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The temple announced the beginning of the festival.

Since the full force of winter would soon settle in, making movement difficult, all the territory’s people came out of their homes to enjoy the festive atmosphere. This year’s festival differed from past ones in many good ways, and the smiles on the townspeople’s faces bloomed wide.

Around this time, Sola would typically be completely sealed off, forcing everyone to stockpile food and cheap mana stones for fuel and prepare to ration through the season. But this year, Sola had a new passageway that allowed safe travel to and from the outside without risking one’s life crossing the mountains. Thanks to that, the markets and shops were consistently supplied with food and fabrics.

The development of the quarry and the recruitment of skitte silk weavers had also created unprecedented job opportunities. The improved conditions satisfied the soldiers, and patrols from the vigilante corps enhanced the city's security. Everyone could feel that a new wind was blowing through Sola, which had long stagnated without change. That energy was clearly reflected in the festival.

Most of all, the generosity of the newly appointed young lord was unparalleled.

On the second day of the festival, the lord opened the gates of the manor to the oldest and youngest members of each household. The people, holding the hands of their grandchildren or children, came to receive food from the lord and witnessed a wondrous sight like never before.

In previous winter festivals, they had been allowed inside the manor and received a small ration of food. That alone was enough to fuel stories for the dull winter days to come. But this year, the manor was on a whole different level.

The first thing to catch their eyes was the dazzling bloom of ice flowers. These weren’t just any flowers—they were the blossoms that symbolized the deity Morunka, and each one was taller than a grown adult. They were arranged harmoniously throughout the manor, and the sculptures were so lifelike it seemed they could bloom at any moment.

That alone would have been enough to talk about for a lifetime—but there was more. Around the large flowers were charming ice sculptures of rabbits and deer at rest. They were incredibly realistic and adorable, as if they might spring to life and frolic at any moment.

A little farther in, at the entrance to the rear garden, stood a massive arched gate made of ice to welcome the guests. Beyond the middle gate, twelve majestic ice pillars glittered in the light. The familiar Morunka flower on the pillars somehow glowed in a soft, multicolored shimmer. With mouths agape, the townspeople walked between the pillars. At the end of the path stood three small ice buildings.

One was a miniature version of the lord’s manor, another a replica of the Morunka temple, and the last one looked just like Sola’s famous steamed bun shop. The steward standing at the entrance of the miniature manor gestured. When the townspeople hesitantly approached, he solemnly handed them a rather hefty bundle.

“This is a gift to commemorate the first year of His Lordship’s return.”

“Th-thank you very much.”

When they quickly opened the bundle, they found a generous portion of thick, fragrant jerky, a handful of fuel-grade mana stone shards, a small bag of grain full of beans, a pinch of salt, and even some dried fish—a rarity in Sola.

With swelling respect for the lord, the townspeople then headed toward the small temple with anticipation. At the entrance stood a priest from the Bolni sect. The people assumed he was simply a priest based on his robes and couldn’t distinguish whether he was from Bolni or Sola. Solemnly, the priest handed them a small pouch.

“The holy teacher of the Morunka faith, His Lordship, prays for the god Morunka’s protection over this land. So let us always live with gratitude toward Morunka and His Lordship.”

“Y-yes, thank you!”

With a voice full of energy, the townspeople received the pouch. The rough cloth of the earlier bundle had been nice, but this new pouch was silky soft—clearly made from a piece of skitte silk. The townspeople’s faces lit up. Inside the pouch were dried safflower petals, a small white marble carved with the Morunka symbol, and a high-quality coin-shaped mana stone.

The biggest complaint people had held against the previous lord had been that he did not honor Morunka. But this new lord was not only an ordained holy teacher of the main temple—he also offered his devotion so sincerely that all past grievances simply melted away. Everything inside the manor was imbued with the sacred and beautiful imagery of Morunka.

Naturally, Ayra had designed the manor to look like this with exactly that intention. Though the manor and temple hadn’t been on good terms, there was no need to show it outwardly. On the contrary, Ayra knew this would only infuriate the temple more.

After receiving two gifts, the townspeople proceeded to the third—steamed buns from the small shop model. Steaming hot and fluffy, they were handed out one by one.

Just as one townsman was about to leave, full of good food and good cheer, a soldier called him over. Nervously following, he was surprised to be guided into the inner part of the manor itself.

Even during festivals, only certain areas of the manor were opened—usually just the front and the garden. That alone had always been a big deal. But today, they were allowed into the interior.

Led by the soldier, they entered a grand hall inside the manor. Long wooden tables that could seat dozens were arranged neatly. Once seated, the townspeople were served warm soup with chunks of fatty meat and a strong drink.

Not knowing if they’d ever get another chance to see this place, the townspeople savored the view along with ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ their delicious buns, soup, and drink. They left with gifts in their arms, slightly tipsy and in high spirits. Their feet felt light, and their mouths were itching to share everything they’d experienced with their neighbors.

Ayra watched it all from the top of the manor, bloodshot eyes betraying his lack of sleep and overwork, yet a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Seeing the people so happy made all the money he’d funneled from scamming Soblets worth the investment into this festival.

Of course, with Sola’s current finances, such generosity couldn’t be sustained year after year. Nor should it be. This was a one-time event to mark Ayra’s first year as lord. It was a great short-term boost in approval, but not an efficient long-term strategy. This kind of event was only useful in moments like now.

Pleased by the rising approval rating, Ayra decided to go out with Janus. He wanted to see the people enjoying the winter festival for himself—and also go on a date.

Not wanting to disturb the townspeople or have his date interrupted, Ayra pulled his robe low over his face. On the way out of the manor, he ran into Jinas, who was directing wagons full of supplies.

“Oh, My Lord. Are you going to enjoy the festival with Lord Janus?”

Before Ayra could answer that he was going on an inspection, Janus answered with a simple, “Yeah.” Jinas’s gaze flicked to the arm Janus had wrapped tightly around Ayra’s waist—even though Ayra was bundled up like a rolling dumpling.

Noticing that look, Ayra was about to say something, but Jinas simply nodded and asked with a slightly worried expression,

“You seemed very overworked yesterday. Are you sure you don’t want to rest a bit more?”

“But it’s the first day of the festival. Gotta enjoy it while we can. The market won’t be open on the second day, right?”

“That’s true.”

Even though Janus still had Ayra clutched tightly at his side, Jinas didn’t raise a single objection.

“I hope you both have a wonderful time. I must be off—lots of work to do.”

These days, Jinas showed no fear of Janus. In fact, he practically treated Janus like Ayra’s spouse now. As the busy administrator disappeared into the distance, Ayra smiled faintly, then turned to Janus.

“Wasn’t this supposed to be a secret relationship?”

“This is a secret relationship.”

To Ayra, it didn’t feel like a secret at all. According to Pebble’s most recent survey, everyone in the manor—retainers and servants alike—already considered Janus to be at least the lord’s concubine. Ayra just shrugged and kept walking.

The first-day festival market in Sola was surprisingly large. After talking to the townspeople, Ayra learned that it was the biggest it had ever been. That meant Sola’s commerce was flourishing—he felt proud.

Because of the religious nature of the winter festival, the clothes and handkerchiefs being sold were all embroidered with red flowers. There were even shops selling skitte silk—once unthinkable due to the price.

‘Huh? There are more visiting vendors than I expected.’

Merchants always sensed the flow of money first. Seeing Ayra purchase so many goods and supplies for the festival, nearby traders had come to Sola to test the waters. Now that he looked, there were quite a few outsiders among the crowd. Even in this bitter cold, their curious expressions showed the potential for tourism. Ayra smiled. Then he put thoughts of territory aside and immersed himself in the festivities.

And throughout the entire festival, the very person who insisted on a secret relationship—Janus—acted as if he’d forgotten all about it.

“This is pretty good. Try a bite.”

He fed Ayra a mysterious grilled skewer he’d bought from a vendor...

“There’s fresh fruit, even in this season?”

He sliced it and popped it into Ayra’s mouth before sneaking a kiss...

“Shall we go dance, too?”

He pulled Ayra into a crowd of townspeople dancing to a harp performance of traditional Sola music...

“The first prize is a skitte silk scarf and leather gloves.”

And then—after beating out the crazy locals swimming in the freezing cold to win—it, he personally dressed Ayra in the prize.

Janus, the one who claimed they should keep their relationship a secret, ended up enjoying the festival date more than Ayra himself.