Free Web NovelThe lingering warmth of the hearth fire flickered, casting long, slanted shadows.
Sif curled up in the thick covers, lying on her side, quietly watching the sleeping man beside her.
Louis's breathing was steady, his brows relaxed, and his sleeping face was so delicate it didn't resemble the nobleman who usually harbored so many thoughts.
His dark hair was slightly disheveled, clinging to his forehead, and his long eyelashes cast faint shadows in the firelight. freewebnovёl.ƈom
In his sleep, he looked like a young boy, which was heart-stirring.
Sif gazed at him, somewhat lost in thought, her lips curving slightly upward, her eyes filled with an indescribable sense of contentment and tenderness.
She gently brushed her finger against his nose, then quickly pulled it back, like a child caught in mischief.
But the smile didn't last long; her eyes gradually dimmed.
The shadow of her past quietly resurfaced in her mind, like a heavy storm pressing down on her heart on a snowy night.
The Han Yue Tribe's bloodline, the tragic deaths of her people, her brother's sacrifice—nothing had changed.
She was still the lone wolf of the Northern Territory, burdened with revenge.
“You—you're still too weak now,” she whispered to herself, looking at Louis. “Should I tell you—?”
Sif's fingertips brushed his sleeping face, her touch as light as a feather: “Tell you that I am the last princess of the Han Yue Tribe, a person who survived with blood debts and hatred?”
She hesitated for a long time, struggling internally.
But in the end, she only sighed softly: “Let's wait until you're stronger.”
She murmured, and the light in her eyes rekindled.
“I believe that one day, you will be strong enough to bear my true name and destiny.”
She gently kissed his forehead, as if sealing a secret.
“Good night, Louis.”
Then Sif closed her eyes and leaned against Louis, like a snow wolf that had finally found its resting place.
In the Red Tide Fortress office, the hearth fire blazed, warm and peaceful.
Outside the window, the cold wind howled, signaling the imminent arrival of the first snow, yet inside, it was so gentle it felt like another world.
Bradley stood ramrod straight, his thick boots making no sound on the carpet, his cloak dusted with a bit of snow and frost. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
He flipped through the brief in his hand while reporting to Louis, who was seated at the main desk.
“Reporting, Lord, as of yesterday evening, the fourth batch of winter supplies at the Red Rock Warehouse has been completely packaged,” he said.
His voice was steady and strong, with a slight southern accent.
“Per your instructions, the distribution of supplies to all residents of the Red Tide Territory has been completed. Personnel remaining at the various workshops and watchtowers have also received double rations and heating supplies, including limited-supply winter clothing and winter boots. The 'fast-growing vegetables' in the heated greenhouses have completed their first harvest, totaling sixty-seven baskets, enough to provide nutritional supplements before the snow seals us in. Additionally, the construction of the winter fishing grounds has been initially completed, and some under-ice fishing nets have been deployed. Fishing tests show a stable daily yield of about thirty fish—”
His tone became increasingly clear and organized, yet he didn't notice that behind the large desk, Louis, whose face remained composed and serious, was subtly making a small movement with his hand.
Louis's left arm rested naturally by the side of the chair, his fingers casually placed on Sif's leg beside him. Through her close-fitting black leggings, his thumb slowly traced the warm curve.
Sif, who had been sitting silently beside him, listening to the report with her head down, suddenly tensed up.
She sharply turned her head to look at him, her deep blue eyes wide, her cheeks instantly flushing a vivid red.
Yet, she didn't pull away.
She only bit her lip lightly and quietly pinched Louis's palm with her fingers.
Louis, however, showed no intention of stopping, continuing to slowly trace the curve of her outer thigh.
A mix of shame and anger appeared on Sif's face, yet there was also a hint of helplessness, and even... a subtle, unspoken pleasure.
She subtly shifted her body, as if wanting to escape, yet also as if intentionally letting him feel her more clearly.
“Furthermore, the last batch of grain purchased from the south has entered the Northern Territory—”
Bradley continued to read from the summary brief in his hand, his expression as calm and experienced as ever.
Although his voice was unruffled, his worldly eyes subtly scanned the two people sitting at the table.
After all, he also lived on the third floor of the castle, so how could he not notice the “progress” between these two?
To be honest, in this world, it would be normal for young lords to already have several concubines. Louis had only just managed to warm up to one, which was already a slow pace that made one shake their head.
However, being steady and restrained had always been the young Lord's style.
Bradley didn't say anything more, only continued his report dutifully.
“All in all, the quality of life for the residents of the Red Tide Territory this winter can be said to be unprecedentedly stable and abundant.”
At this point, a rare hint of satisfaction entered his voice. “Most residents will not only survive the cold winter but will also live quite comfortably.”
“The situation in the other four new territories is slightly worse. Although supplies and resources are continuously being allocated, their foundations are still weak, especially in the Han Shan Territory, where there was previously an epidemic.”
Bradley looked up at Louis: “However, with the support of the Red Tide Territory and the model you have established, even in the worst-case scenario... I estimate that at least most residents will be able to survive this winter.”
He paused, his tone carrying an undisguised sense of pride: “This is already an achievement unattainable by other Northern Territory lands. You should know that this year in the Northern Territory—it's very likely that over half of the population will die. Many places can't even be saved, especially since the war just ended this year; the number of deaths will only increase, not decrease.”
The air instantly grew heavy.
Behind the table, Louis withdrew his fingers from Sif's thigh, and his face returned to its calm and serious expression.
He remained silent for a moment, not continuing Bradley's topic. After all, he wasn't a god; he couldn't save so many people. All he could do was ensure fewer people died in his own territory.
So he changed the subject and asked, “What is the current scale of the heated greenhouses?”
Bradley immediately consulted his documents and replied, “The first batch completed consisted of 5 greenhouses, each approximately 200 square meters. After Agricultural Officer Mick achieved success in the first greenhouse, he immediately organized people to expand. In the past 30 days, 12 new ones have been added, bringing the total to 17, with a total area of approximately 3400 square meters.”
“We can build more,” Louis said unhurriedly. “Not only can they supplement winter vegetable supplies, but they can also be used to try cultivating some medicinal herbs... Fresh green vegetables can also effectively prevent scurvy, which is especially important in the cold winter.”
“Very good,” Bradley nodded. “I will arrange it immediately.”
The two went back and forth, their conversation crisp and efficient.
Meanwhile, Sif, on the other side of the table, pretended to listen intently, but her eyes occasionally stole glances at Louis.
Her cheeks still bore a faint blush, and her heart seemed not yet to have fully calmed down.
