Witches: Starting as a Lord Marrying a Wife

Another few days passed.

In the attic on the third floor, Amy read aloud from a book as Fire Dance and Water Lily listened attentively.

Suddenly, Amy looked up as if sensing something.

A cold wind carrying snowflakes swept into the room through the open window. She extended her hand, catching a crystalline snowflake between her fingers. Its chill seeped into her skin.

"It's snowing," she murmured, her voice tinged with a complex emotion.

It was on a snowy morning like this that she first became an Ice Witch. From that moment, her life had been one of hiding in the shadows, her heart adrift like the wind and snow, never knowing where she truly belonged.

Until this winter, when she met her lord. For the first time, her restless heart had found a home.

The thought of him filled her mind, and she suddenly longed to see him.

David had just finished dealing with territorial affairs and returned to the castle.

Thanks to his powerful ice elemental affinity, he had accurately predicted the snowfall and made preparations in advance.

As he stepped through the castle gates, Amy appeared, dressed in a white winter coat. She ran toward him like a moth to a flame, throwing herself into his arms.

"Amy, what's wrong?" David gently brushed the snow from her hair.

"Nothing," she replied, a little embarrassed but unwilling to let go. "I just missed you."

Her words melted David's heart. He held her close as they walked into the castle.

From the second-floor window, Rena watched silently. Her gaze followed the pair until they disappeared from view, her expression conflicted.

She couldn't understand why Lya and Amy depended so much on the Wolf Lord, their love for him unreserved and clear in their eyes.

David carried Amy to the study, where he still had some documents to review.

To his surprise, Amy clung to him the entire way, an unusual display of affection for someone as shy as her.

"You missed me that much?" he teased.

"Yes," Amy admitted, her face flushing but her grip unwavering.

David's heart stirred. He placed his hands on her shoulders, his movements growing bolder.

Amy, still blushing, did not resist.

Sweeping her into his arms, David set her on the desk. His gaze burned as he asked, "May I?"

For the first time, Amy nodded, not refusing him even outside their usual setting.

David seized the moment, leaning in closer.

A soft hum escaped Amy's lips as she closed her eyes, warmth spreading through her body.

Since meeting her lord, the snow no longer frightened her. She had finally found her home.

[You have completed a training session. Ice Elemental Affinity +51.]

[Ice Elemental Affinity: Intermediate (2530/10000).]

Amy was unusually enthusiastic this time. Even actions that had once made her blush just thinking about were now met with her complete acceptance.

The result was exceptional. David's affinity for ice elements increased by an impressive 51 points—nearly double the usual amount. Their growing bond had significantly enhanced the effectiveness of their "training," promising faster progress in the future.

Meanwhile, in the refugee camp, the falling snow prompted everyone to retreat into their thatched huts.

Thankfully, Frostwolf Ridge had abundant forests, ensuring no shortage of firewood.

Though crowded, with ten people huddled in each hut, the warmth of the fires and the coarse black bread they shared was enough to sustain them. For the refugees, simply surviving was a blessing, deepening their gratitude toward the Wolf Lord.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, blanketing Frostwolf Ridge and cutting it off from the outside world.

All seemed destined for a quiet and uneventful winter.

But one day, a massive snow wolf appeared on the outskirts of Frostwolf Ridge.

The wolf, as tall as a man when standing upright, had pure white fur. Despite the howling wind and snow, it remained unbothered.

Riding on the wolf's back was a figure with a snow pigeon perched on his shoulder. His cold gaze swept across the endless forest ahead.

"Let's go."

At his command, the snow wolf bounded forward. The thick snow underfoot did not slow it down as it raced through the forest toward Frostwolf Ridge.

Reaching the refugee camp, the wolf stopped where a man had been waiting—a spy planted among the refugees by the Ice Duke to track Princess Rena.

"Lord Hobbes," the spy greeted with a bow.

"Lead the way," Hobbes ordered.

The snow wolf continued its relentless pace toward the Frostwolf Castle. If the Wolf Duke was wise, he would hand over the Crystal Song Princess. If not, Hobbes was more than ready to annihilate the Wolf family.

"Who are you?"

A militia member spotted the approaching figures and called out.

Hobbes cast a cold glance at the spy, who moved swiftly.

Before the militia could react, one after another fell, their throats slit with precision.

Leaving the bodies to be buried under the falling snow, Hobbes and his snow wolf pressed on toward Frostwolf Castle.

In the castle, David was immersed in his training with the Snow Siren Breathing Technique.

The snowfall had enriched the surrounding ice elements, further enhancing the effectiveness of his training.

Within his consciousness, the Snow Siren Spirit roared, its form becoming increasingly tangible. His mental strength condensed into a glowing silver sphere.

Suddenly, an urgent horn blast shattered his focus, pulling him back to reality. His expression darkened.

Each horn signal carried a specific meaning. The one now echoing through the castle signaled an invasion.

"Someone's attacking?"

David immediately thought of the Ice Duke. Without hesitation, he ended his training and left the room.

Outside the castle, Roman Knight stood frozen, staring at the massive snow wolf and its rider. His hand gripped his sword so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"The Ice Wolf Grand Knight, Hobbes," he muttered, his voice trembling.

A Grand Knight, or Tier 4 Earth Knight, was a master of combat who had condensed their fighting spirit into a formidable force. The realization struck him like a hammer—this was no ordinary foe.

He had known the Ice Duke was searching for Princess Rena, but never had he imagined the Duke would send a Tier 4 Earth Knight.

Even with Frostwolf Ridge's current strength, they stood no chance against such an opponent.

Even the extraordinary snow w

olf, capable of rivaling a peak Tier 3 knight, was a formidable adversary beyond the means of any ordinary knight to defeat.