Complex

Perhaps it was a complex and inexplicable pity for her situation when I saw that empty seat?

Perhaps, subconsciously, there was a hope to cultivate a small foundation of goodwill and connections for her, a newcomer and a "political sacrifice" with no relatives or friends in this unfamiliar land?

He couldn't sort out his thoughts at that moment, and could only attribute it to an indescribable sense of helplessness in the face of a similar fate.

Perhaps the Princess's reputation is his own reputation, after all, he is now considered her husband.

After dinner, Karl quickly washed up, changed into a clean set of linen pajamas, and went to his bedroom on the second floor.

He hesitated for a moment, then gently knocked on the door.

"Please come in," came the hushed voice of Lady Eileen, the mother, from inside.

Karl gently pushed open the door and went inside.

Only a single, softly lit oil lamp illuminated the bedroom, while the fireplace burned brightly, dispelling the chill of the spring night.

Princess Louise was already lying in bed, covered with a thick wool blanket, seemingly asleep. Her breathing was even but slightly heavy, and her face still showed signs of fatigue and paleness from her long journey.

Lady Eileen was sitting on a chair by the bed, and the Princess's hand was unconsciously gripping Lady Eileen's hand tightly, as if she were seeking support in her sleep.

The Princess's two personal maids, Alice and another maid, stood quietly in a corner of the room.

When Lady Eileen saw her son come in, she gestured for him to be quiet, then looked lovingly at the sleeping Princess and whispered to Karl, "This child is really exhausted, both physically and mentally. She just finished washing up and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, still holding onto me tightly as if afraid I'd leave."

Karl nodded, his gaze lingering for a moment on the Princess's sleeping face.

Having shed her daytime bravado and polite aloofness, she now appeared exceptionally vulnerable, like a child in need of protection.

The icy wall that had been built in his heart by the Political Marriage seemed to have loosened slightly.

He lowered his voice and said to his mother, "Mother, you and the Princess should rest here tonight, so you can take care of her. As for these two girls..." He glanced at Alice and another maid in the corner.

Alice bowed quickly, her voice soft but firm. "My Lord, we wish to stay and serve His Highness."

Karl thought for a moment; although the master bedroom was spacious, it only had one large bed.

He pointed behind him and said, "Well then, you two will have to make do in the side bedroom across the hall for the night. I'll move to the study on the third floor; there's a cot there."

"This won't do!" Alice and the other maid were startled and waved their hands repeatedly. "How can we occupy the Lord's bedroom and make you sleep in the study! This is so against the rules!"

Seeing this, Lady Eileen gently advised, "Alright, since the Lord is so considerate of your tiring journey and has made special arrangements, please accept it. Here, the most important thing is for Her Highness the Princess to get some rest."

Her tone carried an undeniable power of reassurance.

The two maids exchanged a glance, and seeing that Lady Eileen had said the same, they could only bow gratefully and uneasily, saying, "Thank you, Lord, thank you, Madam."

Perhaps it was the sound of voices and movements, or perhaps it was a subconscious unease, but Princess Louise on the bed fluttered her eyelashes a few times and slowly opened her eyes.

She first looked blankly at the simply decorated yet warm and unfamiliar room, then saw Lady Eileen by the bed, and Karl and her maid standing not far away.

As she gradually regained consciousness, she immediately recalled her blunder during the day and her current predicament, and a blush of embarrassment instantly spread across her pale face.

She quickly released Lady Eileen's hand, struggling to sit up, her voice hoarse and apologetic as she said, "Madam, I'm so sorry, I... I actually fell asleep... and even dragged you down with me..."

Lady Eileen quickly and gently pressed her shoulder, saying softly, "Your Highness, please don't move. Lie down properly. You are weak and need to rest more."

Louise then turned her gaze to Karl, her eyes filled with guilt and unease, her voice even lower. "Lord Karl, I'm so sorry, I was unwell and missed... missed today's ceremony..."

Her voice trembled slightly when she said the word "ritual," clearly indicating her resistance and pressure.

Seeing the Princess's cautious and timid demeanor, as if afraid of displeasing him, Karl's initial resentment stemming from this Political Marriage gradually dissipated.

He gave a smile that wasn't exactly enthusiastic, but was certainly calm, and said in a relaxed tone, "It's alright, Your Her Highness the Princess. The wedding is just a formality. Whether it's sooner or later doesn't really matter. Your health is the most important thing. In Carnford, there's no need for such formalities."

This was perhaps the first time Karl had spoken to her in a relatively gentle tone. Louise was slightly taken aback, and looking at Karl's calm, even somewhat indifferent, face, the tension in her heart inexplicably eased a little.

She managed a weak, still somewhat forced smile, "Thank you... thank you for your understanding."

Just then, a clear "gurgling" sound came from the Princess's abdomen, sounding particularly abrupt in the quiet room.

Louise's face instantly turned bright red, so embarrassed she almost wanted to bury her face in the blankets.

She had been suffering from motion sickness the whole way and had barely eaten anything. Now that she was relaxed, the hunger pangs surged up uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Lady Eileen felt both sorry for him and wanted to laugh. She quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Your Highness must be hungry! He hasn't eaten properly on the way. Alice, quickly go and prepare some easily digestible food for His Highness."

Alice quickly agreed, Karl added, "Go find the steward Edgar and have his kitchen prepare some light meals, like warm sweet porridge with some light vegetables."

"Yes, sir!" Alice hurried away.

A moment later, Alice returned carrying a wooden tray with a bowl of steaming oatmeal porridge that smelled faintly of rice and the sweetness of honey, a small dish of tender Pea shoots that had been blanched in water with just a pinch of salt, and a few slices of soft, toasted white bread.

Although the food was simple, its aroma aroused Louise's strong appetite.

Lady Eileen considerately stood up and said to Karl and the maids, "Let's all go out and let His Highness have something to eat."

She gestured for Alice to place the tray on the bedside table, and Louise gave her a grateful look.

The group left the bedroom, gently closing the door behind them. Alice and another maid stood guard outside.