Chapter 268: A Leisurely Early Winter

"Yuli, from the moment I first met your sister, I knew we were bound to be friends!" Ryan teased as he raised his glass, playfully nudging Julius with his elbow. "What's wrong, don't want your sister to marry me?"

"If I didn't want it, do you think you'd even be engaged to Sulia?" Julius leaned against the courtyard railing, holding his own drink. "But I still have to say, Ryan, you're a damn scoundrel."

"If marrying Sulia makes me a scoundrel, then so be it," Ryan replied, smiling shamelessly.

"Can I throw you off this courtyard?" Julius fumed, tempted to punch Ryan's smirking face.

But as the legitimate son of Duke Winford, Julius knew deep down that Ryan was the best possible match for his sister. Unless Sulia was sent to a convent to become a nun, she would eventually marry, and there was no way Duke François would allow his only legitimate daughter to become a nun.

Becoming the wife of the Lady's Champion wasn't a bad outcome. Most ducal daughters faced unhappy marriages due to political alliances.

"Sulia is in your hands, Ryan," Julius said earnestly. "I know you're the Lady's Champion, and over the years, you've slain many enemies. Your heroism embodies the ideals of knighthood, and you inspire knights across the kingdom, striking terror into the hearts of the Lady's enemies. But I still must emphasize: if you ever treat my sister poorly, I will challenge you to a duel." Julius straightened, adding with forced bravado, "And at that time, who do you think Sulia will support?"

"That will never happen, Julius," Ryan replied seriously, holding his wine glass. "Never."

Julius nodded, and the two men stood by the railing, looking out at the prosperous city of Helenhild, the capital of Winford Duchy. The time was late autumn, and beneath the fallen yellow leaves, the city bustled with life. Ryan, understanding his future father-in-law, had generously opened trade routes, bringing in expertly crafted dwarven weapons, wood elf goods, and magical potions produced by Veronica's Dawn Wizard Tower to Winford's market.

Julius gazed at Ryan for a long time, his cold and handsome face growing more solemn, until Ryan started feeling uncomfortable. "What's the matter, Julius? You're staring at me like that, and it's making me nervous."

"Before I realized it, you've surpassed me," Julius sighed. "I need more training, but the kingdom has been quiet lately, no wars... I heard you plan to raise an army during the winter to prepare for a new campaign?"

"A small one," Ryan confirmed. "We'll be clearing out the beastman and greenskin tribes in the Charon Forest. I'll reclaim some lost land, establish villages, and open up farmland. It won't be a large army, about a thousand men and several dozen knights. I won't personally lead the battle; my standard-bearer, Armand, will command the forces."

"Please let me join," Julius said earnestly. "I need the experience of war."

"That's fine, but..." Ryan hesitated.

"I'll follow Sir Armand's orders," Julius quickly added.

"Alright, but be careful. I want you alive for my wedding to Sulia."

"I'll be there, count on it."

...

After a few autumn rains, winter arrived early in Bretonnia. This year, the cold winds blew fiercely, forcing people to don thick clothing and fur cloaks to fight off the biting cold. With the winter wheat fully planted, the peasants entered their idle period.

On a rainy early winter afternoon, Ryan sat quietly in his master bedroom, reading. Glancing out at the downpour outside the castle, he felt the deep chill that seeped into his bones. Even the knights stayed indoors, warming themselves by the fire instead of training.

Wearing casual clothes, Ryan reclined comfortably in a soft armchair. He wasn't very susceptible to the cold, so he didn't wear much, but Olica, sitting by the fireplace, couldn't say the same. The dark elf, wrapped in a thick maid's dress, shivered slightly as she added wood to the fire.

"It's freezing, Master," Olica said, focusing on the flames. "The firewood is running low. I'll go fetch some more."

The crackling fire filled the room with a soothing sound. Olica wrapped herself in a white bear fur coat and left to bring back more firewood.

The floor of the master bedroom was covered in a fine wood elf carpet. Ryan had a rule: anyone entering his room must wear slippers. Feeling a bit bored, Ryan sighed. Since his engagement to Sulia, their meetings had grown less frequent, partly because the roads to Helenhild would soon be blocked by snow. The few times they had met, the Lady of the Lake always found an excuse to whisk Sulia away for "pre-wedding lessons."

She's doing this on purpose! Ryan thought, exasperated.

Although they were engaged, it would still be two or three years before the actual wedding took place. If it were another noble family, the preparations would take even longer.

"How's Armand's preparations going?" Ryan asked Olica when she returned.

"The army of 1,500 men is ready. We're just waiting for the rainy season to end," Olica replied. "Miss Veronica is also prepared. The dwarves and wood elves are eager as well. This is a rare chance for real combat, and everyone's taking it seriously."

"Good," Ryan nodded, smiling. "If I'm not mistaken, she'll be here soon."

"She?" Olica asked curiously, just as there was a knock on the door.

"Ryan? It's me," came the voice of the sorceress from outside.

"My dear Theresa, come in," Ryan said, setting down his cup.

The door opened, and Theresa's graceful figure appeared. The sorceress had applied light makeup to her coldly beautiful face. She wore a delicate embroidered chiffon blouse paired with a burgundy lace skirt, which highlighted her slender waist. Her long legs, clad in black stockings, drew Ryan's gaze for a few extra moments.

Seeing Ryan staring at her legs, Theresa's face flushed slightly, but she pushed up her black butterfly-patterned glasses and asked, "Ryan, you called for me?"

Ryan pointed to the wood elf carpet on the floor. Olica quickly handed Theresa a pair of soft slippers. The sorceress bent down to unfasten her high heels, revealing her black-stockinged feet with blue nail polish. Her casual movements exuded an effortless charm. Now in her thirties, Theresa was at the peak of her beauty as a sorceress.

"Olica, please leave us. I need to talk to Theresa," Ryan said, standing up to greet her. The dark elf obeyed and left the room.

"Ryan..." Theresa began, noticing how Ryan's gaze lingered on her. Deep inside, she couldn't help feeling pleased.

Although she didn't say it aloud, Theresa had spent a lot of time debating whether to dress up for this meeting after Ryan had summoned her.

"Please, sit down," Ryan motioned for her to sit beside him. Two cups of tea were already prepared on the small table, along with some elven blueberry cake he had made with the Lady of the Lake. "It's been a while since we've had a relaxed chat like this, not since our adventure in Norsca."

"You remember that, huh? I thought you'd forgotten about the time we spent together on that adventure," Theresa replied, her silver eyes fixed on Ryan. "I heard you've involved Veronica and her apprentice in your winter campaign?"

"Yes, this campaign won't be too dangerous. My brother Angron has already cleared most of the beastman and greenskin tribes in the Charon Forest. In the cold of winter, their combat effectiveness is low. This is a perfect opportunity for everyone to gain practical experience," Ryan explained. "Speaking of which, Theresa, I wanted to ask about your plans. Do you really intend to build a wizard tower in my territory? What about the Garon Council?"

Theresa raised an eyebrow, sensing why Ryan still had reservations about her.

Veronica had no attachments, allowing her to devote herself fully to Ryan, but Theresa was different. As the daughter of Elder Aurora, Ryan worried that her involvement might be temporary.

"My mother and Chairwoman Margarita have come to an agreement on certain issues," Theresa said, her soft voice revealing her voluptuous figure beneath her blouse. "The council will establish a branch here, and both Veronica and I will reside in your territory permanently."

Ryan thought to himself that Aurora and Chairwoman Margarita were supposed to be from opposing factions.

"Ryan, you've grown too fast," Theresa continued, noting Ryan's confusion. "The council predicted you'd reach the rank of earl within ten years, but here you are in just three."

"I trust you, Theresa," Ryan said, shaking his head gently. "You risked your life in Mousilon, holding off Manfred so we could escape. I've always believed in you. But I won't let you join the army this time. I have another task for you."

"Another task?" Theresa asked, intrigued.

"This winter, you'll stay in the guest room on the third floor." Ryan handed her a thick book. "Over the next few months, I'll teach you High Gothic. My court advisor can't afford to be without it; there's too much business that requires it."

"Who said I was going to be your court advisor?" Theresa blushed at Ryan's forwardness, but her retort was sharp. "Before I met you, I thought you were a gentleman

. Turns out you're quite the flirt."

"Didn't I already tell you? I've always been a 'gentleman' in my own way," Ryan teased. "Don't project the 'universal values' of those church priests onto me. I'm not some boring, rigid good guy. Some people expect me to embody a saintly image, but that's never who I've been. I do what I think is right, guided by the Eight Virtues of Knighthood. People may want to impose their shallow expectations on me, but the Grail never lies."

"Ha!" Theresa couldn't help but laugh. "So that's why you kept rejecting my partner's advances during our journey? And yet you turn around and get engaged to the duke's daughter?"

"Honoring a contract is a different matter. Don't mix the two," Ryan grinned. "So, this winter, you'll stay here and learn. Once you've mastered High Gothic, we'll talk about building your wizard tower."

"Alright, but I expect your full support, just like Veronica!" Theresa demanded, her black-stockinged legs gently swinging. The thought of spending the entire winter with Ryan made her eager. "I want your complete, unwavering support."

"Of course, I promise." Ryan nodded. "Over the next few months, I'll teach you many things—some you already know, some you don't, and some you can't even imagine. But Theresa, I'll ask you one last time: are you sure about this? Once you learn these things, you'll forever be my court advisor."

"If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have chased you all the way to your lands," Theresa said quietly. "Do you know how much courage it takes for a proud Garon Council sorceress to follow a man to his territory?"

"That's just you, though," Ryan replied softly. "I understand. I truly do."

"Also… I want that too!" Theresa's tone shifted as her face turned a deep shade of red. "Veronica told me about it… She said you can inscribe some kind of 'spirit rune' on your women…"