The morning chill quietly seeped into the room. The fire still held some warmth, but it could not dispel the stillness left by the snow outside.
Sif slept on her side beside Louis. Her short white hair had grown to her shoulders, a few strands fanning across the pillow. Her breathing was steady, yet her features still held that fierce, untamed edge.
At ten months, her belly was noticeably swollen, but it had done nothing to diminish her bearing. If anything, it made the strength in her seem even more pronounced.
Louis glanced gently at her, his fingers pausing beside her belly.
It should be sometime in the next few days.
He suppressed the brief flicker of anxiety in his heart, slipped quietly out of bed, pulled on a thick robe, and walked to the window.
Mist and snow layered the rooftops of Red Tide City in a pale white. In the distance, thin wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of the Steam Workshop.
Louis raised his right hand and flicked his fingers.
A familiar, soft chime sounded. A pale blue, translucent screen spread out in the air.
``` [Daily Intelligence Update complete]
[1: The Raymont Family continues to court Ackerman Greer, commander of the Seventh Legion, with promises of land revenue, shares of trade-route profits, and future rewards of rank and territory. Agents report that he has begun meeting their representatives in secret.]
[2: The Dawnlight Harbor caravan has safely reached the Blue Tide Guild in the Jade Federation. Its goods sold smoothly, and the guildmaster praised the minerals' quality highly, expressing interest in strengthening long-term cooperation.]
[3: The Red Tide Machinery Group has completed a first-generation steam combat vehicle prototype. Its performance is stable, and it is ready for trial use.]
[4: Sif's pregnancy has progressed well.