Well, customs of the Legentia territory. What might there be? I wracked Alisa’s memories.

“I’ve heard that you shouldn’t hunt animals you see on the first day of snow.”

I managed to recall one and shared it.

The first snow symbolizes purity that covers and whitens all impurities. They said animals wandering on the day the world becomes clean are sacred and shouldn’t be hunted carelessly. Something about it being no good to see blood on such a day.

There were many such stories in the territory where winter came early and left late.

“Shall we observe it?”

“But this isn’t Legentia territory, so it should be fine. There, they didn’t hunt young animals all winter long. It would be difficult to ask everyone to observe all that.”

“If you say so, we’ll follow your word.”

What else might there be? I kept thinking as I moved the needle.

“And, um…… They say lovers who kiss under a wreath made of mistletoe will enjoy eternal love and happiness.”

“Oh my, how romantic!”

Anna made a fuss about needing to make mistletoe wreaths and hang them all around the castle here too. The young girl’s heart swelled with dreams and expectations of love stories. Finding her endearing, I smiled softly.

Time flowed gently, and soon night came.

Winter days are short. The darkness of this season is even more pitch-black. The sound of wind came from outside the window, which had turned as black as an abyss where you couldn’t see an inch ahead.

I put down the handkerchief. The night was already deep, and my eyes were a bit tired from concentrating for so long.

Thanks to working hard all day, the camellia flower had taken a decent shape. It seemed I could finish it in a few more days of effort.

I’ll do the rest tomorrow. Thinking this, I got into bed.

I thought I would fall asleep quickly since I was tired, but contrary to expectation, sleep wouldn’t come. Was it because the wind was beating against the window frame? Since it wouldn’t stop just because I asked it to, I had no choice but to endure.

Just as I was wondering if I should call Macy or Anna to request another cup of hot tea,

Creak.

I heard the sound of a door opening. I turned my head while lying down. Crimson light entered through the door connecting the bedrooms.

I know who brought that light. Like that time before, the man who came looking for me.

“Alisa.”

Rashid called me. As I rose and sat up, he approached the bedside.

“What is it?”

His face, shadowed in the darkness except where it caught the light, looked like a finely carved sculpture. I just quietly watched him until he cupped my cheek.

“Can’t sleep?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll have warm tea brought for you.”

Rashid gently shook his head.

“I’m afraid I’ll have another nightmare.”

“……”

“The bed is quite wide.”

“Wide enough for two to lie down.”

He chuckled at my response.

“I didn’t know you were such a coward.”

“Neither did I.”

He always has a way with words.

“Well, I suppose there’s no helping it then.”

I arranged the stacked pillows to make room for two people to lie down.

Rashid naturally lay down beside me. As if this was originally his bedroom, his bed……

And as if it had always been so, he moved close to me, so I raised my arm to block his approaching body.

“No. Don’t get too close.”

But he ignored me and lightly embraced me.

“I said no.”

“This is how I sleep best.”

“That was just for one day yesterday!”

I pointed out, twisting my body slightly, but it was in vain. The arm holding me was as firm as a deeply rooted old tree, not budging from my push.

“Did you perhaps hug a doll to sleep when you were young?”

I pouted my lips.

Seemingly pleased with my jab, Rashid laughed and kissed my forehead. Then his lips, with their soft touch I had felt many times before, met mine.

“Sleep well.”

“……You too.”

Giving up resistance, I relaxed my body. As I leaned comfortably, my nose touched his neck. I could smell his scent. Somehow, that familiar scent made me feel at ease.

I closed my eyes. No longer bothered by the sound of wind, nor thinking of the need for hot tea, sleep came quickly. It was a comfortable night.

* * *

Humans are creatures of adaptation.

I gradually adapted to many things.

The vast fields of Camelli, the colors within the castle, the temperature of winter here, the vigor of the people, even the light kisses Rashid and I shared every night before sleep.

During this time, the handkerchief embroidered with camellia flower patterns was completed, and the day of Rashid’s departure drew closer day by day.

Inspecting the territory during winter was one of the important duties of a lord. This time, he decided to set out with the army, saying there was a need to subdue demonic beasts while circling the entire territory.

Finally, the day of departure arrived.

I stood facing the lined-up army.

‘I wonder if those people also received charms from their loved ones?’

I pondered, fingering the completed handkerchief.

The army, trained for dozens of days under Rashid’s guidance, was spirited and sharp like a honed blade. The chilling air they exuded made my skin crawl.

Realizing that war and bloodshed were not so far from me, a wave of fear washed over. I unconsciously gulped.

Behind me stood many vassals and servants of Camelli Castle. All were there to see him off. Their master, Rashid Penvernon.

Soon he came, riding a black horse. Rashid’s armored horse was much larger than the others, even intimidating.

“Rashid.”

He dismounted to receive my farewell. I briefly glanced at the amber brooch gleaming on his chest, then looked up at his face again.

“It will take a long time.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Come back safely.”

I handed him the handkerchief I had been holding. He took it, kissed it, and tucked it into his br*ast. I could hear murmuring behind me.

“Alisa, this is for you.”

As if in return for the handkerchief, Rashid took something out of his br*ast and placed it in my hand. It was a long hexagonal red gem.

“What is this?”

“A charm.”

“What?”

I stared blankly at the gem in my hand. The gem, slightly smaller than my hand, had black shadows swirling inside as if living flames were dwelling within.

“It’s a crystal imbued with my magic power.”

“How fascinating. How do I use it?”

“Magic power has a property of wanting to protect itself. Since you’re also a Penvernon, this magic will react to you and help protect your body to some extent. But don’t go outside the castle without guards just because of this.”

“I’ll try not to.”

“Don’t wander around just to see the winter forest.”

“Alright.”

“Don’t try to ride things like sleds either.”

“Um…… okay.”

“And no ice fishing.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And……”

“Yes! Anything. I won’t go anywhere and will stay inside the castle, so don’t worry.”

At this rate, it would be evening before he departed. I quickly cut him off before he could add more nagging. I understood why he was worried, but it was a bit embarrassing to be spoken to as if I were a small child.

Rashid finally nodded, seeming reassured.

“Then I’ll be off.”

“Yes.”

Rashid lowered his head and lightly kissed my cheek. I could feel people making a fuss again. It was a bit embarrassing to be doing this with so many eyes watching, but there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t push him away in this situation and tell him not to do this.

Rashid mounted his horse again. The horse neighed, blowing steam from its nostrils. I unconsciously took a couple of steps back. Maintaining a safe distance is important. I felt like my bones would be crushed if those hooves stepped on me.

“Alisa.”

Despite my desperate attitude, Rashid reached out his hand towards me. I awkwardly grasped his hand.

Then Rashid smiled at me. For a moment, my heart stung. What comfort does he feel from this fleeting contact?

The party left the castle. They said it would take at least two months to return.

It seemed like it would be a very long time.

* * *

Time indeed passed very slowly.

The winter sun moved sluggishly. The days were long, and the nights were even longer. Only when I was busy looking after things inside and outside the castle in his stead did I feel time passing.

Come to think of it, this was the first time Rashid had been away since I woke up in this world. There were many times when we couldn’t see each other all day because we were busy, but we had never been this far apart.

Usually, even when he was in the imperial palace, I had a small belief that he would come at night. But not now.

I was inwardly surprised at how much larger the void his absence left in me was than I had expected. It made me wonder how I would manage if we were to divorce later.

‘It’s because I’ve gotten used to living with Rashid. Later, I’ll get used to not having Rashid around.’

That’s what getting used to something means, after all.

I closed the book I had been reading. The words weren’t registering.

I wonder how Rashid is doing. I hope he’s not in danger while hunting demonic beasts. Even knowing he was a legendary flame swordmage, I still worried.

“Sparkle, when do you think everyone will return?”

Feeling somewhat restless, I tapped the birdcage hanging in the room. The golden bird that had been by my side from Granrose to Camelli kicked off its perch and fluttered its wings.

“What do you think about today?”

I asked about my fortune as I always did.

“If you look under the drawer, you can find an old secret, chirp!”

Sparkle chirped cheerfully.