On Saturday morning, Charlton went to Columbia's to meet with viscount Roger Grimmauld. Roger was an easy-going man who was about the age of 35. As a viscount, he does not have his own fief but has a vital role in running a county. Basically, his role was to administer justice and collect taxes and revenues, practically acting as a castellan for the Earl of Rosenburgh.

"Thank you again, Producer Daniel. It has been a pleasure working with you." Viscount Roger Grimmauld said after they finished working on the instrumentals of the song he composed. Despite him being more than a decade older than Charlton, he could not help but admire him for his talent and humility.

Charlton smiled and nodded his head as he replied, "You're welcome, and the pleasure is all mine, Lord Grimmauld. Will you be heading back to Rosenburgh later?"

"Please, just call me Roger. And yes, sadly, I need to start fulfilling my duties again starting Monday. To be honest, I like the days when we have to head here in the capital for the first week's session, for me, it's like a vacation. Don't tell anyone that though." He said as he laughed.

Charlton chuckled, "No worries, your secret is safe with me. But I'm curious, isn't the court divided these days? I mean, it's good that you don't feel any pressure from that."

"Hmm… well, that's only for those people who has great influence or ambitions. Me, I don't have any of those, so I don't bother with that. Uh… I don't mean anything negative with their cause of course, I just personally think that going with the flow is also swell."

"It's good that you can afford to remain neutral in that sense then."

"Indeed. If I were to be forced to choose a side, I would not know what to do. You will be joining the house next year am I correct?

"Yes, and like you, I too hope that I could just get by and not be forced to take a side."

Roger shook his head as he sighed. Charlton was the nephew of the king, he should be default monarchist, but that isn't exactly a good thing. So, he understands his sentiment "Good luck with that. A lot of the other nobles in court who are still neutral are wishing to remain so. But the last three years was like a tug of war."

"Don't people who are neutral congregate and fight for their right to be… well, neutral?" Charlton chuckled as he asked jokingly. 

Roger laughed, "I don't know about that, but that's highly unlikely. I do think that it's a good idea though."

Charlton just smiled back. After that, they talked some more about other matters of daily interest until it was time to say goodbye.

--

When the Viscount left, Charlton sighed. He tried to probe him more regarding the neutral group and came up with nothing. Not that the viscount was hiding something, rather he figured that he, and perhaps most of the people who are practicing neutrality in court, were scattered and just does whatever without a real shared goal or sentiment on how they can protect their own interest, not to mention how they want their kingdom to progress.

In other words, he doesn't need to penetrate the group as such 'groupness' does not exist or if it does, it must be very minor. Charlton pinched the bridge of his nose as he took a deep breath. That was already within his expectations, but in some way, he was still disappointed. Gathering everyone would be quite difficult if they do not hold the same interest.

Nevertheless, right now, the only thing he can do was to ensure that he gains enough rapport with the others so that he would be able to execute his plan of assembling the nobles who are neutral in court to become a group which he can influence in the future.

--

The next day was Sunday, but Charlton did not really have time to slack. Really, all he wanted to do was ride the ship to Militeia and spend 3 heavenly nights with the woman he loves. But he still must correspond and meet with his business partners to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Although he only has 20% share with each, he wanted them to succeed. Aside from that, helping them was also serving his personal interest.

Being hands on with the businesses would enable him to build rapport with other nobles by letting him reach out and connect with them without seemingly having any political motive.

In addition, since his target is to become indispensable, he needs to become influential. To be so, he must give a favorable impression and project that there is more to him than his birthright and musical prowess.

In line with these, he needs the businesses to become successful. For whether he likes it or not, their performance would reflect on his person. The more successful they become, the better his image would be and vice versa.

--

Earlier, Edward handed him the envelopes from Howard and Scott. He first opened Scott's. Inside was the draft contract and a letter. In his letter, he was inviting him to do an ocular and see the great eastern himself. It would be ready to launch that coming August. Placing the letter down, he estimated that given the time and location, he could do that on his way back to Suffox.

After reading Scott's letter, he opened the envelope Howard sent. Inside was a letter, a draft contract, and his company profile. In his letter, he expressed the same sentiment Scott did.

Charlton sighed in relief. Thankfully, the invites the two gave were convenient as their location was on his way back to Suffox. He can just make a stop-over and meet with them.

Anyway, he started to read through the draft contracts until the butler informed him that his guest, Thomas Brassey, has arrived.

Charlton sighed as he placed the documents back inside the envelope.

"Please, let him in."

--

TBC

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