Chapter 28

Charcoal had been in use for a long time, mainly in the large kitchens of noble mansions and restaurants.

Marianne had been thinking about making it available for use in households, but the spread of coal was faster.

The up-and-coming coal import company "Swallow" imported a large amount at once and partnered with the delivery department of the postal company run by Marianne's family to deliver coal to households.

"Swallow, they're really something. If we had come up with this system, our family could have secured an unshakable position in the country's economic world. Don't you think so, Marianne?"

"You're too greedy, sister," Marianne chided her sister with a wry smile, but she was also impressed by Swallow's thorough approach.

Today, Marianne was burning the coal she had just obtained in the kitchen stove. It took a bit of skill to light it, but once it caught fire, it quickly boiled water with a strong flame.

While burning the coal, Marianne was scolded by Katarina in a commoner-like manner, "It's a waste of coal and fire."

The water in the large pot was boiling, and the lid was dancing with a clattering sound.

Marianne watched the pot for a long time, drinking tea and nibbling on baked goods. She occasionally stood up to add water to the pot and continued to watch.

Suddenly, Marianne made her chair creak as she stood up, took a bundle of paper and a pen hanging on the wall of the kitchen, and began to draw, thinking and drawing, thinking and drawing, to complete some kind of diagram.

"That's right. I've always wondered about this. When you keep boiling water, it decreases, and in the end, the kettle or pot becomes empty. Where does the water go? I've been curious about this since I was a child."

"What? What's the matter? Did you come up with something, Marianne?"

"The water turns into steam, and the steam, which is invisible, moves the lid and escapes! It's like a gas!"

"Gas, I think, comes from volcanoes or rotten ponds, doesn't it? There's no smell from the boiling water, though."

"Maybe it's a gas without a smell. After all, it originally comes from water."

After that, Marianne locked herself in her room and continued to think.

The next day, a blacksmith was called to the mansion and was embarrassed. Marianne and the blacksmith talked endlessly.

The blacksmith and Marianne were unusually excited, speaking quickly and repeatedly drawing diagrams.

One day, after such discussions, the blacksmith arrived by carriage. He and his apprentice carefully lowered a heavy object and removed the cover in front of Marianne.

An iron arm extended from a cylindrical container. It was a shape she had never seen before.

"Amazing! Let's try it out right away!"

From that day on, more than three weeks passed.

The blacksmith, his apprentice, Marianne, and the carriage maker worked on "it" from morning till night.

□ □ □ □ □

It was a sunny afternoon.

Marianne's father David, mother Florence, sister Katarina, and many servants gathered to witness the unveiling of "it."

A board large enough for two adults was attached to four small wooden wheels, smaller than those of a carriage. An iron arm was fixed to the rear iron axle.

Coal, about the size of an adult's arm, was burning red inside the iron cylinder. Water was poured into the upper container, which resembled a pot, and the lid was closed.

The water inlet was tightly sealed with a special tool, and the preparation was complete.

Soon, the iron arm connected to the cylinder began to move. The up-and-down motion was converted into forward motion through a combination of gears.

The board Marianne was standing on started to move forward slowly. Marianne stood on the board with a tense expression, holding a steering-like device.

With a continuous hissing sound, the vehicle started to move smoothly.

"Wow!"

Everyone moved with the vehicle. The speed was such that an adult could barely keep up by running, but it continued to move steadily, circling the carriage rotary.

As the people around the rotary, out of breath, crouched down, the vehicle continued to circle in front of them, their mouths agape in amazement but with expressions of pure delight.

Marianne, with her golden hair flowing, was laughing heartily as she steered. The blacksmith, his apprentice, and the carriage maker were also laughing at the sight.

Eventually, Marianne pulled a wooden lever, and "it" stopped with a hiss of white steam.

The birth of the self-propelled vehicle.

"This is... amazing," her father exclaimed.

"Is it safe?" her mother worried.

Her sister imagined the future it would bring.

Everyone gathered around, asking Marianne and the development team various questions, creating a lively atmosphere.

Then, a bright male voice echoed through the rotary.

"Marianne! This is incredible!"

A tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed man got off the carriage and looked at Marianne.

"Lord Alexander?"

"Yes, I returned this morning. It's been a long time, Marianne!"

They ran to each other and stopped within arm's reach.

"Lord Alexander, welcome back! You've grown so tall!"

In the four years they hadn't seen each other, Alexander had turned 20 and was a head and a half taller than Marianne. He was a tall, slender man.

"You've grown a lot too, Marianne," he said, his expression soft as he looked at her with narrowed eyes.

"I'm already fifteen!" Marianne laughed, lifting her chin and placing her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest.