Chapter 647 Confession
After temporarily parting with Tilly, Roland devoted all his time to transcribing information. (Visit #……Net)
First were the basic courses for each subject. The textbooks he had previously written from memory were incomplete. Now that he had the opportunity to reorganize the content hidden deep in his consciousness, he naturally had to fill in the missing parts.
Second were the blueprints for the Winterfell's active equipment. There was still quite a difference between usable and good. Utilizing these mature designs could further improve the efficiency of steam engines and machine tools.
Under the guidance of the new blueprints, Anna finally completed the prototype of the first steam turbine.
Unlike the ways of accompanying girls in his previous life, after receiving the news, Roland rushed to the backyard of the North Slope. The two sat side by side on the workbench in the yard, admiring this behemoth together.
It was nearly six meters long, and the dense impeller was tightly fitted with the outer shell, making it look like a giant metal cylinder. Externally, it was connected to a preheating boiler and a steam boiler. Under the heating of coal, the main shaft was driven to rotate by high-pressure steam. Whether it was efficiency, noise, or vibration, it was much better than reciprocating steam engines.
As a new generation of power source, the prototype would be used on sea ships to meet Thunder's exploration needs.
Unfortunately, despite its wide range of uses, the factory would have difficulty acquiring the ability to process steam turbines in a short period of time. In addition, Anna would soon be involved in improving machine tools, so there would be no second steam turbine for the time being.
"How is it?" She turned sideways, resting her chin on Roland's jaw, "I'm amazing, right?"
Anna was also different from most girls. She was happiest when she turned blueprints into reality. Whenever she completed a major project, her joy and satisfaction were always undisguised on her face.
It was clear that Anna was very fond of her current life.
"Of course, second only to me," Roland said with a smile, wiping the dirt off her cheek, leaving a faint gray mark.
Every time he saw her clear, transparent lake-blue eyes, the words he had promised Nightingale reached his lips but were swallowed back. Although he had made up his mind to confess to her, it was only when he actually tried to do it that he realized how difficult it was.
No matter what excuse he gave himself, it couldn't lighten the weight.
In the past few days, he had been constantly transcribing books and sketches, also wanting to fill his free time with work and avoid idle fantasies.
But procrastination was also a kind of harm, especially to Nightingale, who was full of expectations.
He couldn't keep running away.
As the boiler gradually cooled and the steam turbine stopped running, Roland took a deep breath, leaned close to Anna's ear, and whispered, "Come to my bedroom tonight, I have something to tell you."
……
After nightfall, he sat at his desk, able to hear his heart pounding.
"This era is not like modern society, no one would care if a nobleman has several women."
"I'm just acting according to my heart."
"No one would find it unreasonable."
Reasons kept popping up in Roland's mind, only to be rejected by himself one by one, as if there were two consciousnesses fighting each other in his head. He wanted to finish the last bit of content he hadn't transcribed, but he just held the pen, unable to write a single word for a long time.
Until Anna pushed open the door.
The arguing voices in his head disappeared without a trace, and he put down the quill, focusing his attention on the girl.
She looked the same as usual, wearing loose pajamas, her still slightly damp bangs plastered to her forehead, a hint of a smile hidden in her contented expression.
For some reason, Roland suddenly recalled the scene after the first year's Evil Moon, when she took the initiative to wait for him at the stairwell.
Anna never complained or felt wronged, she only expressed her thoughts and demands directly.
Now it was his turn.
Roland pulled her to the table and slowly told her what was on his mind.
What followed was a long period of silence,
so long that he thought Anna would turn around and leave. He slowly raised his head to look at her, only to find that the expression in her eyes hadn't changed much.
"That's it?"
Roland was stunned, "What?"
"I've been wondering when you would tell me about this," Anna sat down beside him, "I didn't want you to tell me so soon, but I also wanted you to tell me as soon as possible... Now I don't have to worry about it anymore."
He opened his mouth wide, "You already knew..."
"I can see it, especially Nightingale's feelings for you," she said directly, "The later you confess, the more it shows that you care about my feelings. But I also want you to tell me your thoughts sooner, because no matter what it is, I'm willing to share it with you."
Speaking of this, Anna sighed softly, "At first, I didn't expect to be loved by a royal nobleman. Later, it slowly turned into just wanting to be by your side. Since you said you wanted to marry me, my thoughts have changed again—Roland, I won't let you go to anyone."
"I'm sorry, I..."
"You have nothing to apologize for. Feelings themselves are unreasonable, and... you choosing to tell me these things at this time already makes me very happy." She paused, "You're not from this world, are you?"
Roland's heart jumped.
"Regardless of whether he's a nobleman or not, no one should hesitate and be uneasy about this kind of thing, unless the world he lives in is very different from ours," Anna continued, "Similarly, there may be people in this world who treat witches kindly, but they won't treat them as close friends. Remember the bet you made with me? In the book, I wrote you as a visitor from another world—not hell or abyss, but a more beautiful place. You came with knowledge we had never come into contact with. The gods sent you to my side."
At this point, he had nothing to hide, "Although the details are different, but... you're not wrong."
"I also wrote in it that you would confess Nightingale's matter to me," Anna smiled softly, "Now it seems that I've guessed at least two things right."
Roland realized that Anna's intelligence was not only in learning, her understanding and observation skills were astonishingly strong.
Before he could speak, the girl had already taken his hand and said, word by word, "I can't promise you Nightingale's matter, at least not now."
Roland couldn't help but be stunned. At least not now... What did that mean? Could it be possible in the future?
"I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, I'll have a good talk with her. Go to bed early," Anna gently kissed him on the forehead, "Good night, Your Majesty."
The door creaked shut, and the room returned to silence. Roland didn't come back to his senses until long after she left.
……