Homecoming

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Familiar corridors, familiar gardens.

Eileen's eyes widened as she looked at everything she knew so well. After being away for more than a year and a half, the palace hadn't changed much.

With Lydia by her side, she hurried through the hallways, racing towards the Queen's quarters.

"Princess!" "Lady Eileen!" "Thank the heavens!"

The palace servants she encountered along the way all showed expressions of surprise and relief. The young princess had suddenly disappeared, and the public story was that she had gone to stay with relatives in Gabella. However, no one expected her to be away for over a year without returning. Given how kind Eileen was to the servants, they naturally didn't want any harm to come to her. Seeing her safe and back at the palace, each person breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of their hearts.

Eileen smiled at each servant who greeted her but did not slow her pace.

Finally, she reached the palace she had longed for, and a woman's figure appeared at the door.

"Mother!" Eileen cried as she threw herself into Queen Felice's embrace.

The Queen held the princess tightly, unable to speak, with tears streaming down her cheeks, revealing her inner emotions. The surrounding ladies-in-waiting and servants also wiped their tears.

After Viscount Velos returned to land, he sent people day and night to report to Crystal Glare, so Queen Felice had already known of Eileen's return. However, to avoid complications, no one had mentioned the near encounter with pirates.

"Eileen… my dear… how could you be so heartless…"

"I'm sorry, Mother, I should have returned earlier."

The mother and daughter embraced and wept for a long time before separating at the insistence of those around them.

Lydia, the female knight, suddenly knelt on one knee before the Queen, her voice trembling as she said, "Your Majesty, please punish me for my offenses."

Queen Felice looked at her for a long time, then shook her head, saying, "No, you have no offense. Lydia, Eileen is your sovereign, and leaving home was her decision, not yours—although I would have preferred it not to happen. And you… you have dutifully fulfilled the responsibilities of a knight."

"Your Majesty…" Lydia still didn't lift her head, her voice choked with emotion.

Queen Felice helped the knight to her feet, "Get up, loyal knight, and see who has come to see you."

Lydia's gaze passed over the Queen and fell on two figures.

"Father! Mother!"

Her joy was immense as she shouted.

"Lydia!" "My daughter!"

The family embraced tightly.

...

In a side hall of the palace, King Rodney was discussing details of the Northwest Fleet with the Abbot father and son.

"Your Majesty, the Northwest Fleet is equipped with powerful weapons and has rich experience in dealing with pirates. When I first arrived at the Northwest Bay, it was also plagued by pirates, but they were eradicated in less than half a year. Of course, this time we still need to rely on the kingdom's regular army. The Northwest people will undoubtedly bow to your majesty's divine might."

Hansel was speaking confidently, seemingly certain that the pirates' defeat was assured with the combined effort of the two armies.

"Yes, I am also aware of the process of Earl Grayman's pirate eradication."

King Rodney said thoughtfully, "Ah, although he is young, he is indeed a capable lord. By the way, Hansel, it is said that Earl Grayman invented a weapon that can spew fire, and it is very effective. Do you know anything about this?"

"Uh… well… Your Majesty, the formal names are actually 'cannon' and 'firearm,' one large and one small. But… but…"

Hansel hesitated, "Earl Grayman keeps it very secret. It's hard to know the specifics unless you're part of the Alden army."

"Mm… alright." King Rodney did not press further. Every high-ranking noble had their own secrets, and some things even a king could not force out of others.

At this moment, a servant hurried in and whispered something into King Rodney's ear.

Hansel clearly noticed that the previously imposing King suddenly became unsettled. His face showed excitement, with a hint of… was that anger? It was a bit puzzling.

"Ahem…"

King Rodney cleared his throat and regained his previous dignity and composure.

He addressed Abbot's father, "Lord Abbot, we'll conclude our meeting for today. Your son has done well."

Old Abbot quickly stood up, "Your Majesty, you flatter me."

The King then turned to Hansel, "Tomorrow I will give you a written order. Take it to the local administrator at Kiel Port, and he will assist you in handling the Northwest Fleet's repairs and supplies."

"Understood, Your Majesty!" Hansel replied respectfully.

"Then, you may return and rest."

The King stood up, concluding the meeting. Abbot and his son watched as King Rodney left through a side door.

Once King Rodney was out of their sight, he quickened his pace, with his personal guards hurrying after him.

He finally arrived at the Queen's quarters, adjusted his attire slightly, and then entered at a measured pace.

In the sitting room of the Queen's quarters, he finally saw the person he wanted to meet—Eileen was nestled beside her mother, and the two were sharing their feelings.

"Your Majesty, you are here," Lydia's parents noticed the King and immediately stepped forward to bow.

Eileen finally noticed her father had arrived. She hurriedly stood up but did not dare to meet King Rodney's gaze. She was awkward and a bit like a child who had done something wrong—though in a way, she had.

Queen Felice quickly went to her husband, giving him a sharp look and whispering, "Don't scare the child."

The King muttered, "I know."

He approached Eileen, looking at his anxious daughter with a mix of reproach and guilt in his tone as he said, "You foolish child, why did you leave without a word? Do you know how worried your mother has been?"

"Father." The King's touch eased all of Eileen's reservations. She threw herself into her father's embrace, feeling the long-awaited warmth return.

"I was scared," Eileen cried, her voice choked with tears, "I was really scared."

"It was not the fear of being punished by you for wrongdoing, but a fear I can't quite describe."

"I know… I know…" The King repeated slowly, feeling his guilt intensify.

He started to say, "I will never…" but stopped short. When balancing national interest against his daughter's happiness, what choice would he ultimately make?

"Father in heaven! Punish me," King Rodney silently prayed.

TL Note: Ah, f**ing politics...

(End of the Chapter)

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