Love is blooming

Edel, after ensuring his office was in order and all documents were properly set for his review, was about to dive into the day's work when his manager, Eddy, burst into the room with a look of excitement. "Your Majesty, the King requests your presence," he announced with a broad smile.

Pausing, Edel set aside his paperwork, his brow furrowed in curiosity. "Manager, do you know what my father wants?" he inquired, hoping for some insight before meeting the King.

Manager Eddy, aware that the matter wasn't confidential and would soon be revealed to Edel, saw no harm in disclosing it. "It concerns your Royal Highness's marriage," he revealed.

This news slightly startled Edel. As he matured into a young man, his parents, the King and Queen, increasingly mirrored the typical parental concern over their child's marital prospects. Given their status and the expectations tied to their lineage, they were particularly eager to see Edel suitably matched. However, suitable candidates of age and status were scarce within the European royal circles. Understanding this, Edel realized that his father's summoning likely involved presenting a potential bride.

Following the palace chief, Edel entered King Carol I's office. His father was waiting, a photograph in hand, which he studied intently as Edel approached.

"Father, you wanted to see me?" Edel asked, maintaining formalities despite his awareness of the likely topic of discussion.

"Yes, Edel, I wanted to show you this," King Carol I said, handing over the photograph to his son.

Edel took the photo and observed a young woman with striking features and long black hair that suggested German ancestry. Her poise and the elegance captured in the black and white image left no doubt that she was of noble descent.

"Edel, what do you think?" the King asked, gauging his son's reaction.

Edel understood the weight of the situation. His marriage was not merely a personal milestone but a political maneuver, one that would forge alliances and possibly steer the fate of nations. He recognized the sacrifice of personal choice inherent in his position, a stark transformation from the freedoms he might have enjoyed in a different life.

"Your Majesty, the lady is quite charming," Edel responded diplomatically.

Pleased with his son's approval, King Carol I delved into details. "Her name is Sophie Marie Francis Cartono Alberta von Hornberg. She is the grandniece of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz and daughter of Grand Duke Otto Franz. Only 19 years old, she is well-suited for you."

Edel felt a twinge of unease. Relations between his country and the Austro-Hungarian Empire had been strained over territorial disputes in Transylvania. It seemed unusual for such a match to be proposed without significant motivation.

Sensing his son's confusion, King Carol I explained further. "I received a communication from Kaiser Wilhelm II," he disclosed.

The pieces fell into place for Edel. External pressures, particularly from Germany, had influenced this proposal. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, needing German support against Russian advances in the Balkans, was likely leveraging marriage to solidify this alliance.

"Father, what are your thoughts on arranging a meeting?" Edel asked, shifting the conversation towards actionable steps.

"We shall see about scheduling a meeting soon," the King decided, satisfied with the progress of their discussion.

Meanwhile, in Austria-Hungary, the proposed bride, Sophie Marie, was discussing the same matter with her maid, Anna. "Princess, what do you think of His Royal Highness Prince Edel?" Anna inquired with a hint of excitement.

"How could I possibly form an opinion, Anna? I've only seen his photograph," Sophie Marie responded, her voice tinged with anxiety. The prospect of an arranged marriage, especially so suddenly, was overwhelming.

Anna, ever the romantic, pressed on. "But, Princess, he is quite handsome, and I heard he secured a significant loan from Germany to develop his country. Romania has prospered under his influence."

Sophie Marie sighed, her mind racing with thoughts of her future. Her brother Karl entered her room, catching a snippet of their conversation. "Thinking about Prince Edel?" he teased.

"Karl, please," Sophie Marie chided, a blush coloring her cheeks.

"I'm just teasing, Sophie. But I did come with a purpose," Karl said, changing his tone. He produced a telegram from his pocket. "This is from Romania. They're asking when you can meet Prince Edel."

Sophie Marie, her heart fluttering, asked, "What did grandfather and uncle say?"

"They think Vienna would be a good place for the meeting," Karl replied.

"And what is Prince Edel doing now?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I'm not sure," Karl admitted.

Back in Romania, Edel pondered the forthcoming meeting. He understood the political undercurrents but hoped for some personal compatibility with Sophie Marie. As he prepared for the eventual encounter, he considered the broader implications for his country and his personal life, caught between duty and desire.

As His Royal Highness was making plans for his lifelong affairs, Sodaval in Constanta was preparing to embark on a new journey. During his training at Volkswagen, he had learned to distinguish between diesel and fuel engines, understanding their respective advantages and disadvantages quite thoroughly. Now, Sodaval was set to accompany a group of Volkswagen employees to the Ploiesti Machinery Plant.

Volkswagen had rented several trains to transfer these employees to Ploiesti, a testament to the company's substantial financial resources. Over the years, Constanta had experienced rapid growth, its population swelling from 378,000 in 1905 to 602,000 in 1910—an increase of nearly 60% in just five years. Much of this growth could be attributed to the Volkswagen factory, which directly employed over 50,000 people and indirectly supported many more. Volkswagen's influence was unmatched in Constanta, overshadowing even the local steel plant. The company was now planning to construct Romania's first nine-story building in Constanta to showcase its prominence.

"Nisidel, I'm leaving this time. I wonder if there will ever be a day when I return to Volkswagen," Sodaval mused aloud while standing on the train platform, bidding farewell to his friend. He reminisced about the summer when he was seventeen, the sweat-drenched day he learned that Volkswagen was hiring, and how that opportunity had transformed his life.

His family's circumstances had improved dramatically since then—gone were the days of struggling to afford even basic sustenance. The coarse black bread of his childhood had been replaced by the rich scent of white wheat bread. His younger siblings were now attending middle school, promising even brighter futures.

"Ploiesti isn't far from Constanta, Sodaval. Come visit me when you can," Nisidel said, interrupting his friend's reverie.

"I definitely will. Don't forget, Constanta is my home," Sodaval replied, his words carrying a double meaning. He had spent five years at Volkswagen, and it had become as familiar to him as his own home.

As the train whistle blew, signaling the time to board, Nisidel, with slightly reddened eyes, urged, "The train's about to leave, let's go."

After a firm hug and a heartfelt goodbye, Sodaval boarded the train. As it started to move, he called out to the receding figure of his friend, "I will come back to see you!"

Settling into his seat, Sodaval planned to rest during the journey. The entire carriage was filled with Volkswagen employees heading to the Ploiesti Machinery Plant, allowing Sodaval some peace as everyone respected his need for quiet.

Upon arriving in Ploiesti in the chilly November evening, with temperatures dipping below zero, Sodaval and the others donned their thick winter garments. The brisk air invigorated him as he disembarked.

As they exited the station, a voice over a loudspeaker directed, "Everyone from the assembly workshop, line up here!" Similar calls for other departments echoed around him. Thanks to Volkswagen's disciplined approach, each group quickly formed up under their respective leaders.

A tall man in his fifties, holding a megaphone, introduced himself from a raised platform. "I'm Podos Riku, the director of the Machinery Factory. I'm pleased with your punctuality and look forward to building this factory's glory together. Let's not linger in the cold—transportation to the factory is ready outside."

Following the staff's lead, Sodaval and his colleagues boarded the vehicles waiting outside. After a twenty-minute drive, they arrived at the Ploiesti Machinery Plant. After ensuring his team was settled in, Sodaval was preparing to join them for dinner when an employee approached him.

"Mr. Sodaval, Director Podos Riku would like to invite you to dinner."

"Okay, please give me a moment," Sodaval responded, then quickly instructed a colleague to relay to the assembly workshop to rest after their meal.

He followed the employee to a small dining room where he found several familiar faces—all senior members from Volkswagen—and Podos Riku, whom he had met earlier that day.

Podos Riku raised his glass to the assembly of skilled workers. "We are now one team, and I hope you bring your experience and work ethic from Volkswagen to our factory. Like Volkswagen, our products will be unique. Let's aim to replicate their success here."

The pride in Podos Riku's voice stirred the group, and they enthusiastically echoed his sentiment. However, Podos Riku harbored concerns that these employees might overshadow his own achievements, fearing the new plant could become just another Volkswagen facility, which would displease him given his recent appointment by the crown prince.

Before becoming the director of the machinery factory, Podos Riku managed a smaller factory. His appointment came as a surprise, facilitated by a schoolmate related to Viscount Adrian, who had favorably mentioned him to the palace chief. Grateful for the opportunity and determined to prove his worth, Podos Riku had diligently prepared for his new role, even consulting experts like Dr. Diesel to deepen his understanding of diesel engines.

As the dinner progressed, Podos Riku's daughter, a tall blonde girl named Hestina, appeared. She gently chided her father for drinking too much, to which he lovingly conceded. The sight of Hestina left Sodaval momentarily captivated, her presence lingering in his mind long after she had helped her father from the room.

Back in his own room, Sodaval found himself restless, the image of Hestina haunting his thoughts. The following day, he learned more about her: Hestina, eighteen, recently moved to Ploiesti for her studies and was known at the factory as the "little princess" due to her charm and beauty.

Despite recognizing the challenges, Sodaval felt a renewed sense of purpose. He immersed himself in his work and studies, particularly focusing on diesel engine technology, hopeful that his path would someday intersect with Hestina's again.

Fate seemed to smile on him when, during a factory shutdown, he decided to visit the library to research diesel engines. Hearing a faint cry for help, he discovered Hestina being accosted by two thugs in an alley. With quick thinking and a fierce resolve, Sodaval intervened, using a wooden stick to chase the assailants away and ensure Hestina's safety.

Grateful and relieved, Hestina thanked him warmly. They shared a moment of connection as they walked to the library together, where she mentioned her father's collection of books on diesel engines. She invited Sodaval to visit her home to peruse them, an invitation he gladly accepted.

This unexpected act of bravery had not only saved Hestina but had also opened a new chapter in Sodaval's life, one filled with promise and burgeoning affection. As they walked together, Sodaval felt the first stirrings of spring in his heart, a season of renewal and hope.