“Tess! Long time no see!”, exclaimed Dave.

  Tess smiled, “Of course! I just said that…”, she laughed, “… you big doofus!”

  “Wow… they look close…”, muttered Cess under her breath. Orph could hear It but Eric stayed oblivious.

  “A knight from the capital and a countess…”, Orph smiled. “You’d think that you’d only find these in stories…”, only to promptly gently punched by Cess.

  “Ouch… that hurt…”

  “It did not.”

  “You’re right… but it was fun!”

  “It was not.”

  “You’re really out to be a contrarian today huh.”

  “We have much to talk to!”, exclaimed Tess.

  Dave nodded and looked towards the others.

  “I know what you guys are thinking…”, said Dave.

  Eric, Orph, and Cess, all looked at him.

  “SNOW!”, he smiled. “I remember when I first saw snow and met Tess, she was a kid back then-“

  “I was only 3 years younger than you!”

  Dave laughed, “I was a kid too! So go enjoy the snow!”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Tess groaned but then smiled, “Dave right! Cadets, please go enjoy the snow.”, she points towards their surroundings, “The county is the only place where it snows here anyway…”

  They all looked awkwardly at each other while Tess and Dave walked towards the mansion.

  “I mean I do enjoy some snow…”, said Orph.

  “Isn’t this your first time seeing some?”, asked Cess.

  “Yes, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it…”

  Cess shrugged and threw a snowball at Orph.

  “Hey…!”, Orph exclaimed.

  Cess smiled, “What? Did I hurt you?”

  Orph smiled in return and threw a snowball in return.

  Meanwhile, Eric picked up some snow and stared at it. “Cold.”, he thought to himself.

  “So, that’s her?”, asked Tess while looking at them through her window.

  Dave nodded as he sipped his tea.

  “As always…”, he smiled, “You make some lovely tea…”

  “I removed most of my staff… but I’m glad that they somehow retained their tea-making skills.”, Tess smiled.

  Dave smiled too, “I…”, he looked at her, “I congratulate you…”

  “For becoming a Countess?”

  Dave nodded.

  Tess scoffed, “Dave…”

  She sighed, “There’s no need for pleasantries… we’re just one step closer to our plan…”

  Dave smiled again, “I’d like to ask for a favor…”

  “There’s no favor among us, Dave… We’re friends.”

  “I need you to take her in… after she becomes a knight.”

  Tess sighed, “Should be easy enough… Familiar love huh, I wonder what that feels like.”

  “How’s retirement?”, Asked Esting to the previous Count.

  “Could’ve been better…”

  Esting smiled, “A room with all your needs… What more could you ask for?”, he scoffed.

  The Count didn’t reply and sipped his tea.

  “You know… we had a good thing going. You, me… the Duke…”

  The Count looked up and sighed, “Is that why you’re here? To throw a temper tantrum…”

  “YES!”, Esting laughed.

  “I knew you’d get me… If only your daughter could get me too…”

  “Leave her be…”

  “What’s this, Count? Feeling love for your daughter?”

  “She’s still my blood!”, he screamed and started to cough…” Still my blood…”

  Esting looked at the count with disdain and turned around, “Well… no matter.”

  “I’ll pick up the slack… as I’ve always done.”

  He opened the door, “You wouldn’t even guess what I’m brewing!”, he exclaimed as he looked at the Count for one last time and shut the door at full force.