The winter wind howled as autumn faded and winter arrived.
My breath came out white, and the people in town walked with hunched backs.
Worried that the Dwarf Clan’s houses might be cold, I went to check on them.
Though my memories of my previous life are vague, I feel like I had a tough time with the cold back then.
Maybe I tried to save on heating and endured it.
“It’s getting colder now, but is the fireplace working all right? Are there any drafts coming through?”
“No, it’s fine. This house is really well-built.”
Seeing them so lively, I felt relieved.
In fact, the Dwarves were even starting to build a smithy out in the cold.
Father had told them he would provide food aid and exempt them from taxes for now, so they should rest and take it easy for a while.
“We’ve had a house built for us, been given food, and even had our taxes waived.”
“If we didn’t repay this kindness, we’d disgrace the name of the Dwarves.”
Eager to repay our kindness, the Dwarves were determined to contribute with their smithing as soon as possible.
They had already started making handicrafts and even presented some to the Margrave’s family.
Dwarves really are a people of honor.
That winter passed quietly, with nothing particularly special happening.
As winter deepened, exchanges with other regions lessened, giving Father and Mother more time to spend together with the family, which made me happy.
Sitting with my family in front of the fireplace, chatting and laughing, drinking warm tea—my heart felt warmed as well.
I didn’t have to force myself to wake up early, and I could sleep as much as I wanted every day, which was wonderful.
The cooks always prepared delicious food, and honestly, I felt truly happy.
Eventually, the snow on the mountains melted and the trees began to bud.
Spring was just around the corner.
Spring is the season of departures.
This year, Eddie will turn fifteen and enroll at the Royal Academy in Winchester, the Capital.
At the Royal Academy, the children of nobles from all over the Albion Kingdom gather.
It’s a full boarding school, and even children whose family territories are near the Capital must live in the dorms, spending three years together.
This system is meant to help the next generation of nobles form relationships.
With all the preparations complete, the day of my brother’s departure arrived.
“Brother, are you really going to leave?” Sophie looked gloomy.
“I’ll be back for summer vacation. And I’ll write you letters, too.” My brother gently patted Sophie’s head.
“Haha, Sophie, you’re sad, aren’t you? But all noble heirs are required to attend the Royal Academy.” Even Father seemed a bit lonely as he said that.
“Eddie, take care of yourself.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Eddie, in the Capital, you’ll have to make your own decisions about what to do. Stay sharp.”
“I understand, Father. I’ll do my best not to bring shame to the Fairchild Family as the eldest son.”
We watched together as my brother’s carriage headed for the Capital, until it disappeared from sight.
Some time after my brother departed for the Capital, an unusual visitor arrived.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Alex Levant. I run a trading company.”
The Levant Company was one of the biggest stores in the kingdom.
Moreover, Alex Levant himself was the head of that company.
It was rare for a great merchant to come all the way to the western frontier.
And not just to speak with Father—why was I summoned too?
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Levant. I am William Fairchild.”
“In fact, this child here is the creator.”
“What?! Is the one who made those splendid items really the Margrave’s child?”
As I listened, I learned that Mr. Levant had heard there was a master craftsman in the Fairchild Margrave’s territory and had come all the way from the Capital to see for himself.
“Well, I’m quite impressed. I was shown wonderful wooden furniture and leather bags by a noble in the Capital, and I wanted very much to carry them in our store. But to think the creator was your own child, Lord Margrave.”
It seems that Father had gifted some of my furniture and bags to a noble in the Capital, and that noble, in turn, showed them to Mr. Levant, whom he was acquainted with.
Apparently, Mr. Levant was taken with them at first glance.
Even when he asked who made them, the noble wouldn’t say, so Mr. Levant pleaded to at least know where he’d gotten them, and finally learned they came from the Fairchild Margrave family—so he decided to come visit.
Such incredible initiative.
“Hmm, I suppose we can’t have the son of a noble selling his creations through our company. What a shame.”
Looking regretful, Mr. Levant took his leave.
I was surprised, but having a great merchant praise something I’d made gave me confidence.
And for some reason, I had a mysterious feeling that I would see him again someday.