In late April, before the first faint light of dawn had fully dispelled the chill of the previous night, a fine, unbroken spring rain quietly descended upon White Bear Territory.
At first, it was only a barely perceptible mist, draping the land like a light veil.
Gradually, the mist grew heavier, turning into strands of drizzle as fine as ox hair.
In the fields, tender wheat shoots that had just broken through the soil greedily and joyfully drank in this sweet spring nourishment.
It was as though magic had been cast upon them, and they grew at an astonishing rate visible to the naked eye.
The dense forest in the distance appeared and disappeared beneath the rain and mist, carrying an ethereal, misty beauty reminiscent of the lands south of the Yangtze.
The crisp patter of raindrops against the glass window slowly pulled Yagna from her dreams back into reality.
She lazily yawned and stretched against the bed, yet her eyes and brows were still heavy with sleepiness.
Strange. Didn't I go to bed early last night? Why am I still this tired?
Yagna hazily opened her eyes. Her gaze fell on the empty space beside her pillow, and the image of that strong man instantly surfaced in her mind.
For more than a week now, Lynn had been busy building roads and had never returned to the castle.
Whenever night fell, this spacious, empty bedroom became increasingly cold and desolate. Yagna found herself missing more and more the broad chest that gave her warmth and a sense of security.
Just then, the gentle patter of rain outside drifted into her ears.
She rose, put on her shoes, and pushed open the window. Looking at the threadlike spring rain, she felt a deep sense of melancholy.
Though the spring rain