The colossal gates of Rosenfeld Estate slowly opened.
Ancient gears hidden within the mountain fortress rumbled like distant thunder.
The sound echoed across the cliffside.
Cold northern wind swept through the entrance.
Snowflakes danced through the air.
The setting sun painted the fortress walls crimson and gold.
For a brief moment, everything seemed frozen in time.
Then Kel stepped out of the carriage.
The moment his boots touched the polished black stone pathway—
Thousands of armored knights moved simultaneously.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
The sound of armor echoed across the courtyard.
Every knight stationed within the entrance plaza stepped aside.
Two perfect lines formed instantly.
A path leading directly toward the main estate.
The discipline was absolute.
Not a single movement was out of place.
Not a single knight spoke.
The only sounds were the cold wind and fluttering banners overhead.
Then—
All the knights bowed.
Not deeply.
Not submissively.
But respectfully.
The bow reserved for a member of House Rosenfeld.
For their young master.
A unified voice shook the mountain.
"WELCOME BACK, YOUNG MASTER KEL!"
The words rolled through the fortress like thunder.
Kel stood silently.
His silver eyes calmly observed the scene.
The cold wind swept across his long black cloak.
The fur-lined mantle resting upon his shoulders fluttered behind him.
His attire reflected both nobility and practicality.
A dark navy northern coat embroidered with silver dragon patterns.
Black gloves.
Silver belt.
High leather boots reinforced with enchanted materials.
Elegant.
Simple.
Yet impossible to ignore.
His silver hair swayed gently within the wind.
The atmosphere around him felt calm.
Stable.
Like a mountain that would never move.
Slowly—
Kel inclined his head.
A small gesture.
Yet enough.
The knights immediately straightened.
Then Kel began walking.
Step.
Step.
Step.
His pace was neither fast nor slow.
Steady.
The path stretched before him.
On both sides stood hundreds of knights.
Each lowering their heads as he passed.
The younger knights couldn't completely hide their excitement.
For many of them—
This was their first time seeing him.
The legendary Count of Frostbound Coast.
The miracle worker of the North.
The young noble whose achievements had become stories told throughout taverns and military camps alike.
Some looked at him with admiration.
Others with curiosity.
A few with pure awe.
Yet none dared break formation.
Far above the courtyard—
A massive balcony overlooked the entire entrance plaza.
Kel's eyes slowly rose.
And stopped.
At the center stood Duke Aktaris Rosenfeld.
The ruler of the North.
The man whose mere presence could silence entire noble assemblies.
Even standing motionless, he radiated pressure.
Power.
Authority.
His black military coat fluttered within the mountain wind.
Silver dragon insignias adorned his shoulders.
His expression remained calm.
Yet Kel noticed something unusual.
His father's eyes contained warmth.
Pride.
A rare sight.
Beside him stood Helena Rosenfeld.
Kel's mother.
The most beautiful woman in the North according to countless rumors.
dark-black hair flowed down her shoulders.
A white winter dress embroidered with silver threads moved gently in the wind.
Unlike Duke Aktaris, her smile wasn't restrained.
It was warm.
Bright.
A mother's smile.
Kel's gaze met theirs.
For a brief moment—
Nobody spoke.
Years seemed to pass within that silence.
Then Kel placed his hand over his chest and bowed respectfully.
A proper greeting from son to parents.
Above, Helena immediately waved.
Her smile widened.
Aktaris nodded once.
A simple gesture.
Yet it carried approval.
Acknowledgment.
And welcome.
"Welcome home, Kel."
Although the Duke spoke normally, his voice somehow reached the entire courtyard.
Kel smiled faintly.
"I have returned."
The cold mountain wind seemed softer than before.
Even Seiren spoke inside his mind.
"Your mother looks ready to hug you in front of everyone."
Kel's eyebrow twitched.
"Please don't give her ideas."
"Too late."
Unfortunately.
Kel suspected Seiren was right.
The courtyard gradually returned to normal.
Servants resumed movement.
Knights returned to their duties.
The estate became lively once more.
Kel entered the main manor.
The enormous entrance hall welcomed him.
Golden chandeliers illuminated polished marble floors.
Ancient dragon statues stood between towering pillars.
Massive stained-glass windows depicted important moments throughout Rosenfeld history.
The air smelled faintly of cedar wood and old books.
A scent he remembered.
A scent that belonged to home.
And then—
Several figures approached.
The first were his uncles.
Duke Aktaris had two elder brothers.
The oldest, Victor Rosenfeld.
A broad-shouldered man with a booming laugh.
The second, Leonard Rosenfeld.
A calmer and more scholarly noble.
Both possessed the unmistakable silver hair of House Rosenfeld.
"Kel!"
Victor laughed loudly.
"Look at you!"
Before Kel could react, the giant man grabbed his shoulder.
"Last time I saw you, you looked like a gust of wind could blow you away!"
Kel replied calmly.
"I believe that was the curse."
Victor burst into laughter.
Leonard shook his head.
"You've become quite famous."
"Unfortunately."
Leonard smiled.
"That answer alone proves you're still yourself."
The two aunts soon arrived.
Lady Amelia and Lady Sophia.
Both greeted Kel warmly.
Unlike many noble families, the Rosenfeld household maintained unusually close family relationships.
Perhaps because life in the North was harsh.
Family mattered more here.
Soon after—
His cousins appeared.
Several young men and women.
Some older.
Some younger.
Many immediately began asking questions.
"Is Frostbound really as incredible as people say?"
"Did you truly build a second currency?"
"Can I visit Frostbound?"
Kel found himself surrounded.
For perhaps the first time in years.
Not by officials.
Not by knights.
Not by merchants.
But by family.
Then suddenly—
Two small figures broke through the crowd.
"BIG BROTHER!"
"BIG BROTHER KEL!"
Kel barely had time to react.
A boy and a girl rushed toward him.
The boy arrived first.
Fourteen years old.
Silver-haired.
Blue-eyed.
His younger brother.
Arthur Rosenfeld.
Then came the younger girl.
Eleven years old.
Elise Rosenfeld.
The youngest child of House Rosenfeld.
Both crashed directly into him.
Fortunately.
Kel's balance was excellent.
Otherwise all three might have fallen.
Elise wrapped her arms around him.
"You're finally back!"
Arthur crossed his arms.
Attempting to look mature.
Failing completely.
"You were gone forever."
"It was one year."
"Exactly."
Kel looked at him.
Arthur looked back.
Then both brothers laughed.
The atmosphere instantly relaxed.
Elise continued talking without pause.
Explaining everything that had happened during the past one year.
Friends.
Lessons.
Events.
Stories.
Complaints.
Achievements.
All at once.
Kel listened patiently.
A small smile occasionally appearing.
The surrounding family members watched quietly.
Many noticing something unusual.
The famous Count Kel.
The feared Frontier Lord.
Appeared far more relaxed around his family.
Far more human.
Hours later.
After numerous greetings.
Conversations.
And reunions.
Kel finally returned to his room.
The room had remained almost unchanged.
Bookshelves lined the walls.
The fireplace crackled gently.
A large window overlooked the northern mountains.
His old desk still stood in its original position.
Someone had maintained everything carefully.
The room felt untouched by time.
Kel sat near the fireplace.
The warmth spread throughout the room.
For the first time in weeks.
Silence.
Peaceful silence.
Then—
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Kel immediately knew who it was.
"Enter."
The door opened.
A familiar woman entered carrying a silver tray.
Steam rose from a porcelain cup.
Hot chocolate.
His favorite.
The scent alone brought back childhood memories.
Marine.
His personal maid.
The woman who had remained beside him even when everyone believed he would die from the curse.
She was beautiful in her own way.
But Not intimidating.
Kel listened when she spoke to him.
Dark blue maid uniform.
Perfect posture.
Sharp eyes.
Expressionless face.
Marine calmly placed the cup before him.
"You lost weight."
Kel blinked.
"...Hello to you too."
Marine ignored him.
"You sleep less."
"I sleep enough."
"No."
"I do."
"No."
Kel surrendered immediately.
Some battles couldn't be won.
Marine nodded.
Satisfied.
Then handed him the hot chocolate.
"Drink."
Kel obeyed.
The warm sweetness spread through his body.
A feeling he hadn't experienced for years.
Marine watched silently.
Then finally spoke.
"Welcome home, Young Master."
Her voice remained calm.
Yet Kel could hear genuine emotion hidden beneath it.
He placed the cup down.
Then reached into his spatial storage.
Marine raised an eyebrow.
A small box appeared.
Kel handed it to her.
"This is for you."
Marine frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
"Open it."
She did.
The moment the lid lifted—
The room filled with soft silver light.
A crystal pendant rested inside.
Ancient runes flowed across its surface.
Powerful.
Elegant.
Extraordinary.
Even Marine immediately recognized its value.
Her eyes widened slightly.
A rare occurrence.
"This..."
"A relic."
Marine stared.
"...Young Master."
" a friend Found it during an expedition and give me so i though to give it you."
Marine looked at the pendant again.
Its value was enough to purchase multiple noble estates.
Perhaps more.
"Too expensive."
"No."
Marine looked up.
Kel met her eyes.
Calmly.
Sincerely.
"There are many people who stayed beside me after I became Count."
"There are many people who support me now."
"But before any of that..."
His voice softened.
"You stayed."
Marine froze.
The room became silent.
The fireplace crackled softly nearby.
For several moments.
Neither spoke.
Then Marine carefully closed the box.
Her expression remained composed.
Yet her eyes seemed slightly different.
Warmer.
Softer.
"...Thank you, Young Master."
Kel smiled.
"You're welcome."
Outside the window.
Snow continued falling across the mountain.
Within the ancestral home of House Rosenfeld.
For the first time in years.
Kel simply sat beside the fire.
Drinking hot chocolate.
And enjoying the feeling of being home.