At Ghent Railway Station, the air was thick with the acrid sll of burning coal, as passengers moved through the crowds—so lining up for tickets, others dragging heavy luggage. There were people of all ages, faces filled with excitent and joy, many waving their hands and cheering as they disembarked.
They were the people who had fled the city before the German occupation of Ghent. They had feared they might never see their hotown again, but one day they woke up to the news that Germany had surrendered, and that Charles had already retaken the land. Now, they were able to return to the place they had longed for.
Lucia struggled to carry her suitcase as she walked out of the train station. She stopped for a mont, exhausted, then closed her eyes for a brief second, taking a deep breath. A smile of relief and anticipation spread across her face. Unconsciously, she quickened her pace and headed for the taxi waiting outside the station.
Lucia had taken leave from her duties. Although the 300-kiloter journey was not long, it was a tiring trip for soone like her who had no choice but to travel by train, which took many hours. Nevertheless, Lucia had decided to make the journey.
After all, she and her family were fortunate to have survived and returned to Belgium as Belgians on their own land, sothing many thought impossible.
The taxi stopped at Felderstraße. Lucia got out, carrying her suitcase, but before she could steady herself, several people rushed out of a nearby Gothic-style house and surrounded her.
Lucia embraced them excitedly, tears uncontrollably streaming down her face as she shouted, "Mom, Dad, it's so good to see you! And Stein, you've grown so much!"
She reached out to lovingly ruffle her brother's hair as usual, but Stein pushed her hand away.
"Hey, Lucia," Stein protested. "As you said, I'm not a child anymore; I've grown up!"
Lucia looked puzzled. "But you're only 17, Stein!"
"Don't mind him," Mrs. Girard said, wiping away her tears of joy. She linked arms with Lucia and explained, "He's got Charles on his mind all the ti and wants to be just like him."
Lucia's steps faltered at the ntion of Charles. Mrs. Girard noticed her hesitation and asked, "What's wrong?"
"No, nothing," Lucia quickly realized her mistake, forced a smile, and added, "Charles is a great role model."
Stein imdiately beca excited. "See? Lucia agrees with !"
Mr. Girard, who had been carrying Lucia's luggage, interrupted, "Charles is indeed a great role model, no one denies that. But that doesn't an you can lie about your age to join the military."
Lucia turned to Stein in shock. "You lied about your age to enlist? Are you crazy?"
"Charles enlisted at 17," Stein replied, defensively. "Now he's only 18, and he's already a brigadier general."
"But he's a genius, Stein," Lucia said. "You can't expect to be like him..."
Without hesitation, Stein cut her off. "How will I know if I'm a genius unless I try?"
Lucia was at a loss for words and cast a pleading look at her mother.
Mrs. Girard shrugged. She had already scolded him several tis, but Stein remained stubborn.
Once inside, Lucia and Mr. Girard quickly ford an alliance to deal with Stein's "obsession." Mrs. Girard went out to buy groceries and planned to cook Lucia's favorite pan-fried sole.
Though money was tight, Mrs. Girard thought it was worth celebrating.
When she returned with the grocery basket, she bumped into Mrs. Fleck, their neighbor, who was also carrying a basket.
"Mrs. Girard!" Mrs. Fleck greeted with a smile, even bowing slightly in respect.
This surprised Mrs. Girard. The two of them usually had little love for each other, but today, Mrs. Fleck seed unusually polite.
Mrs. Girard snorted, not intending to engage. It must be an act.
Mrs. Fleck seed to notice the fish in Mrs. Girard's basket and followed her a few steps, asking eagerly, "Are you adding extra dishes today, Mrs. Girard?"
Reluctantly, Mrs. Girard nodded. "Yes, Lucia's back."
She thought this would be the end of the conversation, but Mrs. Fleck gasped and asked, "Oh my, Lucia's back? Then... then is Charles with her?"
"What?" Mrs. Girard stopped in her tracks, looking at Mrs. Fleck with confusion. "Charles? Why would Charles be here? Are you joking?"
"No, of course not," Mrs. Fleck apologized quickly. "It's just a misunderstanding, Mrs. Girard. I... I thought Charles might..."
Mrs. Fleck suddenly realized sothing and added, "You don't know? Oh God, I've said too much. I'm... sorry, truly sorry, Mrs. Girard!"
With that, Mrs. Fleck turned and tried to walk away.
But Mrs. Girard wasn't going to let her off so easily. She rushed up to block her and demanded, "What don't I know? What are you trying to pull?"
"No, no," Mrs. Fleck panicked. "Please forgive , Mrs. Girard. I... I hope you can forgive my rudeness. Truly, from the bottom of my heart!"
Mrs. Girard was growing more confused. She studied Mrs. Fleck, who seed genuinely upset, even to the point of tears. There was an undeniable look of fear in her eyes.
After a mont's hesitation, Mrs. Girard said, "Unless you tell why, Mrs. Fleck, I won't forgive you."
"Really?" Mrs. Fleck's eyes brightened. "You will really forgive ?"
Mrs. Girard nodded firmly. "Of course I will. I always keep my word."
Mrs. Fleck sighed in relief and relaxed. Then, hesitantly, she spoke.
"This... This might be a secret, Mrs. Girard. I'm not sure if I should tell you, but..."
Seeing the determined look in Mrs. Girard's eyes, Mrs. Fleck steeled herself and said, "It's Lucia. She's Charles's girlfriend. They're seeing each other."
Mrs. Girard froze for a mont before she laughed. "Are you crazy? Charles and Lucia are dating? My God, you must be joking!"
"No, it's true, Mrs. Girard," Mrs. Fleck quickly clarified. "Proto returned yesterday. He's working in Paris now. He said everyone in Paris knows about it, and he's proud of Lucia!"
Mrs. Girard's smile faded as she recalled the strange expression Lucia had when Charles's na was ntioned and her sudden actions. Slowly, she began to believe what she had heard.
"My God, I can't believe this!" Mrs. Girard thought for a mont, then suddenly ran toward ho in a frenzy.
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