The Lighting Ceremony Part 2

For several long seconds, nobody inside the carriage spoke.

The only sounds came from the distant rhythm of the steam engines hidden inside the power station and the growing murmur of hundreds of residents gathering beneath the newly illuminated streets.

King Edward remained standing.

His eyes followed the row of lamps stretching farther down the avenue as each one awakened in perfect sequence.

The light itself was unlike anything he had seen before.

Oil lamps produced a warm glow that flickered with every breeze.

Candles danced constantly, their flames forever shifting.

These did neither.

The electric lamps shone with quiet confidence.

Lord Ashford slowly closed his notebook.

"I finally understand."

Ernest looked toward him.

"What do you understand?"

"Why you insisted on demonstrating an entire community instead of a single building."

The Prime Minister swept his gaze across the marketplace.