Witches: Starting as a Lord Marrying a Wife

Another night of indulgence passed, and David rose early the next morning.

Fire Dance and Water Lotus, the twin sisters, had already set the breakfast table on the third floor. David took his seat at the head of the table while Water Lotus attended to him. Meanwhile, Fire Dance entered the bedroom to tidy up the disarray from the night before, replacing the soiled bedding with fresh linens.

Leah had grown accustomed to this routine, while Amy still blushed deeply, her face full of shy embarrassment.

"Let me help you, sister," Water Lotus offered, stepping over to Fire Dance.

"No need," Fire Dance replied flatly, carrying the soiled linens to be cleaned.

Watching this interaction, David's eyes narrowed slightly. Over time, he had noticed that Fire Dance intentionally took on the more laborious tasks herself. It revealed that beneath her seemingly emotionless exterior, she cared deeply for her younger sister.

As long as there's emotion, there's hope, David thought, a small smile softening his expression.

After breakfast, David took Leah and Amy to the secret garden.

As usual, Amy sat on a rattan chair reading a book, while David and Leah practiced the Frostwolf Breathing Technique, working to further enhance their knightly strength.

Leah moved gracefully, her figure weaving like a dance of the wind, her gray hair fluttering as her blood energy surged within her.

Suddenly, Leah's eyes opened wide with a look of elation.

"You broke through?" David asked, surprised.

Leah nodded excitedly. She had been stuck at the level of an advanced knight's attendant for some time, and the recent strengthening of her Frostwolf Bloodline had finally pushed her to the next stage.

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "I never thought I'd actually become a full knight one day."

Overwhelmed with joy, Leah leapt into David's arms, her eyes burning with passion. "My lord, I want you."

David, of course, wouldn't refuse. He scooped her up and carried her toward the nearby grove. For once, Leah, who had always been resistant to such things in the past, silently acquiesced.

[You have completed a session of dual cultivation. Frostwolf Bloodline +68.]

[Frostwolf Bloodline: Tier 4 (265/10000)]

With Leah's advancement to the level of a full knight, the experience gained from dual cultivation had increased significantly, now reaching 68 points per session.

Moreover, Leah's improved strength meant her stamina had also increased, allowing for more frequent sessions of cultivation each day.

Although the Frostwolf Bloodline required a staggering 10,000 points to advance from Tier 4 to Tier 5, the enhanced experience gain would ensure that his progress remained steady.

When the two finally emerged from the grove, fully dressed once more, Amy remained oblivious. For the pure and innocent witch, such activities in the wild were unimaginable and unacceptable.

Still, David wasn't one to give up. Leah had once been just as resistant, and now she had fully embraced it.

By midday, the group, along with the two maids, shared lunch in the garden pavilion.

Afterward, they continued their breathing exercises until evening, returning to the castle for another round of dual cultivation. Their days were filled with purpose and productivity.

November arrived, marking the Month of Winter.

As temperatures plummeted, it signaled the impending refugee crisis that had long been predicted.

In the study, David reviewed recent reports on the state of his territory, his expression grave.

"These are the results of the population census," the Grey Wolf Knight said, handing over a stack of parchment. Each sheet meticulously recorded the demographics of Frostwolf Ridge, detailing ages, residences, and family relations.

This census was part of David's earlier directive, providing a comprehensive understanding of his population akin to a modern registry.

"Thank Uncle Leo for his efforts," David said.

"With winter's arrival, we'll begin cutting off all roads connecting Frostwolf Ridge to the outside world," he added, issuing a premeditated administrative order.

The greatest danger of a refugee crisis was the potential for infiltrators among the displaced. In a territory as large as Frostwolf Ridge, it would be nearly impossible to detect a few malicious individuals slipping through.

Mercenaries and wandering knights might seize the opportunity to sneak in, targeting officials or inciting chaos.

By severing the roads and implementing patrols, combined with the population census, external threats would find it much harder to gain access.

However, it wouldn't be feasible to completely block the influx of refugees.

David designated an area on the outskirts of Frostwolf Ridge as a temporary settlement for the displaced. With sufficient grain reserves to last the winter, he planned to help these refugees survive the season.

Once winter passed, many of these people would likely stay, bolstering Frostwolf Ridge's labor force. Thanks to organic fertilizer that increased crop yields, David wasn't concerned about feeding the additional population. On the contrary, he saw it as an opportunity to strengthen his domain.

"Understood. I'll relay the orders at once," the Grey Wolf Knight replied, his expression one of satisfaction.

Though the new Duke of Frostwolf wasn't as formidable as his predecessor, his methodical handling of territorial affairs showed that he was more than capable of being a competent lord.

The only regret was that David had yet to produce an heir.

The knight shuffled through his documents before hesitating, then handed David another piece of parchment.

Looking it over, David realized it listed all the young women in Frostwolf Ridge. The Grey Wolf Knight's intentions were clear.

As the lord, David technically had claim over everything within his domain—including the right of the first night. If he gave the order, every maiden's first night would belong to him.

David, however, had no interest in such practices. Glancing at the list, he handed the parchment back and said earnestly, "I will ensure an heir is born soon."

Privately, he was puzzled. Despite his tireless efforts, neither Leah nor Amy had shown any signs of pregnancy.

It was known that bloodline knights faced difficulties in conceiving, and the stronger their power, the greater the challenge. Patience was his only recourse.

After the Grey Wolf Knight departed, David returned to the third floor of the castle to resume his knightly cultivation and dual training, steadily advancing his strength.

December arrived, bringing the Month of Ice.

This winter was colder than any in recent memory.

The extreme cold in the far north forced countless civilians to migrate southward, forming waves of refugees wandering between cities and villages.

Most territories, already struggling to sustain their populations, had little capacity to take in more. Greedy nobles, exploiting their land and serfs, showed no mercy in driving away, enslaving, or even killing the refugees, pushing them closer to Frostwolf Ridge.

Among these refugees were wande

ring knights and mercenaries with ulterior motives. Their goal was singular: to capture Frostwolf Ridge.