I Am Willing
However, when he turned away from the coast and returned to Carnford Castle along the mountain road, the closer he got to the castle, the sense of fulfillment brought by pragmatic planning was gradually replaced by an atmosphere of glitz and alienation.
Stepping into the castle gate, the sight in front of him made him frown slightly.
It is completely different from the previous simple, solemn style of military fortress that prioritized practicality and defense. The interior of the castle now has a completely new look, but it also makes Karl feel a little strange.
It was afternoon, and the sun shone into the hall through the newly replaced, brighter glass window lattice.
Lady Eileen is leading several maids and servants, happily directing the final arrangements.
On the originally bare stone wall, a heavy tapestry embroidered with the complex coat of arms of Broomflower and Schmidt Family was hung; the long rough wooden table was covered with a white linen tablecloth, and several sets of shining silver candlesticks and exquisitely carved gilded tableware were placed on it. There were even several pots of ornamental plants brought from the south that were quite rare in Northern Territory in the corner.
Although the ancient skeleton of the castle can still be seen in the entire hall, the details are full of carefully crafted aristocratic atmosphere. It is warm and gorgeous, but it also makes Karl feel that it is flashy and incompatible with the image in his mind of being the frontline command center of the Northern Territory war.
He looked at his mother's busy and excited back and the satisfaction on her face in doing something important for her son, and swallowed back the slight dissatisfaction on her lips.
He understands his mother's intentions, which are related to the Schmidt Family's face and respect for the royal family.
Lady Eileen turned around and saw his son standing at the door. A bright smile immediately bloomed on his face, and he quickly came towards him.
"Karl! You came back just in time!" She enthusiastically took her son's arm and led him to the end of the hall without any explanation.
This was originally where the Lord high-backed chair was, but now it has been specially raised to create a small and gorgeously decorated wooden platform.
A huge joint heraldic flag hung behind the stage, and two chairs covered with red velvet were placed in front, surrounded by flowers and ribbons.
The whole arrangement already has the feeling of a small wedding church altar.
"Look here, Karl!" Lady Eileen pointed to the stage, his tone full of longing and excitement, "When the time comes, you and the distinguished Her Highness the Princess will hold a wedding ceremony here under the witness of all the guests!"
She seemed to have seen the scene that day, and her voice was trembling.
She turned around, faced Karl, imitated the solemn tone of the priest, and said softly, "The priest sent by the royal family will ask you like this: 'Karl·von·Schmidt, are you Are you willing to take this woman in front of you, Louise·von·Heinrich, as your wife? No matter good or bad times, rich or poor, in health or disease, love her and cherish her until the end of your life?'"
Lady Eileen paused, looked at his son with expectant and encouraging eyes, as if waiting for his response to practice, and then continued, "Then, you have to solemnly say - 'I do.' Then, the priest will also read the same oath to Her Highness the Princess, and she will also answer 'I do'."
"Then, you exchange rings, and under the witness of God and everyone, you are a real, blessed couple!"
Seeing the unabashed excitement and happiness in her mother's eyes for her son's life events, even with a hint of girlish longing, Karl felt mixed emotions in her heart.
He could not explain to his mother the political coldness and helplessness behind this marriage, nor could he bear to expose the dream she had carefully created.
He tried hard to put on a smile that looked gentle enough, nodded, held his mother's hand, and said softly, "Mom, I know what to do. Thank you for taking the trouble to do all this."
This thank you is sincere, thanking his mother for her care, and thanking her for temporarily shielding him from the cruelty of reality and creating a warm illusion for him at this moment.
When Lady Eileen heard her son's response, her eyes were so happy that her eyes were wet. She held Karl's hand tightly with her backhand. "Oh, my child, how can I say thank you? Mom is so happy! I am about to see my son usher in the most important moment in his life. Mom is really excited!"
Karl looked at his mother's heartfelt smile, but there was a complicated silence in his heart.
For him, this elaborately decorated wedding was more like an upcoming grand ceremony about responsibility and compromise.
And that "I do" vow is destined to carry a weight far beyond its literal meaning.
Just when Lady Eileen was pulling Karl with great interest and wanted to continue discussing more details of the wedding ceremony, such as the seating of guests and the selection of dresses, a burst of rapid and steady footsteps interrupted the slightly glitzy and warm atmosphere in the hall.
The figure of Brendan appeared at the door. His face was solemn and he walked quickly. He walked straight to Karl, leaned over and whispered in his ear and reported quickly:
"Sir, there is an urgent military situation! The peripheral checkpoint has just captured an extremely suspicious person. Preliminary judgment is that he is probably a spy sent by Sauron! The person has been controlled and is temporarily detained in the dungeon. Richter is interrogating him personally."
Karl was shocked when he heard this, and the relaxed expression on his face disappeared instantly.
Sauron actually started to use espionage methods? He originally thought that Sauron was nothing more than a barbarian who knew how to fight, but now it seems that the opponent is far more cunning and difficult than he imagined.
He immediately cast an apologetic look at his mother Lady Eileen: "Mom, I'm sorry, there are urgent military matters that need to be dealt with immediately."
Lady Eileen Although she was a little disappointed, she understood the righteousness and the heavy responsibility that her son shouldered, so she nodded quickly. "Business matters are important. Go and get busy. We will talk about the wedding later."
Karl nodded slightly to his mother, and then he and Brendan quickly left the hall, temporarily leaving the gorgeous decorations and the hustle and bustle of the wedding behind them.
As soon as he walked out of the hall and came to the relatively quiet corridor, Karl immediately asked in a deep voice, "What is the specific situation? How did you discover it?"
Brendan reported in a clear tone, "It was discovered by the sentinel responsible for interrogating immigrants in Outpost No. 3. The man claimed to be a Northern Territory survivor from Black Forest Valley. He said that his home was burned down by Sauron and he fled alone."
"The sentry followed the regular procedure and found no abnormalities at first. However, when he asked some details about the terrain, scenery and even the local Lord family around Black Forest Castle, the man's answers began to show obvious hesitation, ambiguity and even inconsistency."