The embers of the fire were still gently flickering, casting long diagonal shadows.
Sif curled up in the thick quilt, lying on her side, quietly watching the man sleeping beside her.
Louis’s breathing was steady, his brows relaxed, his sleeping face handso, unlike the noble who always seed full of thoughts.
His black hair was slightly disheveled, clinging to his forehead, with long eyelashes casting faint shadows in the firelight.
In his sleep, his boyish looks were heart-pounding.
Sif was sowhat entranced, the corners of her mouth gently curved, her eyes filled with indescribable satisfaction and tenderness.
She gently brushed his nose with her fingers, then quickly pulled back, like a mischievous child.
But her smile didn’t last long; her gaze gradually dimd.
The shadow of her past quietly reerged in her mind, like a heavy storm pressing upon her heart on a snowy night.
The Cold Moon bloodline, the tragic deaths of her clansn, her brother’s end... nothing had changed.
She was still the lone wolf of the Northern Territory, burdened with vengeance.
"The current you... are still too weak." She looked at Louis, whispering in her heart, "Should I tell you..."
Sif’s fingertips swept across his sleeping face, her touch as light as a feather: "Tell you that I am the last princess of the Cold Moon Tribe, soone who survived with blood debts and hatred?"
She hesitated for a long ti, struggling within her heart.
But ultimately, she just sighed softly: "I’ll wait until you are stronger."
She whispered, light rekindling in her eyes.
"I believe one day, you will be strong enough to bear my true na and destiny."
She gently placed a kiss on his forehead, sealing the secret.
"Goodnight, Louis."
Then Sif closed her eyes, leaning against Louis’s side, like a snow wolf finally finding its resting place.
......
In the office of Red Tide Castle, the fire was blazing, warm and serene.
Outside, the cold wind howled, heralding the first snow, while inside it was gentle like another world.
Bradley stood straight, his sturdy boots making no sound on the carpet, his cloak dusted with a little frost.
He perused the report in his hand while reporting to Louis seated at the head of the table.
"Reporting to the Lord, by yesterday evening, the fourth batch of winter supplies from Red Rock Warehouse has been fully packed."
His voice was steady and powerful, with a slight southern accent.
"As per your instructions, the distribution of supplies to all residents of Red Tide Territory is complete...
The personnel remaining at workshops and watchtowers have also received double rations and heating supplies, including limited winter apparel and boots...
The ’quick-grow vegetables’ in the heated greenhouse have completed the first harvest, totaling sixty-seven baskets, enough to provide nutritional supplent before the snow seals off the land...
Additionally, the construction of the winter fishery has been initially completed, with so under-ice nets in use, and fishing tests show a stable catch of about thirty fish per day..."
His report was increasingly organized, unaware that behind the large desk, Louis listened attentively but covertly made a small gesture.
Louis’s left arm naturally rested on the side of the chair, his fingers casually falling on Sif’s leg next to him, slowly tracing the warm lines through her form-fitting black pants.
Sif, who had been silently sitting by his side, suddenly tensed.
She turned her head sharply to look at him, her deep blue eyes wide, her cheeks instantly flushed.
Yet, she did not pull away.
She gently bit her lip, discreetly pinched Louis’s palm with her fingers.
Louis made no move to stop, continuing to slowly trace the curve along the outside of her thigh.
Sif showed a look of both sha and anger, yet was sohow helpless, even... secretly pleased.
She subtly shifted her body, as if wanting to escape, yet also seemingly allowing him to feel more definitively.
"Additionally, the last batch of grain purchased from the south has entered the Northern Territory..."
Bradley continued to read from the summary report with consistent composure.
Though his tone was calm, his experienced eyes discreetly swept over the two sitting at the table.
After all, as soone living on the third floor of the castle, how could he not notice the "progress" between these two?
Frankly speaking, in this world, young lords should have had a few concubines by now; Louis only just warming up to one was slow indeed.
However, steadiness and restraint have always been the young lord’s style.
Bradley didn’t comnt, dutifully continuing his report.
"In summary, the residents of Red Tide Territory can enjoy an unprecedentedly stable and substantial quality of life this winter."
At this point, a rare hint of satisfaction entered his voice, "Most of the residents can not only endure the harsh winter but can live quite comfortably.
The situation in the other four new territories is slightly worse. Although supplies and resources are being continuously dispatched.
But their foundations are still weak, especially in Cold Fir Territory, where there was a previous outbreak of disease."
Bradley looked up at Louis: "But with the support of Red Tide Territory and the model you have established, even in the worst-case scenario...
I expect we can at least ensure the survival of most residents through this winter."
He paused, a tone of unmistakable pride in his voice: "This is an achievent unparalleled in other Northern Territories.
You should know, this year in the Northern Territory... more than half of the population might die, many places can’t even be saved, especially since a war just ended this year, the death toll will only rise."
The air grew heavy for a mont.
Behind the desk, Louis withdrew his fingers from Sif’s thigh, his face regaining calm seriousness.
He was silent for a mont, not continuing Bradley’s topic, for he knew he was no god and couldn’t save so many people, his goal was simply to reduce the deaths in his territory.
He then changed the subject, asking, "What’s the current scale of the heated greenhouse?"
Bradley imdiately checked the docunts, answering, "The first batch completed 5 greenhouses, each approximately 200 square ters.
Agriculture officer Mike organized personnel for expansion imdiately after achieving results in the first greenhouse.
In the past 30 days, 12 more have been added, bringing the total to 17, with a total area of about 3400 square ters."
"We can build more." Louis’s voice was unhurried, "It not only supplents the winter vegetable supply but also allows for the cultivation of dicinal herbs...
Fresh greens can effectively prevent scurvy, which is particularly important in winter."
"Very well." Bradley nodded, "I will arrange it imdiately."
Their conversation was swift and to the point.
On the other side of the table, Sif, although pretending to listen intently, occasionally stole glances at Louis.
Her cheeks still faintly flushed, her heartbeat seemingly not entirely steady.
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