The road to the Brontë Manor wasn’t very far.

Typically, it would take half a day to arrive, but today, it would take longer as the ground froze overnight due to heavy snowfall.

Bare trees were dressed in snow, and the desolate ground was covered with a white blanket.
It was as if this was how an icy kingdom would look like.

Although the scenery was surprisingly beautiful, I didn’t have the leisure to enjoy it fully.

The contents of the letter sent by Johann Radner kept bothering me.
He mentioned he would come soon, adding to my unease.

According to the story, it would have been a winter day at the manor.
However, given how the story had changed so far, it wouldn’t be strange if we were ambushed while in the carriage.

Of course, worrying wouldn’t change anything.
All I could do and had to do was protect Ania.
Not because I loved her but for my own safety.

Lost in such thoughts, the carriage suddenly jolted.
It seemed the coachman hadn’t noticed a stone due to the snow piling up.

“Mmm…”

As the carriage jolted, Ania’s head, leaning on my shoulder, slid down my arm.

I lightly supported her head with my hand and leaned it back on my shoulder.
Instead of the usual floral scent from her hair, there was a soft fragrance of grass.

Perhaps it was because of the long-awaited return home that I wanted to be neat and tidy.

No matter how much I stroked this delicate woman’s hair, I couldn’t understand her mind.

“Please be careful on the way.”
“Yes… My apologies, My Lord.”

I won’t love this woman. I don’t love her. Even though I believed so, my wish for her not to awaken was stronger.

It seems I couldn’t understand my mind either.

***

Despite leaving early in the morning, the sun was already descending when we arrived at the Brontë Manor.

“My Lady, we have arrived.”

Upon arriving at the Brontë Manor estate, we saw vast fields of wheat that had turned golden from harvesting.

Passing through the winding road, the grand mansion of the Brontë family began to come into view after a while.

Its size was so grand that it could be seen from afar.

I gently brushed Ania’s shoulder to wake her up.

“Have we?”
“We are almost there. Since it’s been a long time since you returned home, it’s better to be presentable. It would be good to tidy up your hair a bit.”

I took a hand mirror from my pocket and handed it to Ania. She gently smoothed her hair with her hands.
Her luxurious golden hair swayed gently with each movement of her delicate hands.

Soon, the carriage passed through the gardens of the Brontë Manor and arrived at the paved road leading to the main gate.

“We have arrived, My Lord.”
“You’ve done well.”

I got off the carriage first and helped Ania down, holding her hand.
Ania slowly descended, holding onto the fur blanket draped over her shoulders to keep it from falling.

“It’s cold, let’s go inside quickly.”

As we walked to the main gate, the gatekeepers waiting at the gate opened it, and we entered the mansion.

The Brontë Manor felt grander and more refined than last time.
While the world seemed to linger in the Middle Ages, this mansion felt like it had entered the modern era.

Lost in such musings, a familiar face descended the central staircase.

“Oh, my beloved daughter, Ania.”

It was Valentine Brontë, a man with a neatly groomed beard and graying hair.

“Father.”

Ania ran towards Valentine Brontë and embraced him lightly.

I also approached him slowly and bowed slightly.

“Lord Brontë, I hope you are well.”
“Edward, it’s the first time seeing you since the wedding.”
“My apologies for not visiting often.”

Valentine Brontë chuckled softly.

“No need for that. I’ve been busy, so I rarely have the chance to be at the estate anyway. Let’s go inside for now. Have you had your meal?”
“Not yet.”
“Perfect timing then, as it’s already dinner time.”

Following numerous servants, we soon arrived at the dining hall.
Unlike our modest mansion, which only had space for one dining table, the dining hall here was spacious.

“Please, come in.”

Whether due to the festival at the estate or the norm, a grand feast was laid before us.
There were various dishes, including a giant roasted turkey and fragrant soup seasoned with spices.

“Let’s say grace.”

As I folded my hands to pray, Valentine Brontë, who had been picking up utensils, awkwardly put them down and joined his hands.

After a brief prayer, we started the meal. Each dish was exquisite in taste.

However, it felt truly alien.
Ania, who would usually sit close to me and eat, now behaved like a noble lady with exemplary manners.

Because of this, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy, so I casually spoke as the meal ended.

“I heard there’s a festival at the estate.”
“That’s right.”

Valentine Brontë, who had just finished his meal, replied as he sipped his wine.

“At the Brontë estate, we hold a winter festival to thank the Lord for the harvest. It’s an age-old tradition of our ancient family.”

It was a kind of harvest festival.
According to Valentine Brontë, the festival would begin tomorrow, and during the festivities, everyone would eat and drink throughout the day.

Valentine, who seemed to enjoy the festival talk, suddenly clapped his hands as if something had come to mind.

“Just in time for the eve of the festival. Would you care to attend?”
“It would be an honor.”
“Excellent.”

As Valentine Brontë rose from his seat, the servants began to clear the dishes from the table.

“Ania, if you’re joining, please dress warmly.”
“Yes, Father.”

With Valentine Brontë’s instructions, Ania followed the servant out of the dining hall, and tea and desserts were laid out on the table.

Once the tea table was set, only Valentine Brontë and I remained in the dining hall.

It was clear what that meant.

“Edward.”
“Yes, My Lord.”

He wanted to speak with me privately.

Valentine Brontë sipped his tea lightly and then spoke with a thoughtful expression.

“How’s married life treating you?”
“I’m enjoying it.”
“That’s good to hear.”

He spoke briefly before picking up a cookie and eating it without saying anything else.

After a moment of silence, he spoke again.

“I must say, I consider it a blessing that my daughter has married you.”
“Thank you.”
“She’s never expressed a desire to marry anyone before.”

Valentine Brontë looked into the distance as if reminiscing about the past, his gaze unfocused.

“Despite finding good matches through arranged engagements every time, she always expressed dislike… I worried about her living single forever if she didn’t want to marry. When she said she wanted to marry you, I can’t tell you how surprised I was.”

He looked at me and smiled lightly.

“I entrust my child to you, Edward.”

***

After getting dressed, I took Ania and walked down to the center of the village where the eve of the festival was being held.

I tried to persuade Valentine Brontë just in case, but he declined, saying he had many documents to review for the festival preparations.

Whether it was an adult’s consideration for us to enjoy our time as a couple or if he was really exhausted from official duties, I couldn’t say.

Anyway, as we walked down the path where light snow began to fall, the scenery of the village unfolded before us.

People were gathered, and amidst them, bonfires were blazing while musicians played lively music.

“It’s festive already, even though it’s just the eve.”
“It’s usually more lively than the festival itself.”

Ania added that the festival day was more busy than enjoyable, and we arrived at the village in the meantime.

Before we could blend into the crowd, people recognized Ania and greeted her.

“Miss! You’re back.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Andrea.”
“Milady! Hello!”
“Leonard, you’ve grown so much.”

Clearly, being from the estate, the villagers recognized Ania right away and warmly greeted her.

Ania, who usually looked like a spirited child, seemed completely different now that we were back at the estate.

She seemed like a graceful young lady from a noble family.

‘I knew how she acted, but it seems she only put it when we are by ourselves.’

At that moment, the music became lively. Ania lightly took my hand.

“Do you want to dance?”
“Sure.”

Although many people were already dancing near the bonfire, there was enough space for us to join in.

We held hands and started dancing slowly, matching each other’s steps.

“Do you know what this means?”

Ania, who moved diligently and gracefully, spoke up.

“At the eve festival, if a man and a woman dance, they’ll get married the following year.”
“But we’re already married.”
“Then, if married couples dance, does it deepen their love?”
“I wouldn’t know.”

Ania exerted some force on my right arm, pulling me closer to her.

“I think I know.”

Ania’s breath warmed my face gently.

“How about a New Year’s gift of a kiss?”
“Don’t tease me.”

Ania tapped my chest lightly with her head and smiled as if delighted.

But I couldn’t smile.

I could anticipate, to some extent, the imminent future.

Thanks to daily training, my senses had become sharper than before.
Especially during the sparring matches with Riktman, my senses for detecting a hostile presence became even sharper.

“Ania.”
“… Yes?”

Startled when I suddenly called her name, Ania gave a startled response.

I leaned closer to her face and whispered in her ear.

“We are being followed.”

I had sensed a strange gaze since we arrived at the mansion.

I couldn’t identify its origin, but I had my suspicions. I lightly placed my hand on the dagger at my waist.