Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 618 - 272, People from the Empire

The footsteps of winter have reached the Count's Domain of Glamorgan, and have entered the castle within the domain.

The first heavy snow of the deep winter arrived earlier than in previous years. Compared to Nord, Brittania is located in the south, so for a heavy snow to arrive by the end of November seemed too early. When people got up in the morning, the entire sky of the town was covered with white snow without them knowing when it happened, and the sky was filled with dark clouds.

Winter had indeed arrived, and the townspeople within Gene Town hurried to light fires for warmth, do laundry, and do some handicrafts. Due to the heavy snow, many buildings within the domain announced a halt to construction. The peasants quickly spent their earned money at the taverns, drinking cheap barley beer, eating black bread and fried beans, loudly chatting about various interesting topics.

Dozens of taverns have already opened within the town, and even more taverns continue to emerge, with special taverns for dwarfs and wood elves appearing—even though it's expensive, certainly beyond what peasants can afford. A cup of ordinary barley beer costs only a few copper coins, but a cup of wood elf fruit wine definitely can't be bought for less than a few silver coins.

The bartenders of each tavern eagerly stood at the door to draw customers in, saying cheerfully, "Gentlemen, fellow townsmen, it's cold, come in for a drink. We have the best minstrels, the finest barley beer."

Shrewd tavern owners knew that this year's "fellow townsmen" had pockets lined with a fair amount of shiny coins.

Within the earl's castle, Laine and Surya leaned against each other, drinking warm coffee and savoring delicious jam cakes. The heavy snow outside did not affect Laine's good mood, instead, it brought a special ambiance for the two of them.

Laine's hands mischievously wrapped around Surya's waist. Ever since her engagement with him, this was the first time the female knight sat down to have a proper conversation with Laine. Previously, every time she visited, she was called to the Lake Fairy Tower for "training." Laine didn't know what the Lake Fairy was training Surya in, but the fact they couldn't meet was true.

It wasn't until Laine complained to the Lake Fairy, "My Lady, is it you and Surya who are engaged or is it me and Surya?"

The Lake Fairy laughed until tears came out, and finally released the female knight to reunite with him.

"The snow is heavy, Laine. Will the brothers... be alright?" Surya leaned against Laine's shoulder, covered with a thin blanket, her dignified and beautiful face showed some concern. Today, the female knight wore a dreamy peach blush-colored bouquet coat, with a beautiful white wool sweater underneath. It looked lovely but lacked warmth, especially with the knee-length skirt, relying only on flesh-colored tights to keep warm. Laine wrapped the blanket around the female knight's beautiful legs, leaving only a pair of small feet in bear slippers, then reassured her, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

"Mhm, I trust you." Surya had an inexplicable trust in Laine, perhaps due to the engagement, or perhaps because Laine had indeed created too many miracles.

The atmosphere in the room was very quiet, Ollica sat by the fireplace slowly feeding it wood, delicious pies baking within and destined to be their lunch for the day.

"Surya, why don't you stay here for a few days? The envoy from the Empire will arrive soon. Join me in meeting him," Laine suggested, gently holding Surya's soft little hand, speaking softly.

"The envoy from the Empire?" The female knight blushed a bit, initially suspecting that Laine might have ulterior motives.

"Yes, the envoy from the Empire, an old friend, and a blood brother of mine, Griffin Earl Anton Ferdinand," Laine settled back into the sofa chair, fully relaxed. "This meeting is very significant, I'd like you to join me in seeing my blood brother."

"Of course, I'll meet your blood brother with you." Surya nodded repeatedly, the female knight was a bit curious, "Anton? I've heard much of Griffin Duke Ivan, but I haven't heard of your blood brother."

Laine chuckled wryly and shook his head, "Godfather married at nearly fifty… Speaking of, Yuri has yet to consider marriage. Should we hold back a bit in front of him?"

After hearing this topic, the female knight let out a wry smile herself, resting against Laine's chest, "My brother, even father gave up on talking to him. My brother has his head filled with nothing but combat and the Knightly Path. Father has repeatedly asked several people to introduce him to Duke Hubeard of Kakasong's granddaughter, the second daughter of Duke Bohemond of Bastogne's first son, along with several Count's daughters, none of which my brother seemed satisfied with… Now, father has stopped trying. Compared to most duchess daughters, I am now… very happy."

"Being engaged to you is my honor." Laine's face bore a trace of fortune, the female knight had a great personality, excellent skills, and noble status; marrying her was fortunate for him.

It's all thanks to Francois's good teaching and pampering—the family had a gentle and virtuous wife who could greatly help him, which was very important for Laine.

Duke of Paragon, Casvan, had a notoriously infamous wicked wife. This Duchess, of high birth, was a great-granddaughter of the previous Knight King John I. Ever since she married Casvan, her infamous reputation spread throughout the Old World. She was not pretty, had a terrible temper, and always tried to catch her husband's every misstep, then furiously criticized him like a mad dog that wouldn't let go, truly tiresome.

Laine believed that some small disagreements between couples were unavoidable, and that mutual tolerance and understanding are very necessary in life, but the Duchess of Casvan was different. This Duchess most loved sowing discord in front of others, then going to great lengths to expose her husband's embarrassing missteps to garner sympathy from the crowd. Her way of finding fault with everything made all knights displeased, yet she remained oblivious.