Royal Charter Part 3

For several seconds after Ernest revealed the proposed national railway standard, silence hung heavy over the Royal Council Chamber.

The number sat plainly at the center of the drawing: 1,435 millimeters.

To the ministers assembled around the long mahogany table, the dimension appeared almost absurdly hyper-specific. The Minister of Agriculture eventually leaned in, squinting at the precise figure.

"One thousand four hundred and thirty-five?" the Minister asked.

"Yes," Ernest confirmed.

"Not fourteen hundred?"

"No."

"Not fifteen hundred?"

"No."

The Minister frowned, looking up. "Why such an arbitrary figure?"

Ernest offered a faint, measured smile. "Because railways become exponentially more expensive when every regional engineer decides to invent his own gauge."

That earned several puzzled glances. The Minister of Justice folded his hands across his portfolio. "Elaborate, Baron."