* * *

Packing the snow tightly in his hands, the Grand Duke glanced at Ed.

“So, Ed, whose side are you going to be on?”

Ed looked at Ronen pressed against the shed wall and at the playful expression of the Grand Duke.

Bending down, he gathered more snowballs and stepped back to increase the distance between himself and the Grand Duke.

“I won’t be taking sides with anyone.”

---

The snowball fight was comically clumsy.

The Grand Duke intentionally threw snowballs away from their target, Ronen took an eternity to pack each snowball, and Ed, who had somehow ended up beside Ronen, was busy helping him gather snow.

The whole scene barely qualified as a proper snowball fight.

As the snow gradually intensified, the Grand Duke ushered them into the shed for warmth.

“Shall I make some tea?” Ed offered as he picked up the teapot.

Ronen, with a cheerful “Yes!”, shook the snow from his hair.

The Grand Duke looked around the shed and spoke.

“It looks like you’ve combined Ronen’s and Ed’s firestone boxes.”

“Yes! They took up too much space when separated, so I put them together. But it felt odd to only have practical things here, so I thought it’d be nice to add some dolls and small flowerpots.”

“Dolls and flowerpots?”

“Yes, and I’m also thinking of decorating the shelves and sofa.”

“That would certainly make the shed more charming.”

Ronen beamed at the Grand Duke’s praise and set a cup of tea in front of him.

The Grand Duke gently patted Ronen’s head and looked up at Ed.

“So, have you decided what kind of dolls you’ll bring?”

“Not yet. I haven’t made up my mind, so once the snow stops, I plan to visit the market with Young Master Ronen.”

“Is that so? Then, if I have time, may I join you?”

“Really, Brother?” Ronen asked, eyes shining.

“Since it’s both Ronen’s and Ed’s first time at the northern market, I thought it would be nice to accompany and guide you.”

“Wow, going out with Brother!”

---

But that promise couldn’t be kept as heavy snow continued for over a week.

Sitting by the fireplace, Ed watched the snow-covered landscape outside.

Although it was still midday, the thick snow clouds made it look like a dark, wintry night.

A knock echoed at the door, and when Ed got up to open it, Tens was standing there.

“Tens, is everything outside under control?”

“Yeah, aside from the continuous snow, there are no major issues.”

“And His Grace the Grand Duke has returned to the estate as well?”

Tens shook his head slightly.

“No, he said he’d take a bit longer to inspect the area around Irtel and the fortress.”

“Oh.”

The snowfall that had initially been gentle became a full-blown blizzard as time passed.

Fortunately, the northern fortress was well-prepared for such conditions.

Major roads were equipped with heated magical devices to melt the snow swiftly, and communication networks had been established with village chiefs to monitor the situation within the estate.

However, as it was spring and not the heart of winter, many people had not been ready for such heavy snow.

Thankfully, Ronen and Ed had bought plenty of magic firestones from merchants, ensuring no villagers had to suffer in the cold.

“Ed, instead of staying here in the cold, let’s join Jaynon in his room,” Tens suggested.

Although there were enough firestones to spare, with no clear end to the snowfall, everyone in the fortress began conserving resources.

One method was for multiple people to share large rooms and conserve warmth together.

Turning off his lamp, Ed followed Tens up the stairs.

When Tens opened Jaynon’s door, Ed’s eyes widened at the sight inside.

“Ed, come on in!” Jaynon called.

Confetti made of paper floated through the air, and portable magic fireworks burst with a pop.

‘What on earth is going on?’ Ed thought, bewildered, as Ronen, who was sitting on Jaynon’s bed, ran over and grabbed Ed’s hand, bouncing excitedly.

“Thanks to your firestones, the people of the North didn’t have to suffer from the cold! So we’re throwing a small party to show our gratitude!”

Somehow, the Grand Duke, who had supposedly not returned, was beside Ed, brushing confetti from his hair.

“In that case, Young Master Ronen was a big help too,” Ed said.

Ronen shook his head vigorously.

“I just bought them with you, so today’s party is for you, Ed!”

Was this really a reason to throw a party?

Ed wondered, gazing at the cake on the table.

The magic candles’ flames flickered in the breeze.

The Grand Duke leaned in and whispered to Ed.

“Moments like these, Ed, are meant to be enjoyed. Here in the North, we turn even small joys into big celebrations during heavy snowfalls. Otherwise, the weight of it all becomes too exhausting.”

Oh, Ed thought, approaching the table and blowing out the candles.

More paper confetti and fireworks erupted, filling the room with warmth and laughter.

Ed smiled softly.

‘Perhaps it’s this warmth and spirit that keep the North thriving, even in such harsh conditions.’

He resolved to be a part of this kind and resilient northern community.

After more than ten days of continuous snow, life returned to the northern fortress.

The dining hall fire roared, and people bustled about, making up for lost time.

“Ed, are you ready?” Ronen asked eagerly.

He was also full of energy.

Being cooped up in the fortress had made him restless, and with the snow finally melting and permission to go outside granted, he had been circling Ed all morning.

“Yes, almost done,” Ed replied, securing the packed lunch he had prepared in the dining hall.

Today was the day they were going to buy dolls to decorate the shed.

The Grand Duke had promised to join them but was now buried under a backlog of work caused by the blizzard, so he couldn’t come.

“It’s a shame Brother can’t join us, but he said he’d follow once he finishes his duties. Let’s go on ahead, Ed,” Ronen said.

Ed looked at Ronen, who was trying to sound cheerful but was clearly disappointed about not going out with the Grand Duke.

The dejection was evident in his voice.

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Alright!”

After checking Ronen’s clothes one more time, Ed stepped outside, where the Grand Duke was standing by the carriage.

Ronen hurried forward, hoping the Grand Duke had changed his mind and would join them.

“Are you coming with us after all, Brother?”

The Grand Duke shook his head slightly.

“I can’t go with you, so I came to see you off. But seeing you makes me want to abandon my duties and come along.”

“I’d love that, but you really can’t, Brother.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, because you’re the pillar and lord of the North. Even if it’s tough, you should handle your work before joining us. But I’ll give you a massage tonight to make up for it!”

“Thanks to you, I feel energized already. I’m looking forward to that massage.”

The Grand Duke patted Ronen’s head and turned to Ed.

“Take care, Ed. If you need any more money, just tell Tens.”

Ed smiled softly at the Grand Duke’s gentle reminder.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

When the carriage entered a winding path, Ed opened the window and peered outside.

He expected the roads to be a mess after the heavy snowfall, but they had already been neatly cleared.

He could hear Tens humming contentedly as he drove the carriage.

Although the ground was still a bit muddy, it was sufficient for both people and carriages to pass.

‘This must be the resilience of the North.’

It was clear that despite facing numerous hardships, the people overcame them through cooperation and the timely arrival of supplies.

“It feels like it’s been a while since it was just the two of us going out together like this,” Ronen remarked.

Ed turned his gaze away from the view.

Ronen, who had been looking at trees still dusted with snow, met Ed’s eyes.

“Yes, Young Master. Now that you mention it, it has been quite some time since we arrived in the North.”

“Yeah, and how about you, Ed? Do you like it here in the North?”

“Yes, it might be too soon to say, but the people are nice, and I feel at ease here.”

“That’s true. I was a bit worried when the heavy snow started, but being with my brother made it all okay. Plus, having those small parties really made things enjoyable,” Ronen said with a wide smile.

At that moment, Tens’ voice called out from outside.

“Hey, Ed, close the window.”

Ed wondered what was happening as he closed the window.

The carriage then stopped, and he heard Tens getting down from the driver’s seat.

“Is something the matter over there?” Ed focused on the sound of Tens’ voice from outside the carriage.

* * *