* * *
Feeling suddenly embarrassed under the Duke’s intense gaze, Ed reflexively turned his eyes toward the window opposite them.
Outside, Irtel and the knights were preparing to head out.
“Your Grace, it’s getting late. Seeing Sir Irtel readying for reconnaissance suggests there may be an issue,” Ed said.
The Duke, following Ed’s gaze to the window, immediately began preparing to leave the laboratory.
Ed, too, donned his coat as he glanced out at the swirling white snow beyond the window.
“Ed, let’s return to the main estate.”
Once they stepped outside, the snowstorm was fiercer than anticipated.
‘It’s my first winter in the North, so I can’t fully grasp the situation, but… a snowstorm like this lasting over two weeks doesn’t seem normal.’
Ed glanced at the Duke, who was illuminating the path ahead with a magical lantern, his worry clear in his gaze.
‘If this happened every year, His Grace wouldn’t have sent Sir Irtel beyond the walls to check on the villagers.’
Was it the bitter northern wind?
By the time they descended the main staircase from the laboratory, the Duke’s previously soft expression had hardened.
“It seems there’s a problem,” the Duke said firmly.
As soon as the words left his mouth, a knight came rushing down the hallway toward them.
“Your Grace! Sir Irtel has identified the cause of the snowstorm. He intended to report directly to you, but with the storm worsening by the minute, he decided to lead an urgent sortie under the authority of the Captain of the Guard. He requests your approval.”
The Duke paused in thought before nodding heavily.
“If Irtel deems it urgent, it must be dealt with immediately. I will go as well. The knights alone may struggle to handle any unforeseen situations on such a dark night.”
Hearing this, the knight’s initially grim face brightened slightly.
“Once our preparations are complete, we’ll depart. I’ll relay your instructions to Sir Irtel to be extra prepared in case we’re trapped by the storm.”
The knight hurried off as swiftly as he’d come.
The Duke turned his gaze to Ed, who was looking at him with an anxious expression, and lightly patted his head.
“Don’t worry, Ed. If it were truly dangerous, Irtel would have asked me to stay behind.”
Despite the Duke’s reassurance, Ed couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling.
His hand instinctively twitched, almost grabbing the Duke’s sleeve, but he stopped himself.
Instead, Ed fixed the Duke with a determined look and said, “With both Sir Irtel and Your Grace present, I have no reason to worry. However…”
Ed trailed off, excused himself, and ran off in a hurry.
Luckily, his room was nearby. He returned shortly, holding something in his hand, and handed it to the Duke.
“The storm is intense, so please take this. I prepared it while making medicine for the villagers, just in case.”
The Duke held up the bottle Ed handed him, examining it in the dim light. Inside were dozens of small pills. Seeing the puzzled look in the Duke’s eyes, Ed quickly explained.
“Well, Your Grace and the northern knights often face monsters, so I started researching this on my own. I read that using herbs grown with divine power from the temple can prevent physical strain. I wondered if my healing ability could achieve a similar effect, so I experimented a little.”
“…”
“I didn’t push myself too hard, really! I only used as much power as I could safely manage…”
The Duke wanted to scold Ed for recklessly using his powers again.
But seeing Ed’s glistening eyes, as if tears might fall at any moment, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.
Instead, he carefully tucked the bottle into his coat.
“Thank you, Ed. I’ll put the strength you gave me to good use. Sleep well, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
Ed watched the Duke’s retreating figure for a long moment before stepping back into his room.
His emotions still turbulent, he gazed blankly out the window, still in his coat.
Soon, the Duke, Irtel, and a group of knights rode out through the castle gates, their departure accompanied by the roaring wind and the crunch of snow.
The Duke didn’t return the next morning. Nor the day after.
Eeeek.
Sitting in the dining hall, staring blankly at his now-cold breakfast, Ed turned toward the sound of the opening door.
Jaynon and Tens stood at the entrance, their expressions tinged with concern.
“Ed, are you still here? When His Grace goes on an expedition, it often takes days,” Jaynon said.
“Exactly. Look around—everyone else is carrying on as usual. They’re used to this,” Tens added.
Despite their reassurances, Ed’s face remained clouded.
Ronen, who had been standing behind them, approached him.
Unlike his usual demeanor, Ronen wore a slightly tense smile as he spoke.
“Ed! I’m worried too, but I trust my brother. He told me himself—I have to take care of the northern estate when he’s not here.”
Ronen reached out and gripped Ed’s arm.
The faint tremor in Ronen’s hand snapped Ed out of his daze like a splash of cold water.
‘Even young Ronen isn’t showing his fear. What am I doing?’
Springing to his feet, Ed slapped his cheeks loudly.
Everyone froze, stunned by the sudden action.
Ed, cheeks now red, grabbed Ronen’s hand and declared, “You’re right. With His Grace absent, it’s our duty to protect the castle and its people.”
Jaynon and Tens exhaled in relief, but their relief quickly gave way to confusion as Ed continued.
“What are you all doing? The snowstorm’s been raging for days. Even if the castle is fine, the villagers must be struggling to find drinking water and firewood by now.”
“…Huh?”
“This was Sir Irtel’s responsibility, but most of the knights are out. We’ll have to handle it ourselves!”
With a determined stomp, Ed’s fervor sent Jaynon and Tens fleeing the dining hall, mumbling that this wasn’t what they signed up for.
The only sound left in the dining hall was Ronen’s applause, echoing in response to Ed’s fiery resolve.
Jaynon and Tens were buried deep in their thick fur coats, trembling like leaves.
Peering through the gaps in their clothing, their fearful eyes tracked two figures darting around frantically in the blizzard.
Suddenly, one of the figures dashed toward them at lightning speed.
Though it made no audible sound, in their ears, the sound da-da-da-da was crystal clear.
“Eeek!”
“W-We have to run!”
Jaynon and Tens tried to flee, but their bulky clothing and the biting cold slowed their movements.
A chilling voice soon pierced through the howling wind.
“And what might the two of you be doing here, given you’ve supposedly been through situations like this countless times?”
“Huff… Ed, please, spare me. You know I can’t handle the cold. If I stay out here any longer, I might actually die!”
Jaynon, his face a picture of desperation, pleaded with teary eyes.
But the sight of Ed’s glare, with its twin flames of fury, sent him scurrying off to join the others unpacking relief supplies.
“Ed… Actually, I’ve been meaning to tell you, but when I’m out in cold weather like this, I have trouble breathing. Of course, it’s something I need to overcome! Absolutely!”
With nothing more than a sharp look, Ed had driven off both Jaynon and Tens.
Turning his gaze skyward, he sighed at the ominous clouds that still loomed overhead.
‘It’s already been two more days… and still, His Grace shows no signs of returning.’
As his thoughts began to spiral down darker paths, Ed slapped his own cheeks, the sound echoing through the frigid air, and ran toward the crackling bonfire.
For several days, the northern stronghold persevered as one, enduring the relentless blizzard.
Slowly but surely, the storm abated, and the oppressive clouds began to dissipate, revealing clearer skies.
“Ed! Ed! Did you see that? The snow stopped!”
When Ronen burst into the room, Ed was standing by the frosted window, wiping it with his sleeve to get a clearer view.
“Yes… Master Ronen, the snow has stopped.”
“Then we’ll be able to see my brother soon, right? Let’s start preparing to welcome him back! Irtel, the knights, everyone’s worked so hard too!”
Even as Ronen spoke, Ed’s eyes remained glued to the brightening scenery beyond the window.
“Yes… Let’s. When His Grace returns, we’ll ensure the castle is warm, the food is ready, and everything is in place to give him proper rest.”
Ronen’s enthusiasm spread like wildfire through the stronghold, carried by Jaynon and Tens.
By the time Ed had donned his gear and stepped outside, the castle was already bustling.
Heavy rugs were being hung to block out the cold winds, and delicious aromas wafted from the kitchen.
Even the snow piled along the path from the castle gates was being swiftly cleared by Ronen and the staff.
Ronen’s energy had reinvigorated the entire stronghold.
‘Even though no one openly said it, everyone’s been feeling His Grace’s absence.’
Watching Ronen, the youngest in the castle, step up to fill the void left by his brother, Ed felt a surge of pride.
‘It feels like just yesterday he was curled up all alone at the Count’s estate. When did he grow so much?’
Clap!
Ronen suddenly sprinted over and clapped his hands against Ed’s.
“Ed, what are you doing slacking off? We’ve already received word the knights are approaching. Let’s hurry and finish up!”
Knock, knock.
“Sir Irtel, what did you just say?”
The lively castle, which had been bustling with preparations for the welcome ceremony, fell into a silence so deep that even the sound of melting ice drops echoed.
“His Grace… has gone missing, Master Ronen.”
Ed grabbed Irtel’s arm, his voice trembling.
* * *
How~~~