NOVGO.NET Chapter 405: Winter is here.
Chapter 405: Winter is here.
“Ahem…”
Kael coughed lightly with a red face, trying to get her attention in an embarrassing manner. Lavinia, who was now awake and had been avoiding eye contact all this while, finally stared at him.
Their gaze met for barely a second and before Kael could say or do anything…
“C-Can you move y-your h-hand… from the b-back…?”
The Mage requested.
“O-Oh!”
Kael quickly realized that his hand was still under her shirt and moved it as quickly as possible. Because he tried to do it faster, his hands got stuck more than once. It was quite shameful, considering he was a warrior who had trained his reflexes to the very limits, yet none of his training seemed to be working.
After tangling and untangling himself for a good minute, Kael finally managed to take his hand out of Lavinia’s shirt, his face now even redder.
“I-It’s done…”
He spoke in a low voice.
Lavinia nodded, her eyes staring at the trail of fog that formed in the air as Kael spoke.
“I-It is quite cold today…”
She spoke in a low voice, wanting to change the topic. None of them talked about their legs that were completely wrapped around each other. The warmth felt good, especially in this cold weather, so they wanted to keep it that way until the other noticed.
“It is indeed…”
Kael nodded.
Yes, the awkwardness in the air was palpable, the two of them seemed like a newlywed couple waking next to each other after their first night.
They desperately needed a third person to carry the conversation.
The third person—or rather, a group—quickly appeared now that both of them were awake.
“Yes, the Winter is finally here.”
Imperia, who came out of the Portal along with the rest of the Bonds, spoke up. Nyrri even opened the doors, revealing the land that was now covered in a foot of thick snow.
It was a mesmerizingly beautiful sight.
“It snowed…?”
Lavinia questioned.
“After you slept, yes.”
Imperia nodded.
“It only stopped about an hour ago.”
The Ant informed.
“It’s beautiful…”
Lavinia muttered, her red face now looking even brighter as the white snow reflected light on her face.
The sight painted a big wide smile on her face, a smile Kael felt like he was losing himself in. He stared at her lips and started thinking about the dream he had yesterday, his face instantly turning red again.
Lavinia, on the other hand, continued to stare at the snow. It was quite obviously her first time seeing it. Drakthar was a particularly warm nation, very few of its regions saw snow during the winters, and because of how difficult things got during this time, the King never allowed his beloved daughter to visit these regions then.
The only snow Lavinia had seen before this was either the old, hard snow that hadn’t melted yet, or artificial snow created through Magic for noble children to play in.
So clearly, seeing the real snow for the first time in her life excited her.
But…
“To you, maybe.”
Imperia answered in a low voice.
“Hmm…?”
The words attracted the Princess’s attention. Kael too stared at Imperia, wanting to know what she was talking about.
“All the Velmourns have already started gathering and making plans for the ’Season of Death’ that has begun.”
The Ant answered, and both Lavinia’s and Kael’s expressions changed.
How could they forget?
To the Velmourns, the first snowfall meant the start of the most dangerous time of the year, a time where they would lose many of their people, a time where families would go hungry, people would die, and many would be left alone.
Unlike Lavinia, who had this big, excited childlike smile on her face when she first saw the snow, for the Velmourns, this was a matter of great concern.
That was how different things here were.
“The two of you should freshen up.”
Imperia spoke as she glanced at Kael and Lavinia.
“The Iron Council is currently having a meeting, they will come to you when it is over to discuss what has been decided during the meeting.”
“They had a meeting without us?”
Kael frowned.
With all the Titles and whatnot they were given yesterday, this seemed a little…
“They didn’t wish to disturb you. You worked late last night and deserved rest, or at least, those were the words used.”
The Ant answered.
“…”
Kael stayed silent for a while, only staring at Imperia, wanting to know if there was any underlying meaning behind the Elders’ actions, but the Ant shook her head reassuringly. They truly did not wish to disturb them because they believed the two of them were tired.
Kael nodded, he then glanced at Lavinia and—
“You go freshen up first.”
Lavinia nodded, all the morning awkwardness had already disappeared from her movements. Kael too stared at his children, his gaze lingering on Vitaria for a moment longer, making the Fox flinch, but for now, he didn’t say or do anything.
He just stared at Imperia and—
“We skipped today’s training, huh…”
He muttered in a low, guilty voice.
“It is alright, Father.
We can use this time to prepare.”
The Ant answered in a mature manner as usual. Kael smiled as he picked her up and gently placed her inside his shirt pocket, a place Imperia had already made hers for a long time now.
The Hero then stretched his body as he stared at the first layer of snow that had settled in the Velmourn Lands.
After Lavinia returned, Kael went to freshen up and by the time he returned, Aelindra was at their door.
“You are awake.”
The Warden of Provision greeted with a warm smile.
“We can’t sleep for long.”
Kael chuckled, his gaze momentarily falling on the settled snow and—
“Not when it has already started.”
Aelindra stared at the snow as well and clenched her fists.
“Please come in, Lady Aelindra.”
Lavinia welcomed her in. The Warden of Provision, however, shook her head.
“I cannot. Today will be a long day for me. I only came here to mention a few things that we discussed while you were asleep.”
“Please tell.”
Lavinia nodded.
Aelindra nodded back as she then began,
“It is nothing big, mostly a Velmourn Tradition really. Every year, after the first snow falls, to show our people that we stand with them at these times and motivate them for a stronger start,
We distribute monthly Rations.
And because the two of you managed to protect the granary from the attack yesterday,
We are going to follow this Tradition this year as well.”
Aelindra informed with a light smile on her face.
“Oh, do you need help in distributing the rations?”
Lavinia questioned and Aelindra shook her head.
“No, me and Lord Tarevian will take care of the distribution, I only came to inform you of this.”
“We understand.”
Lavinia nodded. The Warden of Provision nodded as well.
“Alright, your lectures will begin in an hour, so I am sure you need some time to prepare for them. I shall take my leave and see you during the lecture.”
Aelindra smiled.
“Oh? You will be attending the lecture today?”
Lavinia questioned, somewhat surprised.
“Hm? Of course.”
Aelindra nodded.
“I thought you wouldn’t be able to since you seem quite busy with the distribution.”
“I am always busy, Lady Lavinia, this doesn’t mean I can skip lectures, now can I? I can’t let others leave me behind.”
The Warden of Provision clenched her fists, her eyes shining with fighting spirit. Lavinia chuckled at that.
“Exactly the temperament that I need from my student.”
The Mage praised.
“Of course!”
The Warden laughed as she quickly excused herself and dashed away. The entire exchange felt like it happened at twice the normal speed.
“She feels like a… hurricane.”
Kael joked, staring at Aelindra’s retreating figure that had already disappeared, and Lavinia nodded with a laugh.
Soon, Kael stretched his body lazily, he then glanced at Lavinia with a victorious smirk on his face and—
“So… it seems only you have work to do today.
I, on the other hand, am quite free and allowed to stay in and do whatever I please~”
Clearly, the Hero had planned to spend the rest of his day lazing around, at least that was how he was going to portray it to Lavinia but—
“I have been seeing an increase in the growing number of male students attending my lectures. I wonder if that would increase or decrease now that my identity has been revealed, what do you think?”
The Mage questioned, and very quickly, the Hero’s smirk was gone.
“Let’s have breakfast.”
He spoke, changing the topic.
Lavinia’s grin widened as she sensed his jealousy.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
She spoke as she walked next to Kael as they both started preparing for breakfast.
“…”
Kael didn’t say anything and continued doing his part.
“I usually don’t count the number of males in class, but I feel like from tod—”
“Alright, I will be joining you.
Happy now?”
Kael gave in and Lavinia—
“Very~”
She smiled brightly.
“Tsk.”
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