Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 1440: The Banquet of Reconciliation
Shard originally intended to see Margaret in the study before she made her official appearance. But Miss Sylvia stopped him and asked him to have some confidence in Margaret.
Thus, Shard continued to chat on the sofa with the two Grand Witches and Miss Lathis. During this time, Miss Sylvia curiously wondered whether Shard’s badge would directly scorch his skin when the four Grand Witches appeared together.
And Shard, according to the content in Feliana’s Notes, replied:
"The primary function of this badge is merely to detect whether there are witches nearby. For the witches of the Fifth Era, it is a supplementary means to enhance their own perception. Perhaps the presence of one witch versus three witches would result in different heat, but when the number exceeds three, there’s not much difference."
This means that even if Shard were to wear this badge and one day attend a Council meeting to observe the witches, his badge would not turn into a fire starter.
The conversation did not last long. When Margaret’s personal maid first appeared at the top of the golden staircase winding upwards at the end of the banquet hall, the noise in the hall gradually quieted down.
The band stopped playing, and everyone, including Shard and the others, stood up.
With the maid and attendant officer leading the way, Margaret soon descended from upstairs with Prince William. Shard, familiar with this Southern Nation’s princess, could see a slight trace of worry in her expression. Meanwhile, her brother, His Highness the Prince of the Kingdom, wore a look of satisfaction and even descended the stairs ahead of Margaret.
There were three representatives from the Stonemason Association, but Shard only recognized President Pigman among them. Behind the representatives were lawyers dressed in black formal wear. Margaret’s lawyer was Marquis Berkeley, part of the entourage, while the Stonemason Association’s lawyer was local to Randall Valley.
Although no one called for it, people spontaneously moved towards the direction of the staircase. Elderly nobles with gray hair, sharp-eyed middle-aged gentry with impeccably groomed hair, and glamorous noblewomen in high heels—all looked up towards this generation of the Anjou family’s descendants.
The group descending the stairs finally stopped at the large platform at the corner of the banquet hall, with the stairs continuing down to the left and right of the platform.
"I am honored to invite all of you to this banquet today."
Margaret’s voice was loud and calm, with Prince William standing beside her, wearing a very formal smile. The local press’s cameras began to flash. Margaret looked at everyone below but paused for a moment only by Shard’s side:
"There will be an even grander banquet next week at the shipyard’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the expansion of the Kingdom Navy’s power. I hope you all can attend. As for today..."
She looked towards President Pigman of the Stonemason Association, who immediately walked over to the princess, holding a document under his left arm:
"I am very honored to receive the invitation from Her Highness Margaret and His Highness William to attend this grand event."
"Some might have heard about the minor disputes between the Royal Family and the Randall Valley Stonemason Association. Taking advantage of the presence of local nobles and celebrities today, I would like to announce something."
She paused, her sharp gaze making most people unable to meet her eyes. Shard was not very familiar with this state of Margaret, but he had to admit, even in such a serious occasion, she was still very beautiful:
"The safety incident at the Royal Mausoleum caused by the storm over a decade ago has, after decades of long negotiations and mutual understanding, reached a formal reconciliation today. The Royal Family will compensate the delayed construction payments, interest calculated by the bank, and other losses caused by it, while the Stonemason Association will continue the unfinished projects from back then, extending their contract with the Royal Family."
Prince William smiled and added, appearing much more relaxed compared to the serious Margaret, forming a stark contrast with his sister:
"In addition, Margaret and I will fund the construction of a stonemason statue in Saint Maria Square in the center of Randall Valley City to commemorate this reconciliation. Next to the statue will stand a stele, recording the friendship between the Royal Family and the Randall Valley Stonemason Association, with subsequent maintenance funded by the local City Hall."
"That’s a great idea."
Shard whispered to Miss Benanis beside him, who whispered back:
"This was inspired by the statue you gave to the Little Princess of the Northern Country as a birthday gift."
The statue of the broken-arm was photographed by reporters after the birthday party and published in the Tobesk newspapers. Because of Shard’s relationship with Miss Galina, the gossip about the statue with the knight and the princess quickly spread to Carsonrick, so even the nobility of Randall Valley knew about it.
After all, discussing gossip about a neighboring princess and the Grand Duchess is one way the nobility highlights their identity and enhances their social status.
"Moreover, as a testament to our friendship, today I will donate this contract to the Stonemason Association, and may our friendship endure."
Margaret took the share agreement belonging to Mr. Johnson Fleming, the founder of the Stonemason Association, from her maid’s hand.
She showed it to the audience below and explained the contents of this ancient contract. Aside from Shard and the witches, no one else knew about it beforehand, making the guests below genuinely surprised.
"Finally, the Royal Family will further collaborate with the Randall Valley Stonemason Association."
Prince William said with a smile:
"We will jointly develop a large-scale mining site with the Stonemason Association. As for what that mining site specifically is, please allow me to keep it confidential for now, but you will probably get the news in a little over a month."
Since there have been rumors about a gold mine circulating in Randall Valley in recent months, most of the gossiping guests speculated it to be a gold mine. Guests with more insights, like Earl Granger, knew that Prince William was collaborating with Ston Osenfort to develop an offshore silver mine, leading them to speculate that the mining site might be a silver mine.
Shard whispered to Miss Sylvia, who had just arrived in Randall Valley:
"The silver mine offshore is a demonic conspiracy, the Xerxes Higher Medical Academy has even figured it out. Here is a gold mine, and the local gold mine’s legend is true."
Miss Sylvia clapped as she asked:
"I heard from Vanessa about your first visit to the Night Shrine. But although the mine veins are near the shrine, haven’t they yet been found?"
"But there’s a high probability it exists, so it counts as a bargaining chip."
By this time, applause had flooded the banquet hall. Margaret extended her gloved hand to shake with President Pigman of the Stonemason Guild, as the smoke from magnesium flashlights made the hall seem hazy.
"Margaret decided that after affairs in Randall Valley conclude, she will cooperate with the local Church to look for gold mines. By then, the Royal Family, local Church, and Stonemason Guild will each hold a share."
Miss Benanis looked at Shard with some concern:
"I know the gold mine is ours to find, especially since the cubus in your hand played a decisive role, so the gold mine should belong to you. Therefore, Margaret will take out fifteen percent of the shares, giving you eight percent and me seven percent... She just said she wanted to apologize to you, this decision was only made yesterday and she hadn’t had the chance to tell you." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
"It’s fine, I didn’t provide capital or manpower, getting eight percent of the shares for nothing is already quite good."
Shard said, as Miss Sylvia continued:
"Knowing Margaret, she will compensate you with other things."
As she said this, Miss Lathis and Miss Benanis looked over, Miss Sylvia thought for a moment, her face slightly reddening:
"What are you thinking? She also has her own assets, giving Shard some fixed assets that generate income isn’t a difficult task. As for Vanessa, if a gold mine is indeed discovered, you’ll only have seven percent."
"It’s alright, I did nothing; this money is like it fell from the sky... Can I get paid directly in gold? I prefer gold."
The witch joked amidst the applause.
"But speaking of which, apart from Princess Margaret’s own efforts and negotiations, Shard also played a significant role in these affairs."
All four looked up together at Margaret, who was signing the agreement. Miss Lathis said softly:
"The statue, ancient documents, gold mine. All three things are related to Shard, yet for him, they are just things he can do or not do. These three things provided distinct help for Her Highness the Princess, leading to this nearly perfect conclusion."
"Optional tasks must be done."
The Outlander muttered to himself in words only he could understand, watching the elegantly dressed Margaret put down the fountain pen, with a determined, radiant gaze, even with a hint of arrogance under the crystal chandelier:
"She’s so beautiful."
Shard praised softly, his voice drowned out by the loud conversations and applause of the people.
"It’s not just beauty."
Miss Sylvia heard and remarked:
"In court politics, tonight’s events hold great significance. Margaret, without the King’s decision, proactively represented the Royal Family and resolved a major issue related to the Royal Family’s dignity. Since ’Lion Ryan’ the King did not object and even provided support, many might interpret this differently."
"My apprentice seems to have quite the ambition indeed."
The Blonde Witch also remarked, slightly raising her head to look at the high-standing Princess, a slight arrogance in her tone:
"But this makes things more interesting."
Miss Lathis chuckled lightly:
"Vanessa, have you finally found new fun?"
The three glamorous ladies stood together, as if the spotlight directly illuminated them. Shard held a wine glass, looking at Margaret beside them; tonight might be a crucial day in Her Highness the Princess’s life, but for the witches, it might just be slightly different.
