The northern city slept beneath layers of silver snow.
Outside the inn—
Cold moonlight spread across frozen streets while faint wind carried drifting snowflakes through the silent night like wandering spirits beneath the heavens.
Most lanterns across the city had already dimmed.
Only a few remained glowing beside guard towers and roadside shrines dedicated to forgotten northern gods.
Inside the inn—
Warmth and quiet replaced the brutal cold outside.
The lower hall had grown nearly silent now.
Most travelers had retired to their rooms while only the crackling fireplace near the common area continued producing soft amber light across the wooden walls.
The escort knights of House Rosenfeld had also gradually dispersed toward their assigned rooms after securing the surroundings properly.
Yet despite the late hour—
Kel still remained awake.
He stood quietly near one of the inn's crystal windows observing the snowfall outside.
The lantern light behind him cast long shadows across the wooden floor while his crimson eyes reflected the pale moonlight beyond the glass.
His expression remained calm.
Thoughtful.
Detached.
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly spoke.
"You should sleep."
Kel internally replied:
"I will."
The spirit lazily hummed afterward.
"You've been awake almost the entire journey."
Kel remained silent.
Meanwhile—
Near the staircase leading toward the upper rooms—
The lead knight quietly approached afterward.
His armor had already been partially removed leaving only lighter protection suitable for resting rotations.
Yet even now—
The knight still maintained alert posture.
Because serving House Rosenfeld meant discipline never fully disappeared.
The knight stopped several steps behind Kel before speaking respectfully.
"My lord."
Kel glanced toward him calmly.
The lead knight hesitated briefly.
Then quietly said:
"Please go upstairs and rest."
Another pause followed.
"We'll handle the watch."
Kel silently observed him for several seconds afterward.
The knight himself looked visibly tired now.
Not exhausted enough to fail duty.
But tired enough that ordinary nobles likely wouldn't even notice.
Kel however noticed immediately.
Then slowly—
He stepped away from the window.
Soft lantern light shifted across his face afterward while snow continued falling beyond the glass endlessly.
Kel approached the knight calmly.
Then lightly patted one hand against the knight's shoulder armor.
A simple gesture.
Yet strangely warm.
"Don't exhaust yourself."
The knight visibly straightened afterward.
Before he could answer—
Kel calmly continued.
"Send every guard to standby positions near Aria's room."
The lead knight blinked slightly.
"My lord…"
A faint hesitation followed.
"All of them?"
Kel quietly nodded once.
"Yes."
The knight immediately lowered his head.
"As you command."
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly laughed.
"You really prioritize her safety absurdly highly."
Kel internally answered calmly.
"She's asleep."
The spirit sounded amused.
"That's your justification?"
Kel ignored her again.
Meanwhile—
The lead knight quietly watched Kel afterward.
And honestly—
The man understood something clearly tonight.
Kel trusted their abilities.
Yet simultaneously—
Kel himself remained more concerned about others than his own protection.
That realization created complicated emotions among the escort knights.
Because leaders like that naturally inspired loyalty.
Then—
Kel finally turned toward the staircase.
The wooden steps creaked softly beneath his boots as he climbed upward through the quiet inn corridors illuminated only by dim lantern light fixed along the walls.
The atmosphere felt peaceful.
Warm.
Far removed from the brutal frozen wilderness outside.
Meanwhile—
Near the far end of the corridor—
Several Rosenfeld knights silently repositioned themselves around Aria's room after receiving orders.
Not loudly.
Not excessively.
Simply enough to ensure absolute security throughout the night.
Inside her room—
Aria remained deeply asleep beneath warm blankets completely unaware of the increased protection surrounding her.
Meanwhile—
Kel continued toward his own room calmly.
The hallway itself remained silent except for distant winter wind brushing faintly against the inn windows.
Then finally—
Kel opened his room door.
The room itself appeared modest compared to noble estates.
But clean.
Warm.
Comfortable enough.
A small fireplace crackled softly near one corner while moonlight filtered through frost-covered glass windows illuminating part of the bed.
Kel quietly removed his cloak afterward and placed it near the chair beside the fireplace.
Then slowly sat at the edge of the bed.
For several moments—
He simply remained still.
The exhaustion from travel.
The banquet.
The endless political interactions.
Everything finally settled around him quietly.
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly spoke again.
"You're tired."
Kel internally answered:
"A little."
The spirit fell silent briefly afterward.
Then softly—
"You really don't want guards outside your room?"
Kel calmly leaned backward onto the bed afterward.
The mattress sank slightly beneath his weight while faint warmth from the fireplace spread gently through the room.
Then finally—
He answered her.
"Why would I?"
Sairen sounded amused.
"You're the heir of House Rosenfeld."
Kel closed his eyes slowly afterward.
"And?"
The spirit laughed softly.
"Most heirs prefer armed knights outside their doors constantly."
Kel quietly exhaled.
Then finally replied:
"Don't I already have you?"
Silence filled his mind briefly afterward.
Then Sairen softly blinked metaphorically.
"…Me?"
Kel's lips curved faintly upward for the first time tonight.
"You watch me twenty-four hours a day."
Another pause followed.
"You can wake me anytime danger appears."
For a brief moment—
The ancient spirit of scarder lake genuinely fell silent.
Because honestly—
Kel spoke so naturally.
So casually.
As though her presence beside him had already become something permanent.
Trusted.
Expected.
Then softly—
Almost quieter than usual—
Sairen asked:
"You trust me that much?"
Kel answered without hesitation.
"I do."
Silence.
Deep silence.
The room itself remained peaceful beneath fireplace light while snow continued falling endlessly beyond the windows.
Inside his mind—
Sairen quietly watched him.
And for perhaps the first time in centuries—
The ancient spirit of scarder lake felt something strangely unfamiliar.
Warmth.
Not the warmth of fire.
Nor battle.
Nor destruction.
Something quieter.
More human.
Meanwhile—
Kel slowly pulled the blanket slightly over himself afterward.
His body relaxed gradually against the mattress while exhaustion finally began overtaking him completely.
Yet even now—
His breathing remained disciplined.
Controlled.
Like someone whose instincts never fully slept.
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly whispered.
"Sleep."
Kel internally murmured one final sentence before drifting away.
"Wake me if anything happens."
The spirit quietly smiled afterward.
"…Of course."
Then finally—
Silence settled completely across the room.
Outside—
Snowfall thickened further across the sleeping northern city.
The escort knights quietly guarded the inn corridors.
Lanterns flickered gently against wooden walls.
And beneath the peaceful warmth of the small northern inn—
The future heir of House Rosenfeld finally rested while an ancient spirit of scarder lake silently watched over his sleep through the long winter night