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Chapter 90: Xue Nuo’s Wish

Britney gasped, a bit unconvinced: “If it really comes to a fight, we’re not necessarily afraid of the royal family!”

“As long as our little white wolf gives the order, all the nobles on the border will come rushing to our aid!”

And she wasn’t just saying it to sound tough.

The rule of the border dukes had long won the hearts of the people out there.

Don’t be fooled by Xuefeng Fortress being just a solitary keep; if you count all the nobles in the entire imperial border, that’s nearly one-third of the empire’s power, enough to take on the royal family.

Plus, in Britney’s eyes, a valiant border warrior could easily take down ten pampered noble twits who’ve never seen the battlefield.

The old count sipped his tea, but the frown on his face remained: “But we might not be able to take on the royal family.”

Britney only considered things from a warrior’s perspective, but Barry, being high up the ladder, saw more.

They could fight, but it would only be a battle, nothing more.

Population, wealth, righteousness, and even high-tier combat strength—they lacked everything. If a real fight broke out, it would only stir up an unnecessary war.

Even from the harsh, purely profit-seeking standpoint, putting the common people aside, this battle might not leave Xue Nuo any better off.

The silver-haired girl remained silent, gazing out the window, taking in the whole castle.

Today, Xuefeng Fortress was no longer just a castle; it was a small town.

This was where Xue Nuo grew up.

Her eyes swept over the serious military camp, the not-so-wealthy yet always lively market, and even the pure white snow—everything here held her best memories with her family.

She didn’t want her home stained by war and blood, but she wouldn’t surrender it either.

Finally, the silver-haired girl pulled her gaze back and interrupted the two in their debate: “No need to worry.”

“Mr. Barry is right; spilling blood is the last resort. No matter what Winter’s plan is, I will do my best to negotiate.”

“But if the imperial family really tries to take the Andeviss family’s property… I will make them pay.”

Xue Nuo scoffed coldly, a trace of ruthlessness flashing across her face, reminiscent of the former duke, the White Wolf Duke.

Britney burst out laughing, thumping her chest in assurance: “If it really comes to that, I’ll fight alongside you and give those pampered noble brats a lesson!”

Looking at the silver-haired girl, the old count suddenly realized that she was no longer that helpless child in swaddling clothes, but an imperial lord ready to shoulder the responsibilities of a duke.

While he smiled with pride, a deep-seated worry mixed in with his expression.

As half a father to Xue Nuo, he wished time would slow down a bit, giving her the chance to experience more freedom. But as a savvy old noble, he sensed that the day of breaking ties with the royal family was not far off.

If it really came to that, he wouldn’t betray the former duke’s kindness, fighting alongside Xue Nuo until the very end. But he knew in his heart, no matter how fierce a lone wolf is, it can’t stand up against a full pack.

As the last ember of the Andeviss family, Xue Nuo was like the unending windy snow on the border, destined to be bound by responsibility, struggling to find peace.

She just hoped they wouldn’t reach that final step…

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That evening, Roy had dinner with Xue Nuo and the count and countess.

During dinner, Mrs. Britney bombarded Roy with questions, leaving him a bit flustered.

Tomorrow was the Winter Festival, so the count and countess had to make early arrangements, bidding farewell soon.

Just as Roy was about to head back to his room, Xue Nuo called out to him.

“Hey, can you keep me company for a while?”

The young boy followed her to the very top of the castle.

Under the dark night, snowflakes danced, rarely settling, while the twinkling lights outlined the silhouette of the castle, like a warm candle flame shining persistently in the dark.

The silver-haired girl gazed at this scene, remaining silent for a long time.

Roy said nothing, quietly waiting by her side.

In truth, he was fully aware of the conversation between the count and Xue Nuo, and the secret schemes of Prince Winter.

The old count was wise, but he underestimated Winter’s ambition.

But no matter how hard the old count tried, he couldn’t change the bigger picture.

With one call from Xuefeng Fortress, the noble families on the border would respond.

But the royal family was still the royal family. This battle would ultimately end in Xue Nuo’s defeat.

No matter what she did, Xue Nuo couldn’t protect everything she wanted to.

And being as smart as she was, she might have already realized this deep down.

It wasn’t until a light layer of snow settled on their shoulders that the girl finally spoke up.

“Aren’t you going to ask what I want to talk about?”

“I was waiting for you to tell me in person, Teacher Xue Nuo.”

“Actually, it’s not a pleasant topic…”

Roy shrugged: “Come on, can’t we share the bitter along with the sweet? Didn’t you and I talk about plenty of unpleasant things before? Like cultists and such.”

Xue Nuo glanced at him, forcing a bitter smile: “That’s true.”

The girl slowly unfolded the situation she was facing, and Roy didn’t interrupt, just listening to her recount.

Once she finished, Xue Nuo let out a long sigh and looked up at the shattered moon hanging high in the night sky.

The mottled moonlight, combined with the swirling snow, painted the girl’s figure as lonely and desolate, her features always frosty cold or gentle like water finally revealing a hint of dull confusion.

“Roy, what would you do if it were you?”

“Just like you, Teacher Xue Nuo, if possible, I wouldn’t fight, and I’d do my best to stall for time.”

Hearing this, Xue Nuo smiled bitterly: “Well, that makes sense.”

As long as you’re not a complete fool lacking political experience, this would be the most reasonable and only answer.

“Sorry for asking you such a strange question.”

“Let’s get back before it gets too late.”

As she stepped past Roy, she didn’t look at his expression.

She didn’t want to see pity, sorrow, or helpless sadness in his eyes, nor did she want to witness her own embarrassing self.

Roy’s eyes only needed to remain warm and bright; it was her fault as a mentor that he bore the burden of unwarranted sorrow.

But at that moment, the boy gently asked, “What does Teacher Xue Nuo want to do?”

The delicate foot encased in her boot slightly paused, and Xue Nuo turned back, momentarily stunned.

In the soft moonlight, the black-haired boy’s expression was still bright, glowing more splendidly than the stars, without pity, without sadness—just the unwavering gentleness and determination he always had.

“What do I want to do?”

Roy stepped forward, holding Xue Nuo’s hand: “I meant, not what you should do, but what you want to do. Whatever it is, I’ll support you with all my might.”

The warmth of his palm melted away her chill.

What did she want to do?

From the moment she lost her parents and ended up in the snowy wilderness, Xue Nuo had given up on naive dreams, learning to analyze problems with the harshest, most rational mindset, doing only what needed to be done to seize any sliver of hope.

But looking back, what were the things between her and Roy that needed to be done, and what were those that she truly wanted?

Coming to her senses, her vague hope tumbled out.

“I want to protect Xuefeng Fortress.”

“I want to hold onto the duke’s position.”

“And, I want…”

Gazing at the black-haired boy in front of her, Xue Nuo’s lashes trembled slightly, halting for a moment.

“I don’t want to marry him.”

Roy smiled gently, shining like the stars: “Let me fulfill Teacher Xue Nuo’s wish.”

Those tender and innocent words, so beautiful they felt unreal, were exactly what Xue Nuo wanted to hear at that moment.

With the winds calming a bit, the silver-haired girl released a soft smile, more captivating than moonlight.

 

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