Vijay had returned to Bengaluru nearly a week ago and had been waiting for Peter to contact him. He already knew the Grand Duke of Russia would be visiting the Bharatiya Empire — the Ministry of External Affairs had informed him, and Peter himself had written a personal letter. From the start, Vijay expected the purpose of the visit would be to discuss the Kesari steam engine. It was only a matter of time before foreign powers took a serious interest.
But then, a new detail changed everything.
Peter wasn't coming alone. He was bringing his family.
That was unexpected. Diplomats and generals came with entourages — not wives and daughters. And certainly not when the matter at hand was just industrial negotiation.
For the first time, Vijay wondered if Peter had something else in mind. A marriage proposal?
