By midday the Skoropadsky estate was already filled with voices.
Carriages continued arriving one after another. Wheels creaked over the packed snow, horses exhaled clouds of steam into the cold air, and servants quickly helped the guests step down before guiding them into the warmth of the house.
The entrance hall was full of quiet conversations.
Some of the guests had not seen each other for several months and eagerly exchanged news. Others discussed the difficult roads, the cold weather, and the latest rumors from Kyiv.
Pavlo moved calmly from one group of guests to another.
He greeted acquaintances, asked brief questions, and carefully observed the conversations around him.
He was not interested in simple social talk today.
He wanted to see which of these men were capable of thinking beyond the routine concerns of their estates.
Soon a servant quietly announced that everything was ready for the ceremony.
The guests slowly moved toward a small room where the baptism would take place.
The room was illuminated by the soft glow of candles. Icons stood along the walls, decorated with embroidered cloths, and the faint scent of incense filled the air.
The priest was already waiting.
Guests took their places along the walls.
Pavlo stood beside his wife. The child rested in the arms of the godmother.
The priest began the молитву in a calm and steady voice. The ancient words of the ritual echoed quietly through the room.
When the moment of baptism came, the priest carefully lifted the child and spoke solemnly.
—"The servant of God, Peter, is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The child cried briefly, but soon calmed again.
Several guests smiled quietly.
The ceremony did not last long.
When it ended, the guests began approaching the parents with congratulations.
Lyzohub stepped forward first.
—"My congratulations, Pavlo Petrovych. A strong boy."
—"Thank you."
A few minutes later Durnovo approached.
He looked carefully at the child before speaking.
—"He was born in an interesting time."
Pavlo replied calmly.
—"I hope it will be a good time."
Durnovo gave a faint smile but said nothing more.
After the ceremony the guests moved to the dining room.
A large table had already been prepared. Dishes of hot food filled the table alongside crystal decanters of wine and polished silver utensils.
When everyone had taken their seats, the conversation remained light at first.
They spoke about the journey, the winter weather, and recent events in the province.
Kapnist described the condition of his estates. Halahan spoke about difficulties in grain trade. Several men discussed the construction of new railways in the southern regions of the Russian Empire.
Gradually the direction of the conversation began to change.
Tarnovsky said thoughtfully.
—"Europe is developing much faster than we are."
Kapnist glanced at him.
—"You are speaking about factories again?"
—"Of course. Belgian industry has grown enormously in recent years."
Lyzohub added quietly.
—"And Belgian investors are already looking beyond their own borders."
Tarnovsky nodded.
—"Because they are searching for new markets."
He turned his attention to Pavlo.
—"You have recently taken an interest in the south, have you not?"
Pavlo answered calmly.
—"I have been studying the possibilities."
Halahan said thoughtfully.
—"The south is rich in resources, but there are almost no factories there."
Tarnovsky nodded slightly.
—"Not yet."
Until that moment Durnovo had remained silent.
Now he slowly placed his glass on the table.
—"European capital is always searching for profit."
Several guests turned toward him.
He continued calmly.
—"But investors come only where there is stability and reliable partners."
Lyzohub looked carefully at Pavlo.
—"And who might become such a partner?"
Pavlo did not answer immediately.
He took a slow sip of wine before speaking.
—"Sometimes change begins with a small group of determined people."
Tarnovsky smiled.
—"That sounds like the beginning of a project."
Pavlo raised his glass slightly.
—"Today we are gathered for a family celebration."
Soft laughter spread around the table.
But the conversation had already changed.
Now they were speaking about mines.
About railways.
About iron and steel.
Durnovo watched Pavlo carefully.
He noticed how Pavlo guided the discussion without revealing his intentions directly.
After some time Durnovo spoke again.
—"The southern provinces of the empire could become a powerful industrial region."
Lyzohub nodded.
—"If someone begins the work."
Tarnovsky looked directly at Pavlo.
—"The question is who will take the first step."
Pavlo replied calmly.
—"Every large undertaking begins with something small."
He paused briefly.
—"Sometimes a single factory is enough."
Several guests exchanged glances.
Now the discussion became much more serious.
Questions began to appear.
About construction costs.
About railway connections.
About exporting metal to Europe.
Pavlo answered cautiously.
He never revealed his full plans, but he carefully guided the direction of the discussion.
After a while Durnovo said quietly.
—"This conversation should continue another day."
Lyzohub nodded in agreement.
—"Yes. Today's meeting deserves a continuation."
Pavlo raised his glass.
—"Today is only the beginning."
The guests supported the toast.
None of them said it aloud.
But many of them already felt that the discussion at this table had been more than a simple conversation.
By evening the guests began to leave.
Carriages once again appeared before the entrance of the estate. Servants helped the guests into their coats and opened the doors as they stepped into the cold night.
The frost had grown stronger.
Winter twilight had settled over the estate.
Pavlo stood on the front steps and said farewell to the departing guests.
Lyzohub shook his hand firmly.
—"I enjoyed today's discussion."
—"I am glad to hear it."
—"We will return to it soon."
—"I hope so."
Lyzohub's carriage slowly disappeared down the snowy road.
Soon only one figure remained beside the steps.
Durnovo.
He looked briefly at the road before turning back toward Pavlo.
—"You have begun an interesting game."
Pavlo replied calmly.
—"I am only looking ahead."
Durnovo remained silent for several seconds.
Then he spoke slowly.
—"If you truly intend to build factories in the south, you will need a company."
Pavlo studied him carefully.
—"A joint company?"
—"Otherwise no one will risk investing."
He paused.
—"But if several influential families unite, European bankers will come on their own."
Pavlo nodded slowly.
—"That may be possible."
Durnovo looked at him thoughtfully.
—"I believe you already understand that."
He gave a faint smile.
—"We shall see where your first step leads."
Durnovo's carriage left the estate last.
Pavlo remained standing on the steps for a while.
The snowy road lay silent beneath the winter sky.
Tonight's gathering had ended.
But he understood something clearly.
It was only the beginning.
Industry.
Capital.
A company.
And perhaps the future of the entire country.