Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World

Poul stared at Penelope, trying to make sense of their words. The air was thick with tension, and he could feel his heart racing as he struggled to keep up with the conversation.

Poul leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Penelope and Sara as they spoke. "Wait, let me get this straight," he said in a hushed tone,. "You saw the news on your phone and rushed there?"

He could feel his heart racing as he spoke, and he knew that the others could sense his unease. Despite his efforts to remain calm, he was struggling to come to terms with the news.

Sara nodded, her eyes fixed on the ground. Poul could see the worry etched into her features, and he felt a pang of sympathy for her.

"Why did you do that?!" he snapped, unable to contain his frustration any longer. He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed, trying to make her understand the gravity of the situation.

As he spoke, Poul couldn't help but notice the way Sara's hair fell in loose waves around her face, the way her eyes shone with unshed tears. He felt a strange flutter in his chest, and he wondered if he was starting to see her in a different light.

"What can I do, I was worried for you, for both of you," Sara replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Poul could hear the fear in her words, and he knew that she was telling the truth.

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the only sound the pounding of their hearts in their chests.

Poul broke the silence after a few moments. "So after that, you were transmigrated to the body of a young girl whose father is the Duke of Wessex?"

Penelope nodded again, confirming it.

"This is quite an unexpected turn of events if I must say," Jonathan finally spoke, and stepped forward. "We didn't expect you to be here because we are under the impression that a person must die in order to get into this world. After knowing your side of the story, it is starting to make sense."

"I tried searching for you, Poul…Jonathan. I knew that you would be here…but this era is similar to the late-nineteenth century so finding you won't be that easy, until the war. The moment I heard the company producing superior rifles for the Russians, I immediately booked a trip to the United States, to see it for myself. And now that I'm standing in front of you, I am relieved…"

As the conversation was taking place, a knock on the door was heard by the trio.

"Lady Ascart, it has been five minutes, are you done talking to them?"

The voice belonged to the Crown Prince of the British Empire, Prince Alexander. Penelope wiped the unshed tears from her eyes and composed herself.

"As much as I would love to have a long conversation with you, sadly we have to end this for now. We are staying in New York for one week, I'll try visiting you in your headquarters."

After saying that, Penelope stepped forward with a delicate grace, her slender frame moving with fluid ease. She stood on the tips of her toes, her lips poised to brush against Poul's cheek. The soft warmth of her breath caressed his skin, sending shivers down his spine. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as he savored the sensation of her touch. He caught a fleeting scent of lavender in the air, and it only added to the allure of the moment. As she pulled back, her gaze met him, and he could see the unspoken words in her eyes. And then those eyes flickered to Jonathan, whom she also pecked on the cheek before heading out of the stateroom.

When the door opened, Crown Prince Alexander stepped into the room. "May I ask what you three were talking about?"

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but that was a private matter and you know we can't disclose it to you," Poul replied, his tone firm and respectful. He held his head high, meeting the prince's gaze without flinching.

"Well I'm just curious because she is to be my Queen," Alexander said.

Poul's eyes widened in surprise at the Crown Prince's revelation. He exchanged a quick glance with Jonathan, who also seemed taken aback by the news

"Is this official, Your Highness?" Jonathan asked.

"Not yet but I would love to speak with my father soon enough to make it official. You see, Lady Ascart is the most perfect girl that I have met in my entire life. She is smart, beautiful,  accomplished, and loved by the people, and of course, loved by me. I believe she would make an excellent partner for me and for the future of our nation," Alexander explained, his voice filled with admiration and respect."

As Poul heard those words, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, as though his heart was being squeezed by an invisible hand. He couldn't believe what he was hearing - Penelope, who had been his girlfriend in the real world, was now going to be the wife of the Crown Prince of the British Empire? The thought filled him with a mix of emotions - sadness, anger, and a deep sense of loss.

"I will see the two of you in two days, Mr. Axelsen, Mr. Nielsen. For we have a business deal to complete with. We are done for today so goodbye."

Jonathan was the first to break the silence. "Did you just hear that?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. "He is going to marry Penelope..."

Poul's heart ached at the words. Penelope, his girlfriend in the real world, was to become the wife of the Crown Prince of the British Empire. He felt a sense of betrayal, a gnawing ache in the pit of his stomach.

"Yeah," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jonathan's eyes bore into his, searching for answers. "So what are you going to do? Let it happen?"

Poul hesitated before answering. "Ah Jonathan, the hypothesis that we have discussed where Sara might be here in this world just became a reality...I feel bad for myself after recalling my answers...and I feel like I'm a douche," he said, deflecting the question.

But Jonathan was not deterred. "Sara became a duke's daughter and is to be wed to the Crown Prince of the British Empire. Even if she is not the Sara you know in terms of appearance, deep inside she is still Sara. Do you still have feelings for her? Is the excitement before we died returning when you said to me that you are going to marry her?"

Poul took a deep breath, trying to sort out his thoughts.

"I can feel it gradually returning," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "My heart said not to give her up to that Crown Prince, but I have to confirm one thing first. If Sara has feelings for him first."