* * *

After bowing to the innkeepers, Ed climbed into the carriage, following the Grand Duke.

“Then, we’ll head off!”

As Tens shouted from the reins, Ronen looked out of the window and asked, noticing the mountain road ahead.

“Um, Brother? Aren’t we heading back to the northern castle?”

“I thought it wouldn’t hurt to take a bit more time since we’re already out.”

When the carriage finally came to a stop on the gentle incline, Ed’s eyes widened.

They had arrived at a peak from which the entirety of the northern lands could be seen.

Ed stepped out of the carriage and gazed silently at the view before him.

“…….”

The Grand Duke stood beside Ed, wordlessly taking in the sight alongside him.

It was dark by the time they returned to the northern castle.

Back in his room, Ed carefully took out the flower he had stored.

He was relieved to find it still intact.

“Since it symbolizes protection over the north…”

He placed the well-dried flower on his desk, carefully laying it on a handkerchief.

“I should ask Jeynon tomorrow if he has a container I could use to keep it safe. It might crumble otherwise.”

As he naturally recalled the Grand Duke’s calm, gentle voice, Ed shook his head, snapping himself out of his thoughts.

“It’s late; I’d better get some sleep.”

After tidying up, Ed lay down in bed and closed his eyes, feeling confident that he would quickly drift off after the long day.

“…….”

How much time had passed?

Ed’s eyes opened suddenly as he looked around, sensing that he had dozed off into a faint dream, although he couldn’t remember it clearly.

He turned over in bed, gazing at the crackling fireplace.

Though northern springs were warmer than he expected, the nights still held a biting chill.

While a coat would suffice during the day under the bright sunlight, nighttime temperatures dropped drastically.

The Grand Duke, concerned for Ed’s and Ronen’s comfort, always checked their rooms before they went to sleep, ensuring the fireplace was stoked and a magic-infused kettle of warm water was prepared.

After staring at the fire absently for a while, Ed got up, taking a sip of warm water before leaving his bed.

He moved a chair in front of the fireplace, hoping the warmth would lull him back to sleep.

He stayed there for some time without moving.

But as time drifted by without drowsiness, Ed finally stood up.

Checking the pocket watch on his desk, he saw it was already 11:30 PM.

After some deliberation, Ed donned a cardigan and opened the door.

Walking down the softly lit corridor, he climbed the stairs to the next floor.

He paused in front of a light brown door, pressing his ear to it.

Hearing sounds from inside, he knocked softly.

“Who’s there?”

“Jeynon, it’s Ed. Sorry for the late hour.”

“Ah, just a moment.”

There was some shuffling inside before the door opened.

‘Jeynon and Tens mentioned staying up late for games yesterday, so I figured they might still be awake.’

Ed grinned, looking up at Tens, who greeted him with a playful smile as he opened the door.

“Sorry for the late visit, Tens.”

“No need to apologize; we’re just having fun. Did you come to play, too, Ed?”

“What? Tens, you told Ed about our secret hobby?”

“It just came up. Don’t worry, Jeynon; as long as Irretel doesn’t find out, we’re good.”

Laughing lightly, Tens waved him in, and Ed followed, stepping into the slightly chaotic room.

A low table sat in the middle of the room, scattered with wooden blocks, and Jeynon’s forehead was flushed red.

“Didn’t you visit the Deputy Commander’s restaurant today?”

Jeynon, while gathering scattered blocks on the table, asked Ed.

“Oh, yes, I did.”

“I would have gone too if not for being tied up organizing the library today. Such a shame.”

“Ed, Jeynon has been pestering me all day for not bringing him along.”

“That’s not true!”

Jeynon pouted slightly, gesturing for Ed to take a seat.

“Well, since sleep doesn’t seem to be coming anyway.”

When Ed expressed his intent to join the game and took a seat across from Jaynon, Tens lightly stretched his fingers.

Jaynon tapped his hand against the stacked wooden blocks, explaining the rules.

“It’s simple. We each take turns pulling a block, and the person who topples the tower loses.”

“And the penalty?”

“Whoever topples the tower gets a flick on the forehead.”

With a snap of his fingers, Tens responded, while Ed glanced at Jaynon’s forehead, nodding in acknowledgment.

“Alright then, let’s start.”

Jaynon carefully pulled a block from the middle of the wooden tower, beginning the game, and Tens followed with his turn.

When it was Ed’s turn, he examined the blocks carefully, his fingers moving cautiously.

Jaynon, watching Ed’s hands, asked, “Oh, by the way, why did you come to my room at this hour, Ed? Isn’t it late for you to be awake?”

“I needed something stored. I wanted to ask if you might have a container that could hold it safely without damage.”

“A container? How big?”

“It doesn’t have to be large, just enough to fit a single flower.”

“If it’s that size, I might have something in my room. Wait a moment.”

Jaynon stood up and began rifling through his desk drawers.

Meanwhile, Tens leaned over and whispered to Ed.

“Now you know why Jaynon’s forehead looks like that.”

Ed nodded with a small chuckle.

Just then, a loud, reverberating chime echoed throughout the northern fortress.

Jaynon, who had been searching his drawer, and Tens, who had been quietly laughing, both froze.

As the chime stopped momentarily before resounding again, Tense frowned and shouted, “It’s a monster attack! I’ll go to Master Ronen’s room—Jaynon, you take Ed to the shelter!”

---

As midnight approached, the Grand Duke was sitting on the sofa in his study, reading a book.

Clang! Clang!

He jumped up at the sound of the bells ringing outside.

Clang! Clang!

With each regular interval of the chime, the Grand Duke swiftly donned his armor and readied his sword.

This was no accidental ring; the quiet night within the castle erupted into a flurry of activity.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, a quick knock sounded on the door, followed by Irtel entering.

“Your Grace, a report just came in from the eastern gate post—monsters have been spotted.”

“Where exactly?”

“Near the edge of the eastern Sauni Forest. The northern knights’ vanguard has already moved out to investigate.”

“What kind of monster?”

“It appears to be one capable of flight.”

The Grand Duke nodded and quickly exited the room.

Fortunately, Sauni Forest was a bit of a distance from the castle, so if he hurried, they could fend off the monster before it reached the estate.

The northern fortress was bustling as people moved to evacuate in an orderly yet tense fashion.

Despite regular evacuation drills, a real emergency still brought unavoidable fear.

As he observed children to elders moving quickly to the designated shelters, the Grand Duke asked, “How many have been confirmed?”

“Two monsters so far.”

“Any movement?”

“None yet; they remain dormant.”

The Grand Duke moved swiftly, heading toward Ronen’s room while continuing to gather information about the monsters.

Monsters, upon emerging from a rift, typically fell into a dormant state to acclimate to the physical world, and they were easier to handle in that slow-moving state.

He instructed Irtel to be ready to engage immediately.

“Brother!”

Ronen was exiting his room with Tens holding his hand.

The Grand Duke, now armored, softened his expression to avoid scaring Ronen as he approached.

“Ronen, go to the shelter with Tens… No, I’ll take you myself. Come here, Ronen, let me carry you.”

The Grand Duke crouched, letting Ronen wrap his arms around him tightly, and began carrying him down the stairs, lightly patting his back to ease his trembling.

“What about Ed?”

“Let’s go to the shelter first, your grace.”

* * *