"Hard road. How many... how many men did you bring?" the Duke asked, going straight to the point, his tone returning to businesslike calm.
"Three thousand foot soldiers, three hundred cavalry, all troops Carnford can put to use," Karl answered succinctly, sitting down in the chair with his back straight and both hands resting flat on his knees.
"Three thousand three hundred..." The Duke nodded slightly, his fingers unconsciously tapping softly against the smooth tabletop, making a light tuk-tuk sound. "Not many, but with Carnford's foundation, to be able to pull together a force like this and keep it so lean and sharp—good."
"Tell me what you intend," the Duke said, lifting his eyes to stare straight at Karl, as if he meant to see into the bottom of his heart. "The Empress Dowager has issued a strict order, the Royal Decree is hard to defy, Eagle's Nest is under siege, and the Northern Territory is shaken. Since you've come, you can hardly truly be here to 'serve the King and rescue the sovereign,' playing the loyal minister and filial son, can you?"
His tone was flat, even carrying a trace so faint it was nearly imperceptible, something close to mockery.
Karl's heart stirred. Sure enough, this father of his saw through his thoughts as if they were torches in a cave. There was no need for him to beat around the bush, and before such a figure, he neither dared nor wanted to play petty tricks.
He met his father's gaze, and the corner of his mouth also tugged into a faint, wry smile tinged with helplessness and self-mockery.
"What other plan could I have? The same... as yours, I suppose."
He did not say it outright, but the words "the same plan" had already said everything: delay, watch,