* * *

Ronen trailed closely behind the High Priest, vehemently denying something, causing the High Priest to chuckle softly.

“Having you visit the North has been wonderful! Once you leave, we won’t see you again until next year, right?”

“I wish I could come more often, but as the years accumulate, so do the people under my care. It seems we won’t meet again until next year. Still, thank you for making my stay here so meaningful.”

With a benevolent smile, the High Priest turned his gaze from Ronen to Ed, who stood behind him.

“I’m not sure what choices you’ll make, but I hope we’ll meet again someday.”

Ed smiled faintly at the High Priest’s gentle words.

“I hope for that as well. Until then, please stay healthy.”

---

After seeing off the High Priest and having dinner, Ed retreated to his room.

Sitting in a chair, he thoughtfully reviewed the schedule for the next day, then pulled out his notebook.

“Didn’t Jaynon mention that there wouldn’t be any major events for a while?”

As he meticulously checked past entries with a fountain pen, he flipped through the pages and scratched his cheek when he reached the last page where he had written his journal.

“…Herbology.”

Today had been so hectic that he’d completely forgotten about it until the High Priest brought it up.

Following the heavily inked passages he’d written, Ed chuckled softly.

The section about the Grand Duke and young master Ronen was so densely written that the ink bled onto the next page.

“Good thing the priest who suggested it isn’t leaving immediately, but it’s making things more complicated. It feels like deciding on a career path in senior year back in Korea… I’ll have to talk to the priest about it again.”

Closing his notebook, Ed stood up. Since there was still time before bed, he decided to take a walk to clear his mind.

“When you’re stuck in thought, repetitive labor works best. Might as well finish up Roa’s house while I’m at it.”

Thanks to Tens and Irtel’s help, the construction had progressed faster than expected.

With just a few more tweaks, the fence could be installed tomorrow, and Roa could finally move in.

Ed grabbed his coat and stepped outside the castle, pulling it tightly around him as he muttered, “Brr, it’s definitely cold at night.”

The temperature in the North was dropping rapidly, a clear sign that winter was approaching.

“Huh?”

As Ed walked with a lantern to light his path, he noticed a faint flicker of light near where he had been working earlier.

What’s that?

He cautiously approached and soon froze in his tracks, surprised by the figure standing there.

“…Your Grace.”

The Grand Duke, who was examining the nearly finished fox’s house by lantern light, turned at Ed’s voice.

“Oh, Ed.”

“What brings you here, Your Grace? It’s late; shouldn’t you be resting?”

“Jaynon told me you were building Roa’s house, so I thought I’d check in. I wanted to help, but it seems you’ve nearly finished.”

The Grand Duke’s gaze swept over the fox’s house, and Ed’s eyes darted nervously.

But… doesn’t he sound unusually weary?

“Irtel and Tens helped earlier. If it were just me and young master Ronen, we’d probably still be gathering materials.”

“And what brings you here, Ed? The house looks almost complete.”

“Young master Ronen is really looking forward to it. I wanted to finish it as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, the Grand Duke’s expression brightened. He took Ed’s hand, catching him off guard.

“Your Grace?”

Ed’s face grew hotter as the unexpected contact lingered. He fidgeted, but the Grand Duke only smiled warmly.

“May I help you? I regretted not coming earlier because of my afternoon schedule.”

Ed, distracted by the warmth radiating from the Grand Duke’s hand, nodded absentmindedly instead of giving his usual polite refusal.

Realizing what he had just agreed to, Ed looked up at him in a daze.

“So, it’s settled, Ed? What should we start with?”

Without waiting for a response, the Grand Duke walked over to where the materials were stacked, inspecting them carefully.

Then, noticing Ed still standing there, absentmindedly rubbing his wrist, he chuckled playfully.

“Teacher Ed, I’ll be counting on your guidance.”

---

Thud, thud, thud.

“Ed! Ed!”

Early the next morning, Ronen burst into Ed’s room, his face glowing with excitement.

The commotion roused Ed, who had only managed a few hours of sleep.

He rubbed his eyes groggily.

“Mmm… Did you sleep well, young master?”

“Yeah, but more importantly, did you? Never mind that! Ed, it seems a fairy visited Roa’s house last night!”

At first, Ed thought Ronen might be talking about a dream. He nodded absentmindedly.

“A fairy? I’d love to see one too. But have you had breakfast? And why are you dressed so lightly? It’s still cold; you should wear something warmer.”

Ronen, frustrated that Ed didn’t seem to believe him, stomped his feet and grabbed Ed’s hand.

“Ugh, I’ve eaten! I’ll dress warmer next time! But seriously—”

“He’s telling the truth, Ed. It looks like a fairy really did visit Roa’s house.”

Tence peeked through the slightly open door, confirming Ronen’s claim. Ed blinked, bewildered.

“Young master wanted to finish Roa’s house early, so Irtel and I went with him this morning. But when we got there, the house and the fence were already completed.”

“…”

“Irtel and I only managed to finish the roof yesterday. This definitely isn’t work one or two people could finish overnight. It has to be a fairy’s doing.”

Hearing this, Ed felt his drowsiness vanish.

He realized that Ronen and Tens had mistaken last night’s work with the Grand Duke for the handiwork of fairies.

“Ed, your face is all red. Are you okay?”

Ronen touched Ed’s forehead, his eyes widening in concern.

“Tens! This is serious! Ed’s burning up! Do you think he caught a cold from all the hard work yesterday?”

Tens observed Ed closely and seemed to piece together what had happened, though he said nothing. Instead, he smirked and spoke with mock gravity.

“It’s possible. After all, it got quite chilly last night.”

At the mention of last night, Ed flinched.

Tence, clearly enjoying himself, narrowed his eyes.

“Still… Ed, you did go to your room after dinner, didn’t you? The staff quarters are always kept warm under His Grace’s orders.”

“Yes, yes, that’s true!” Ronen chimed in.

“If you had gone outside, the weather last night would’ve been just mildly cool. Unless you were out for hours… Wait, could it be…?”

Tens tilted his head as if puzzled, but it was a calculated act.

Before he could continue, Ed, already flustered, quickly covered Tens’ mouth.

“Tens, what are you talking about? A cold? I’m perfectly fine, not a single ache or pain.”

“But your face is really red, Ed…” Ronan pointed out, his tone full of concern.

Startled, Ed rushed to the washbasin.

Seeing his reflection, he realized Ronan was right.

He raised his voice deliberately.

“Maybe Tens is right; the room must be too hot. Ah, it’s so warm today. Haha, I should wash up with cold water.”

As Ed moved away with awkward, creaky steps, Ronan turned to Tens, an eyebrow raised.

“Tens, wasn’t it freezing cold at dawn? Cold enough for icicles to form all over the castle?”

---

After a chaotic morning, Ed finally made his way to the dining hall for a late breakfast.

“Ed, your breakfast is quite late today.”

“Well, things just turned out that way,” Ed replied casually.

In truth, he had spent time calming Ronan, who was insistent on summoning the physician and keeping Ed in the room.

Tens smirked, clearly enjoying the situation.

“Don’t worry, young master,” he had teased.

“His Highness has prepared far better medicine here than anything you’ve had in the capital. Right, Ed? I’ll make sure it’s ready for you after breakfast.”

Without Tens’ help, Ed probably wouldn’t have managed to leave the room at all.

Now, as he sat beside Tens, who placed a pungent herbal medicine in front of him with a grin, Ed couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude—and a strong urge to playfully punch him.

Ed spooned the warm soup provided by the sous-chef, trying to steady his frazzled thoughts.

Just then, the chair opposite Tens scraped back, and a familiar figure slumped into the seat.

“Oh, Jaynon?”

“Hey, Ed.” Jaynon muttered, rubbing his dark-ringed eyes before collapsing onto the table.

“Could you help me out today?”

* * *