Fireside Chat

When snow began falling over Weissenburg again, Frederick made headlines once more.

"Premiere of Fireside Chat at 7 p.m. on January 26! Grand Duke Wessen to deliver an address! Live on the radio!"

The news appeared in every newspaper.

As James walked out of the telegraph office, a thought suddenly occurred to him: Was Grand Duke Wessen giving speech after speech to boost business at the telegraph office?

Before long, orders from the higher-ups arrived at James's wool shop.

The instructions were simple: transcribe the speech and send it back.

As James tossed the translated code into the fireplace, he wondered, Did the higher-ups get a commission from the telegraph office?

January 26, 6:50 p.m.

Outside, the snow was falling harder.

The fireplace in the reception room of the Grand Duke's residence was burning brightly. Pine logs crackled in the flames, releasing the scent of resin.

Two high-backed chairs sat before the fireplace, with a small round table between them. A crystal glass of honey water rested on the table.

The radio station's equipment was ready, with one main set and one backup to ensure everything went smoothly.

All unnecessary personnel had been cleared out. Only those involved in tonight's program remained.

The host, Erica, sat in her chair and took a deep breath, trying to steady her heartbeat, but it barely helped.

Across from her, Frederick smiled. "What's there to be nervous about? You weren't scared when you sneaked off to ride Dawn."

Erica instinctively hunched her shoulders. "My parents broke more than a dozen clothes hangers on me that time."

Her father had started out as Frederick's carriage driver and was now his personal chauffeur. Apparently, he was even planning to learn how to fly a plane.

Erica had a pleasant voice and clear diction, and she had