CHAPTER 31: PETITION

London, Mid-Spring 1784.

The morning after the demonstration ride, Phillip Wellington found himself standing in the antechamber of the House of Commons, coat brushed, expression composed—but his stomach knotted tighter than he cared to admit.

Henry stood beside him, arms folded.

"You look like you’re about to sit for an examination," Henry muttered.

Phillip exhaled. "In a way... I am."

Henry smirked. "Well, at least you’re not a politician. Those men thrive on these halls like weeds."

Phillip gave a quiet laugh, but his mind remained far ahead—on Fonseine, on the petition in his coat pocket, and on Crown Prince Adrien’s steady, earnest voice from the day before.

Britain need not fear Fonseine... if Britain chooses cooperation over suspicion.

Phillip did not often put faith in foreign heirs.

But Adrien de Montclair was not ordinary.

And the future would require men who could see beyond borders.

The chamber buzzed with voices when Phillip entered. MPs crowded the benches, clerks scurried with stacks of parchment, journalists sharpened quills in anticipation.

The Speaker struck the gavel.

"Order, gentlemen. The next item—Imperial Dynamics’ petition concerning foreign rail contracts."

A rustle swept through the room.

Prime Minister Whitby signaled Phillip forward.

Phillip stepped to the center, unrolled the parchment, and read aloud with practiced calm:

"Petition: To request Parliamentary review of the Fonseine–British Railway Accord, a commercial treaty enabling the export of limited rail technology under direct Crown oversight, and permitting the construction of a demonstration line in Montfleur."

The Speaker nodded.

Phillip continued, "His Highness Crown Prince Adrien de Montclair seeks cooperation, not replication. He does not request blueprints, patents, or unfettered access. Only supervised purchase of rails, one demonstration engine, and technical observation within the boundaries of the Safeguards Act."

Whispers ran through the benches—some skeptical, some curious.

Phillip pressed on.

"Fonseine is not Granzreich. They do not come demanding freight engines or artillery carriers. And they are not Orosk, attempting to pry secrets through proxies. Fonseine’s request is measured, restrained, and for peaceful trade."

An older MP stood—Mr. Ashcombe of Devon, a frequent critic.

"And you trust this prince?" Ashcombe asked sharply. "A foreign heir with ambition in his blood?"

Phillip met his gaze firmly.

"No, sir. I trust his intentions as he has presented them. And more importantly—I trust Britain’s safeguards."

Another MP rose. "If we approve this, we open the door for more requests. Where do we draw the line?"

Phillip replied without hesitation, "We draw it where Britain retains control. The Safeguards Act ensures that control. And Fonseine’s proposal respects it."

A murmur of approval followed.

Prime Minister Whitby spoke next, voice steady:

"Lord Wellington has presented a cautious yet promising avenue for strengthening ties with Fonseine. The Crown supports further review."

But others were still uneasy.

A stout MP from the industrial north stood.

"What guarantee have we that Fonseine won’t use this engine to replicate your boiler design, even under supervision?"

Phillip allowed himself a faint smile.

"They can observe the engine, gentlemen. They cannot observe what exists only in the hands of my engineers."

He held up a small iron plate—one of the precision-forged parts used in Imperial Dynamics’ high-pressure valves.

"This piece," he said, "cannot be copied without the furnace techniques used in Shropshire, the specialized alloy mix from Manchester, and the pressure-cycling calculations developed by my team. They may admire our engines. They may even dismantle them. But reverse-engineering an entire system is far beyond simple replication."

Several MPs nodded.

Henry, watching from the gallery, whispered to a clerk, "Told you. He’s better than half the ministers here."

Finally, Whitby raised his hand.

"Let the House proceed to review. The Committee on Foreign Trade will draft the official response."

The gavel fell.

Session adjourned.

The next two days were a flurry of paperwork, hearings, and private consultations.

Phillip met with the Committee three times, answering every question—technical, political, economic—with precision.

"Fonseine offers steady supplies of timber, wine, dyes, and iron ore."

"Yes, all exports remain under British inspection."

"No, they will not receive access to our high-pressure boiler calculations."

"Yes, every engineer who accompanies the engine will be British."

"No, the rails cannot be re-exported."

Each response strengthened the proposal’s footing.

By the third meeting, even skeptical MPs began to soften.

Chairman Alderton closed his ledger at last.

"Well, Lord Wellington... your petition is sound. Moderate. Beneficial. And frankly—less reckless than most of our foreign dealings."

Phillip permitted a small, weary smile.

"So the Committee approves?"

Alderton nodded.

"With conditions. And oversight."

"Of course."

Henry clapped him on the shoulder as they exited the chamber.

"You did it, Phillip. You actually convinced them."

Phillip shook his head. "Not yet. There is still one step."

Four days later, in the grand hall of the Royal Engineering Exchange, the final documents were laid out beneath the gilded crest of the British Crown.

The Fonseine delegation arrived promptly—Adrien at their head, dressed in a tailored coat of deep navy, silver embroidery catching the lantern light.

Phillip stood waiting beside Whitby and the Committee members.

Adrien approached with a dignified nod.

"Lord Wellington. I see Parliament listened to reason."

Phillip smiled faintly. "Reason... aided by persistence."

Whitby stepped forward.

"Your Highness, the British government has approved the preliminary agreement. A controlled export of one demonstration engine, fifteen miles of rail, and a supervised technical team."

A flicker of genuine relief passed over Adrien’s expression.

"Britain has chosen wisely. Fonseine will honor this partnership."

The documents were arranged on the table.

Phillip signed first—his name crisp and deliberate.

Whitby signed next, followed by the Committee members.

Then Adrien took the quill.

The hall quieted.

With a steady hand, he signed:

Adrien de Montclair

Crown Prince of Fonseine

The wax seal of the British Crown was pressed on one side.

The lilies of Fonseine pressed beside it.

Two symbols.

Two nations.

On a single treaty.

Applause rose gently around the room.

Adrien turned to Phillip, offering his hand.

"Lord Wellington... let this be the first rail laid between our nations."

Phillip clasped it firmly.

"And not the last."

Henry whispered from behind, "Well, that’s history made. Quietly, too. No cannons. No shouting. Just ink and reason."

Phillip allowed himself a rare moment of calm.