As December approached, the Winter Festival arrived.
Ryan once thought that this year's Winter Festival would be well-attended, as he had become a count this year and looked forward to a reunion dinner.
However, reality was different from his expectations. By early December, not only had Sulia returned to Helen Hilde early, but Theresa and Veronica also had orders to return to the Garon Council.
This wasn't due to any internal strife within the Garon Council but rather that Veronica and Theresa indeed had important reasons to return. Every five years, the Garon Council holds a large assembly to elect and nominate members for the Elders' Council. This had been discussed with Theresa and Veronica well in advance. Given Ryan's meteoric rise, Council Leader Margarita decided to fast-track Veronica's addition to the Elders' Council. Both Veronica and Theresa had to attend this witches' assembly, which was expected to take three months.
Before leaving, Morgiana piled up a mountain of "Winter Festival homework" for the female sorceress, including three essays no shorter than twelve inches, a complete self-introduction in Gothic language comprising hundreds of words, and reading three epics about the Knights of the Holy Grail of Brittany written in Gothic language. Each epic required annotations in Gothic on no less than two chapters' worth of parchment.
Theresa looked at the mountain of parchment and thick books, wider than a thumb, turning pale. However, Morgiana's orders were absolute, so she could only leave with her stacks of assignments.
Before the Winter Festival, Ryan held an annual meeting to affirm the achievements of the year and rewarded the knights who had distinguished themselves. After the meeting, the count realized he was left on his own, as most of his knights had families. Even those without families either stayed home to pray or spent the festival with their loved ones.
Ryan personally did not have much attachment to the Winter Festival, so he viewed it merely as a holiday and a day for rest.
In mid-December, on the first day of the Winter Festival holiday, the weather was exceptionally cold. The howling cold wind swept through the Count of Glamorgan's domain. The serfs and freemen were celebrating the rare good times, festooning their homes and finding every possible way to celebrate the arrival of the Winter Festival.
The winery near the count's castle was bustling too. Durand, the winery's manager, was settling the workers' wages. Except for a few who were kept to maintain the vineyards during winter, most workers had been given sufficient holiday time.
As the manager of the count's winery, Durand, a man in his thirties, wore a round hat, a black gentleman's suit, and a brown bear fur coat. Though not very old, his eyes bore the marks of hard weather. Born into a destitute knightly family unable to afford his knightly gear, he ended up as a steward in the winery of the Marquis of Ascot, responsible for its operations.
Later, when Baron Ryan Markham arrived, the Marquis of Ascot didn't hesitate to transfer all of Durand's responsibilities to Ryan.
Now in his thirties, Durand truly understood the feeling of being uprooted. Ryan, the champion of the lady, brought both anticipation and fear for Durand.
Fortunately, Ryan valued the wine castle. Although he seldom stayed due to his busy schedule, he paid great attention to its renovation and the development of the winery. New channels and high walls were built within a year, the vineyards expanded and bred with new techniques brought by master vintners from the Wimford court, who generously shared the best grape varieties and grafting techniques. Durand finally had the chance to demonstrate his capabilities.
Durand later learned that Wimford court's involvement was not without self-interest; they were simply paving the way for their young mistress.
Now, Durand was still in a state of feverish excitement, knowing why.
Approaching him were two figures clad in full plate armor, their family crests gleaming on magnificent surcoats, long swords at their waists sparkling in the winter air. The gold Grail emblems on their helmets and armor identified them.
They were the honorable Grail Knights.
Indeed, since the spring, twenty Grail Knights had been stationed at the winery, bringing a sense of glory to all residents of the count's domain. Many pilgrims made their way to the winery and the Lady's Tower, creating a unique tourism economy.
Durand learned that the Grail Knights were not as unapproachable as one might think. Their lives were relatively mundane: eating, sleeping, praying, patrolling. Contrary to popular belief, they didn't live ascetic lives; they enjoyed good food and wine and occasionally sought the company of young women to satisfy their needs. Some had steady relationships with the compassionate priests and holy maidens stationed at the hospital, though few married. The Lady of the Lake did not forbid Grail Knights from marrying, but they prioritized their divine mission and the defense of sacred sites.
"Good morning, Mr. Durand," a Grail Knight greeted him naturally, raising his hand. "Happy Winter Festival in the name of the Lady."
"Happy Winter Festival! Sir Alex, Sir Jules," Durand recognized the two knights and quickly bowed in greeting. "Praise the Lady."
"Mr. Durand, why are you still working during the festival?" The Winter Festival was also a statutory holiday ordained by the Lady of the Lake. Not needing to pray that day, the two knights, after patrolling the winery, came to inquire upon seeing Durand there.
Since the arrival of the Grail Knights, Durand no longer worried about security. More importantly, the knights' presence had a powerful deterrent effect on local law enforcement. These living saints sometimes attended trials organized by elders or knights. Grail Knights would not allow the law to be used arbitrarily. Even the lowest serfs could seek their help and be heard. The knights would not hastily conclude but would investigate the incident themselves. If serfs dared to deceive them, they would face terrible punishment (usually collective execution by hanging), but if the injustices faced by serfs were real, the knights would not hesitate to make a fair judgment and uphold the serfs' interests.
The nobility did not favor the knights' fairness, but undoubtedly, as long as Grail Knights attended a trial, justice would be upheld.
"The count said he would move to the wine castle to reside during the Winter Festival holiday. I need to check all the inventory and inspect the castle for any hazards," Durand humbly stated, keeping his posture low.
The two knights nodded without further comment. The winery had a main house and guest houses, with the knights stationed in the guest houses.
Watching the knights leave, Durand felt a surge of self-satisfaction. He tried to adjust his demeanor to appear diligent, hoping to impress the count.
Before long, a carriage approached from afar, rolling directly into the winery. The count had arrived, and Durand hurried to the carriage: "My count!"
"Good morning, Durand. I'll be troubling you during this time," Ryan descended
from the carriage dressed in his red count's attire, his demeanor warm, the Grail Knight badge fluttering in the cold air: "Is everything arranged?"
"All set, my count," Durand bowed quickly. "Everything is arranged according to your instructions. Fresh ingredients are stored in the cold room, and the wine cellar is sealed. You can access it yourself."
"Very well, you go on with your duties. Happy Winter Festival, Durand." Ryan handed over a box of cakes: "Take this to enjoy with your family!"
"Thank you!" Durand accepted the cake box, delighted, and left to join his family for the festival.
Ryan nodded, pleased. While Durand might not be an exceptional manager, his diligence compensated for his shortcomings. Under his management, the winery hadn't thrived in the past two years, but everything was orderly.
Don't underestimate Durand's overtime. In this world, unlike his previous life's Tian Chao, humans were quite resistant to overtime. Serfs were generally lazy due to their impoverished conditions, and nobles were no different. Courtiers worked diligently when on duty and reported their vacation plans in detail to their lords. Once approved by the lord, their vacation time was strictly their own, undisturbed except in emergencies when they might refuse to return to their posts.
For example, Ryan's tax collector, Gasparton, and Carsonburg had gone home for the holiday.
The carriage's thick curtains parted, and Ryan reached out his hand, a delicate, jade-like hand resting on his rough one: "Lady Morgiana? Please, take it slow."
"Careful, Lady Morgiana," the little maid Amelia, dressed in a thick winter coat and long boots with cotton stockings, helped Morgiana down from the carriage, while Ryan's personal maid, Olica, stepped down beside Ryan: "Master, are we spending the Winter Festival here this year?"
"Yes, we'll spend the Winter Festival here this year," Ryan nodded.
Lady Morgiana, dressed in a white fox fur coat and silk chiffon long skirt, shakily grasped Ryan's hand. With Amelia's support, she stepped down from the carriage. The Lake Goddess Witch, having rested for half a year, was still very weak, barely able to walk a few steps leaning on a wall.
The cold weather made Morgiana uncomfortable, and she took a deep breath of the cold air: "This is... your winery, I've been here before."
"Yes, this is my winery, I've had it renovated," Ryan supported Morgiana. "The castle is not a suitable place to spend the winter, the winery here is more appropriate. When the Marquis of Ascot managed it, he always came here for the winter."
Morgiana nodded silently, her mood improving with the thought of spending the Winter Festival here after recuperating for more than half a year.
The interior of the wine castle had been completely renovated. The rustic tones and luxurious decorations remained unchanged, with fine cherry wood furniture filling the spacious wine castle. The large magical light fixtures and fine porcelain bathtubs showcased Ryan's considerable wealth.
Now accompanied only by his two maids and the Lake Goddess Witch, Ryan decided to bring Amelia, Olica, and Morgiana to the wine castle to spend the Winter Festival. Olica was accustomed to it, but Amelia was particularly excited. The girl had just graduated from the Wimford Academy, completing her lady courtier course. Her pretty, flushed face was full of joy, her lively figure bouncing around the rooms with red carpets and wooden structures.
"We'll have something simple for lunch, and tonight we'll all make a turkey feast together," Ryan smiled and ruffled Amelia's golden hair. "Amelia, congratulations on graduating from Wimford Academy."
"Thank you!" Amelia looked at Morgiana and Olica, happily saying, "Now I can focus on serving you, Ryan."
"Go on, Amelia, pick a room for yourself. There are five rooms in the main house, choose one for yourself," Ryan nodded. "Olica and I will share a room, Lady Morgiana, Olica will help you choose a room."
"I'll stay next to you," Morgiana frowned subtly, expecting Ryan to arrange for them to stay together.
"That's fine too." While Amelia picked a room, Ryan sat down and said, "My lady, don't worry. Before February next year, Kasvan won't attempt to wage war with the Empire. In this weather, Kasvan's army might lose about thirty percent of their numbers just trying to cross the Grey Mountains."
"I understand," Morgiana nodded. As a divine representative of the Lady of the Lake in the mortal world, she couldn't interfere in human civil wars, so she chose to remain silent on this matter.
Outside the wine castle, a beautiful snowy landscape unfolded. The group had a simple lunch of bread and stew, and then Olica and Amelia started preparing the turkey feast.
Because of a previous arrangement, a few distinguished wood elf guests were expected to visit the winery that evening.
Ryan took Morgiana's hand: "My lady, shall we take a bath together?"
"…Alright."
Updated, a bit late today, sorry about that, it's just been a bit busy with the new school term.
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