An Abrupt and Rude Marriage Proposal

After finishing his simple meal, Karl relieved himself in the small washroom inside the castle.

He then went into a nearby bathroom that already had hot water ready.

Immersed in warm water, washing away the blood, sweat, and fatigue, he felt as if he had been reborn, his spirits were much refreshed, and the aches and pains in his body were relieved.

He changed into clean casual clothes, dried his wet hair with a towel, and slowly walked out of the bathroom into the spacious and quiet Lord's Hall.

The hall was empty except for the fire in the fireplace, which burned quietly and crackled softly.

The setting sun streamed through the high windows, casting long shadows on the floor.

However, his gaze was immediately drawn to the large Lord's chair at the head of the hall, where Charlotte was sitting.

She wasn't wearing armor, but instead had changed into a simple and neat hunting outfit. Her long golden hair was casually tied back, with a few strands falling beside her cheeks.

She rested one elbow on the armrest, her chin on her hand, and looked at him with a smile, her azure eyes sparkling with a mischievous yet gentle light.

Karl paused slightly, then stepped forward, stopped at the bottom of the steps, bowed to her, and asked with a hint of mockery, "My Lord, what are your orders?"

Charlotte chuckled, a beautiful smile curving her lips. She deliberately put on a stern face and said in a serious tone, "Karl von Schmidt, given your extremely disrespectful and presumptuous behavior towards me, a Count's daughter, on the battlefield yesterday in full view of everyone, do you know your crime?"

Karl straightened up, walked up the steps to her, leaned slightly forward, gazed into her eyes, and said in a low, amused voice, "So, esteemed lady knight, how do you intend to punish me?"

Charlotte's cheeks flushed slightly, but she met his gaze without flinching, a hint of defiance in her eyes. "Punishment... this knight is still considering... perhaps... it'll be to let you experience what it's like to be ambushed?"

As she spoke, she suddenly reached out and hooked her arm around his neck, tilting her head back to kiss his lips.

The kiss began with a hint of mischief, but quickly transformed into tenderness and affection, as if pouring out all the relief of surviving the ordeal, the tacit understanding of fighting side by side, and the emotions buried deep in their hearts.

Karl was slightly taken aback, then responded enthusiastically, putting one arm around her waist and gently cupping her cheek with the other, his fingertips caressing her loose blonde hair.

After a long while, the two separated slightly, their foreheads touching, their breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

The firelight from the fireplace illuminated their faces, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere.

Charlotte looked into Karl's eyes, which were almost touching hers, and her tone suddenly became serious, tinged with a hint of cunning and lingering fear. "See, Karl? Your plan almost failed this time."

She gently poked Karl's chest. "Although I don't know where you got your intelligence and how you accurately predicted the reinforcements would arrive, it's clear they're coming much later than you expected."

Her voice lowered, filled with genuine emotion. "If it weren't for that guy Lyon... who, like a madman, suddenly led his cavalry out of the mountains and disrupted the Sauron's formation, we might... we might really have died there before reinforcements arrived."

These words, like a fine needle, gently pierced Karl's feigned calm.

The light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a deep sense of desolation and self-reproach.

Karl slowly straightened up, his gaze fixed on the deep twilight outside the window, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Yes..." His voice was soft, but heavy with barely concealed sorrow. "It was my mistake. I misjudged the situation and relied too much on that uncertain reinforcement... If it weren't for Lyon, I almost... would have killed everyone."

"Eighty-seven soldiers... have been lost because of my misjudgment, and they will never return."

Charlotte immediately realized that she had inadvertently touched his deepest wound. The teasing and ease on her face vanished instantly, replaced by heartache and regret.

She quickly stood up from her seat, grasped his hand tightly, and spoke with a tone full of apology:

"No, Karl, I'm sorry! That's not what I meant!" Charlotte explained urgently, looking at Karl's dejected profile. "You've done more than enough! In that desperate situation, you led everyone to the very end! The situation on the battlefield changes in an instant, and no plan is foolproof. No one who survived will blame you!"

She gripped his hand tightly, trying to convey strength to him. "Those fallen soldiers, they died protecting their homes and their comrades behind them, they were heroic warriors! Their sacrifice will never be in vain. What you need to do now is not to wallow in self-blame, but to carry on their legacy and better protect Carnford!"

Karl felt the warmth from her palm and the firmness in her words. He took a deep breath and suppressed his surging emotions.

He turned his head and met Charlotte's gaze, which was full of worry and encouragement, and the heaviness in his heart seemed to be dispelled a little.

He gripped her hand even tighter in return and nodded.

"You're right, Charlotte, thank you."

Seeing his expression soften, Charlotte's eyes flashed with a sly glint. She deliberately changed the subject in a lighthearted tone. "By the way! You've done a great service this time! When the battle report reaches the Royal Capital, His Your Majesty will surely reward you handsomely! Maybe even a lot of gold coins!"

She winked playfully. "I'm not working for you for nothing. When the rewards come, you have to give me half!"

Upon hearing the words "meritorious service," Karl's heart suddenly stirred, and his tone became serious. "By the way, you've reminded me. Now that you've achieved such merit... Charlotte, shouldn't I be qualified to formally propose marriage to your father?"

"Wh... what!" Charlotte jumped back abruptly. "What... what did you say?!"

Looking at her panicked expression, Karl said earnestly, "I said I wanted to marry you. Didn't you say that you would marry me as long as my Carnford became powerful?"

"I think that after such a great battle, Carnford should now be able to say that he has truly established himself in the Northern Territory, right?"

"First, you thwarted the elite cavalry of the Sauron, and then you almost annihilated their main infantry support force. Aren't such achievements enough to shut up the mouths of those in the Royal Capital and my family? Isn't it enough for me to marry a Count's daughter?"

Charlotte tensed up almost imperceptibly for a moment upon hearing Karl's words. A look of surprise, and even a hint of instinctive nervousness, flashed in her usually clear and open blue eyes, as if she were unsure of what she had just heard.

But then, Charlotte's eyes lit up instantly, her joy overflowing. However, she didn't show any shyness or panic; instead, she slightly raised her chin.

With a hint of coquettishness and instructive tone, she said, "Karl von Schmidt! Is this how you propose to a lady? How rude! According to aristocratic etiquette, you should first formally express your wishes and requests to my father, Count Earl Rochefort, instead of saying it to me here!"

Although her tone was reproachful, she couldn't hide the smile and expectation in her eyes.

Karl paused for a moment, then chuckled; he had indeed overlooked this point. "Well, I was too hasty. So... do you think the Count will agree?"

When her father was mentioned, Charlotte's eyes dimmed slightly, revealing a hint of contemplation and uncertainty.

"This... I don't know," she said honestly, her fingers unconsciously twirling the buttons on Karl's lapel. "We need to consider many things before we get married. You are a nobleman of the Schmidt Family, and although the territory is here now, there's your family... and my father's attitude... This isn't just a matter between the two of us."

Although she longed to marry Karl, she was also well aware of the complex considerations behind aristocratic marriages.

But she quickly rallied, raised her head, and looked at Karl with encouraging eyes, her tone becoming positive and firm. "But! Your achievements are real! You saved Father's elite cavalry, defended Carnford, and severely damaged the Sauron elite! These are unparalleled merits and prestige! Father... he will definitely seriously consider your request!"

She grew more and more confident as she spoke, even urging him on. "So hurry up! Find a suitable opportunity to formally bring it up with my father! I will... I will also put in a good word for you!"

Her cheeks flushed slightly again, but her eyes were full of expectation and encouragement.

Seeing how enthusiastic she was, even more so than he was, Karl's slight unease vanished.

Karl grasped her hand and nodded solemnly. "Alright! Once the situation stabilizes, I will formally visit the Count and propose our marriage."

"That's more like it!" Charlotte smiled with satisfaction, her smile bright and radiant, as if dispelling all the gloom.

She snuggled closer to Karl, whispering, "But... it won't be too long..."