Meeting Stanley

As the carriage entered the bustling port area, two-story Greek-style buildings lined both sides of the road, and carriages on the flagstone street increased. They maintained a respectful distance from the flamboyant royal motorcade.

The procession halted in front of a hotel with a garden turntable surrounded by bricks and stones. The doorman, clad in a red suit, hurriedly approached the car, opened the door, and with a bow, asked, "Welcome, Your Excellency. How may I assist you?"

"I am expecting a distinguished guest at your hotel today. Please prepare a seat for me," Constantine replied.

"Are you waiting here for the guests?" the doorman inquired with a smile.

"Yes."

"Allow me to show you the way, Your Excellency."

"Okay."

The doorman pulled open the car door and stepped aside. As Constantine and Nina disembarked from the carriage, he gestured towards the entrance.

Nina, linking her arms with Constantine, observed the hotel surroundings with curiosity.

Approaching the front desk, a middle-aged man in a black uniform, sweating slightly, replaced the doorman. The doorman leaned in and whispered a few words to the middle-aged man.

Subsequently, the middle-aged man bowed and said, "Welcome to our hotel. I am the front desk manager. Please feel free to ask if you have any requirements. Should we send a carriage to the pier to welcome your distinguished guest?"

"Okay, his name is Stanley. He is scheduled to arrive on the morning cruise from London to Piraeus," Constantine instructed.

During the conversation, the manager led Constantine and his party to a private room, opened the doors, and said, "Your Excellency, this is the finest room in our hotel. From here, you can enjoy the sunlight, the beautiful coastal scenery, and the bustling pier." He pulled open the black silk curtains in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows with a "clatter" and then opened the window.

In the distance, seagulls soared, ships moved with a long whistle, and the sea breeze carried a faint fishy scent through the curtains.

Excited, young Nina ran to the window, leaned out, waved her hands towards the distant shore, and shouted joyfully.

After the manager's explanation, he observed Constantine's expression, finding no signs of impatience. Satisfied, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Constantine scanned the room. While not overly extravagant, it surpassed simplicity. In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, two brown sofas surrounded a reception table. Pleased, Constantine nodded at the manager.

The manager departed, and the four knights formed two columns, guarding the entrance to the room.

Constantine sat on the sofa, awaiting Stanley's arrival, reflecting on the explorer's background.

Stanley gained fame during the search for British explorer and missionary David Livingstone in 1868. He located Livingstone in Ujiji on the shore of Lake Tanganyika after an extensive expedition. Stanley's subsequent book, "How I Found Livingstone," propelled him to stardom.

His achievements attracted the attention of George I and Constantine, who believed Stanley's extensive knowledge of Africa made him the ideal candidate for their African plan.

Despite Stanley's ruthlessness, the two leaders secured his services in Congo for five years with a substantial reward. Now, in 1882, Constantine awaited the results of Stanley's efforts.

As Constantine pondered, footsteps approached the door. It seemed the awaited guest had arrived.

The door creaked open, revealing a man in his forties wearing a beige suit, a yellow bowler hat, and a red suitcase. He exuded a commanding presence.

This marked the first face-to-face meeting between the two, who had previously communicated only through letters and telegrams.

Standing up, Constantine extended his right hand to Stanley, who placed his suitcase on the ground and reciprocated the gesture.

"Welcome to Greece, Mr. Stanley," Constantine greeted, showing respect for the key figure in their African plan.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Excellency," Stanley replied.

Constantine, known as the Duke of Sparta, represented the lineage of the Spartan warriors. This title, akin to the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom holding the title of Prince of Wales, was a symbol of strength and agility.

Stanley, a man who had endured much hardship in his career, couldn't help but feel a sense of indignation.