And then, I met Idrysh again. All of this felt like a dream.

Right now, I’m undoubtedly the protagonist of a fairy tale without any worries or concerns. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be this happy.

Although clouds of white breath constantly emanated from everyone’s mouths in the cold weather, not a single person seemed cold.

It was around the time when our breaths were becoming visible.

Suddenly, someone shouted, “It’s snowing!”

Everyone stopped dancing and looked up at the sky. Light snowflakes were falling gently from the clear sky, beautiful as if entering a snow globe.

As I watched the snow fluttering while gaping, I suddenly felt a gaze and lowered my head.

Idrysh and I made eye contact.

While everyone was enjoying the snow, Idrysh looked only at me.

Amidst the laughter and falling snow, time stopped only for Idrysh and me. I couldn’t think of anything.

The festival continued until night.

After the sun set, children, who had listened to scary stories for a long time, went to sleep with regret. Adults, who had been drinking since the day, sang songs and played musical instruments.

In the center, a large bonfire was blazing. Flames, along with the popping sounds, soared into the sky, creating a light path.

At that time, I was also pleasantly intoxicated with alcohol.

I chatted endlessly with the people of Skitas. Most of the stories were not very important, such as who was dating whom or who had made a lot of money from farming this year.

Throughout that time, Idrysh sat behind me. Leaning on him, poking his arm while smiling, he neither stopped me nor gave me any warning, paying no attention.

It felt like Idrysh’s own consideration.

My chest felt warm and filled with a soft soup, neither hot nor cold, just the right temperature of soup.

I closed my eyes quietly, listening to the bubbling sound, and inhaled the subtle fragrance of Idrysh. My chest tingled.

Because today is a festival.

I reiterated the only excuse given to me.

“Idrysh! Idrysh!”

I abruptly opened the door to Idrysh’s room. However, I froze like a statue at the unexpected sight. Then, I screamed and turned away.

Idrysh was completely undressed, drying himself with a towel.

“Why pretend to be surprised when you’ve seen it so many times? I usually have a purpose when I undress during curse-breaking.”

“If it was going to surprise you that much, knock before coming in.”

“…Sorry, I’ll do that from now on.”
Laughter, as if deliberately hushed from behind, could be heard.

“So, what brings you barging into my room?”

Upon Idrysh’s words, the purpose behind the abrupt entrance became clear.

“Oh, a guest has arrived!”

“A guest? For me?”

“No, do you remember the squirrel chieftain who got injured last time? Some chieftains are coming to pay him a visit. Since Heron plays a central role among the powerless beastfolk, they might be close to him.”

“This could be an opportunity for us.”

I nodded. It seemed Idrysh had the same thought as me.

Staying in the Skitas territory for a long time was also for this reason.

We have to bring in everyone we can to our side.

A little later, I leaned against the window of my room and watched as carriages lined up to arrive. Faces I had seen at the last Central chieftain’s gathering disembarked.

“That man was the lord of the rabbit beastfolk, and that woman was a crow. Over there is a friendly mole beastfolk. And the last small man is a mole beastfolk too.”

I clenched my fist.

“Alright. These prey are mine today!”