Persistence

Recruitment Fran City was nearing its end, and a vast, seemingly endless stream of people had gathered at the temporary camp. A preliminary count indicated that the number of people had exceeded 20,000, and more refugees were still arriving after hearing the news.

Karl stood on the high ground at the edge of the camp, gazing at the crowd that had turned from despair to hope, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He knew that the most crucial "blood" for Carnford's rebuilding was in place.

Before leaving, he decided to pay one last visit to Earl Rochefort. He didn't know when they would meet again, nor how much more estrangement and helplessness would arise between them due to the changing circumstances.

He arrived alone at the solemn Governor's Office. After being announced, he was led by a servant to the Count's familiar office, where the Count was engrossed in reviewing documents. Upon seeing him enter, the count put down his quill pen.

"Count Excellency," Karl bowed slightly, "The recruitment is essentially complete. Thanks to you, it has progressed exceptionally smoothly, and we have now gathered over 20,000 men. I believe that with this force, Carnford has finally established a firm foothold and has a foundation for reconstruction and development."

The Count leaned back in his chair, gazed intently at Karl for a moment, and slowly nodded. "More than 20,000 men, very good, Karl. You've done far better than I expected. From now on, you'll have to walk the road ahead on your own. The direct support Fran City can provide you will become increasingly scarce."

His words carried a sense of certainty, but also a hint of relieving some of his burden.

"I understand," Karl met the Count's gaze, his tone firm. "I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations, for the sake of the people and soldiers who have entrusted their lives to me, and to live up to your long-standing hopes and support."

He paused, his voice lowering slightly, and added almost inaudibly, "... also for Charlotte."

The appearance of the name "Charlotte" was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating silent ripples between the two.

The air in the office seemed to freeze; the previous businesslike atmosphere was replaced by a heavy and subtle awkwardness and sadness.

The Count's eyes dimmed slightly, his fingers unconsciously tracing the smooth surface of the table, while Karl lowered his gaze.

After a long silence, the Count finally sighed softly, breaking the suffocating stillness. "Karl, I understand your feelings... I'll find a way to let her know."

His voice carried a father's helplessness and sorrow. "I also hope you can keep your promise to her, but... I also understand your current situation."

His gaze sharpened and became complex as he looked directly at Karl: "Her Highness the Princess is about to travel north to be with you day and night, sharing your bed... This is an unchangeable reality. As a father, I have only one request, perhaps a somewhat... unreasonable one, but please, you must grant it."

Karl's heart tightened, and he held his breath, saying, "Please speak."

The Count said slowly and clearly, word by word, "Do not have children with the Princess."

Karl could hardly believe what he was hearing; his eyes were filled with incredulous astonishment!

His nerves were already on edge, anticipating what kind of harsh demands the Count would make, perhaps requiring him to swear absolute loyalty to Charlotte, body and soul, even if he and the Princess were only husband and wife in name only.

He had even made up his mind that no matter how difficult it was, he would try his best to do it.

However, the Count made a request that was... seemingly "lenient" to the point of indulgence, yet chillingly cold.

This is almost equivalent to saying, "I can overlook your superficial marital relationship with that Her Highness the Princess, even your physical intimacy, as long as no royal bloodline is left behind."

A mixture of humiliation, confusion, and resentment welled up in Karl's heart.

Count Excellency, Charlotte is your own daughter! How can you be so "generous" as to allow me, and even imply that I can... "betray" her to some extent? This clashed violently with the image of the loving father he held in his mind.

Seeing the undisguised shock and subtle resistance on Karl's face, the Count's lips curled into a knowing, bitter smile, "What? Surprised? Think my request is... too low? Even a little unreasonable?"

"Of course it's unexpected, Count Excellency!" Karl's voice rose slightly with excitement. He looked intently at the Count, his tone resolute. "I will never betray Charlotte! I love her, I love her with all my heart! No matter what the circumstances, this feeling will never change! I cannot understand why you would make such a request!"

The Count listened quietly to Karl's declaration, his face showing no displeasure, but rather a faint yet complex smile, a smile tinged with both relief and deep helplessness, "Karl, it's even better that you can say it this way, think it this way... As Charlotte's father, I am truly happy for her."

But his tone immediately became extremely serious and heavy, his gaze sharp as a knife, as if trying to pierce Karl's heart. "However, please remember what I just said. This is not a joke, nor is it a disregard or trampling of your personal feelings."

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and every word struck Karl's heart. "You must understand what an heir, especially one with pure royal blood, means? It is the strongest shackle!"

"He will completely and permanently bind you, Karl von Schmidt, the land of Carnford, and even Charlotte's faint, almost nonexistent hope for the future, to the Broomflower Royal Family's chariot! At that time, there will be no room for maneuver! That will be true annihilation!"

"On the contrary," the Count's eyes gleamed with shrewd political wisdom, "Without an heir, your marriage to Princess Louise lacks the strongest bond and is more like a short-lived political alliance."

"As you and Carnford accumulate power and gradually grow stronger, the Royal Capital Empress Dowager in the capital will lower her guard against you because you have no children and lack long-term common interests. This will allow Carnford to gain more time and space for independent development on the fringes of the kingdom's power. Do you understand?"

Karl took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

The Count's considerations were purely based on the coldest, most pragmatic political perspective.

Once he has a child with the princess, this child, as a combination of the bloodline of the late King Heinrich and the power of his maternal relatives, will have enormous potential political power, which will inevitably arouse extreme fear and suspicion of the current Queen Mother Katerina, leading to utter disaster.

The absence of offspring significantly reduced this threat, providing cover for Carnford's rise. It was indeed a well-thought-out move.

He nodded and said in a deep voice, "I understand, Count Excellency. Your considerations are based on the bigger picture, on the future of Carnford." He acknowledged the political logic behind it, but...

He raised his head, his gaze still firm. "I understand and accept your request, but I must say that you may have underestimated my feelings for Charlotte. She is not only my first love, but also the one who has given me her whole heart. I swear here and now that I will never betray this deep affection. My loyalty to her is not political; it comes from the bottom of my heart."

The Count gave Karl a deep look, said nothing more, and simply said slowly, "Just remember your promise. Go."

Karl bowed again, turned and left the office, the door closing softly behind him.

The Count sat alone in the large chair, his gaze lingering on the empty doorway, as if he could still see Karl's stubborn and youthful figure as he left.

His face showed no sign of relief; instead, it was shrouded in a deeper worry.

"Karl, oh Karl ..." he murmured to himself, his voice filled with weariness and uncertainty, "I hope you really can keep your promise, just as you said you would..."

He clearly didn't fully believe Karl could do it; as a man himself, he knew all too well the changes that power, beauty, and prolonged interaction could bring.

Princess Louise, who is about to travel north, is young, beautiful, and holds a prestigious royal status. Living together day and night, in the same room, can Karl truly remain unmoved? The Count is pessimistic.

But this was a last resort; after all, their daughter had fallen in love with a man destined to be embroiled in political turmoil.

"But... Charlotte and that child will suffer in the future..." A long, heavy sigh echoed in the silent office.