The Gloom Lifted
Three days later, in Fran City.
Lyon's army finally arrived at the Fran City. On the way, they encountered some Sauron cavalry, but the Sauron had no desire to fight at this point, and the two sides exchanged a glance and then turned away.
After verifying their identities, the side door opened.
Lyon led ten Carnford cavalrymen, weary from their journey but with their backs ramrod straight, into the city.
The horses' hooves clattered wearily on the cold stone pavement of the city.
Earl Rochefort had already received the news and was anxiously waiting inside the city gate, rushed to greet Lyon almost the instant he dismounted!
The governor of the Northern Border Province, usually known for his composure and calmness, was somewhat flustered at this moment. He didn't even wait for Lyon to fully stand and bow before grabbing his arm, his voice filled with barely concealed urgency and worry:
"Lyon! Tell me quickly! How is Carnford? How is Karl?"
Lyon was taken aback by the Count's unprecedented urgency. He quickly steadied himself and bowed, his voice booming but unable to conceal his exhaustion. "Reporting to Count Excellency! Carnford has held! We have successfully repelled Harald's army of 100,000! Sir Laurent's North Wind Squad arrived just in time, and together with us from within, the Sauron have been routed and are fleeing north!"
Upon hearing the words "Carnford held firm," Earl Rochefort's tense shoulders visibly relaxed, and he exhaled a long, deep breath that had been pent up in his chest, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
But then he immediately pressed on, his tone even more concerned than before. "Where's Karl? How is he? Is he injured?"
Lyon was somewhat confused and uncomfortable by the Count's repeated questioning about Karl's personal situation.
In his memory, although Count Earl appreciated Lord Karl, he had never seemed to show such... almost personal concern as for a nephew.
He scratched his head, trying hard to recall the last time he saw the Lord, and carefully chose his words to reply, "My lord, Lord Karl... he's fine. When the battle ended, he was still directing the cleanup of the battlefield and comforting the people. He seems... well... from what I see, he's in good spirits, moving freely. He shouldn't... he shouldn't have suffered any serious injuries; he can run and jump."
Lyon's answer was somewhat vague, but the phrase "can run and jump" seemed to completely dispel the Count's last doubts.
"Good... good... that's wonderful!" Earl Rochefort nodded repeatedly, a relieved smile finally appearing on his face—a complex expression that mixed immense relief, lingering fear, and exhaustion.
The huge boulder that had been hanging over his heart, almost crushing him, finally settled down safely.
At this moment, the extreme relaxation brought a dizzying sense of weakness. He felt a wave of exhaustion washing over him, and his steps became unsteady.
He forced a pat on Lyon's shoulder, his voice regaining its usual steadiness, but tinged with deep weariness. "You've worked hard, Lyon, and the warriors of Carnford! You've created a miracle! My clerk will coordinate the detailed battle report and follow-up matters with you. I have some important matters to attend to, so please excuse me."
After saying this, he didn't even ask any more questions about the details of the battle. He simply nodded to the clerk beside him, then turned around and walked unsteadily toward the Governor's Office.
He needs to rest now, but more importantly, he needs to tell someone this incredible good news.
The Count did not return to his office, but went straight through the back garden to the relatively secluded house where his daughter Charlotte lived.
He straightened his collar, which was slightly disheveled from his haste, took a deep breath, and tried to make his expression appear calm before raising his hand and gently knocking on the door with his knuckles.
The door was quickly opened a crack, and Aunt Martha's wary face appeared. Seeing it was the Count, she breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly opened the door to greet him, "Count Excellency."
"Where is Charlotte?" the Count asked in a low voice, his gaze passing over Martha and looking into the house.
"Miss is in the living room..." Martha stepped aside.
The Count strode into the warm and cozy living room, where he saw Charlotte curled up on the sofa by the fireplace, covered with a thick wool blanket, holding a book in her hands, but staring blankly at the leaping flames, clearly restless.
She was even thinner than a few days ago, her face was pale, and the dark circles under her eyes were clearly visible. Her loose-fitting house dress could not hide her protruding belly.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up, somewhat bewildered.
When Charlotte saw her father enter, a flicker of hope mixed with fear flashed in her eyes. She instinctively gripped the edge of the blanket, her voice trembling slightly, "Father... why are you here? Is... is there news?"
Earl Rochefort walked up to his daughter, knelt down, and brought his gaze level with Charlotte's as she sat.
He reached out and gently took his daughter's cold, slightly trembling hand, a genuinely relaxed and warm smile appearing on his face for the first time in days, his voice soft and reassuring:
"Yes, my child, there is news, the best news," he paused, then said clearly, word by word, "Carnford has held, the Sauron have been driven back, Karl is fine and safe."
Boom!
It was as if a ray of sunshine had instantly dispelled all the gloom!
Charlotte froze, her bright blue eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at her father, her lips parting slightly but unable to utter a sound.
After a few seconds of deathly silence, an immense, indescribable ecstasy and relief overwhelmed her like a flood bursting its banks!
"Really... really? Father! Are you telling the truth? Karl... Karl is really alright!" Her voice suddenly rose, filled with sobs and unbelievable excitement, as she gripped her father's hand tightly.
"It's true, absolutely true." The Count nodded vigorously, feeling the immense strength emanating from his daughter's hand, his heart filled with both sorrow and relief.
"Lyon just returned from Carnford with good news. He saw Karl in person and said he's 'able to run and jump,' in great spirits. Our North Wind Squad also arrived in time and was a great help. Don't worry, kid, he's safe and sound."
It's confirmed! It's really confirmed! Her father wasn't just comforting her! Karl is alive! He defended his castle! He... and their unborn child are safe and sound!
"Waaah... waaah..." Charlotte could no longer control the emotions she had suppressed for so long, and tears streamed down her face like beads from a broken string!
But this time, the tears were no longer tears of despair and fear, but a complex outpouring of joy, relief, and lingering apprehension!
She suddenly threw herself into her father's arms, burying her face deep in his broad, warm chest, her shoulders shaking violently as she let out a suppressed sob, a mixture of crying and laughter.
"Alright... alright... it's all over now..." Earl Rochefort gently patted his daughter's back, as if comforting her when she had nightmares as a child, his voice full of affection.
He could feel his daughter's tears soaking his coat, and he could also feel the slight trembling all over her body caused by the sudden relaxation after extreme tension.
Aunt Martha stood to the side, watching the father and daughter embrace, and couldn't help but wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes with her apron, a genuine smile appearing on her face.
That's great... that's really great...
Charlotte cried for a long time before her emotions gradually calmed down.
She looked up at her father through teary eyes, her face still wet with tears, but a radiant, relieved smile bloomed on her face—a genuine smile that the Count hadn't seen in a long time.
"Thank you... Father... Thank you for telling me..." she said, her voice choked with emotion.
The Count gently wiped away her tears and said softly, "Silly child, why thank your father? Now, you can finally eat in peace and rest, right? For your sake, and for... the child."
Charlotte nodded vigorously, her hands unconsciously stroking her lower abdomen, her eyes filled with an unprecedented peace and hope.
Yes, she needs to be alright.
For Karl, and for their future.
The sunlight outside the window seemed to have become brighter and warmer, and the dark clouds hanging over the Rochefort Family finally dissipated.