Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World



"Your Highness…what are you doing here?" Poul stammered, shocked to see someone unexpected.

"It sounded like you don't want me here, Mr. Nielsen," Alexander simply replied. "Just like everyone else, I'm enjoying the world's fair. The Government of France extended their invitation to our government, thereafter I, a member of the royal family, decided to attend. And here I am." 

As he spoke, he glanced at the girl who was hiding behind Poul. "If you do not mind me asking, who is that woman behind you?" 

"She is a nurse working for our clinic, Your Highness," Poul replied. "Why did you ask?" 

"Because she looked like someone I am so familiar with, I can't help but notice it," Alexander continued. "Her body figure, her face, is very similar to the person who holds dear to me." 

Poul chuckled nervously, did the Crown Prince find out the whole plan? And is looking at a reaction out of them? This is going to be tough, as he has to consider every word that will come out of his mouth seconds later. If the Crown Prince already knew the truth and was just toying with him, then he had to be careful not to reveal anything incriminating.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I'm not sure who you could be referring to," Poul said cautiously. "Perhaps it's just a coincidence."

Alexander looked at Poul, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Perhaps," he said. "But I have a feeling there is more to it than that."

Poul's heart raced as he tried to come up with a plausible explanation. Meanwhile, Sara could feel the tension in the air and was starting to feel uneasy. She had a feeling that the Crown Prince was onto them and that they were in trouble.

"Have we met before, Your Highness?" Sara asked.

"Even your voice is similar to hers," Alexander paused, studying Sara closely. "Tell me, what is your name?"

Sara hesitated for a moment before answering. "My name is Sara, Sara Olsen," she said softly.

"Sara," he repeated. "I think Penelope would suit you better."

'Shit," Poul cursed inwardly. The Prince is indeed onto them, he racked his brains, studying the Crown Prince's facial expression for the moment to figure out if he had found out. However, there were no signs of him suspecting anything more than a striking resemblance.

Sara feigned confusion. "Penelope? Who's Penelope?" she asked. 

"Penelope is the most beautiful and talented woman that I have ever met in my life. Sadly she passed away, murdered. However, there is an investigation suggesting that she was still alive, living a new life." 

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Poul stepped in, cutting him off. "I don't see the reason why you have to divulge such information about someone to us. Did you really come here to see our station?" 

Alexander smiled slyly. "I do, I was intrigued by your new invention, the automobile. To think that a metal box can move without a horse or a boiler is fascinating to me. Tell me, Mr. Nielsen, is it already available on the market?"

"Unfortunately not yet," Poul replied calmly. "The infrastructure needed to support and sustain this new invention is not yet introduced. Perhaps in the next year or two, we would be able to market it." 

"Is that so? I'll be waiting then…" Alexander said, his gaze not moving away from Sara. "I'm sorry, I can't help but be drawn to you, Ms. Olsen. Tell me, what is your relationship with Mr. Nielsen?" 

"He is my employer, Your Highness," Sara answered.

"Your employer? Are you sure you two are not a couple? Because I saw you earlier in the Japanese section acting like a couple," Alexander pressed, his eyes narrowing.

Poul could feel the heat rising to his face, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way out of this situation. He had to find a way to distract the Crown Prince from Sara and the resemblance to Penelope.

"Well, you can say that I'm looking for ways to court Sara, Your Highness," Poul interrupted, hoping to steer the conversation away from Sara's identity. "Fortunately I have been very successful in that department."

"I see? But she still hasn't answered you yet, right?" Alexander smirked.

Poul grinned. "I'm working on it, Your Highness." 

"If that was the case, perhaps I still have a chance?"

Upon saying that, Alexander walked forward and grabbed Sara's right hand. And as he was about to press his lips upon it, Poul immediately grabbed Alexander's arm, stopping him in his tracks.

"Your Highness, you may be the crown prince of a country but what you are doing is utter disrespect. I will not tolerate such behavior towards my girl," Poul said firmly, his grip on Alexander's arm tightening. "Remember your place, Crown Prince, you are not in your country so you better act accordingly. You know what, fuck it, I'm going to be honest. I hate you, and I don't know why but whenever I see your face it makes me feel sick to my stomach."

Sara's eyes widened in shock as she watched Poul's outburst toward the Crown Prince. Alexander's expression turned cold and he slowly pulled his arm away from Poul's grip. 

"You! How dare you speak like that to the Crown Prince of the British Empire?" One of his aides stepped forward, his voice filled with indignation.

But Alexander raised his hand to silence him. "It's fine. Let him speak his mind. In fact, I find it quite refreshing to meet someone who's not afraid to express their true feelings," he said, his tone surprisingly calm. "I understand that my position as Crown Prince can be intimidating sometimes." 

"Why don't you just leave huh? It seems to me that you are not after our products but us," Poul said chilly. 

Alexander's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, there was a tense silence between them. Then, he let out a small chuckle, as if amused by Poul's remark.

"Well, Mr. Nielsen, you're partly right," he admitted,  "I did come here to see your new invention, but I also wanted to meet the people behind it. You truly are the treasure of your country huh? Inventing revolutionary technologies beyond anyone's imagination." 

"Can you drop that polite tone of yours? It's irritating? Why don't you just say whatever you came here to say and be done with it?" Poul said, his voice filled with annoyance.

"That won't do, I have a reputation and dignity to uphold," Alexander said with a smile. "Perhaps in private, I can do so. Speaking of which, I'll see you very soon, Mr. Nielsen." 

After saying that, Alexander and his entourage left. 

Poul turned around and faced his associates who witnessed the whole thing. 

"Emergency meeting, now."