Chapter 4: Four years in passing IV

Looking at the current situation, assessing his strengths, and recalling what the king liked about him in the first place, Charlton initially experimented by instructing Isambard Brunel, his trusted aide still working in the ministry of works, to, for a lack of better word, 'sabotage' one of the minor infrastructure projects.

It took some time, but when the opportunity came, Isambard did not fail to deliver. On the same day, he asked Lucas, his co-owner of 'the times', to magnify the event by publishing the news without forgetting to compare it to the times when he (Charlton) was still in service (vice minister of works). Of course, his name was to be omitted. Let people come up with that themselves.

He knew that it would be effective given the fact that there have been several failed infrastructure projects since he was sent in exile, but he did not expect that it would be in a magnitude where two weeks later, his uncle would send a royal envoy inviting his presence at court.

Well, to be fair, he already knew of the envoy. Two days before that, he received a letter from Marquess Klaus. Although he rejected the man's offer to join his faction's cause, there was still mutual respect and understanding between them. They were in good terms, at least, friendly enough to exchange letters, but not close enough to give each other a call.

Going back, Klaus in his letter, congratulated him for his ingenious. Then he gave him a heads-up that the king would soon be sending an envoy inviting him back. He also advised him against accepting the invite.

Charlton did not think much of Klaus' advice for he was more curious about how he knew that what happened was premeditated. Did he underestimate the sphere of influence from those in the radical faction? Well, not that he should still be concerned about that. But still, it gave him the idea that if Klaus knew, it was unlikely that his uncle was not suspecting him.

Anyhow, when the envoy arrived, he understood quickly that he had to reject them. If not for anything else, then at least to dismiss his uncle's suspicion. Thus, he gave the excuse that he was still grieving.

Of course, that was not the end to that. He had another set of premeditated events happening of which, in two of them, he had royal envoys coming with invitations for him to return to the capital. However, for certain reasons during that time, he had to reject them.

Back to the present, Lord Cobalt and Lord Cross, two people he developed friendships with while in exile, were currently in his palace. He already knew from Klaus' letter yesterday that the king sent them instead of the usual envoy because he thought that they have better chances of convincing him to return to the capital.

How this came to be? It would be better if we were to start with the root cause.

One of the most ambitious and on-going projects in their kingdom was an underwater railway tunnel that would connect Torton and Ferpen. In great tragedy, at the height of its construction, it caved, leaving thousands of workers inside either dead, or dying.

Let it be known that he had nothing to do about that incident. However, although it did not sit well with him, he had to take advantage of that tragic event to push through his plans.

With the help of Marquess Klaus, he was able to play behind the scenes despite being absent in court.

Mid-June was when the meetings of the house of lords convene. Thus, the timing could not have been any better.

The masses were clamoring because of the tragedy, lots of complaints have been received, and it was just pandemonium.

Due to this, it was important to table counter measures. And his suggestion? Send the crown prince, Geoffrey, to Torton.

It was completely reasonable and although the king did not like it because it would only make Geoffrey overshadow him more, it was the best course of action.

So, why did Charlton want Geoffrey out of the picture? In simple explanation like that he told to Klaus, Geoffrey was too powerful and influential. Aside from that, he was the primary suspect regarding his father being sent to prison. How would he be able to investigate easily if Geoffrey were in the capital upon his return?

Of course, though that was true, he had another agenda. A personal vendetta one could even call.

Charlton briefly looked at the picture on the newspaper he just folded. In it was a seemingly reluctant Serena who have given Geoffrey a bittersweet goodbye with his ready escorts in the background.

Truly abhorrent. Does she always have to be present for a publicity stunt just to show the world how perfectly loving her relationship with Geoffrey was? Then again, knowing her, what was there to be surprised about? She has always been self-centered with the endless need to gloat.

Anyhow, at least from that he was able to confirm that Geoffrey already left the capital for his mission to appease the victims and their families in Torton and Ferpen. Fortunately, although Serena was in the photo, she obviously did not join Geoffrey on this trip. It would spoil all his careful planning if she did.

Currently, it's already the 1st day of July, and come Saturday, which would be six days later, it would be time for the Charlotte's ball. An annual event hosted by the royal family which would mark the beginning of the season.

Finally, he would have the chance to meet her without Geoffrey in the way.

Charlton stood up from his chair. He straightened his vest, fixed his ascot, before picking up his coat. Lord Cobalt and Lord Cross were still waiting for him in the parlour, and though he would like to imagine more about his upcoming reunion with his loathsome ex-lover, he was afraid that once he gets started, he won't be able to stop.

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TBC