Chapter 397: The Arrival of Winter (2)

"Young lady, don’t you want to return to your family? Your father is waiting for you and hopes you’ll come home."

Upon hearing this, Isabella’s expression froze for a moment before returning to calm.

She glanced behind her, but no one was there.

"Tell him I won’t be coming back," she replied indifferently.

"But..."

The voice sounded hesitant.

"Master and Lady are truly worried about you, young lady. They miss you and want to see you. Don’t you want to see them?"

Isabella fell silent. Then she took a deep breath and said, "I can’t go back because my two children aren’t at the palace. Besides, I left several months ago. If I leave again, my husband will definitely get suspicious. So I won’t return. However..."

She paused for a moment, sipped her tea, and continued, "I’ll be back next month. So tell them not to worry."

"All right, I understand."

A sigh came from behind her.

"Enjoy your winter, young lady."

The voice then disappeared completely. Isabella shook her head and looked up at the dark sky.

They’re both just like children...

...

"Woaa! Winter has arrived!"

On the mansion’s terrace, Alicia beamed as she watched the snow falling from the sky.

In the past, winter was the season she hated most, because whenever it came, her mother’s illness would worsen.

But this year, she didn’t hate it at all. On the contrary, she actually liked it.

Her mother had recovered, and her family, once broken, had healed.

"Oh? The snow has started falling, huh? It’s earlier than usual." A man’s voice sounded behind her.

Alicia turned and saw her father, with her mother beside him.

"Father, do we have any plans to go anywhere this winter?" she asked excitedly.

"Hmmm..." Orlan rubbed his chin as if deep in thought.

Syra hugged his arm and coaxed, "How about we go to my father’s house? Think of it as a vacation and a visit. He’ll be very happy, considering we haven’t visited him in a long time. There are also many fun places to enjoy there."

Orlan found the idea appealing and nodded.

"You’re right. All right, we’ll go to your grandfather’s place, my dear." Orlan smiled as he ruffled her hair.

"Yay!" Alicia jumped up and down happily.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot," Orlan said with a surprised expression. "In the next few days, the Imperial Anniversary will take place. I’ve already received an invitation letter from His Majesty. So, we’ll attend together with my father-in-law."

Syra didn’t mind his suggestion. The two of them talked casually while enjoying the falling snow.

Suddenly, Orlan remembered Elina and said, "I received a letter from Princess Elina. It turns out she was granted a territory by His Majesty."

Thinking about it, he couldn’t help but smile. Elina was now far ahead of the other candidates for the throne.

His decision to bet on her had been an excellent choice.

"Oh?" Syra was surprised. "Do you know where she was placed?"

Orlan rubbed his chin, then replied, "The town is called Virella, and it’s at the edge of the eastern territory."

"The edge of the eastern territory?" Syra furrowed her brows. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I’m sure." Orlan nodded slightly. "It seems His Majesty deliberately gave her a remote area so she can be trained to become a good leader. Well, I don’t know the details, but maybe that’s how it is."

Ragan was a difficult person to figure out. Even with his innate ability to read people’s personalities, he still couldn’t see through him.

"So that’s how it is..." Syra sighed deeply. "Even though she was given a remote area, I’m sure she can handle it well. After all, she’s a smart young woman."

Orlan nodded in agreement. "You’re right. I’m confident in her too."

...

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Snow is falling from the sky! Sister, look at that!"

On the balcony of the Austin family mansion, Masha pointed outside excitedly.

Winter was the season she looked forward to the most. During this season, she could play in the snow freely.

Moreover, she had learned various techniques for making snowmen a few months ago, so she couldn’t wait to try them.

Rafine stepped outside and stared at the falling snow with a dazed look.

It’s snowing, huh? Time is really flying,

she muttered softly.

For her, this year was the most special compared to the previous ones.

Her visit to the Emperor’s birthday party had been the beginning of everything turning out this way. She was able to meet Elina and Nolan.

Unknowingly, that smelly man had carved a mark in the deepest part of her heart.

What is he doing now? Is his journey going well?

She wondered silently.

Since Nolan’s departure, she hadn’t heard from him again. Perhaps he had already sailed away or even arrived at the Kingdom of Kaldarion on the northern continent.

As she was lost in her thoughts, she heard footsteps, followed by the surprised voices of a man and a woman.

"It’s snowing already, huh? Tsk! It’s going to be very cold tonight."

"You’re right. I’ve been looking forward to winter."

Without turning around, Rafine knew it was her father and mother.

Masha turned toward them, then ran to them.

"Mother, can I play in the snow tomorrow morning?"

She hugged Anastasia’s thigh with a pleading look in her round eyes.

"Of course, dear." Anastasia smiled as she gently caressed her head. "Play with your sister tomorrow. But don’t forget to wear your winter coat, okay? I’ve prepared it and will give it to you tomorrow."

"Yay!" Masha cheered happily.

Anastasia smiled at her adorable behavior.

Meanwhile, Alvaron walked toward his daughter and stood beside her.

"Are you thinking about something?"

Rafine was surprised by the question. She shook her head and replied, "Nothing."

"Heh..." Alvaron smirked. "You are my daughter, my dear. How could I not know what you’re thinking?"

Rafine tried to remain calm, though the redness on her cheeks gave her away.

"Let me guess." Alvaron rubbed his chin. "You must be thinking about Princess Elina, right? You’re worried she’s having trouble."

"You’re right," Rafine admitted. "I’m worried about her."

She let out a long sigh. She was worried about Elina, but that wasn’t the main reason her mind was wandering.

Elina was capable, so she would surely be able to handle any problems in the town of Virella.

What truly made her anxious was Nolan. He had promised to send a letter on the tenth day after his departure.

But until now, there had been no news from him, and it made her a little upset.

Alvaron noticed the change in his daughter’s expression and chuckled softly.

"It seems I was wrong. You’re actually worried about Prince Nolan, aren’t you?"

Rafine’s face instantly turned as red as a tomato.

"Father, what are you saying?" she protested.

"Don’t deny it, my dear." Alvaron sighed deeply. "Like I said earlier, I know you very well. So you must be worried about the Prince, right?"

This time, Rafine couldn’t deny it, but she was far too embarrassed to admit it.

"Hah..." Alvaron smiled helplessly. "My daughter, whom I have cared for with all my heart, seems to have been kidnapped by Prince Nolan. My heart hurts so much."

Rafine: "..."