The kitchen staff bustled about, hurrying to prepare meals not just for Andy but also for the rest of the returning hunters.

The remaining people dispersed, heading back to their respective tasks. Small groups moved together, chatting quietly.

“Don’t you think the Madam seemed really upset?”

“Of course. If I were in her shoes, I’d be furious too. She got married and moved far away without a single relative nearby, only for her husband to disappear right after she arrived.”

“Well, it couldn’t be helped—it’s winter.”

“That’s what we understand, but does she know that?”

“The Lord will need to smooth things over with her.”

“Do you think he’ll manage? That’s what worries me more.”

Hoffman felt like he was about to lose his mind.

Are these people insane?

What did they know to be gossiping about the Lord and Madam’s affairs?

No one realized they might be in the midst of a crisis. The grand dukes of the continent could very well have their sights set on Lagos.

Dozens of outsiders had entered Lagos Castle, and there were those who couldn’t let their guard down for even a moment, wary of what information might be uncovered.

Among them, Hoffman was working the hardest, his nerves frayed.

‘If you don’t know anything, just keep your mouths shut!’

When people casually made remarks like, “Do you think we’ll hear a baby crying by next year?” Hoffman felt like he was about to explode.

Though his frustration boiled within him, he couldn’t show it. Catching Harrison’s eye, Hoffman calmed himself, suppressing his anger, and approached him.

“You’re a bit late this time. Was there an issue?”

“There was an injury.”

“Oh? How bad? Was it serious?”

“Not too serious, but it required treatment and rest. The Lord told him to stay in the village to recover and return after winter. But he insisted on coming back with us, so we took our time returning to avoid overexertion.”

Hoffman sighed in relief. It wasn’t as grave as he had feared.

“Since we were delayed, we also brought back wolf pelts.”

“Oh, we can finally have new gloves made.”

Harrison glanced around, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. Mixed among familiar faces were several unfamiliar ones.

“Nothing unusual happened?”

Hoffman understood the layers of meaning behind the question.

Harrison was one of the few who knew the backstory of the Lord’s marriage.

“I don’t know. It’s complicated.”

Harrison raised an eyebrow.

Hoffman was typically resourceful and composed. Seeing him look this unsettled was rare.

“Take your time explaining. We have plenty of time.”

Hoffman let out a small chuckle.

“Yes, there’s no rush.”

Winter had begun.

Once the snow started falling, even mutant beasts ceased their activity.

Lagos’s winter both isolated and protected the region.

Until winter ended, Lagos would be safe.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

Cecilia ran up the stairs.

Instead of heading toward the east wing, where her bedroom was, she simply continued climbing, with no clear destination in mind.

She just wanted to get away from that spot.

‘It was an accident. Just an accident.’

Her thoughts were chaotic.

She had thought she’d be fine seeing him again. She’d assumed she had already dismissed their kiss as a mere accident.

But just moments ago, she’d had a strange experience.

The moment he entered the first-floor hall, she could see only him.

She hadn’t noticed the many others in the room.

The way he strode inside, his tall figure standing a head above the rest, his casual gesture of brushing off the snow—none of it should have mattered, yet her heart had raced.

Her mind and heart seemed to be acting independently of each other, leaving her flustered.

So, she had fled.

Running up the stairs with such urgency drained her energy.

In Lagos Castle, a single floor was the height of two or three floors in an ordinary house.

By the time she reached the third floor, she was out of breath and had to stop.

Leaning on the banister, she gasped for air.

After a moment, her breathing steadied, and she regained her composure.

‘Why did I run away? I should have greeted him calmly.’

Chiding herself, she turned to head back down the stairs.

That’s when her eyes met Russell’s, who was looking up at her.

She froze in surprise.

‘When did he…?’

She hadn’t realized he was following her.