Determination
1881 Words
“Father?”
His head turns to the side quizzically. The king proposed an early engagement to Princess Catarina Belmont and Prince Gerald del Stuart.
“I see,” Gerald realized something, “You’d heard about my proposal to Princess Catarina at Londoln? But father, I respect her decision. You don’t need to force her to something she doesn’t like. It will hurt my reputation as a prince who’s in line of succession.”
Gerald explained fluidly, if that is the case then he needs to change this no matter what and take into consideration of Catarina’s feelings.
But his father gave him a gentle nod indicating that he understands what he's pointing out.
“That’s why I called you here. I heard what exactly happened in the Royal Library. What words you said, what posed you made. I can say that it was a genuine and real love towards Lady Catarina here. So, let me propose something that both parties can agree with. How about we informally engage the both of you but Gerald, you need to win her heart. Is that okay with you?”
“If that is your wish father, I will gladly accept it but I need also the consent of Lady Catarina and Sir Ivan Belmont.”
He said while looking at the two. The king glanced in their direction and their faces were all covered in exclamation. To see the second prince who’s formally giving them a chance to say something for themselves is unique and rare amongst the princes from history.
“If you genuinely love my daughter, then I will give you my grace to win her heart.” He placed both hands on Catarina's shoulder.
“If it's what my father wish then I will accept ---”
“Lady Catarina, if I may. Please speak for yourself, you have the right to decline my proposal if you don’t want to.” He interjected, the king and the Duke were surprised.
“No, the decision is mine alone. So don’t worry if you’d think that I have no say in this matter.” She said in a monotonous tone. Her expressionless expression is what makes Gerald like her more.
Though this challenge is a reckless act by Prince Gerald since he doesn’t have romantic memories in the modern world. He does have in his previous life as the prince but those are not real love but fooling around.
But everything is alright. He’s confident that he will capture Catarina's heart and make her heartbeat genuinely. This is a challenge he made for himself. He will get to know more about the princess.
“Then it's settled.”
Gerald approached her and grabbed her both hands. The suddenness made Catarina perplexed a little. How much does he love her? In the modern world, he is a 43-year-old scientist, engineer, and doctor. He only reserved his heart only for Catarina and even if there’s a girl who may match her beauty in the future. He will not faze.
Gerald's childly attitude is coming back while he gazes at the contour of her doll-like expressionless face. “Lady Catarina, I’ve always loved you even in another life” those are the words he wants to say but can’t. It would be rude if he does that.
He removed his grasp and turned to her father. A man in his forties and still looks like a man in his late twenties. His hair is completely identical to Lady Catarina. Although it's a pity that he never had a chance to meet his wife. If only time brought him far back in time. He may have the chance to save her in some sort of way.
He then glances to the king where he will perish in some sort of disease. Diseases in this era are prevalent since there is no proper healthcare for the citizens. And even if the hospital has the cure for simple diseases caused by bacteria. They are not accessible to the public and only exclusively to exalted ranks. If there is a way to save his family from their doom. He will take the chance. What he can only do is warn them about diseases in the future. It is also part of his main goal.
“Um Sir Ivan, I heard that you’re developing a new prototype that lets you carry more passengers, more loads, and more uses? Can I discuss that with you tomorrow at your place?”
Again, the three of them were surprised at his proposal. Even if he wants to discuss it. What will they discuss? He’s only eight years old.
Even in this era. Doctors, Engineers, Law, Teachers, et cetera are prevalent in this era. Inventing new things, creating new concepts, proposing research that will benefit the kingdom. Most of the books they published are accessible to the Royal Library in which he read all of them in a matter of hours. If he can improve those ideas and not waste more time in hypothesizing. This will grant him popularity.
“I don’t know if you can take those subjects since it’s full of technical words. You may not keep up.” He scratched his head and chuckled lightly. He doesn’t want a kid to interfere with his work.
“I’ve been reading most of your works in aviation and I am impressed at the wonders of the new mode of transportation. The flying seagull and the airships I really love. I love it to the point that I accidentally hypothesized that may help your new prototype.”
“Oh?” Ivan said, getting interested, “What might that be your Highness?”
Most of the planes invented in this era are similar to 1930s aircraft like Supermarine Spitfire Mk.II. and de Havilland Mosquito NF.II night fighter.. Its similar to a fighter aircraft used in world war 2. If he uses his engineering knowledge to further advance the aviation of this world. Not only will it increase the uses of the aircrafts such as reconnaissance, transporting goods, and new modes of transportation. It will also be a new source of income for the country. Thanks to his previous modern knowledge about aeronautical engineering and the days he spent in NASA. He can create basic transport planes in history.
They are in the age of industrialization, so superpower countries like the Empire of Brittia must innovate more to keep up the face of world power.
“For example, it is a plane that can carry 19 tons of payload. It also has 40 meters of wingspan and 29 meters in length. It can conduct a lot of missions like reconnaissance, transportation, cargo…”
But as he answered the Duke's curiosity, all of them looked at him incredulously. He realizes his mistake. Big aircraft is not known in this world. But the Empire has a handful and profound engineers that he can pass his knowledge to.
“I’ll draft the design later and submit it to you for analysis…”
“Wait!” The duke had enough of his nonsense, “Your highness, your enthusiasm is already enough but to completely draft a new aircraft design is absolutely ridiculous. Sorry for being rude but. What you’re proposing is impossible. Not with our current technology.”
“Ah s**t. I should have introduced computers first. But never mind silicon and semiconductors are easy to extract. Ah, s**t, early variants of C-130 don't need computers…” He is clearly muttering to himself. He noticed their confusing gazes at him.
“My son. Didn’t I tell you not to say nonsensical things? You are in the line of succession.” The king scolded, “But if and only if you were able to create that aircraft you’re talking about. Then…”
“I can father! Just give me one day. I already have the designs in my mind and the drafting papers are waiting for me. I can prove it to your father! I will revolutionize transportation!”
He proudly declared. They can’t take this anymore. However, his father is having a calm look on his face.
“Then, if you were able to create that aircraft you’re talking about. I will grant you Brittia insignia of honor.”
When he said that, Gerald is now full of determination and passion. He will prove it to his father. The sooner the better. The Brittia insignia of honor was the symbol of the greatest power in the Empire. Just by receiving this honor you automatically become an honorary knight, therefore receiving one was the peak of what a noble could wish for. Since he is a royal prince and also in the line of succession he can increase his popularity.
After the king offered on what could be a challenge. Gerald immediately left the king’s office and ran towards his quarters where he will draft one of the iconic aircraft in the modern world. The C-130 Hercules.
He’s doing this to gain Catarina's favor and also to the benefit of the country. Not only does he plan to create an aircraft. He also drafts different technologies like automobiles, motorcycles, trains et cetera. He will use his full power to further improve the national power of the empire and the technologies as well.
Just when Gerald left immediately at the King and the Duke look at each other with a perplexed expression.
“Uhm your majesty. Did you just do that to entertain his nonsense new technologies?”
“Well, it’s half,” The king said, “Half curious and half angry. He’s just a kid so it's understandable but if he really were to do it. Then I don’t know anymore.”
“Yeah, it would be a great shock in the country and to the world. But that’s impossible since he’s only eight.”
“You may be right about that but he challenged his brother to a math challenge in which he utterly defeated him without using pens and paper. He solved it mentally.”
“Mentally?” He said in surprise.
“Gerald changed a lot when he got that head injury hehe...He was a troublemaker and now he became a kid who’s now indulged in science.”
Catarina who is in the same room with them as she can hear their casual conversation about the second prince gave a gentle smile. They are praising him too much and to defeat prince Roland who is good at math. This is all big news to her and makes her want to know more about the prince.
“Father, will Prince Gerald come to the mansion tomorrow?” Catarina breaks their conversation.
“I believe he will Catarina.”
“Then I must prepare myself tomorrow.”
“We will give him a warm reception.”
- Writer
