Chapter 3

The meeting had just ended when Rowan called me back.

He pointed to the parchment left by Irving: "You also entrusted him with the winter arrangements for each family?"

"Yes. I've already told him which households need their roofs repaired and where the food should be delivered. He'll be in charge from now on."

Rowan nodded, his tone relaxed: "That's good, it saves you from being busy with these trivial matters all day long."

trivia.

I glanced at the few sheets of parchment covered with writing.

I checked these things with my fellow villagers one by one: which households had elderly people who couldn't get through the winter alone, which mountain roads would be blocked by snow first, and when the grain carts would be able to leave in time.

I treated each and every task as Luna's responsibility, doing them meticulously and diligently so that Rowan's rear could be secured and he could feel at ease.

When it comes to him, all you need to see are a few lines of neatly arranged results.

Rowan turned a couple of pages, his brows gradually furrowing.

"Why write it all together? I need to look at the most urgent things first."

He handed me the parchment, his voice softening.

"Or do you know what I need?"

I didn't answer.

“Irving just took over. Tell him your requirements, and he'll know next time.”

Rowan's hand froze in mid-air.

In the past, if he frowned even slightly, I would take the things from him and rearrange them for him.

This time, I was just waiting for him to withdraw his hand.

A moment later, he put the parchment back on the table.

"Alright, let him learn at his own pace."

A servant came in and reminded him of the time for the banquet.

The leader of the valley wolf pack is hosting a wedding banquet for his son tonight. The invitation, sent a few days ago, was addressed to Rowan and his partner.

I looked at him and asked, "Do you need me to come with you tonight?"

Rowan paused for a moment.

"Haven't you been sleeping well these past two days? There are a lot of people over there, and it's going to be noisy until late at night. I've already sent word back that you're not feeling well."

He made the decision for me without even asking me.

"Will Lydia go with you?"

"She knows the people there, so it's a good opportunity for her to go out and clear her head."

Rowan took a step closer and reached out to put his arm around my shoulder.

"Don't overthink it. I'll go out with you alone after I'm done with these things."

I stepped back half a step and picked up my map.

"Perfect timing, I also have plans for tonight."

"What arrangements?"

"Go to Mei's place."

He visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then go ahead. Don't always lock yourself in your room."

I nodded.

The "future" he mentioned still requires him to finish many things.

My trip only has ten days left.

In the evening, when I passed through the front courtyard, all the guests had already gathered.

Lydia, dressed in a deep red gown, stood beside the carriage. Rowan first lifted the hem of her dress, then took her hand and helped her step onto the footboard.

A guest who knew them well laughed.

"Looking at you two, it really feels like we've gone back to a few years ago. You're still so loving after all these years."

Lydia turned to look at Rowan, her cheeks slightly flushed.

He laughed too, without correcting his statement.

She was still holding his hand before the carriage curtain fell.

I stopped behind the pillars and didn't continue walking until the carriage drove out of the gate.

May's brother Finn has returned.

He often leads caravans to various territories, and I will accompany him on this trip to the coast.

May cleared a table for us. Finn spread out a map, confirmed the villages we would stop at along the way with me, and reminded me to bring a rain tarpaulin.

"The weather in Yamaguchi is starting to change, so make sure you're well covered with clothes and blankets."

"I will prepare."

"Where do you plan to stay once we reach the coast?"

I took out the reply and showed it to him.

"Here. They've reserved a place for me to stay. I'll familiarize myself with the nearby mountain paths after I arrive."

Finn finished reading the letter and handed it back to me without asking why I had to leave.

"Ten days from now, before dawn, come to the stables. I'll be waiting for you there."

I held the letter and nodded.

Some people treated my departure as something that needed to be carefully planned, and I was speechless for a moment.

Late at night, Finn escorted me back to Stone Castle.

As we approached the door, we stopped again to check a fork in the road. His map was tucked into my hand, with the reply from the coast underneath.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves came from behind.

Rowan is back.

Lydia was almost entirely leaning against him. He helped her out of the car, and when he looked up and saw Finn and me, the smile on his face immediately faded.

What are you doing so late?

His gaze fell on the letter in my hand.

Who sent it?

I folded up the reply, put it in my pocket, and returned the map to Finn.

"The caravan is about to depart; we are checking the mountain road."

Rowan glanced at Finn, seemingly wanting to ask another question.

At that moment, Lydia gripped his collar tightly and called his name softly.

Rowan, I feel so dizzy.

He immediately bent down to steady her, his hand resting on her waist.

The smell of alcohol wafted over on the wind, mixed with the scents that had mingled from the two people being so close together.

I stepped aside.

"Is she drunk?"

"I had a few drinks."

Rowan paused for a moment.

"Let her stay at the West Tower tonight."

I looked up.

Lydia and her people have always lived in the East Courtyard. The West Tower, however, is where Rowan and I live; the upstairs rooms were originally intended for the two of us only.

“There are too many people in the East Wing, and she keeps waking up at night,” Rowan explained. “I’ve already promised her that she can move next door to us and stay for a few days.”

And I've already agreed.

I'm still standing here, but he doesn't seem to think he needs to ask me about this.

Lydia looked up, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Clara, I won't bother you. I just... don't want to wake up in the night and not have anyone to talk to."

As she spoke, her fingers remained gripping Rowan's clothes.

Rowan patted her on the back.

"Don't be afraid, go upstairs and rest first."

I looked at him, then glanced at the stone steps leading to the West Tower.

"There's no need to have my things packed. There are still empty rooms there."

Rowan was slightly taken aback, then his expression relaxed.

"Of course. I'm just letting her stay temporarily, not asking you to move out."

He thought I was just bothered by the room.

I didn't tell him that I no longer needed anyone to clean up for me.

The luggage at the foot of the bed was already tied up, and the rest of the things will be taken away one by one.

Rowan helped Lydia take two steps forward, then stopped and turned to look at Finn.

"We can discuss matters concerning caravans during the day as well."

After he finished speaking, his gaze returned to me, his tone carrying a familiar reproach.

"Clara, don't meet with other men alone so late. You are my partner."

I looked at his hands that were wrapped around Lydia's waist.

So, he still remembers that I was his partner, Luna of the wolf clan. How ridiculous.

"I'm talking about serious business."

"I didn't say what you did, I was just reminding you to be mindful of your actions."

Lydia snuggled closer to him, her eyes closed, as if she were too sleepy to stand.

I didn't explain further and turned to Finn.

"Thank you for tonight. We'll talk about the rest tomorrow."

Finn took the map, but did not leave immediately.

His gaze shifted from Rowan's face to Lydia, lingering for a moment.

"Alpha, you don't need to remind Clara of her identity."

He put away the map, his voice calm.

"But what is the status of the person in your arms who has moved into her home?"