Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow into the room. I had just woken and was still sitting on the edge of the bed when a knock came at the door.
I rose slowly, adjusted the cuffs of my shirt, and called out,
"Who is it?"
A voice answered from the other side of the closed door.
"It is I, my lord… Liam Thornton, your Security Advisor."
I drew a deep breath and glanced at the clock in the room.
Muttering under my breath,
"Eight in the morning…"
I walked to the desk, leaned against it, and said,
"You may enter."
The doors opened quietly. Liam Thornton stepped inside—dressed differently from usual. A long black coat, dark brown waistcoat, formal black trousers, and a top hat with a red ribbon.
After entering, he bowed his head slightly.
"My lord… as per your orders… I am prepared to depart in search of the three books you requested."
I gave a small smile, lowered my gaze for a moment, then moved behind the desk and sat in the leather chair.
I opened one of the drawers, withdrew a single sheet of paper, placed it on the desk, and said,
"On this sheet, I am writing your current identity… But be careful—this document is only valid within the maritime borders of Britain. Once you leave, tear it up."
Liam stared at me in mild surprise.
"Is this necessary, my lord?"
I raised one finger slightly and tapped it on the paper.
"Precisely. You must travel under a false identity while searching for those three books in foreign lands. If you are discovered, I will have to bear the consequences."
Liam looked at me for a moment, then placed his hand on the opposite side of the sheet.
"Yes, my lord… I understand."
I smiled faintly and pulled the paper slightly toward myself. With the fountain pen I wrote the name Liam Thornton, along with a fabricated date and place of birth, and a few additional details. At the bottom I presented myself as a merchant guaranteeing him under a different name. I pressed an ordinary seal—without the Montagu crest—at the end and handed the document directly to him.
"This… is your current identity. An inexperienced merchant making his first journey to a nearby country. Nothing more."
Liam took the paper, gave a small smile, and said,
"Yes, my lord… Understood."
I stared at him for a moment.
"By the way… have you purchased your ticket?"
Liam produced a gentle smile.
"Yes, my lord. After you left for the wedding last night, I went to one of the ticket offices and secured passage."
I rose from the leather chair and walked toward him.
"Where does the ticket you bought take you?"
Liam pulled the ticket from his coat pocket, glanced at it, and answered,
"To the Kingdom of Lothier. Why?"
I stared at him.
My hand rose instinctively to cover my mouth as I murmured,
"Nothing… nothing at all."
But inside, my mind raced.
If my memory was correct, several months ago—when I first examined a world map in this reality—I noticed that most country names were different. Even Britain appeared on global maps as the Great Kingdom; "Britain" was merely the local name.
And if I remembered correctly… the Kingdom of Lothier was France.
Suddenly I lowered my hand and—without thinking—spoke my thoughts aloud.
"Great Union of Eldoria…"
My eyes widened the instant the words left my mouth.
Liam looked at me in surprise.
"My lord… why did you speak the name of the continent aloud?"
I forced a small smile.
"It's nothing. You may go. I hope you find those books."
Liam studied me for a moment.
"My lord… if something is troubling you, you can tell me."
I waved my right hand left and right.
"No, nothing in particular. You may leave."
Liam bowed his head quietly and exited the room with slow, measured steps.
Once again, I was alone.
I turned back to the window and stared at Big Ben.
It seemed like an entirely ordinary day.
Too ordinary.
Only the sky was slightly overcast.
I ran a hand through my hair and muttered under my breath,
"Here… it rains in every season. I've barely gotten used to it…"
I smirked and lowered my head.
A few minutes later…
Liam Thornton left the manor, carrying a fairly large leather satchel.
Before departing, he turned back and looked up at the building. He removed his hat, held it against his chest, bowed his head slightly, then replaced the hat.
He smiled faintly and walked toward the streets of Carlton House Terrace.
Perhaps he would find a carriage—or perhaps he would have to walk all the way to Royal Victoria Dock.
It was still early morning. Mist clung to the cobblestones. Gas lamps flickered out one by one as the sun rose higher.
But Liam wore a smile—as though this journey represented freedom to him.
An ordinary morning had begun.
A morning when ordinary people woke, went to work, sat at their desks.
But behind the scenes—was everything truly proceeding normally?
Probably not.
Behind the curtain, things always go badly for everyone.
Even for one of the four great dukes.
───────────────────────────
The hour hand of Big Ben advanced one more notch.
Ten o'clock in the morning.
Liam was no longer in London. His journey had begun.
Elias was discussing the day's plans with William Helms and Frederick Clayton.
Meanwhile, the City of London was far busier than usual.
The talks between King George V and the Ming trade delegation had gone smoothly. A royal reception now seemed likely.
Great merchants from the Ming delegation were already making commercial purchases across various parts of the city.
But for Elias, today felt strange.
No clatter of numerous carriages. No hum of people outside.
The silence that had reigned since early morning was unnerving. The quiet of Carlton House Terrace's streets felt more unsettling to Elias than an explosion ever could.
Perhaps this silence was because of a fountain pen?
Yes—why not?
Events are always written with a fountain pen…