I Will

Karl lingered on the plain for a while, exchanging a few words with some of Morr's craftsmen who were planning irrigation canals, and getting an update on the progress of spring planting preparations. He rode back to the castle on the mountain only after the setting sun had painted the sky orange-red.

As he led his horse into the castle courtyard, the twilight was painting the castle's towering stone walls with a warm gold.

Just as he was about to hand the reins to the approaching coachman, he caught a glimpse of a dusty rider dismounting at the castle gate.

The man was wearing a dust-covered leather armor of the Fran City Guard, his face bearing the unmistakable fatigue of a long journey, yet his movements remained as swift as a soldier's.

As soon as he dismounted, his gaze swept eagerly across the courtyard, quickly settling on Karl.

"Lord Karl!" The messenger strode forward, knelt on one knee before Karl, and held up a letter sealed with thick parchment, the seal bearing the coat of arms of Fran City.

"By order of the Count, I have come to report that Her Princess Louise's entourage arrived safely in Fran City yesterday morning!"

The messenger's voice was loud and clear, echoing in the gradually quieting courtyard. Several servants and guards around him subconsciously softened their movements and pricked up their ears.

Karl's heart seemed to skip a beat, but his face remained calm and expressionless.

He reached out and steadily took the letter, which seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight. He could feel the hardness of the Wax Seal and the delicate texture of the parchment under his fingertips.

He didn't open it immediately, but simply nodded slightly to the messenger and said in a calm tone that revealed no emotion, "I understand, thank you for your trouble."

He paused, then added, "Replying to Count Excellency, Carnford... will make all preparations."

Upon hearing this clear reply, the messenger visibly relaxed and quickly replied, "Yes! I understand! The Count specifically instructed that Her Highness the Princess and her entourage will rest briefly in Fran City to recover from their journey."

"The exact date for heading north has not yet been finalized, but it shouldn't be too long. I need to return to Fran City immediately to report to the Count. I'll take my leave now!"

Karl nodded. "Go ahead."

Xin bowed again, turned nimbly, mounted his horse, and, led by a castle guard, galloped away, disappearing outside the castle gates as dusk deepened.

Karl stood there, holding the letter in his hand, but didn't look at it immediately.

He gazed in the direction the messenger had disappeared, the towering walls and bustling scenes of Fran City flashing through his mind before being replaced by the desolate mountains of Carnford.

"Finally... it's coming." He murmured to himself, a complex and indescribable feeling spreading through him. It was neither joy nor pure resistance, but rather a calm acceptance of his predetermined fate, along with a heavy sense of responsibility and a trace of inexplicable weariness.

He turned and walked with steady steps toward the main castle.

In the dining room, Lady Eileen, the mother, had already instructed the servants to prepare a simple dinner.

When she saw her son return, a warm smile immediately appeared on her face.

During the meal, Karl told his mother, in as calm a tone as possible, that the Princess's entourage had arrived in Fran City.

"Mother, the Princess's entourage arrived in Fran City yesterday. Earl Rochefort sent word that we should prepare. It's estimated that... in two or three days at most, the procession will head north."

Upon hearing this, Lady Eileen's eyes lit up with surprise and excitement. She put down her cutlery, her voice trembling slightly, "Really? That's wonderful! Oh my god, it's finally here!"

She immediately became restless, her mind racing. "It's only two or three days left! Karl, you really can't be busy with anything else these next few days! The wedding ceremony, the reception etiquette, your dress, and what you'll say... Mom has to hurry and explain and rehearse with you! This is the most important moment of your life, and absolutely no mistakes can be made!"

Seeing his mother's excitement, like a little girl about to attend a grand feast, Karl felt a surge of warmth. He nodded gently and replied, "Okay, Mom, I'll follow your arrangements. I'll make time for the next couple of days."

He knew that this was his mother's wish, and also a responsibility he had to fulfill; at least in front of his mother, he had to show the proper cooperation.

However, a mother and child are connected at heart.

Lady Eileen keenly sensed the subtle, barely perceptible distance and reluctance that her son was trying so hard to conceal beneath his calm exterior.

The excitement on her face subsided slightly. She put down her cup, sighed softly, and looked at Karl with gentle eyes and a hint of heartache. Her tone softened and became full of understanding.

"Karl ..." she called softly, reaching out to place her son's hand on the table. "My child... Mom knows, Mom can see, that you're not truly looking forward to or happy about this wedding, are you?"

Karl paused slightly, instinctively wanting to deny it, but seeing his mother's all-knowing, loving rather than blaming eyes, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and simply lowered his gaze.

Sometimes, what is assumed is more truthful than words.

Lady Eileen patted his hand knowingly, her voice softening even more. "Mother understands. A marriage arranged by the royal family and clan is completely different from a relationship where you meet a girl you love and fall in love naturally."

"It's perfectly normal to feel regret, apprehension, or even reluctance when you go straight into marriage without going through the process of getting to know and fall in love. Mom has been through it all, so she understands."

Her tone hardened, filled with a mother's unique encouragement and conviction. "But Karl, Mom believes in you, and she believes in that Her Highness the Princess she's never met. You are a kind, upright, and responsible child, a true gentleman."

"As for Princess Louise, I met her in the Royal Capital when I was young. She is a gentle, beautiful, and well-mannered girl. Two kind-hearted young people, as long as they are willing to open their hearts and treat each other with sincerity, can gradually develop feelings for each other after marriage."

"Marriage is not just about love, but also about responsibility, support, and mutual companionship. Trust me, once you're truly settled down and have a wife's companionship and care, you'll experience a different kind of warmth and peace of mind, and you'll be happy."

Listening to his mother's gentle and hopeful words of advice, Karl felt a mix of emotions.

He couldn't tell his mother the truth, couldn't tell her about the cold political deal behind the marriage, and Charlotte had already taken up residence in his heart.

He could only raise his head to meet his mother's earnest gaze, forcing a smile that appeared genuine, tinged with relief and expectation. He then gently squeezed his mother's warm hand and whispered:

"Um... thank you, Mom, I will... try to do it."