A chill-laden zephyr softly glided across her cheeks, while the crunching sounds of the horses' hooves resounded on the snow as thick as cotton. Seated in the carriage, Daina, gazing out of the window at the golden wheat fields that undulated like ocean waves, was immersed in profound contemplation. Despite the arrival of winter, the wheat fields in Deshalin Town remained as lush and verdant as they were in spring.

  Supported by her servant, a graceful white silhouette alighted from the carriage.

  Daina let out a helpless smile, truly perplexed as to how she had come to the decision of visiting Deshalin Town.

  When Kenley pushed open the door and beheld Daina attired in the finery of a noble young lady, his countenance was suffused with an overwhelming degree of astonishment.

  At this moment, Daina had divested herself of her cumbersome and frosty armor. She was adorned in a beige floor-length gown, embellished with elaborate shoulder ornaments of intricate patterns and long sleeves with a narrow neckline revealing a hint of her bosom. Draped over her shoulders was a resplendent mink stole, presenting an impeccable appearance of a noble maiden.

  This was truly... astonishing...

  "Captain Daina, what is the meaning of this..." Kenley was caught off guard.

  Daina, being the illegitimate eldest daughter of the Christophon family, though not of the direct lineage, was nonetheless a noble lady by birth. This ensemble of hers finally lent her a touch of feminine allure. However, even in such elegant attire, she maintained a stern visage, suggesting that such a style of dressing was not her usual practice.

  Despite her somewhat rigid expression, Daina performed a graceful noblewoman's curtsy to Kenley with utmost politeness and then said, "Mr. Kenley, the Kulsmatlin Festival is drawing near. My younger sister has sent me to convey her regards to you on her behalf."

  The Kulsmatlin Festival? Kenley recollected that it was the New Year festival of the Cain Empire. It was truly unexpected that Her Royal Highness the Princess would take the initiative to send Daina to extend greetings to him.

  "Thank you for Her Highness's kind gesture, Captain Daina. Please return my regards to Her Highness," Kenley replied promptly.

  "Captain Daina, it is bitterly cold outside. Please do come into the castle with your servant and take a seat. Warm yourselves by the fireplace and savor the self-brewed wine of our Deshalin Town," Kenley extended an invitation.

  "Thank you, Mr. Kenley," Daina responded with a smile.

  No sooner had Daina stepped into Kenley's castle than something unexpected transpired. A pink figure flashed past, closely trailed by a white figure.

  "Sorry, Tia! I won't do it again next time!" Yet the pink figure showed no genuine sense of remorse for its actions.

  The white figure wordlessly followed in its wake. Although a smile played upon its lips, it exuded an overwhelmingly somber aura.

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  Kenley pressed his forehead, sighing inwardly at the sight of the two...

  Although maids and other domestic staff had been arranged in the castle where Kenley currently resided, the daily cleaning remained a rather arduous task.

  "Kenley, what on earth is going on here?" Daina was evidently bewildered.

  "Actually, it's about Normani..." Kenley had no choice but to relate the story of Normani's penchant for collecting precious gems. Upon hearing this, Daina couldn't help but emit a soft chuckle. Her laughter was refined, as she gently covered her mouth with the back of her hand, exuding an air of elegance.

  Kenley was momentarily stunned. This was the very first time he had witnessed Daina wearing such a smile. The usually solemn and upright Captain Daina had always been renowned for her serious demeanor and lack of levity.

  "Miss Daina, to be perfectly candid, this outfit suits you admirably. You possess an exceptional grace," Kenley remarked, stroking his chin and evaluating her with a serious expression.

  Upon hearing these words, Daina's delicate cheeks flushed crimson. She turned her head aside, yet her eyes remained fixed in Kenley's direction. "Is that so?"

  "Well, it's rather difficult to detect the same solemnity that you exhibit as a captain. You appear remarkably feminine," Kenley expressed his genuine sentiment.

  Daina's face grew even redder. Kenley's earnest manner of speaking, devoid of any trace of flattery, instantly captivated her. She blurted out instinctively, "As long as you like it."

  Kenley was taken aback and didn't react immediately.

  Daina, realizing her slip of the tongue due to Kenley's look of bewilderment, thought to herself, Oh no! What did I just say? What do I mean by 'as long as you like it'? Doesn't this make it seem as though I care deeply about his opinion?

  "Anyway, you must bear in mind that although I am a captain, I am also a woman!" Daina coughed slightly to mask her discomposure. She had never anticipated that such a moment would ever befall her.

  "That is indeed true. However, a knight like Daina, who combines both valorous might and stunning beauty, is a rarity. If the world were to know more about you, I daresay that the suitors of the Captain of the Christophon family would form a queue stretching from the main hall of the Church of Light all the way to the gates of Marlen Imperial City," Kenley uttered in a rapid succession, leaving Daina somewhat dazed.

  Daina's face flushed an even deeper shade of red. She had never before heard such sincere and unpretentious flattery. Moreover, considering the life-and-death bond she shared with Kenley, his words immediately set her mind wandering.

  "What do you mean by suitors queuing up all the way to the gates of Marlen Imperial City? " Daina said, blushing and gazing at the ground, clearly flustered.

  But at that moment, Kenley had a momentary lapse of judgment. "However, given Captain Daina's formidable strength, I suspect that those suitors would be subdued by you even before they managed to set foot inside the gates of the Christophon family."

  After saying this, Kenley shrugged his shoulders, wearing an expression of utter helplessness.

  Daina arched her brow, and the veins on her forehead were on the verge of bulging. She leaned in closely towards Kenley, as if on the brink of an outburst.

  Before Kenley could react, he continued, "But if you were to appear before those suitors in your current attire, Daina, I am certain that they would yield without a fight and surrender en masse. There would be no need for you to lift a finger, and they would be vanquished beforehand."

  "Am I really that intimidating?" Daina twitched the corner of her mouth.

  "This is the very essence of the trials and tribulations that come with possessing both valorous might and feminine beauty. As a female captain, it is indeed no easy feat," Kenley nodded to himself.

  Daina placed her hand on her stomach. For some inexplicable reason, she felt a twinge of pain. Had it not been for her regular physical training, she might have suspected that she had eaten something spoiled the previous night.

  "By the way, how do you customarily celebrate the Kulsmatlin Festival?" Kenley inquired.

  Upon hearing Kenley's question, Daina was momentarily taken aback.

  "You don't mean to say that you have no idea how to celebrate the festival, do you?"

  Kenley came to his senses and hastily explained, "No, no. I meant to ask how the nobles generally celebrate it. You know, I was once merely a humble peasant."