The journey through the northern roads finally came to an end.
As the last traces of sunset painted the horizon in shades of crimson and gold, the massive silhouette of Rosenfeld Estate appeared beyond the snowy landscape.
Ancient stone walls rose proudly against the darkening sky.
Towering watchtowers stood like silent guardians.
Dragon banners fluttered in the cold northern wind.
Warm lights glowed from countless windows within the estate, making the enormous stronghold seem like a beacon amidst the frozen wilderness.
The moment the escort knights saw the familiar gates—
Their expressions visibly relaxed.
Home.
Even seasoned warriors felt differently when returning home.
The massive gates slowly opened.
The dragon crest engraved upon them seemed to watch over every person entering.
The Rosenfeld carriage rolled through the entrance.
Snow crunched beneath the wheels.
Servants and guards bowed respectfully as the carriage passed.
Inside—
Kel quietly looked out the window.
The sight was familiar.
Yet somehow—
Different.
Two years ago he had left this place as a cursed heir slowly dying.
Now he returned carrying secrets capable of shaking kingdoms.
Inside his mind—
Sairen softly spoke.
"Back to the dragon's nest."
Kel internally replied.
"Home is still home."
The Guardian of Scarder Lake became silent afterward.
Even she understood that some places carried meaning beyond logic.
The carriage finally stopped before the main estate.
The escort knights dismounted.
Servants hurried forward.
One knight opened the carriage door.
Cold evening air immediately entered.
Kel stepped out first.
Then offered his hand toward Aria.
She accepted naturally.
After spending days traveling together, neither found such gestures unusual anymore.
The moment they entered the estate grounds—
A familiar voice echoed nearby.
"Big Brother Kel!"
Both turned.
Running toward them through the courtyard came a young girl around fourteen years old.
Long silver-brown hair danced behind her as she ran.
Bright eyes.
Energetic movements.
The youngest child of Kel's second elder uncle.
One of his younger cousins.
Unlike most nobles—
She never feared speaking her thoughts.
The girl stopped before them.
Slightly out of breath.
Then immediately asked:
"Why did you and Sister Aria take so long to return?"
Her curious eyes moved between both of them.
Especially between them.
Kel immediately noticed the dangerous direction of her imagination.
So he calmly answered:
"We stopped at a nearby city."
A pause.
"We went shopping."
The girl's eyes widened.
Then immediately turned toward Aria.
"Really?"
Aria nodded.
The cousin instantly looked impressed.
"Big Brother Kel willingly went shopping?"
Her tone sounded as though she had witnessed a miracle.
Aria laughed softly.
Meanwhile—
Kel simply sighed.
Inside his mind—
Sairen burst into laughter.
"Even your family thinks that's unbelievable."
Kel ignored her.
Again.
The cousin continued smiling mischievously.
"Then next time take me too."
Kel calmly replied:
"No."
The answer came immediately.
Without hesitation.
The girl pouted dramatically.
Aria couldn't help laughing again.
The atmosphere softened instantly.
For a few moments—
The estate felt less like a noble household and more like a family home.
Eventually—
Everyone separated.
Aria returned toward the guest wing.
The younger cousin disappeared somewhere after spotting another family member.
The escort knights reported to the estate commander.
And Kel finally returned toward his own room.
The corridors felt familiar.
The polished wooden floors.
The dragon-shaped lanterns.
The ancient portraits hanging on the walls.
Everything remained exactly as he remembered.
Yet somehow—
He himself had changed.
When he finally opened the door to his room—
A strange feeling emerged.
This room had once been his entire world.
The place where he spent years trapped by his curse.
The place where he coughed blood.
Where doctors came and went.
Where death constantly waited nearby.
Now—
The room looked smaller somehow.
Less oppressive.
Less suffocating.
Kel slowly sat on the edge of his bed.
The mattress sank slightly beneath his weight.
For a brief moment—
Silence filled the room.
Then—
A familiar knock came.
Marine entered carrying a tray.
Just like countless times before.
The loyal maid looked exactly the same.
Yet her eyes softened seeing him sitting there.
"Young Master."
Kel smiled faintly.
"Marine."
The maid placed a glass of water beside him.
Then spoke gently.
"Your bath has been prepared."
Kel nodded.
"Thank you."
Marine looked pleased.
The simple gratitude alone was enough.
Unlike many nobles—
Kel always remembered to say it.
Soon afterward—
Steam filled the private bath chamber.
Hot water reflected golden lantern light.
The scent of pinewood and northern herbs lingered pleasantly in the air.
Kel slowly lowered himself into the water.
Warmth immediately spread throughout his body.
Muscles relaxed.
The fatigue from travel gradually faded.
For the first time since leaving the estate for the banquet—
He truly rested.
Inside his mind—
Sairen spoke lazily.
"Humans really love hot water."
Kel closed his eyes.
"You should try becoming human."
The Guardian laughed.
"Absolutely not."
A pause.
"Though I admit this looks comfortable."
Kel allowed himself a small smile.
The hot bath continued washing away the exhaustion accumulated over days of travel.
Outside—
Night gradually settled across the North.
Stars appeared above Rosenfeld Estate.
Snow reflected moonlight.
And somewhere beyond the northern borders—
Countless monsters still roamed the darkness.
Yet here—
For now—
Everything felt peaceful.
After finishing his bath—
Kel changed into comfortable night clothes.
Simple.
Elegant.
Far removed from formal noble attire.
His damp hair rested naturally around his face.
The exhaustion had mostly disappeared.
Eventually—
The bell announcing dinner echoed throughout the estate.
A deep metallic sound.
Ancient.
Authoritative.
The sound of House Rosenfeld gathering.
Kel left his room.
And walked toward the common dining hall.
The hall itself remained magnificent.
A long table stretched through the center like a battlefield line.
Dragon motifs decorated the walls.
Massive chandeliers illuminated everything in warm golden light.
The atmosphere carried dignity.
Power.
History.
This was not merely a dining hall.
It was the heart of House Rosenfeld.
Family members had already begun gathering.
His mother.
His uncles.
His aunts.
His cousins.
His younger brother.
His younger sister.
Conversations flowed naturally throughout the room.
Then—
Kel entered.
For a brief moment—
Several conversations paused.
Not from hostility.
From attention.
The heir had returned.
And people still found themselves observing him.
Kel simply walked toward his seat.
At one far end of the table sat Duke Aktaris von Rosenfeld.
The Slaughter Dragon.
The ruler of the North.
His father.
At the opposite end—
Kel calmly took his own seat.
Directly facing him across the entire length of the table.
For a moment—
Father and son exchanged glances.
Neither smiled.
Neither spoke.
Yet somehow—
Everyone present felt it.
The strange similarity.
The same calm eyes.
The same composed posture.
The same quiet authority.
Inside his mind—
Sairen immediately spoke.
"There it is again."
Kel already knew what was coming.
"No."
The Guardian laughed.
"You truly are his younger copy."
Kel sighed internally.
Across the table—
Duke Aktaris lifted his cup calmly.
Almost as if he sensed the conversation somehow.
The Duke's expression remained unreadable.
Yet a faint amusement seemed hidden within his eyes.
And as servants began bringing dishes one after another—
The House of Rosenfeld gathered once more beneath the banners of dragons.
A family of warriors.
Rulers.
And heirs.
Sharing a meal beneath the warm light of home.