As the Luxenberg fleet approached the city, one family in particular rushed to the harbour. Escorted by French Imperial Guard soldiers, Clarisse and her children made haste to the docks. Victor was finally home.
After two months at sea, the Holy Trinity unded the final headland and entered the long bay that sheltered Hannover, capital of the Kingdom of Luxenberg. A crisp northern wind filled her sails, snapping the dark-blue banners that bore the golden eagle of the realm. Salt spray glittered along the rails as the ship cut through the cold, steel-colored water, her timbers groaning like an animal eager for land.
Ahead, Hannover revealed itself in full.
The city unfurled beneath a sky of pale winter gold, its rooftops a patchwork of slate and steep gables that climbed the hills in orderly ranks. Tall stone warehouses lined the lower docks, their winches and cranes frozen mid-motion as workers abandoned their tasks to crowd the waterfront.
As the Holy Trinity sailed deeper into the harbour, a roar began on the docks—first a murmur, then a wave of cheers. Fishermen, merchants, children, soldiers on leave, even the stiff-backed city officials all pressed toward the piers, forming a living wall of faces lit with expectation.
Victor stood at the prow, cloak tied securely against the chill, boots braced as the harbour widened before him. Behind him, his officers formed up along the rail. The men were weary from two months of travelling, but the sight of home washed the stiffness from their expressions.
Rowboats pushed off from the docks to escort the flagship in, their crews saluting with raised oars. Trumpeters aboard the leading cutter lifted their instruments, and a bright, brassy fanfare burst across the bay, echoed seconds later by the horns on the city walls.
Victor allowed himself a small, relieved exhale.
"Home," he murmured, not as a lament or a brood, but as a simple statement of fact.
The Holy Trinity eased alongside the royal pier—reserved for the king alone—and lines were tossed ashore, caught by eager hands. The gangplank dropped with a heavy thud.
The cheering reached a fevered pitch.
Victor descended first, boots touching Luxenberg soil once more. His ministers bowed. Soldiers saluted. Children waved small cloth flags of blue and gold. Farther back, crowds chanted his name, voices rolling like thunder against the stone embankments.
Homecomings were not rare for a king—but this one felt different. The Zandarian campaign had become known across his kingdom, carried by merchant ships. Bards had already begun composing songs about the campaign. And now the people wanted to see the man at the centre of it.
Victor raised a gloved hand in acknowledgement, and the harbour erupted again.
Coming to the forefront of the crowd was the welcome sight of his family. Clarisse, their six children and Isabella were all present for his return. It had been a year and almost 4 months since they last saw Victor. Clarisse and the younger children were desperate to embrace Victor after being away for so long. Anton and Henri stood proudly, offering their father a salute while dressed in their military academy uniforms.
"Welcome back, my love," Clarisse said while holding Victor tightly.
Victor smiled, "It is good to be back."
With the Royal Family reunited, they were escorted to carriages and taken back to the Luxenberg Palace.
As Victor stepped inside, he looked once over his shoulder at the Holy Trinity, her sails furling neatly as her crew finished their duties.
She had carried him across half the world and brought him home with honour.
The carriage rolled forward.
The people of Hannover followed, cheering, singing, and calling blessings on their king as he made his triumphant return home.
That evening, a massive feast was held. The Royal Family, generals and administrators were all gathered in the dining room. Trays of delicious food were brought out in abundance, and alcohol was rolled out by the barrel.
Hannover was in full celebration mode. Music infected the streets, people were drinking, feasting and cheering. Songs were sung and some people we dancing the night away.
Back in the dining room, Victor was surrounded by his young children, telling them a child-appropriate version of his adventure. Meanwhile, Anton and Henri were catching up with their mentor, Marshal Bessières. They got the unfiltered story of what happened during the campaign. From the sieges to the Battle of the Forest Clearing, he left nothing out. General Scharnhorst even joined the two boys and listened to the stories Marshal Bessières told.
"I wish I could go on a campaign like that," Henri remarked.
Marshal Bessières chuckled, "You are not even a man yet. Wait till you grow some hair on your face, my Prince."
The small group burst into laughter, prompting Victor to join them. "Jean is right, my sons. Wait until you are men before wishing to go on campaign with us. War is not something to look forward to."
Both the young princes straightened themselves at this remark. They knew that their father was serious. As such, they dropped the matter of discussing war stories. Instead, the two boys went to talk to General Bertrand and General Rapp.
"Jean, would you give me a moment with Gerhard?" Victor politely asked.
Marshal Bessières nodded and was quick to leave the two men to have a conversation. General Scharnhorst gave a smile to the Commander of the Royal Guard as he walked past, before snapping his attention back to Victor.
"What would you like to speak about, Your Majesty?" Scharnhorst questioned.
Victor ushered General Scharnhorst to a quiet corner before speaking. "That matter I had you look into before I left for Zandar, have you discovered anything?"
The Prussian General remained expressionless and answered, "My Liege, it may be best if we carry on this conversation in a different room. We would not want your family to find out; it would cause unnecessary worry if they did."
Victor nodded in agreement and relocated to his study with General Scharnhorst.