Northern Territory, Carnford Castle, the lord's study.
It was deep into the night, and all was silent. Most of the castle had already sunk into slumber; only the measured footsteps of patrolling guards and the occasional creak of the wind vane atop a distant tower adorned the tranquil night. Yet behind the heavy oak door of the lord's study, a warm, steady candlelight still shone.
Karl sat behind the broad desk wearing only a thin silk nightrobe, his brow slightly furrowed. The quill in his hand moved swiftly across the spread parchment, making a soft scratching sound. Candlelight cast his focused profile onto the wall, where it swayed faintly with the flickering flame.
Several maps lay spread across the desk—maps of the Goldflower Kingdom's heartland, the terrain and distribution of forces in the chaotic eastern provinces, as well as brief reports marking the Bandits' areas of activity and the ties among local nobles.
Following the strategy he had discussed with the Count, he was refining that bold plan to "lay the groundwork inside the border": considering the first regions to enter, the Bandits to target, the pretext for deploying troops, and the subsequent strategies for garrisoning and control... Every detail could determine success or failure and needed to be weighed again and again.
Just then, the study door was silently pushed open a crack. A light figure slipped inside, then gently closed it behind her.
It was Charlotte. She had bathed as well and wore only a soft, moon-white linen nightgown. Her shoulder-length golden hair was still somewhat damp, carrying a faint fragrance of flowers and herbs. Barefoot, she crossed the thick carpet without a sound and came up behind Karl.
She said nothing. She merely extended her arms, wrapping them gently yet firmly around Karl's neck from behind. Her