The servants shaped the bread dough according to the chef’s instructions and baked it in the oven. Soon, a fantastic aroma filled the courtyard. Some of the people staying in the banquet hall, who had only received a small portion for the past few days, came out and peeked in this direction with guilty faces.

“They’re…”

It was the moment when Adel looked worriedly in that direction.

“Your Highness. You came out here in this cold weather?”

Margaret, who had noticed her, came closer through the knights, squeezing through. Somehow, she had a thick shawl in her hand. With a meticulous touch, he wrapped the shawl around Adel’s shoulders and started nagging.
“By just wearing this in such cold weather, how did you come all the way here? Lately, you haven’t been resting properly, working all the time, having insufficient meals… No, why hasn’t anyone around thought about taking care of Your Highness? What will you do if you fall ill!”

After boldly glancing at the knights, Margaret continued. Some knights sitting near her couldn’t withstand her sharp gaze and discreetly moved away.

However, Adel felt a warmth in her heart from Margaret’s worried nagging.

“For now, cover yourself with the shawl. Your hands and feet are freezing.”

Margaret grabbed Adel’s chilly hand tightly with her plump and warm hands. Tears welled up in her eyes, stinging. It seemed that the wind had changed direction, and smoke had unexpectedly entered her eyes.

There were moments of regret. Why didn’t she approach more actively earlier, why did she give up so easily… Of course, if Adel had behaved like that, Greta would have been very upset. Moreover, there was no guarantee that the result would be the same as it is now. Nevertheless, reviving Valentine was the beginning of change.

“Shall I bring you some tea or something?”

“It’s okay. Rather than that, is the amount of stew generous enough to take care of everyone, including those refugees over there?”

As Adel spoke, looking towards the young refugees swallowing their saliva, Margaret followed her gaze, turning her head. Margaret spoke confidently, as if telling her not to worry.

“I also set up a cauldron in the front yard. Servants are crowded there, boiling stew. The maids are baking bread in the kitchen’s large oven. Although we need to put plenty of dried tomatoes in it, it should be enough for everyone’s meal.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Well, here. Take this.”

As if the warm steam was sticking to her, Yannick, who had approached unnoticed, handed a hollow wooden bowl to Margaret and Adel. The bowl was filled with seemingly delicious stew, and freshly baked bread was on top of it.

Adel scooped up a large spoonful and blew on it before taking a bite. Although she almost burned her palate, it was worth it. The broth harmonized the scent of tomatoes, herbs, and butter, and the chewy deer meat added richness.

With each bite, warmth spread throughout her stomach, and her hands and feet regained heat.

“It tastes good.”

Margaret nodded with a rare faint smile.

Adel actually thought it was not just good but very delicious, but she didn’t express it outwardly. People were almost sticking their noses into their bowls, devouring the stew.

She slowly looked around, and seeing the knights scraping the bottom of the pot, she suddenly realized something.

“Hey, Duke Ansgar might still be preparing for dinner. What about His Excellency’s meal…?”

“Don’t worry. The servants have taken it up already.”

“Already?”
“I’ve sustained myself with salted meat, smoked meat, dried beans, and potatoes all along. There hasn’t been a chance to eat such fresh meat this winter.”

In response to Yannick’s answer, Margaret sighed deeply and continued.

“If the sheep hadn’t suddenly suffered mass death, the estate situation would have been better than it is now. We would have had plenty of sheep’s milk and cheese. Still, it’s fortunate that there’s enough salted food left.”

“Nevertheless, if we endure a little longer, all of this will come to an end. The weather has been getting warmer all of a sudden these days. At this rate, even the snow will melt soon.”

Yannick spoke in an encouraging tone as if comforting Margaret. Adel nodded in agreement.

“It will really be over soon. When spring comes, I’ll make sure to buy young lambs.”

“That’s a good idea.”

They silently finished their portions for a while. Adel also cut the bread into small pieces, soaked them in the stew broth, and ate them. When she finished her bowl without leaving a single drop, a sense of satisfaction enveloped her entire body.

“By the way, Your Highness.”

Suddenly, Margaret called Adel in a serious tone, causing Adel to turn her gaze away from the bonfire where she had been throwing firewood.