The Rosenfeld carriage continued cutting through the frozen wilderness beneath the pale northern moon.
Snowfall had weakened slightly now.
Only thin silver flakes drifted lazily through the cold night air while the escort knights maintained steady formation around the moving carriage.
The roads gradually widened.
The forests became thinner.
And eventually—
Signs of civilization began appearing ahead.
Stone watchtowers.
Faint lantern lights.
Distant rooftops sleeping beneath snow.
A small northern city finally emerged beyond the horizon.
Massive stone walls surrounded the settlement while iron lanterns burned beside the main entrance gates illuminating layers of fresh snow gathered near the roads.
At this hour—
Most cities normally enforced strict verification procedures.
Especially during nighttime.
But the moment the gate guards noticed the black dragon banner fluttering above the Rosenfeld carriage—
Everything changed instantly.
The guards straightened sharply.
Then immediately—
The enormous gates opened without delay.
No questioning.
No inspection.
No paperwork.
Because within the North—
The Rosenfeld symbol itself carried authority greater than most official documents.
Interrupting a Rosenfeld escort during nighttime without proper reason practically meant risking one's career.
Or worse.
Meanwhile—
Inside the carriage—
Aria remained asleep leaning quietly against Kel's shoulder.
Her silver hair rested softly against his black cloak while her breathing stayed calm and steady.
The exhaustion from the banquet and overnight journey had completely overtaken her.
Kel quietly observed the city entrance through the carriage window as they passed beneath the towering gates.
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly spoke.
"They fear your family deeply."
Kel internally answered:
"Fear maintains order faster than admiration."
The spirit hummed thoughtfully.
"And yet your knights admire you anyway."
Kel remained silent afterward.
Meanwhile—
The city itself remained mostly asleep.
Only a few lantern-lit streets remained active.
Late-night taverns.
Guard patrols.
Small merchant stalls still operating for travelers.
Snow-covered rooftops stretched endlessly beneath moonlight while distant chimneys released trails of smoke into the freezing air.
The escort continued riding calmly through the quiet city roads.
Then—
Kel's crimson eyes slowly shifted toward the buildings lining the street.
Observing.
Evaluating.
Most inns looked average.
Too noisy.
Too crowded.
Too poorly maintained.
Then finally—
His gaze stopped.
Near one of the quieter stone-paved intersections stood a larger inn.
Elegant but not extravagant.
Warm lantern light glowed through crystal windows while several stable workers quietly cared for traveling horses nearby.
The building itself looked clean.
Well-maintained.
Secure.
And most importantly—
Quiet.
Kel glanced toward Aria beside him.
Still asleep.
Then calmly spoke through the carriage wall.
"Halt."
Immediately—
The escort formation slowed.
The lead knight approached the carriage afterward.
"My lord?"
Kel gestured lightly toward the inn outside.
"Check room availability."
The knight instantly nodded.
"At once."
He dismounted immediately and entered the inn while the remaining escort knights maintained formation around the carriage.
Snow continued drifting softly around the silent street.
Meanwhile—
Kel quietly adjusted part of his cloak over Aria's shoulder to shield her further from cold air entering through the slightly opened carriage curtains.
Inside his mind—
Sairen laughed softly.
"You're becoming frighteningly gentle."
Kel internally answered:
"She's exhausted."
The spirit sounded amused.
"That explanation stopped convincing me chapters ago."
Kel ignored her completely.
Several minutes later—
The lead knight finally returned.
Snow clung lightly across parts of his armor while warm inn light illuminated him from behind.
He bowed immediately beside the carriage.
"My lord."
"There are enough suitable rooms available."
Kel calmly nodded once afterward.
Everything matched his expectations.
Then—
He slowly looked toward the sleeping Aria beside him.
For a brief moment—
He considered waking her.
But seeing how deeply asleep she remained—
He quietly decided otherwise.
The carriage door opened softly afterward.
Cold air entered briefly.
Then carefully—
Kel slid one arm beneath Aria's knees while the other supported her back.
Without disturbing her much—
He lifted her into his arms smoothly.
Aria stirred faintly afterward.
Her brows lightly furrowed from the movement.
But still—
She remained half asleep.
One hand instinctively gripped lightly against Kel's cloak while her head rested near his shoulder.
Outside—
Several escort knights immediately lowered their eyes respectfully seeing the scene.
Meanwhile—
Kel stepped down from the carriage carrying her calmly.
Snow crunched softly beneath his boots while the warm inn lanterns reflected against the frozen street.
The lead knight quickly moved ahead and opened the inn entrance.
Warm air instantly drifted outward.
The inn itself appeared peaceful.
Wooden interiors glowed beneath amber lantern light while the faint scent of burning pinewood filled the atmosphere.
A few late-night travelers quietly glanced toward the entrance initially.
Then froze.
Because the black dragon crest of House Rosenfeld was impossible to mistake.
And seeing a young nobleman carrying an exhausted silver-haired noblewoman into the inn beneath midnight lantern light created an almost surreal image.
Meanwhile—
Kel ignored every gaze completely.
The lead knight guided him upstairs quietly afterward while holding room keys.
The upper floor remained calm and mostly empty.
Eventually—
The knight opened one of the larger rooms.
Warm candlelight illuminated soft bedding and wooden furniture inside.
Kel entered calmly afterward.
Then carefully placed Aria onto the bed.
Even while half asleep—
She unconsciously relaxed deeper against the warmth of the blankets immediately.
Kel quietly pulled the blanket slightly higher over her afterward.
Then silently left the room.
The door closed softly behind him.
Meanwhile—
Downstairs—
The innkeeper himself stood nervously near the counter.
Middle-aged.
Slightly overweight.
Clearly trying not to panic seeing House Rosenfeld members inside his establishment unexpectedly.
Kel approached calmly afterward.
The escort knights quietly entered behind him.
Then without wasting words—
Kel simply said:
"Seven rooms."
The innkeeper blinked once.
Then immediately bowed repeatedly.
"O-Of course, young master!"
His voice almost cracked from nervousness.
Kel calmly placed a pouch of coins onto the wooden counter afterward.
Enough money to more than cover expenses.
The innkeeper's eyes widened slightly seeing the amount.
Meanwhile—
The lead knight quietly looked toward Kel afterward.
"My lord…"
A brief hesitation followed.
"We only require two rooms for escort rotation."
Kel calmly looked toward him.
Then simply answered:
"The other five are for you."
Silence.
The escort knights visibly paused afterward.
Kel continued calmly.
"Rest properly."
Another pause followed.
"We leave at dawn."
For a moment—
None of the knights spoke.
Because honestly—
Most noble heirs wouldn't even consider separate proper accommodations for escorts.
Especially not during short overnight stops.
Yet Kel naturally included them without hesitation.
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly sighed.
"You'll end up loved by soldiers."
Kel internally answered:
"Soldiers fight better when treated like humans."
The spirit quietly replied:
"That's exactly why."
Meanwhile—
The lead knight slowly lowered his head afterward.
"…Thank you, my lord."
His voice carried genuine respect now.
Not merely duty.
Kel simply nodded once.
Then quietly instructed:
"Set rotations lightly."
Another pause.
"There's no need to exhaust yourselves tonight."
The knights immediately obeyed.
Meanwhile—
The innkeeper hurried nervously arranging rooms personally afterward terrified of making mistakes.
And gradually—
The quiet northern inn settled beneath midnight silence.
Outside—
Snow continued falling softly across the sleeping city.
Inside—
Escort knights finally rested properly after hours riding through frozen wilderness.
Aria slept peacefully upstairs unaware of everything happening below.
And near one of the lantern-lit windows of the quiet inn—
Kel stood silently observing the snow-covered streets beyond the glass while the North slept beneath moonlight.