Embrace

Franklin Territory, the main estate of the Schmidt Family.

The early spring sunshine shone on the manor's spacious gravel square, dispelling some of the chill.

The square was bustling yet orderly.

Dozens of sturdy carriages were lined up in a long row, and servants, under the meticulous direction of the steward Sebastian, were carefully loading all sorts of supplies onto the carriages.

These supplies are diverse in type and come in astonishing quantities.

There were sacks of grain and seeds, packaged cured meat and cheese, chests of gold and Silver coin, brand-new farm tools and craftsmen's tools, and even a batch of well-preserved weapons and armor.

This massive caravan was not merely a ceremonial procession escorting the mistress north; it also carried the weighty supplies and silent support of Duke Schmidt for his son, far away in the Northern Territory, who had just experienced the baptism of fire.

This was not only the father's wish, but also, to some extent, a generous gift prepared by the family for this unexpected "royal marriage."

Lady Eileen stood on the grand steps of the manor's main castle, wearing a finely crafted, well-tailored dark blue travel cloak, her face flushed with barely concealed excitement and anticipation.

She watched as the servants loaded boxes of supplies onto the carriage, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction and pride.

She had already learned from her husband about the miracle her son Karl had performed in Carnford, and the "good news" that the King had given the Princess in marriage.

As a mother who had long lived in seclusion and was unaware of the treacherous political maelstrom, all she saw was her son achieving great success, bringing glory to the family, and even gaining the favor of the royal family!

In her eyes, this was an immense honor and a joyous occasion.

The son she worried about day and night, who was forced to be sent to the harsh Northern Territory at a young age, not only survived but also achieved such brilliant success and is about to marry the Princess!

Her heart was filled with the pride of being a mother and the immense joy of witnessing the most important moment in her son's life.

"Be careful! That box contains porcelain, handle it with care!"

"The grain sacks must be tied tightly; the journey to the Northern Territory is long and bumpy!"

Sebastian's steady voice rang out intermittently, ensuring the loading operation proceeded flawlessly.

Just then, a steady sound of footsteps came from behind.

Lady Eileen turned around and saw her husband, Duke Schmidt Reinhardt von Schmidt, slowly walking down the steps to her side.

He was dressed in a relatively casual dark-colored suit today, but he still couldn't hide the authoritative air of someone who had long held a high position.

Upon seeing the Duke, the surrounding servants all stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully.

"You all go about your business," the Duke waved his hand, his gaze falling on his wife's face, which shone brightly with excitement.

"Reinhardt," Lady Eileen turned to her husband, her eyes filled with genuine gratitude, "Thank you."

The Duke nodded slightly, his tone calm. "It's what I should do. Karl is my son; he has rendered great service and is about to get married. The family should show its appreciation."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the fully loaded wagons. "These supplies, hopefully, will help his Carnford get through the most difficult period of reconstruction."

Lady Eileen shook her head, her voice soft yet firm. "No, that's not what I'm thanking you for. I'm thanking you for... for letting me go, to attend Karl's wedding, to see him with my own eyes."

Her voice choked with emotion, and her eyes welled up with tears. "So many years... I can finally... I can finally stand before him, real, and watch him settle down and start a family, instead of just hearing about him through letters..."

Seeing the tears glistening in his wife's eyes, Duke Schmidt remained silent for a moment.

He recalled his neglect of the mother and son over the years, and a rare, complex emotion welled up in his heart—a mixture of guilt and a sense of relief that time had passed.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and spoke in a much gentler voice than usual:

"Eileen ...you and Karl have suffered so much these past years." His gaze met his wife's, a rare hint of candor in his eyes. "It was I...who made some mistakes, neglecting you both, especially Karl. Sending him to the Northern Territory might not have been the best decision for him, but as it turns out, that boy is stronger and more remarkable than we imagined."

Lady Eileen looked at her husband with some surprise; she hadn't expected him to say something like that so suddenly.

She lowered her head, gently twisting the handkerchief in her hands, her heart surging with emotion.

Years of estrangement and resentment cannot be easily erased with a simple apology.

Seeing his wife's silence, the Duke continued, "The Battle of Carnford made many things clear to me. Family unity is more important than anything else. Karl proved that he is one of the worthy heirs of the Schmidt Family... And you, Eileen, you have sacrificed too much for him."

He paused, his tone softening, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible earnestness. "When you return from the Northern Territory, if you'd like, please move back to the main castle. This house needs a mistress; without you here, the manor just feels like something's missing."

Lady Eileen looked up into her husband's deep eyes, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She could sense the sincerity in her husband's words, and the emotions that had been buried by the years seemed to be loosening slightly.

But years of estrangement and living independently made it impossible for her to make a decision immediately.

She turned her head slightly, avoiding her husband's gaze, and said softly, "Thank you, Reinhardt. We'll talk about this when I get back from Carnford. Right now... I just want to spend some time with Karl."

Seeing his wife's evasive attitude, the Duke understood that the ice in her heart could not be melted overnight.

He didn't press the matter, simply nodding slightly. "Alright, no rush. Your journey is long and the Northern Territory cold, so please be extra careful. Sebastian has arranged his most capable guards and maids; they will take good care of you."

He paused, a gentle smile appearing on his face, and opened his arms. "Well then, before we part, a hug is surely acceptable, isn't it? Consider it a farewell to my wife who is about to embark on a long journey."

Lady Eileen looked at her husband's outstretched arms and hesitated for a moment.

Finally, she took a small step forward and, with a touch of reserve and awkwardness, nestled into her husband's arms.

The Duke's arms wrapped tightly around her; the embrace wasn't passionate, but it carried a long-lost warmth and a silent promise.

A moment later, Lady Eileen gently broke free from the embrace, a blush spreading across her face.

"I should get going," she said softly.

At this moment, Sebastian stepped forward, bowed, and reported, "Duke Grace, Your Highness, everything is ready, the caravan may depart."

The Duke nodded and said to his wife, "Go, give my regards to Karl, and tell him that the Schmidt Family is proud of him."

Lady Eileen nodded vigorously, gave her husband one last deep look, then turned and, with the help of her maid, boarded her most ornately decorated private carriage, which was padded with thick cushions.

The driver cracked his whip, and the caravan, escorted by knights, slowly began to move. The wheels rolled over the gravel road, making a rumbling sound, as they meandered northward.

Lady Eileen sat in the comfortable carriage, looking back through the window at the manor where she had lived for many years but felt increasingly unfamiliar, and at her husband's figure gradually fading on the steps.

There is a touch of sadness for the past, but also boundless anticipation and joy for the future.

"Karl... my child... Mother is here..." she murmured to herself, a smile involuntarily spreading across her face, her eyes filled with anticipation.

The long journey and the cold winds of the Northern Territory, at this moment, transformed in her heart into the necessary path to happiness.

She was about to meet her proud son and witness the most important moment of his life, which was the greatest happiness in the world for a mother.