Chapter 90: Meeting the Royal Family Part 1
Inside the Royal Palace, Ernest looked around him and wherever his eyes rested, he’d see the opulence of the palace. Gilded walls, alfresco paintings on the ceiling, a huge chandelier. Everything spoke of wealth.
As expected of the royal family of Belfast. They were quite loaded. Still, both him and Hollen walked towards the chambers where the royal family was waiting. It was a huge door nearly four meters tall, made from dark oak reinforced with brass and decorated with intricate carvings of lions, swords, and flowering vines. Two royal guards in polished silver armor stood motionless beside them, their crimson capes hanging perfectly behind their backs. The crowned lion of Belfast had been engraved into the center of each door, its golden eyes seeming to watch anyone who approached.
For the first time since arriving in the capital, even Hollen looked intimidated.
The forge owner slowly craned his neck upward.
"I think these doors are larger than my old forge."
Ernest almost smiled.
Almost.
Because despite all his preparations over the past two weeks, despite practicing bows until his back hurt and memorizing forms of address until he could recite them in his sleep, his heart had begun beating noticeably faster.
This was it.
Beyond these doors waited the most powerful family in the Kingdom of Belfast.
A servant dressed in black and gold stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Master Ernest Teucher. Master Hollen. His Majesty’s family is prepared to receive you."
The servant gave a slight nod.
The guards immediately grasped the brass handles.
The doors swung inward.
A vast chamber slowly revealed itself.
Sunlight poured through towering stained-glass windows that stretched nearly to the ceiling, bathing the room in hues of gold, blue, and crimson. The marble floor gleamed like still water, so polished that it reflected the sunlight above. Massive columns lined both sides of the chamber, each wrapped with banners bearing the crowned lion of Belfast.
The room itself was almost the size of one of Helmarte Soap Works’ production halls.
At the far end stood a raised platform.
And upon that platform sat the Royal Family of Belfast.
Ernest’s steps nearly faltered.
King Edward IV sat upon an ornate throne carved from dark wood and decorated with gold. He appeared to be in his early forties, broad-shouldered and imposing, with dark hair touched by strands of gray. He wore no crown at the moment, only a dark red coat embroidered with golden thread, yet somehow that made him appear even more authoritative. His blue eyes were sharp and observant, carrying the calm confidence of a man accustomed to command.
Beside him sat Queen Eleanor.
She possessed the sort of beauty that remained elegant rather than youthful. Auburn hair rested neatly upon her shoulders, and her deep blue dress shimmered faintly beneath the sunlight. Unlike the king’s openly curious expression, hers was more measured. Her eyes carefully studied Ernest, examining him with the attention of someone trying to understand a puzzle.
Standing to the king’s right was a young man around eighteen years of age.
The Crown Prince.
Prince Arthur.
He wore a fitted military uniform and carried himself like an officer rather than a royal. His posture was straight, his shoulders broad, and there was an air of discipline about him. Yet his expression betrayed genuine curiosity.
To his left sat a young woman perhaps sixteen years old.
Princess Amelia.
Her chestnut hair cascaded over one shoulder, and she wore an elegant cream-colored dress embroidered with silver flowers. Of all the royals present, she seemed the most openly fascinated.
Actually...
She was staring directly at him.
Not at Hollen.
Not at his clothing.
At him.
Ernest resisted the urge to look behind himself.
Finally, seated beside the queen was a younger boy, perhaps twelve years old.
Prince Cedric.
The boy was practically leaning out of his chair with a bright and excited look in his eyes.
The chamber became quiet.
Lady Marianne’s lessons immediately resurfaced in Ernest’s mind. He bowed, and Hollen did the same.
Several long seconds passed.
Then a deep voice echoed across the chamber.
"So."
Ernest raised his head.
King Edward was smiling.
A genuine smile.
The king leaned slightly forward on his throne and regarded him with an expression that was equal parts amusement and curiosity.
"You’re the young man who somehow introduced soap to half my kingdom, built steam engines, created new industries, and became one of the wealthiest men in Belfast before reaching fifteen."
The entire chamber remained silent.
Prince Arthur’s lips twitched.
Princess Amelia looked even more interested.
Prince Cedric looked ready to explode.
Ernest suddenly realized that his reputation had reached the royal palace in far greater detail than he expected.
Before he could answer, the youngest prince abruptly stood.
"Father, is he really fourteen?"
The king sighed.
"Sit down, Cedric."
"But he doesn’t look like someone who builds steam engines."
"Cedric."
The boy reluctantly sat down, though his eyes remained fixed on Ernest.
A faint chuckle escaped the queen.
Even Prince Arthur smiled.
The king looked back toward him.
Then, to Ernest’s surprise, his expression softened.
"Welcome to the Royal Palace, Master Ernest Teucher."
Ernest remained at his bowing position and responded.
"It is a great honor to be recognized by the King of the Kingdom of Belfast. It is a pleasure to be here standing in your presence. Though the achievement was not done alone. Next to me is a great financier who believed in my vision."
All eyes turned to Hollen.
"His name is Hollen Peddleton, my business partner."
For a brief moment, the forge owner looked as though he would rather be anywhere else.
Actually, no.
He looked as though he would rather be back in his old forge hammering horseshoes.
Still, he recovered quickly. Lady Marianne’s lessons had not been entirely wasted.
He bowed.
"It is an honor to stand before Your Majesty."
King Edward studied him for a few seconds before smiling.
"So you’re the man who decided to finance the ideas of an eleven-year-old boy."
A faint chuckle spread throughout the chamber.
Even Queen Eleanor smiled.
Hollen, however, looked slightly embarrassed.
"When you put it that way, Your Majesty, it sounds rather irresponsible."
This time, the king laughed openly.
A deep, genuine laugh.
"I imagine many people thought exactly that."
"They still do, Your Majesty."
More laughter followed.
The atmosphere inside the chamber became noticeably lighter.
Prince Arthur stepped forward slightly, his expression carrying genuine curiosity.
"I’ve heard stories about your factories. Is it true that your soap works employ thousands?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Ernest answered.
"And the steam engine?"
"It is also true."
The Crown Prince crossed his arms.
"I had difficulty believing the reports."
Ernest blinked.
"The reports?"
The queen finally spoke, her voice calm and refined.
"You would be surprised how often your name appears in our discussions, Master Teucher."
This time, it was Ernest’s turn to be surprised.
Apparently, he had not merely attracted the attention of the royal family recently.
They had been observing him for some time.
Queen Eleanor continued.
"When Helmarte Soap Works began exporting to neighboring kingdoms, we heard of it."
She raised a finger.
"When industrial output in Helmarte tripled, we heard of it."
Another.
"When merchants began abandoning traditional water-powered mills in favor of your steam engines, we certainly heard of it."
The room became quiet.
The queen looked at him carefully.
"You have caused quite a disturbance in our kingdom."
She did not sound angry.
If anything, she sounded impressed.
Prince Cedric suddenly raised his hand.
"Did you really build a machine that runs on fire and water?"
The question was so earnest that Ernest almost smiled.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The young prince’s eyes widened.
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