After looking through Thomas' work, she decided to open the envelope from Ben whose company would be selling Benz automotive, well for her, it just translates to cars in the future with the Mercedes Benz logo. Inside, she saw the contract and read through it quickly. There were some minor details that needs further elaboration, but she did not mind it much. Charlton can work on that.
There was a catalogue attached, and based on the description, she understood that these are the models they will be selling. There were 3 models. The first two looked like open carriages, they were called Benz Victoria and Benz Velo. The third one looked like a golf cart, and it's called Benz 8 HP break. All these can run up to 12- 13 miles per hour. Pretty slow but definitely faster and more convenient than horse drawn carriages that aside from only being able to go for 4 mph, must also take breaks along the way.
She didn't really have much to comment except for some precautions about the problems which would definitely arise later when more people start driving and new models become faster. Anyway, she can talk about that with Charlton sometime in the future as talking about it now would be premature.
The last one was Alexander's whose company would be selling the product he invented which was the telephone. Honestly, she was torn regarding that. Though she likes the convenience and the thought that with it, she and Charlton will be able to reach each other easily especially after he graduates, she laments that if there's a telephone in her room, it would only mean that, her parents, Leonard, and perhaps even Geoffrey, would be able to check on her and call her from time to time. She frowned just thinking about it.
She was so busy reading and coming up with ideas that she didn't notice that Charlton was already done with what he was doing and was staring at her.
Charlton smiled as he continued staring at her. He saw her varying expressions as she concentrated on reading. She suddenly frowned and he wondered what made her do so. He walked to approach her, and seeing that she didn't notice him still, he tapped her nose with his index finger.
"Why are you frowning? Is there a problem with the document?" he asked as he chuckled seeing her annoyed expression.
Serena was brought out of reverie when she felt Charlton tap her nose with his index finger. "It's not that, I just thought that this telephone's inconvenience outweighs its overall convenience for us."
Charlton looked at her puzzled. From what he understood it should be very convenient to have that. "Won't it be easier for us to communicate with that?"
Serena laughed, as she explained. "well, it really is convenient but if I have one in my room, everyone would be able to call and check on me. Then they will know that I'm almost always out of my room. So, I was thinking that I should not install one in my room, at least not until you graduate."
Charlton nodded as he smiled. She has it all thought out.
"Are you done with what you were working on?" she asked.
"Yes, I think I'm prepared for tomorrow. So, what do you think about everything you read?" Charlton asked.
Serena handed him the envelope sent by Thomas. "You read through this first and tell me what you think. I have some suggestions but would like to know your thoughts first."
"Is this a test, Ma'am?" Charlton teased.
Serena laughed recalling their time in the classroom.
—
Charlton read the document first. Then, he walked to the vanity table with Serena following him. He sat in front of the table and started to mark the paper, writing his comments and suggestions on the sides of the draft contract.
Serena observed and read what he was writing, and she got to say that he really knows this stuff. She didn't even think of some implications, like for example she did not consider that something as simple as the punctuations, like the placement would make different implications. For the first time, she realized that he was really good with legal paperwork.
After reading and writing on the document, he started reading the information sheet and the plan, then he started explaining, made some comments and suggestions. After all that, he looked at Serena expectantly.
Serena could not help but smirk proudly as she knew that she would be able to contribute new ideas to him. For although he knew the importance and potential of such railway, he did not think of what she wanted to suggest.
Seeing her expression, Charlton asked, "Did I miss something?"
Serena shook her head. "No, I just have some suggestions. Recall that you said that Sienna is just 4 hours journey from Suffox?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"First, how about you suggest to Thomas that you want to extend the project so that it reaches Suffox? If the funds are insufficient, you should really convince your parents to invest on it. Imagine, 4 hours journey will be shortened to an hour, then Suffox would also be easily reachable from the capital. Aside from the convenience, think of the economic benefit. I am sure it would be astounding. Second, well, you should also invest on the area where the train would make stops." She started explaining excitedly.
Serena was an economist who was a bit passionate about urban planning, so that's where her ideas come from. There is a need for some urban planning and development in the kingdom. It's a little sad that they all leave the market to the capitalists. Government intervention was sorely needed. Ugh… why was she being a nerd? Anyway, she thought that she can share her ideas to Charlton once he enters the parliament in the future.
Charlton smiled seeing her all excited. He can easily connect the dots of her ideas. He thought them to be brilliant like always. "Then I will write to Thomas regarding the possibility of an extension. On the area surrounding the stops, don't you think that we should let the townsfolk benefit too?"
Serena shook her head, "They will already benefit even without the ownership of the land surrounding the stop. If you don't want, use my money to buy and put it under my name, pretty please?"
Charlton laughed. He knew that their topic sounded ridiculous given their status, and it was so funny because he understood that she was being serious. He didn't expect that she also has this side to her. Anyway, going along with what she wants, he said, "Okay, if that is what you want, then I will buy all those lands and put it all under your name. No need to give me money." He did not have enough money now, but he soon will. Or if not, he will buy them all when he becomes the marquis.
Serena clapped in glee, gods, she felt like some money-grabber, but come on, given the chance, who wouldn't be? "Okay, it can serve as your betrothal gifts to me!"
Feeling his chest swell with her words, he could not help but dive in for a kiss.
—
TBC
