Night had fully descended upon the Rosenfeld Main Estate.
Snowstorms drifted quietly beyond the massive fortress walls while silver moonlight illuminated towering dragon statues standing across the estate grounds like ancient guardians watching endlessly over the North.
Inside the mansion—
Warm golden light replaced the frozen darkness outside.
Servants moved quietly through enormous corridors lined with black marble and ancient paintings depicting centuries of Rosenfeld rulers. Dragon motifs covered nearly everything.
The walls.
The pillars.
The banners.
Even the chandeliers above carried draconic carvings.
This was a house built upon pride.
A bloodline that survived through war, monsters, and conquest.
And now—
Its returned firstborn quietly walked through the estate halls once again.
Kel moved calmly through the silent corridors beneath flickering mana lamps while several passing servants instinctively bowed deeply the moment they noticed him.
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly muttered:
"They're terrified of you already."
Kel quietly glanced toward one maid who almost lowered herself too quickly before rushing away nervously.
"…I'm suppressing myself."
"Yes."
The silver-haired spirit sounded amused.
"And even suppressed you still feel dangerous."
Kel ignored the comment.
Meanwhile—
At the end of the enormous corridor ahead—
Two black dragon-carved doors stood silently beneath dim golden light.
Duke Aktaris' private study.
The true center of northern authority.
The place where wars, politics, and military campaigns across the North were decided.
Kel stopped briefly before the doors afterward.
And strangely—
For the first time since returning—
A faint tension appeared inside him.
Because this conversation mattered.
Not as Dragon Emperor.
Not as Mercenary King.
But as Kel von Rosenfeld.
The eldest son of House Rosenfeld.
Meanwhile—
The doors slowly opened from inside.
A knight bowed deeply.
"His Grace awaits you, Young Master."
Kel quietly stepped inside afterward.
The study itself radiated overwhelming authority immediately.
Massive bookshelves covered the walls entirely while ancient maps, military reports, and countless documents rested atop enormous blackwood tables. A large fireplace burned steadily nearby, filling the room with warmth against the northern cold.
And near the far window—
Duke Aktaris sat calmly behind his desk.
The Slaughter Dragon remained dressed beneath dark military clothing while silver dragon embroidery reflected faintly beneath the firelight.
Several documents rested before him untouched now.
Because his attention remained entirely on Kel.
Silence filled the room briefly afterward.
Father and son quietly observed one another beneath flickering flames.
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly whispered:
"…Your father's pressure is monstrous."
Kel silently agreed.
Even now—
Aktaris von Rosenfeld radiated terrifying presence naturally without needing to speak.
Not flashy.
Not overwhelming like Dragon Kings.
But heavy.
Steady.
Like a mountain capable of crushing armies beneath its weight.
Then finally—
The duke spoke.
"So."
His deep voice echoed softly through the room.
"How was your two-year journey, my son?"
Kel calmly approached afterward before stopping before the large desk.
Then quietly—
He answered.
"…Very interesting, Father."
A faint silence followed afterward.
Unexpectedly—
A slight smile appeared at the corner of Duke Aktaris' mouth.
Small.
Brief.
But real.
"Sit."
Kel obeyed quietly afterward, lowering himself into the chair opposite the duke.
The fireplace crackled softly nearby.
Snow drifted endlessly beyond the windows.
And somewhere within the silent atmosphere—
This no longer felt like a conversation between duke and subordinate.
Only father and son.
Meanwhile—
Aktaris quietly folded his hands together atop the desk.
Then calmly—
He asked:
"How did you lift your curse?"
The question settled heavily inside the room afterward.
Inside his mind—
Sairen quietly listened too.
Meanwhile—
Kel calmly answered.
"At Scarder Lake."
The duke's crimson eyes narrowed slightly afterward.
Because even within northern legends—
Scarder Lake existed more like myth than reality.
A lake capable of healing curses themselves.
Yet strangely—
Aktaris did not question it.
Perhaps because the proof already sat directly before him.
The once dying child now radiated terrifying vitality.
Meanwhile—
The duke continued calmly.
"And after lifting your curse…"
Another pause.
"…where did you go?"
The firelight flickered softly across the study afterward.
Kel quietly looked toward his father.
Then answered calmly.
"That should not concern you."
Silence.
Any ordinary noble heir speaking that way toward Duke Aktaris would likely freeze beneath killing pressure instantly.
Yet—
Nothing happened.
Because two years earlier—
This condition itself had already been agreed upon.
The anonymous journey.
No interference.
No forced reports.
Only survival.
Meanwhile—
Kel continued calmly.
"I asked you to allow me freedom during those two years."
Another pause.
"And you agreed."
The duke silently stared at him afterward.
Long enough for the fireplace sounds to become strangely loud.
Then unexpectedly—
Aktaris smiled faintly.
Not offended.
Not angry.
Only approving.
"…Good."
Kel blinked once internally.
Meanwhile—
The duke leaned slightly back against his chair afterward.
"You learned something important then."
Kel quietly asked:
"What?"
Aktaris' crimson eyes reflected the firelight sharply.
"How to protect your own secrets."
Silence followed afterward.
Then the duke slowly continued.
"A ruler who reveals everything eventually dies."
The northern winds echoed faintly outside.
"And a Rosenfeld…"
Another pause.
"…must know when silence carries more value than words."
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly muttered:
"Now I understand where you got it from."
Kel ignored her quietly.
Meanwhile—
Aktaris calmly observed his son again afterward.
Longer this time.
More carefully.
And slowly—
Something inside the duke's expression subtly changed.
Because honestly—
He could sense it now.
Not specifics.
But change itself.
The pressure hidden beneath Kel's calm exterior.
The confidence.
The control.
The frightening steadiness within his eyes.
This was no longer merely a talented heir recovering from illness.
Something far more dangerous sat before him now.
Yet strangely—
Rather than concern—
Pride quietly surfaced instead.
Meanwhile—
The duke finally spoke again.
"…Then let me ask something else."
The atmosphere inside the study subtly deepened afterward.
Outside—
Snowstorms intensified softly against the windows.
Inside—
The fire crackled steadily.
And Duke Aktaris von Rosenfeld quietly asked:
"Are you ready…"
Another pause.
"…to walk the path of House Rosenfeld's heir?"
The question carried enormous weight.
Not merely inheritance.
Responsibility.
The North itself.
Military command.
Political warfare.
Monster frontiers.
The burden of becoming the next duke.
Meanwhile—
Kel quietly stared at the fireplace flames briefly.
Inside his mind—
Memories surfaced endlessly.
The cursed child.
The Scarlet Lake.
Bloodshed.
Mercenary alliances.
Ancient ruins.
Dragon Kings kneeling.
Realms trembling.
Fate breaking itself apart.
And now—
He had finally returned here.
Home.
Then slowly—
Kel lifted his gaze toward his father again.
And calmly answered:
"…I am ready, Father."
Silence followed afterward.
Yet this silence felt different.
Heavy.
Absolute.
As though something ancient had finally settled into place.
The duke quietly observed his son afterward.
Then eventually—
He stood.
The massive pressure filling the study shifted instantly with that single movement.
Aktaris slowly walked toward the enormous window overlooking the snow-covered estate grounds.
His broad figure stood beneath moonlight afterward.
Then quietly—
The Slaughter Dragon spoke.
"…Good."
Another pause.
"Because the North is about to become very dangerous soon."
Kel's eyes narrowed slightly afterward.
Meanwhile—
Outside the windows—
Snow continued falling endlessly beneath the ancient dragon banners of House Rosenfeld.