I met Karl’s knights, but I still couldn’t relax.
I couldn’t let my guard down until I saw Karl’s face in person upon arriving at the royal palace. Even when departing from the Otaka, I had traveled by carriage, accompanied by knights for protection.
As we got closer to the palace, memories of the attack resurfaced, causing my heart to race. I tried my best to maintain composure, not wanting to reveal my fear.
The military carriage wasn’t designed for carrying people, so there were no windows to look out of. This lack of visibility only intensified my anxiety.
“Your Highness, Duchess, is there anything you wish to eat upon returning to the palace?”
Clovis spoke as if he knew I was pretending to be fine. Though I was taken aback by his casual question in this tense situation, I quickly realized his intention.
“Um… I feel like having some sour fruit.”
I hadn’t felt well for a while; there was nothing I truly wanted to eat. But I thought that a reasonable answer might ease the tension for the knights, who were struggling more than I was.
“I just thought I should ask since you seem to like desserts.”
He referred to the time we had traveled together from Urentum to LaHart. I had wanted some sweet treats, and during a brief train stop, I went outside and ran into trouble. The memory made me chuckle softly.
“It’s nice to see you smile,” Clovis said with a grin. I suddenly thought how fortunate it was that such a good-natured person was by Karl’s side.
When I fell silent, Clovis continued to speak, mainly about Karl. He recounted how we had grown closer since our first meeting and shared experiences we faced together during our missions. As he spoke, the carriage approached the royal palace.
***
When I arrived at the royal palace, it was already after my son-in-law had been engulfed by darkness. As soon as I got out of the carriage, familiar voices flew at me, and before I could turn my head towards the sound, I already knew who was calling me.
“…Hannah, Leev, Cecilia. And even Kendrick.”
It seemed that the people from the count’s family, whom I hadn’t seen since being attacked by Franz, had come first to wait for me.
I had many questions to ask about where they had been, whether they were safe, and how they got here first, but before I could even throw out a question, my lips were blocked by their bodies surrounding me.
“Your Royal Highness, I’m so glad you’re safe.”
Leev was the first to burst into tears. Cecilia also pulled me into her embrace and started sobbing heavily.
Who was it that scolded Leev for daring to touch the body of the Grand Duchess? Seeing my family, weathered by a fierce storm and facing me with effort, laughter bubbled up before I had time to feel moved.
“Leev, don’t cry. Let me see your face right now.”
“Is my face even important right now? Waaah, Your Highness, I really missed you. I was so worried……”
“Step back, Leev. What if you get your tears on the Grand Duchess?”
“You should step back too, Your Highness! Your Highness has already gotten my tears on you!”
Even in the midst of all this, the bickering between the two was so amusing. This moment of reunion made me grateful to the point of forgetting about propriety and etiquette, feeling surreal.
In the end, it was the most rational among them, Hannah, who managed to pull the two women away from me.
“I greet you, Your Royal Highness. I am so sorry for failing to guard you.”
Her kneeling and bowing made my nose tingle.
“How hard it must have been for you… please forgive my disloyalty.”
“What are you saying? Hannah, it must have been difficult for you. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Not at all. Why would you worry about me? You are not without injuries either, Your Highness. Are you alright?”
Hannah’s worried gaze examined every part of my body. Then, looking up at Clovis and Minister Linke beside me with an expression seeking explanation, Hannah was terrifyingly calm.
“I fully understand your concern as an aide. Thankfully, Your Highness, you are unharmed.”
Hannah seemed unable to relax at Clovis’s words. It wasn’t until her gaze swept down that I understood what was troubling her.
“The baby is safe inside me, Hannah, don’t worry.”
“That’s a relief, Your Highness… What about Valerie, I mean, Lady Valerie?”
Just for a moment, as she sighed in relief, Hannah suddenly turned with a startled expression, searching for Valerie. How should I explain this? It was hard to organize my thoughts on where to begin.
In the time it took me to find a response, the knights began to murmur. Startled by the commotion, Hannah instinctively stood up and hurriedly blocked my path.
I felt her determination not to leave me alone in a dangerous situation again.
“Celly!”
That voice… brought my dazed mind back to reality, realizing we had arrived at the palace. It was a voice I had longed to hear while detained by Franz.
“Karl…”
His dark hair fluttered in the breeze. My lips trembled at the sight of his familiar silhouette and hair.
Could this man before me really be real? Is this truly happening? I was so overwhelmed that this scene felt surreal, causing my entire body to tremble.
“Celeste, Celly!”
Before he could even salute the knights, Karl rushed towards me and pulled me into his embrace. I felt as if I was collapsing helplessly into his arms.
“Oh, Celeste. Are you okay? My goodness. Celeste…”
His voice quivered at the end. He was trembling just as much as I was.
The tremor I felt from his body calmed my own shivering. Perhaps it was the realization that this man holding me was indeed real.
“Karl, I missed you.”
There were no more words to say. We simply called each other’s names, holding on tight, confirming each other’s safety and existence.
No one questioned the fact that we were breaking royal protocol by calling each other by name in front of the knights.
In that moment, it felt like it was just Karl and I left in the world, endlessly embracing each other. It wasn’t until some time passed that Karl’s gaze searched for Valerie.
***
I couldn’t determine where to begin or how much detail to provide, and I couldn’t jump to conclusions. I merely conveyed my words to Karl diligently.
I didn’t intend to worry or unsettle him.
However, it was strangely fascinating how the words I usually held back in front of people like Clovis or Hannah flowed freely in front of Karl.
Rather than wanting him to comfort me, I wanted to share all the emotions and experiences I had while we were apart.
Perhaps sharing the details of what I had gone through would help ease Karl’s anxiety.
“You’ve endured a lot, Celeste.”
After a heartfelt reunion, Karl immediately led me inside. He felt it was essential to let the returning Duchess and her party rest as soon as possible.
Still holding me close, Karl expressed gratitude to Clovis and Minister Linke for their efforts.
“I apologize for not being able to prevent the terrible things that happened to Your Highness the Duchess.”
“No, I believe it’s thanks to you that we returned safely. Thank you, Clovis.”
Karl expressed his gratitude to Clovis, who was self-reproaching for not fulfilling his duty.
“Minister Linke, I’m truly grateful to you as well.”
“It’s nothing, Your Highness. I am only in awe of your forgiveness for my failure.”
After thanking both, Karl ensured that they and the royal investigation team received appropriate care.
As if that wasn’t enough, he even warned Clovis, who insisted he couldn’t leave the Duchess’s side because of his scratches, that if he didn’t rest properly, he’d make sure he would end up resting for a lifetime.
It was quite the Karl-like action, disguising orders as commands for treatment to ensure compliance. It seemed oddly out of character for him to maintain such an embrace throughout all the orders.
“I’m okay. You don’t have to hold me like this…”
“I’m the one who isn’t okay.”
My feet dangled awkwardly in the air.
Coincidentally, I was lifted while being snugly held by Karl, and I hadn’t taken a single step into his bedroom. No, perhaps it was more accurate to say I couldn’t.
Karl easily lifted me as if he were picking up a bag and didn’t set me down. He didn’t care that people were watching. The embarrassment was entirely mine.
Even though I told him I wouldn’t go anywhere, that we were in the palace and everyone around us was there to protect us, it was useless to try to ease my worries.
