After several days of arduous travel, the road-weary Henry de Rochefort finally set foot on the familiar streets of Fran City.
The scenery along the way was both familiar and strange. Gone was the suffocating oppression and ever-present surveillance of Plai, the Royal Capital; in its place was the cold, unfettered freedom unique to the northern territories, carrying the scent of pine and frost.
He did not linger. Without even taking the time to change out of his dust-covered travel clothes, he headed straight for the Governor's Office to see the father he missed day and night—and worried over just as deeply—Earl Rochefort.
When father and son met, there were no excessive words.
The Earl firmly patted his son's shoulder—noticeably thinner, yet with its spine still straight. In those weathered eyes shone relief, pride, and a trace of having finally laid down a burden. "It's good that you're back. Your mother and sister are waiting for you at Carnford, and... Louise is there too. Leave things here to me. Rest for the night, then set out at dawn tomorrow."
Henry nodded heavily. A thousand words clogged his chest, but in the end, they became only one sentence. "I made you and Mother worry, Father."
After hurriedly washing up at the Earl's residence and catching a few fitful hours of sleep, Henry mounted the finest horse his father had prepared for him before dawn. With several trustworthy guards in tow, he set out once more—
Northward, toward Carnford, toward the most important women in his life.
When the familiar silhouette of Carnford Castle, marked by obvious signs of reinforced defenses, rose upon the horizon, Henry felt his heartbeat quicken of its own accord.
Crossing the drawbridge and entering the castle courtyard, he found that those who had received word in advance