His Highness Prince Xiusenya was returning.
Early in the morning, the officials on Blue Soil Island stood at the island's newly built harbor, gazing into the distance and talking among themselves.
Those welcoming His Highness the Second Prince included feudal vassals of every rank who managed the island, as well as representatives of the common people.
Along with Prince Xiusenya's return came a group of soldiers who had left with him last time.
Young women and elderly women missing their husbands and sons had risen early, standing a little way from the harbor and gazing eagerly into the distance.
At this moment, snowflakes drifted through the sky. It was the first snowfall since winter began. The snow was not particularly heavy, but everyone had already wrapped themselves in thick clothing, rubbing their palms constantly from the cold. The weather was freezing indeed!
The officials were doing somewhat better. As local officials, they possessed more money than the common people and naturally knew how to enjoy themselves.
They wore fur garments and heavy boots, sitting inside the dockside shelter, where they were spared much of the wind and snow.
They were all waiting for the noble His Highness Prince Xiusenya.
Most of these officials were court nobles, even second and third sons of court nobles. Their fates had originally been bleak, but the prince had recognized their worth and promoted them beyond convention, making them administrators of Blue Soil Island.
As for the island's common people, they had once been homeless refugees. His Highness the Prince had sent ships to bring them back and given them a place where they could settle down, allowing them to regain stability. Naturally, they were deeply grateful.
The officials waited inside the shelter, the women craned their necks in anticipation, and some children played carefree