Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World

"To be honest, I'm quite curious about the topic we are going to discuss, Miss Caroline," Jonathan chuckled nervously as they walked side-by-side with her around the park.

"Drop the formalities, Sir Jonathan, we are about the same age," Caroline said, looking around and taking all the sight into her eyes. "Caroline would do."

"Then I would also ask you to do the same. Call me Jonathan."

"Okay then, Jonathan. As you are already curious, I will stop beating around the bush and tell it straight to you."

"I'm all ears."

"Jonathan, where are you from?"

Jonathan raised a brow after hearing her question. He was expecting an unexpected question. Though the question itself is unexpected, not this kind of question. Nevertheless, he still answered.

"We are from Ohio. Didn't Miss Amelia tell you that?"

"Oh she did, but that's not the answer I'm looking for," Caroline said, stopping in her tracks. The gentle and sweet aura around her disappeared and turned into a foreboding and serious one. "I did say that I was going to be direct, so I'm going to rephrase my question."

Jonathan halted as well and is slightly feeling nervous about the sudden change of demeanor. He hasn't done anything to her yet but why is she being serious?

"You and Poul, you are not from this world, are you?" Amelia's gaze flickered at Jonathan's, gleaming coldly.

Jonathan's eyes widened, and his face turned pale. "Miss Caroline…"

"I can see it through your veneer, the answer that I'm looking for. You two aren't really from this world."

Jonathan impulsively grabbed her by the arm, his grip was tight, making Caroline wince in slight pain.

"How did you know?" Jonathan uttered.

"It's obvious," Caroline answered simply, they stared at one another as if they were in a staring contest. "Please, remove your hand, Jonathan. You are hurting me…"

Jonathan released his grip and promptly apologized. "Sorry. I was shocked by your question, making me do just that."

Caroline's demeanor returned to a gentle one again. "It's fine, the question was too direct. Anyone would have acted irrationally especially when someone found out your secrets, am I right?"

"Still, how did you know?" Jonathan asked.

"So you are admitting to it easily huh?" Caroline said, raising a brow.

Jonathan nodded, confirming her suspicion.

"As expected," Caroline smirked inwardly. "Now that we are on the topic I intended for us to talk about, let's keep walking. Otherwise, the other two might get too wary."

With that, Jonathan and Caroline resumed walking, this time, tensed.

"So, how did you know?"

"Normally, people in this era would tell their profession if they have documents and certifications supporting it. You two have none. I have made some investigation prior to meeting you here. I was surprised to hear it by myself, you saying that you are a civil engineer, even though there are no records about you graduating from any university. The same goes for Poul Nielsen, especially in that silver hair of his. In this country, discrimination is rampant towards albians and colored people, making it hard for them to be admitted in a formal university offering those courses…"

"So, you have deduced our origin based on that? What if you are wrong? What if we are just talented. After all, not all inventors in this world went to university."

"I know, that's presumptuous for me to say. It is possible, but not for the two of you. In two years, you and your partner have invented an automatic air brake system, a locomotive draft gear, switch and signaling systems. All of which are revolutionary in railway technology. All of them are working perfectly without much having to improve it. I'm sure you have many. You met the parallel Thomas Edison of this world. Are you getting into the electric industry as well?"

"Honestly, I could say the same thing to you. There's no way a kid started a business that is now one of the richest in the world. Are we, by any chance, experiencing the same case?"

"Good, you're pretty quick to catch on. Yes, I'm also not from this world. I came from the 21st, but not in the same world as this. A parallel, if you might say. I'm a chemical engineer. In the past, I have used my knowledge to develop a wide range of personal care products because I loathe personal care products that are laced with mercury, arsenic, and other toxins. Has this become fair to you, telling me that I'm not from this world?"

Jonathan nodded a response. So there are like them in this world. Poul had suspicions about it when he read certain newspapers about the British duchess performing miracles in England, even going as far as to assume that she was like them, not from this world. The possibility existed, and now it just turned into a fact.

"Tell me about yourself, Jonathan. The real you, before you took the new persona," Caroline said.

"Hmm…My name is the same as the ones I had from my world. I'm a civil and structural engineer from Denmark."

"Tell me, Jonathan. Are you the best civil engineer there is in your country?"

"I have two master's degrees, which are civil and structural, and I have been involved in many projects, from building bridges, roads, skyscrapers, tunnels, and even railways, which was the project we are working on before we die."

"Hoh," Caroline mused. "I must say, you are amazing. What about Poul?"

"Poul is a mechanical and electrical engineer. Just like me, he has two master's and is a renowned engineer in our world. His name is the same as from our original world."

"A civil and structural engineer, and a mechanical and electrical engineer working together. You make a good pair," Caroline observed.

"Well, you can say that," Jonathan sighed. "This is kind of getting unusual, two of us speaking about this subject if you know what I mean."

"Yeah, it's quite out of place and out of this world," Caroline chuckled. "Well, I'm glad that I'm not the only one."

"Not the only one?" Jonathan tilted his head to the side. "Are you saying that this is your first encounter?"

"Yes. That's why I'm glad that I have found somebody who experienced a phenomenon such as this."

"So Amelia is…"

"She's a denizen of this world. Amelia has been working for me since childhood. She must have been amazed by me to the point she wanted to follow me along my journey in this world. It's best that we keep this matter a secret from her. You can tell what you have discovered to Poul later. For now, we act as if nothing happened, and enjoy our walk."

"Alright, but under the condition that you tell me about yourself. It's only fair don't you think?"

"Well, my name was not Caroline but Lena. I'm from Germany. Before I ended up here, I used to work at BASF as a chemical engineer."

"Masters?"

"Ph.D.," Caroline corrected.

"You are an impressive individual as well."

"Thank you for the compliment. Though there is a reason why I'm saying this all to you, Jonathan. I wanted to offer the two of you something."

"Which is what?"

"Why don't you two work for me? Together we can bring more to this world using our modern knowledge and my treasuries. Are you satisfied with only building air brakes for the rest of your life?"

Jonathan scoffed softly. "This is not something I can decide alone. And I don't think Poul is going to accept working under someone either. He'd prefer to work only with me, as we have promised, we will become the top of this world."

"Did I just get rejected?" Caroline asked.

"Yes, you are but thank you for the offer. We can pretty much take care of ourselves."

"That's sad. I would prefer to work with you as I think we can achieve a lot more. But I can't just force it right? Just be careful who you are working with, especially Morgan. He might be undermining and subverting both of you without you realizing it. Keep an eye on him. You don't know the true nature of the financiers of this world."

"Thank you for the heads-up," Jonathan said.

"We should get back now. I have brought us something to eat together," Caroline suggested. "Remember, keep it a secret. Don't mention anything about our true story with her around. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Jonathan assured her.

Caroline giggled. "I'm sure our conversation has changed your impression of me. So if you were charmed back then, you won't now."

"I don't think my impression of you has changed," Jonathan said daringly. "After hearing the truth, you just made me like you even more. Even with our modern knowledge, it's no easy feat to apply our knowledge in real-life, especially when we are making it from scratch without the aid of modern technology. Not everyone can do that, you know? Where you have to recall everything you have learned as you concoct lotions step by step. It's simply amazing."

Caroline's cheek reddened slightly, and she smiled subtly.

"Thank...you," Caroline said bashfully.

Jonathan glanced in her direction and noticed her cheek and ears were red. It seems like his words are working.

And then, minutes later, they arrived at the fountain. Poul and Amelia were sitting on a bench, waving their hands at the pair.

"Hoh? What is this I'm sensing?" Poul asked teasingly as he looked at the pair.

"It's your imagination," Jonathan said, dismissing the topic. "Anyways, Caroline said that she brought food, might as well eat it here before the rain comes."

"I'm going to get it," Amelia said as she stood.

"I'll come with you," Poul offered as he rose to his feet. "Let me help you."

"Thank you. Please follow me."