Arthur studied Audrey for a moment. She remained unfazed by the murmurs around her, her blue eyes sharp with curiosity rather than skepticism. Unlike the other nobles, who were still struggling to process the mere existence of such a machine, she sought to understand it.
Letting the suspense linger, Arthur finally spoke. "Well, I had planned to reveal this later, but since you’ve brought it up, I may as well explain. I’ve made a new invention—one that doesn’t write words and letters but prints them."
A nobleman furrowed his brow. "Print? What does that mean?"
The term was completely foreign to them. Books had always been written or copied by scribes, so the idea of "printing" made little sense.
Arthur offered a patient smile. "It’s the same as copying words and characters into a book, but instead of being written by hand, the process is done by a machine. Since no person is physically writing it, I call it printing."
A wave of confusion passed through the hall as the nobles exchanged uncertain glances. Some frowned, struggling to grasp the concept, while others flipped through their books again, trying to connect Arthur’s words to the evidence before them.
Audrey, however, seemed to grasp the implications quicker than most. "Then… if this machine can print books, does that mean it can create as many copies as you want? In far less time than a scribe?"
Arthur’s expression turned knowing. "Exactly."
Audrey’s heart pounded in her chest. If what he said was true, then this invention had the potential to change everything. She took a steadying breath before speaking again. "Since you’ve mentioned it, Your Majesty, does this mean you plan to show us this machine?"
Arthur’s gaze swept across the banquet hall, taking in the mix of curiosity, disbelief, and intrigue on the faces of the nobles. Then, he turned back to Audrey with a confident smile.
"That," he said, "is precisely why we are gathered here tonight. This banquet is not just a feast—it is the stage for a new era. And yes, I intend to introduce the machine to all of you."
A hushed anticipation settled over the banquet hall. The nobles, who had moments ago been questioning the very existence of such a machine, now sat on the edge of their seats, eager—if not anxious—to witness it for themselves.
Marquis Henry folded his arms, his expression unreadable. "A machine that can produce books… I must admit, Your Majesty, this is difficult to imagine. If such a thing truly exists, then seeing it with our own eyes would be the only way to understand it."
Arthur met his gaze with unwavering confidence. "I expected as much," he said. "That is why I have arranged a demonstration. However, the machine is far too large to bring into the banquet hall, so I have prepared for all of you to see it in my workshop."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the nobles. Some exchanged skeptical glances, while others—particularly those with a keen interest in innovation—leaned forward in anticipation.
Audrey’s fingers unconsciously tightened around the book in her lap. Her mind raced with questions. If this machine could truly produce books, then how did it work? What kind of mechanism could replace the careful hands of a scribe?
Arthur glanced toward one of his attendants, who nodded in understanding before stepping forward. "For those who wish to see history being made," Arthur continued, his voice carrying through the hall, "I invite you to follow me."
With that, he turned and strode toward the grand doors of the banquet hall.
The moment Arthur turned toward the grand doors, Audrey was already in motion. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, her excitement overriding any sense of propriety. The nobles barely had time to register her sudden movement before she strode past them, her blonde hair catching the light as she made her way toward the exit.
Marquis Henry blinked in surprise at his daughter’s eagerness, but before he could say anything, the other nobles—spurred by curiosity and the fear of being left behind—quickly followed.
A tide of richly dressed lords and ladies soon flooded toward the doors, their hushed whispers filling the air. Some still harbored doubt, others clung to their skepticism, but all of them shared one undeniable feeling—anticipation.
Arthur watched with a knowing smile as the nobles hurried after Audrey, their initial hesitation replaced by an eagerness to witness what he had promised. Without another word, he turned and led the procession toward the workshop—where history was about to be rewritten.
Upon arriving, it quickly became apparent that the space could not accommodate all the guests at once. The nobles crowded near the entrance, their excitement mounting as they tried to peer inside.
Arthur raised a hand to settle the growing chatter. "To ensure everyone gets a clear view, I will divide you into two groups," he announced. "The first group will enter with me now, while the rest may wait here until it is their turn."
There were a few murmurs of discontent, but most quickly accepted his reasoning. The last thing they wanted was to miss crucial details because of a packed room.
With that settled, Arthur stepped inside the workshop, leading the first group in.
The moment they entered, the scent of oil, metal, and freshly pressed paper filled the air. Unlike the grand banquet hall, this space was purely functional—workbenches lined with tools, gears, and trays of neatly arranged metal letters filled the room. But the true centerpiece was the massive machine standing at the heart of it all.
The Linotype machine.
Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.
Audrey’s breath caught as she took in the intricate contraption. It was unlike anything she had ever seen—an array of levers, keys, and mechanisms, all seemingly designed for a singular purpose.
The nobles around her hesitated, some frowning as they tried to decipher how such a thing could possibly replace a scribe.
Arthur stepped forward, resting a hand on the machine. His voice carried a quiet authority as he spoke.
"This," he said, "is the Linotype machine. And with it, the way we produce books will change forever."