"That sounds like you."
"And if you were there, even better. But not as someone always busy."
"That is a high standard."
"It would give us time to travel the world together."
Her words moved me.
She wished for a life where we could spend more time together.
"Then let us make the most of the time we have now."
"Agreed. No more working late into the night."
"I will remember that."
"And if you die before me, be prepared. I will build statues of you across the Empire."
"…You are joking, right?"
"Not at all. A grand golden statue in London, and I will write that it was your wish."
The thought alone sent a chill down my spine.
"…I will take care of my health."
"That is the right attitude."
We continued planning our journey.
For a moment, there was peace.
Then a voice interrupted.
"Your Majesty, the draft of your speech for the inauguration is ready. The Prime Minister requests your review."
"…He truly has no sense of timing."
"Go. I will continue planning."
I stood, smiling faintly.
Rest could wait.
A new era, a new order.
There was still much to be done.
Until the day the world no longer needed me, my work was not yet finished.
(Main Story End)
Hello everyone,
It has been an incredible journey translating and getting to this point in the story. Since the main story has now officially ended, I will be posting the side stories once a day. In the meantime, please check out my new translation, Black Haired Army General!
Thank you all for your amazing support.