Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 630 - 277, Annual Leave at the Winery (Part 1)_2

"Good morning, Mr. Durand." A Holy Grail Knight naturally raised his hand to greet Durand: "In the name of the Lady, Happy Winter Festival."

"Happy Winter Festival! Your Excellency, Alex, Your Excellency, Jule." Durand recognized these two Holy Grail Knights, and quickly bowed to greet them: "Praise the Lady."

"Mr. Durand, why are you still working during the holiday?" The Winter Festival is also a statutory holiday stipulated by the Lake Fairy, and there's no need for prayers today. After patrolling the winery once in the morning, the two Holy Grail Knights saw Durand and came over to ask.

Ever since Holy Grail Knights appeared at the winery, Durand no longer had to worry about safety issues. More importantly, the presence of the Holy Grail Knights had a very powerful deterrent effect on local security. These Living Saints would sometimes attend hearings organized by the village elders or Knights, and the Holy Grail Knights do not allow the law to be misused. Even the lowest peasants seeking their help will be listened to. The Living Saints do not easily jump to conclusions but will investigate and understand the event's course themselves. If peasants dare to deceive them, they will face terrible punishment (usually collective execution). However, if the peasants' grievances are genuine, the Holy Grail Knights will make fair judgments to protect the peasants' interests.

The nobility does not like the Holy Grail Knights' fairness, but there's no doubt that justice will prevail as long as the Knights are present in the judgment.

"The Count said he would move to the Wine Castle during this Winter Festival holiday period, so I need to check all the inventory and inspect for any hidden dangers in the Wine Castle." Durand humbly said, trying to lower his profile as much as possible.

The two Holy Grail Knights said no more, nodding. There is a distinction between the main house and the annex in the winery, and the Holy Grail Knights are stationed in the annex.

Seeing the two Holy Grail Knights leave, Durand was filled with pride and self-satisfaction. He adjusted himself to appear as someone who, despite the holiday, stayed committed to his duty, hoping the Count would notice.

Before long, a carriage arrived from a distance, continuing without pause, with its rolling wheels and draft horse directly entering the winery, towards the gate of the Wine Castle.

Durand knew the Count had arrived; the winery's manager hurriedly trotted to the front of the carriage: "My Count!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Good morning, Durand, sorry to trouble you for this period." Laine, dressed in red Count attire, stepped down from the carriage, his face gentle, the Holy Grail Knight Badge on his chest fluttering in the cold air: "Is the place arranged well?"

"Arranged well, my Count." Durand quickly bowed: "Everything is arranged, fresh ingredients are stored in the freezer as per your instructions, and the wine cellar has been sealed for your use."

"Very good, go about your business, Happy Winter Festival, Durand." Laine took out a box of cake: "Take it to share with your family!"

"Thank you!" Durand accepted the cake box, left happily; he, too, had a family and wanted to celebrate the festival.

Seeing this, Laine nodded. Durand, as the winery manager, can't be said to be an exceptionally excellent operator, but he often compensates for his shortcomings with diligence. The winery has been running regularly for more than two years under his management, not prosperous, but everything is in order.

Don't underestimate Durand's overtime. This is not his former Celestial Dynasty; in this world, humans are very resistant to overtime. The peasants are quite lazy due to the lack of clothes and food, and the nobility even more so. Courtiers work very seriously when on duty, and meticulously report their vacation plans to the Lords. Once approved, vacation time is entirely private, rigid as stone, and only in emergencies would they refuse to return to their duties.

For example, Laine's Tax Officials, Gaspardon and Kasenberg, both went home for vacation.

The thick curtain on the carriage opened, Laine extended his hand towards it, and a crystal-clear hand placed on his rough hand: "Your Highness Mogiana? Please slow down."

"Your Highness Mogiana, be careful." Little Maid Amelia, dressed in a winter coat with boots and socks, supported Mogiana as she got off the carriage. Laine's maid Ollica also got off the carriage and stood beside Laine: "Master, are we spending this Winter Festival here this year?"

"Yes, we're spending this Winter Festival here." Laine nodded.

Mogiana, wearing a white fox fur coat and silk chiffon long skirt, shakily held Laine's hand and, with Amelia's help, stepped off the carriage. The Lake God Witch had been recovering for half a year, still very weak, now able to barely walk two steps while holding onto the wall.

The cold weather made Mogiana slightly uncomfortable; she took a deep breath of the cold air: "This is...your winery, I visited here last time."

"Yes, this is my winery. I have renovated it." Laine supported Mogiana: "The castle is not a suitable place for winter; the winery is better fit for winter. The Marquis of Ascot, when he was in charge, always came here for the winter."

Mogiana silently nodded. After more than half a year of recuperation, she could finally change her living environment. The Lake God Witch's mood improved considerably, thinking of spending the upcoming Winter Festival together aroused some expectation in her.

The interior of the Wine Castle has been entirely renovated, maintaining its ancient tone and luxurious decor. High-quality cherry wood furniture filled the once-empty Wine Castle. The enormous Magic Lamps and premium ceramic bathtubs revealed Laine's considerable wealth.

Now, he's left only with his two maids and the Lake God Witch, so he simply brought Amelia, Ollica, and Mogiana to the Wine Castle to spend the Winter Festival together. Ollica remained calm, but Amelia was particularly excited. The girl had just graduated from Winford College this year, finishing her female courtier course. Her delicate and charming face was full of blush, red carpets, and wooden-structured rooms filled with her playful figure.

"We'll just have a casual lunch; we'll prepare a turkey feast for dinner together." Laine nodded with a smile, reaching out to stroke Amelia's golden hair: "Congratulations on graduating from Winford College, Amelia."

"Thank you!" Amelia looked at Mogiana, then Ollica, and joyfully said: "Now I can devote myself to serving you, Laine."

"Go ahead, Amelia, pick yourself a room. There are five rooms in the main house; choose one." Laine nodded: "Ollica and I will share a room, Your Highness Mogiana, Ollica will help you pick a room."

"I stay next to you will be fine." Mogiana frowned subtly, thinking Laine would arrange for two people to stay together.

"Alright." Taking the chance while Amelia went to pick a room, Laine sat down and said: "My Highness, don't worry, Casvan won't attempt to battle with the Empire before next February. In this kind of weather, Casvan's army might lose about 30% of its troops before crossing the Gray Mountain Range."

"I understand." Mogiana nodded, distinguishing between gods and mortals. As the Lake Fairy's spokesperson in the mortal world, she cannot interfere in the human civil war, so she also chose to remain silent on this matter.

Outside the Wine Castle was a beautiful snowy landscape. At noon, they casually enjoyed some bread and stew, afterward, Ollica and Amelia went to prepare the turkey feast.

Because of prior arrangements, several distinguished wood elf guests would visit the winery that evening.

Laine held Mogiana's hand: "My Highness, would you like to soak in the bath together?"

"...Alright."