Upon his return to the office, Riz found a sealed letter waiting for him on his desk.
The envelope bore the na "Albert Ferron" in neat, elegant handwriting.
It piqued his curiosity as the owner of the na was among the people who were under SIN's surveillance.
Riz carefully broke the seal and unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning the ssage within.
[Your Majesty,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to request the honour of a eting with you to discuss matters of mutual interest. I believe that our cooperation could prove highly beneficial to the kingdom.
I have taken the liberty of arranging a private eting tonight at 'The Golden Cup,' where we can talk freely and explore the possibilities that lie ahead.
The reservation is under my na, and I have ensured complete privacy for our discussion.
Please consider this invitation, and I hope to see you tonight at 8 PM.
Sincerely,
lightsΝοvel.cοm Albert Ferron]
Riz leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful as he considered Albert Ferron's letter. "Well, well," he muttered to himself with a sardonic smile. "I thought he'd co knocking a bit later.
With a decisive nod, he closed the letter. His answer was clear. He will attend the eting tonight. Whatever Albert had in mind, Riz was ready to hear them.
....
After a long day at work, Riz finally returned to his mansion.
As he entered, the mansion bustled with activity as servants moved about efficiently, ensuring that everything ran smoothly.
He exchanged so pleasantries with the loyal staff who attended to his needs before moving to his room.
Upon reaching his private chambers, Riz swiftly shed his formal attire, exchanging it for a plush dressing robe. He then turned to his maid, "Prepare my suit," he instructed her.
His request was t with an inquiring gaze from his wife, Theodora, who had been reading by the window. "Where are you going?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"The Golden Cup, that famous restaurant at the city centre," Riz said succinctly.
Theodora's eyes widened in surprise at his revelation. She had heard rumours about the restaurant's exquisite cuisine, with so claiming it was comparable to the feasts served within the opulent walls of their mansion.
Her curiosity had grown, and she had secretly yearned to visit and verify these claims for herself.
"What?! Why do you tell now?" Theodora asked a mixture of curiosity and a hint of disappointnt in her voice.
Riz, understanding her unspoken desire, clarified his intention. "I'm not going there to enjoy their food, my dear," he explained. "I have a eting with one of the businessn responsible for the recent price increases in our kingdom. It's likely to be a rather tedious affair. You'd probably find it quite boring. I will bring you there in the near future."
Theodora reluctantly gave in to his excuse, but Riz knew he would have to make it up to her later or endure her curious and slightly disappointed gaze for days to co.
As the appointed ti drew nearer, Riz departed from the mansion by carriage.
The night in Bideford was not as brightly lit as in modern tis.
Although there were gas streetlights, they didn't cover every corner of the city. They illuminated only the main roads and the bustling city centre. This ant that most businesses had closed for the night, their storefronts dark and silent.
Only a few well-established and prosperous establishnts could afford the cost of operating late into the evening.
It was a rare occasion for Riz to spend ti outside of his mansion during the night.
Throughout his life, he had preferred the comfort of his ho and chose to relax indoors after straining himself in the dayti.
And so, tonight, he found himself gazing at the nightti scenery of Bideford with a great interest he hadn't felt in a long ti.
The city's atmosphere was different at night, with an air of mystique and quietude that contrasted sharply with its dayti hustle and bustle.
The starry sky stretched above, visible for everyone to see and enjoy. Unfortunately, Riz knew that in the future, this scenery would no longer be available for many people.
As soon as electricity was discovered and readily available for everyone, light pollution would inevitably take its toll on the pristine beauty of the night sky.
The carriage finally pulled up in front of 'The Golden Cup.' The sudden presence of such a grand vehicle sent shockwaves through the people near the entrance.
Like a wave, the ripple of surprise quickly reached the inside of the establishnt.
Riz stepped out of his carriage, his gaze lingering on the signboard for a brief mont before shifting to the people around. Their shock was justified; they clearly hadn't expected to see him here.
Without further ado, he made his way inside the restaurant.
"Hello there," he said as he approached the staff. "Show the table reserved under the na 'Albert Ferron.'"
"Y-yes, Your Majesty," the staff stamred. He was visibly flustered by the king's presence. Nevertheless, he hastily checked the reservations.
After a minute or two, the staff found what he searched for.
"Right this way, please." He led Riz to the reserved table.
Riz followed closely behind the staff. His presence drew curious glances and hushed whispers from the restaurant's patrons.
However, he paid no heed to the attention, his focus squarely on the interior of the high-class restaurant.
The dining area exuded an air of opulence and refinent. Ornate, gilded mirrors adorned the walls, reflecting the soft, warm glow of crystal chandeliers that hung from the high ceiling. Plush curtains in deep burgundy hues frad the tall and arched windows, adding a touch of grandeur to the space. Each mahogany table was ticulously set with polished silverware and crystal glassware.
The attentive staff moved gracefully through the room, attending to the diners with an air of professionalism and discretion. Soft classical music played in the background, creating a soothing backdrop for conversation.
Clearly, every detail of the restaurant had been carefully crafted to provide a morable and luxurious dining experience for its discerning clientele.
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