Chapter 7

First Winter

Lansius

“Ugh…” I panted weakly after reading the letter from Midlandia. Despite my gift of ten finest horses, Bengrieve’s reply was still razor-sharp.

However, this was well within my prediction, thus the reason why I had been delaying myself from opening the letter.

“Is there any mention of me?” In contrast, Audrey was lively. She leaned from her chair to hear me better.

“No, you’re safe," I remarked.

“So, what does it say?”

“Well, he thanked me for the gift, but I’m still getting harshly lectured. He wrote that I shouldn’t do rash things like… purchasing ten cartloads of salt.” Our benefactor wasn’t keen on risky gambling. He also advised me against playing a hero.

“Those salts must be really expensive," Audrey commented seriously.

“Yeah, they cost a fortune. It could pay for sizable troops for months. I shudder to think if the plan hadn’t worked.”

“If that happened, Bengrieve would…” She let it unfinished while grinning mischievously.

“No, please don’t say it. That’s too much,” I pleaded while slouching in my seat.

Outside, the sun had been baking the walls of my room which was on the upper floor. That made the room not freezing anymore. I had let go of my fur coat and mittens.

My room or the Lord's chamber as the staff called it, was furnished with various tapestries hung on the wall. Made from thick wool like a carpet, the colorful tapestry served as decorations as well as insulation. The castle's stone brick was obviously icy cold during winter, without those tapestries, the room would turn into cold storage.

“Well... at least you solved the problem. The people loved it. Everybody got enough grain for winter and salt to do stuff. I’ve heard it’s the first time Korelia was this prepared for winter.”

Audrey's words brought me back from pondering. “Huh, really? Where did you hear such a thing?”

“Mm, is it from Thomson or probably Calub? Could be Cecile or Hugo, can't remember. But the point is, they’re happy under your rule.”

The way she proudly said something like that made me grin from ear to ear. “That’s funny. A long time ago, a certain squire told me that I’m dumb because I don’t know how to prepare my straw bed or cleaning bowl using firewood ash.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, My Lord," Audrey whistled nervously.

That made me chuckle.

"Oh, I think it's almost ready," she exclaimed as she went to the fireplace.

We had prepared a pottage, a kind of stew cooked inside a metal cooking pot.

Consisted of wheat, sometimes peas or beans, mixed with a bit of cheese and eggs. It was considered poor man's food, but I've been eating these for four years. Winter wouldn't feel right without them.

"It smells good." My nostrils flared.

Audrey brought a bowl, complete with slightly charred bread on top of it. "Lemme taste it first," she said while blowing the porridge-like concoction.

Meanwhile, I break the bread in half.

She muttered something gibberish whilst mouthful, but I understood since she offered me the bowl.

I scooped it up.

Gah~ it's still hot!

But the taste brought back memories or so I thought. "Audrey, why is it so salty?"

"I... err... it's a superior version, yeah, that's what!"

"A what?" It seemed that she had put too much salted meat into the pottage. This was no mistake, this was gluttony.

"Need more peas," she exclaimed before grabbing the spoon from me. She scooped another mouthful and hurriedly ran to the fireplace.

She poured more water, added more stuff, and stirred the pot vigorously.

"You know girl, sometimes you confused me."

"Eh, why?"

"Not a long ago, you refused to share a cup, but you didn't mind sharing a spoon just now."

Audrey clicked her tongue before answering. "What can I do? The kitchen only has metal ladles and your wares were all silver. Pottage wouldn't taste right without wooden utensils and I only got mine."

"R-right... Sorry for complaining then." I should be happy that we returned to normal. All these lord things put a wedge into our relationship.

“Anyway, Lans is there any mention of your family?" she asked after leaving the pot to boil. Pottage needed time to cook.

“Well... the letter advised me to be patient. The utmost care was being used, or so he said.”

“I trust him," she replied flatly after sitting down.

“Really?” I’m surprised by Audrey's confidence.

“He isn’t the type to speak cheaply. If he says that he’ll employ even the assassins to get your family out of Averna, then he’ll do so.”

“Hmm, how can you be so certain? You only met Bengrieve a few times.”

“It’s in the eyes. When he said that, he meant business."

She delivered it so bluntly that made me feel somewhat irresponsible for not trusting the man.

“I hope so... It’s been a few years since I saw my family…” I stood up and approached the window. There I saw the open plains below. The landscape was covered in a white sheet of ice. Its reflective surface made a beautiful show of sunlight.

The height of winter had arrived sooner than expected. Since yesterday, Korelia has been buried ankle-deep in snow.

“Sorry…” Audrey mumbled.

“Mm, you said something?" I asked without looking.

“I said, I’m sorry.”

Now, I heard her clearly, I turned around and saw her frowning with her eyes downcast. Her prior cheerful mood was no more. “Huh, but why?”

“If I didn’t screw up that time, then you could return to your family and escape Arvena. Instead, I made you wait for nothing.”

“That’s not true. Audrey, it was chaotic back then. Even if we had met, I still wouldn’t be able to escape the war and reach my family," I reassured her.

Despite what I said, she was still gloomy.

This was such a mood wrecker for such a beautiful day, so I thought of something. “Stefi Stephania!”

She rose from her seat in shock. “Lans!" she protested and charged into me, sending several punishing fists from close range.

The first one was painful, but the rest was playful. I laughed at her reaction while defending myself from her barrage of attacks. “Alright-alright, I’m sorry.”

“Humpf! Don’t ever call me that again,” she said with a pout.

I saw her face redden before she turned away. The reaction was warranted because she almost had been sold as a slave. Getting into slavery was so shameful that many changed their name after they had been freed.

For Audrey's case, there was another consideration. Namely, I had attacked a slave convoy from another kingdom to free her. Thus, her old name was still on the wanted list and might be traceable up to me and Bengrieve.

So changing her name was a no-brainer.

“Come here, girl,” despite what I said, it was I who approached her.

“Eh, what are you-“

I hugged her from behind. “I can’t stand it. You’re looking beautiful today.”

"Stop it, Lans. Bengrieve told us that you need to marry a noblewoman. Uwaa~ don’t sniff my hair, it’s dirty and sweaty!”

Audrey wrestled my arms, but I held on tight. “But it’s winter, you hardly swea- uff, ok just a little.”

She grasped my arms and wrestled out. There was no mistaking the strength in those arms. “I’m practicing daily, that's why I’m sweaty," she said while staring at me with so much hatred.

Euh, no, it’s just her usual gaze.

“Audrey, your eyes... it’s a bit unnerving.”

“Eh, oh! Sorry, it's a habit. But you’re also at fault.”

“Ah, right, I’m sorry," I pleaded guilty. But that hug was well worth it.

Her stare was actually a hunter's skill taught by her knight master. She said it was useful to deter beasts from making the first move. Apparently, it also worked well on humans.

“I better go." She grabbed her fur coat from the chair and got ready to leave the room.

“Eh, to where?”

“Practice, I need to teach Liam and Carla.”

“Why don’t you stay a bit longer? You know... like you used to...”

“What do you mean, I’m always like this.”

“Audrey, I feel like you’ve been avoiding me ever since we moved to Korelia. Is it because of Bengrieve’s words?”

“Well… that and…" She clicked her tongue. "I'll be blunt this time. You’re the smart ones, Lans. You should know that marrying a squire like me is just a dead end. Worse, I’m also oath-bound to-“

“I know. I know about your vendetta. I can help you with that.” I tried to comfort her.

The sound of the cooking pot slowly boiling filled the background. Audrey looked down, either thinking or trying to make up her mind.

“I don't think I can accept that. I don’t want to give you more problems," she said bitterly.

I tried to hold her hand, but she retracted it. “We used to be close you know," I lamented.

“When?”

“Back then in Ceresia, have you forgotten?”

“I haven’t, but that time we’re in a barn, wintering with the troops. There’s little warmth from the fireplace and-”

“So hugging and cuddling back then was ok, but now isn’t?” Even I knew that was a wrong assertion. At that time we did that to survive winter. But still, I needed an answer.

“Sigh, how to explain this... Back then I didn’t know you’re bound to be a nobleman.”

“So this got to do with me being a noble, huh?”

She refused to answer, meanwhile her face was twitching from trying to find an answer.

Not good. Explaining and contemplating things wasn't her forte. The mood became sullen.

C’mon Lans, you're pushing her too much. Think of something to fix it! Anything...

“...hey, what if I’m not a noble?”

“Huh…?” She responded even more confused.

“Just imagine, what if I’m not a noble-“

“... If that's the case." Her words trailed off. There was a sudden change in her face as if she finally cracked the puzzle of her life. "Then I'll f*ck you tonight! Next summer, we’ll have a journey and kill my master’s bane in that damned forest. Then we’ll have a land, build a house, and-”

The outburst came so suddenly. Even I was caught off guard. Only my quick hand saved my jaw from dropping.

Audrey too covered her mouth as quickly, but many had been spilled. She began to realize to what extent she had spouted. That made her shiver out of embarrassment.

I had never seen a girl’s face turn that red before. On the contrary, I’m all happy and couldn't resist showing a wide smile. I always thought that she had issues with me, but now I’m gladdened.

She covered her face with her fur coat and left the room in a hurry.

“I heard it clearly," I shouted shamelessly into the corridor.

“Nuoo, you’re not! My Lord is mistaken.” She closed her ears using her hands and ran at full speed.

The guards and attendants were looking at each other, probably thinking that we were out of our minds.

Later I heard that Carla and especially Liam got the sparring of their lives that day. I felt bad for them. But I couldn’t apologize since that would require explanations.

Audrey was absolutely avoiding me for a few days. Except for dinner time, when she sat near me where the best food was served. But she kept her mouth full all time and wasn't involved in talks.

Calub and Hugo smelled something and questioned us, but I avoided it somehow. Even the castle’s staff acted differently. More eyes were directed toward us.

But I had no regrets. For the first time in many months, I am a happy man.

***