With the sheer number of craftsmen Leandro had summoned, it was inevitable that word would get out. Despite their best efforts to contain the gossip, stopping the flow of information was an impossible task. Just that morning, two maids returning from the market reported that the entire region was abuzz with talk of the new child in House Bellatore. “How will you handle this, Your Grace?” Leandro simply smirked. His gaze remained fixed on the window, tracking the small, round, black-thatched head bobbing through the grounds below. Wrapped in a thick fur coat, Bellatrix was wandering the snowy garden with her maids. Her haphazardly shorn hair had been neatly trimmed and was now tied back with a bright red ribbon. Even from this distance, the improvement in her complexion over a few short days was obvious. A beaming smile on her face, she trotted through the snow, looking like some tiny, dark-furred creature frolicking in the drifts. The maids trailing her doted on her, constantly offering her little things or leaning in to chat. There was something charming about watching her run about so fearlessly. “…She’s certainly made herself at home.” As he watched, a faint smile touched Leandro’s lips. The unexpected sight left Fabron, Titus, and Alessia speechless. They had never imagined they would witness their Duke smiling with such gentle warmth. For a moment, they genuinely feared the eternal snows of the north might melt overnight. Finally, Leandro gave a delayed answer to the question he had been asked. “For now, let them talk.” His eyes never left the window. Alessia hesitated, knowing she was overstepping, but spoke up anyway. When Leandro’s gaze shifted to her, his expression was not harsh, yet she tensed instinctively. Still, she couldn’t remain silent. “Unpleasant rumors could arise.” The northern nobles were more loyal to the Duke of Bellatore than to the Emperor himself. Their respect was born not only from generations of witnessing the Bellatore family’s strength, but also from the pride they took in surviving under his rule. That didn’t mean they were tamed beasts, content to follow blindly. The most sensational topic in the territory was, without a doubt, the Duke’s newly adopted daughter. A story so intriguing was bound to be twisted and exaggerated as it spread, spawning endless speculation. And that kind of speculation was never kind. “The Young Miss will become the subject of their gossip…” Alessia clenched her fists, her hands trembling slightly. Bellatrix had brought a warmth to the cold, rigid mansion that no one had ever managed before. Laughter now echoed in the halls wherever the young girl went. As her assigned knight, Alessia had found herself growing attached without even realizing it. The thought of people whispering cruelly about her behind her back was infuriating. Leandro turned his eyes toward Alessia, watching her in silence. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his otherwise impassive face. “No one will be foolish enough to speak their thoughts aloud.” Now that he had returned, none would dare voice such rumors openly. And if, by some miracle of stupidity, that vile gossip were to reach Bellatrix’s ears— Unlike himself, Leandro refused to let Bellatrix hear a single cruel word. He had only adopted her a few days ago, yet the very idea of her being tainted by malicious rumors filled him with disgust. No matter how maturely she acted, she was still a child. He could still see her in the carriage, her eyes wide with wonder as she gazed upon the snow-covered lands of Bellatore for the first time. And right now, she was out there, her joy pure and unburdened as she played in that same snow. “If you find anyone spreading such filth, you have my permission to stain your blade with their blood.” Alessia bowed her head. Just then, a sharp knock sounded at the door. Leandro granted them entry. A large man with his brown hair pulled back stepped inside and offered a crisp knight’s salute. It was Manus, the knight who had remained at the orphanage with Silas. Before Manus could even speak, Leandro rose from his chair. “Our guests have arrived.” His previously calm black eyes flashed with a predatory red light. After a long time playing outside, Bellatrix’s pale cheeks were flushed a healthy rose from the cold. “Did you have a good time, Young Miss?” Madam Felicia, the head maid who had escorted her to the dining hall, asked with a warm smile. Bellatrix nodded eagerly and launched into a breathless account of her adventure. “The snow came all the way up to my ankles! It felt like it was grabbing me every time I took a step!” “Shall I have the servants clear a path for you?” Bellatrix quickly shook her head, a wide grin splitting her face. She then announced her grand ambition: next time, she was going to build a snowman. Meanwhile, the maids placed her damp cloak and shoes near the fireplace to dry. The soft crackle of burning logs filled the dining hall, wrapping the room in a cozy warmth. Soon, the head chef emerged from the kitchens carrying a tray. Bellatrix’s dark eyes sparkled at the sight. There was a steaming cup of milk topped with a cloud of white foam, and small, bite-sized panelli wedges stuffed with colorful vegetables, meat, and cheese. But what truly caught her eye was the tray itself. Painted on the lacquered wood was a tiny black lion. A sign that this was her own personal dishware. “Thank you for the food!” Bellatrix bowed politely to the chef, who beamed in response. She took a large bite of the panelli, chewing with gusto. A pleasant saltiness spread across her tongue, followed by a rich, nutty aftertaste. After swallowing, she blew gently on her warm milk before taking a sip. The gentle warmth spread through her, a comforting sensation that made her visibly relax. The adults watched her, a quiet satisfaction settling over them. In the week since she had arrived, Bellatrix’s health had improved dramatically. Her once oily, matted hair was now soft and clean from the scented oils used on it daily. Her once-bony arms and legs were beginning to fill out, and the hollows in her cheeks had softened into a childlike roundness. Just as she finished her snack, a familiar voice called her name. Alessia had entered the dining hall. Bellatrix immediately hopped down from her chair and ran to her. “Did you enjoy your walk, my lady?” “You don’t have to use such formal speech with me.” At the familiar, gentle scolding, Bellatrix’s lips twitched as if she wanted to argue. Alessia found the sight utterly endearing. “But… it feels more comfortable this way…” “A Young Lady of House Bellatore speaking so formally to a mere knight is absurd.” “But being a knight is hard work. You’re not ‘mere’ at all.” Hearing this, Alessia knelt and pressed a grateful kiss to the back of the child’s hand. She was relieved to feel that the skin was much softer than when they had first met—more proof of her improving health. Looking up, she saw Bellatrix glance away, a touch of shyness in her eyes. Remembering her purpose, Alessia called to her softly. “His Grace is asking for you.” Bellatrix tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “…Is he going to make me do ‘something cute’ again?” Leandro had provided her with everything she could possibly need: a soft bed, stacks of books, even a pony with a ribbon tied around its neck for riding practice. ‘What sort of rich person’s madness is this?’ That had been Bellatrix’s blunt assessment upon receiving the extravagant gifts. The servants who overheard her had shared a similar thought. “She really is his daughter.” “They have the exact same way of speaking.” “How can they both be so indifferent?” But Alessia knew the truth. Bellatrix’s ears had turned bright red—a dead giveaway that she wasn’t nearly as indifferent as she pretended. Still, no matter how much Leandro spent, it barely made a dent in his fortune. For House Bellatore, it was like pricking a finger with a needle; it didn’t even sting. He had, however, set one condition in exchange for his generosity. “They say there’s nothing more heartwarming than a child’s cute antics.” Citing the supposed wisdom of his only friend, Count Fabian Valerius, Leandro had ordered Bellatrix to perform one cute act for him per day. When she’d first heard the demand, her face had twisted as if she’d swallowed a mouthful of seawater. “And if I don’t?” “Then it will simply mean I’ve done a poor job raising my child.” “You won’t… kick me out?” “……You really are a pervert.” Bellatrix’s narrowed eyes filled with disbelief as she took a slow step back. Leandro had flicked her on the forehead. “When are you going to start calling me ‘Papà’?” And so, Bellatrix’s daily performance of forced cuteness had begun. “You seem to enjoy it, though.” Alessia smiled, recalling Bellatrix’s clumsy attempts at being adorable. As her personal knight, she had been a frequent witness. “I do not…” Bellatrix pouted, her lower lip jutting out. She simply felt a certain obligation to show her gratitude to the man who had taken her in. And, surprisingly, her efforts were effective. Whenever Bellatrix performed one of her awkward displays of affection, the tension in Leandro’s shoulders would visibly ease. He always rewarded her with a piece of candy. Specifically, a strawberry pastille in a cute wrapper. “His Grace… and strawberry milk candy?” It was a bizarre combination, but the way Leandro presented the sweet to Bellatrix was undeniably fatherly. And Bellatrix, who carefully stored each piece in a delicate glass jar by her bedside, was undeniably his daughter. A maid had even giggled while reporting how Bellatrix spent her nights tipping the candies out of the jar and counting them, only to put them back in, one by one. Alessia, who knew of Bellatrix’s painful past, had worried for her at first. But now, she felt a sense of relief watching them build this strange, unique bond of their own. Truly, every day brought new surprises. The Bellatore mansion, once as cold and silent as a remote mountain peak, now held a new warmth, like a gentle haze rising in the morning sun. “So, why is Mister calling for me?” Alessia gazed down at the small girl, who had taken her hand. Her gentle expression hardened. Bellatrix reached up and touched her knight’s cheek. “They aren’t good guests, are they?” “…They’re the ones who hurt you.” Alessia stopped walking. “His Grace ordered me to bring you, but… honestly, I’m worried. I don’t want you to be hurt by seeing them again. If you don’t want to go, I can take you back to your room. I will explain everything to His Grace.” Bellatrix’s black eyes widened. Then, slowly, her lips parted to speak.

Chapter 5: A Thaw in the North