Conquering His Cold Heart

Cassandra really went all out with the menu, there was no shortage of B-rank dishes being served and to compliment them she brought out a bottle of wine called rose blossom red. An A-rank wine that had been aged for over a century, truly the very peak of fine dining.

The servants marched to and fro, bringing in dish after dish with smiles on their faces. Gentle music was even played in the background to help generate a joyful atmosphere, taking away the pall left by the war.

Halfway through Bastion started smiling for real as he shoved mouthful after mouthful of B-rank meat into his mouth and sipped the wine. His pale complexion gradually turned rosy from the high-quality meat and wine making him and the others look almost healthy.

Frost held nothing back stuffing himself with dish after dish to the point he felt like bursting.

'So tasty' he smacked his lips and exclaimed internally before reaching for more food. He did however ask one of the servants if he could prepare a special meal for Kiba since he too played a major part in the war.

The servant smiled, moved by Frost's care for his battle mount however he shook his head and said that it had already been taken care of. Cassandra never forgot that it was Kiba who flew her husband to safety the first time he was injured so she had the chefs prepare an equally glorious feast for the young tiger. If he wasn't so big, she would have invited him in to eat alongside them.

Frost smiled and thanked Cassandra for her thoughtfulness before he continued eating.

The meal lasted over hour and by the end each and every person had gone up at least a couple belt sizes but none of them felt bad in fact they all had greatly satisfied expressions on their faces as they patted their bulging bellies.

They engaged in small chat, avoiding anything serious and anything related to the stampede as their stomachs settled. However eventually there had to be some real discussion, Cassandra just wanted to have them engage in merriment beforehand.

"Frost, Leo informed me and Cass about a certain proposal you and he discussed." Douglas started the formal discussion and though he was still fairly injured his natural noble charisma couldn't be masked.

"Thrall also sent me a message about that." Bastion who was feeling much better turned to look at Frost. Ryuu seemed to be the only adult in the dark as he was looking back on forth between Douglas, Bastion and Frost.

Frost glanced at Leo who gave him a thumbs up gesture.

"Yes, we discussed establishing a close-knit relationship between Furano and my territory." Frost replied back with a formal tone, assuming the same demeanour he did when discussing the issue with the guild heads.

"Your territory?" Ryuu asked in confusion, unable to follow the discussion.

"Allow me to explain." It was Leo who spoke. He stood up from his chair and began to explain the proposal to everyone present along with the occasional input from Frost. He included his suggestion and personal opinion hoping that the adults would agree with him and Frost.

"A private run camp set up next to the new dungeon that lies between our territory and the glacial mountains, right at the southern entrance correct?" Ryuu questioned.

"That's correct."

"Fwooooo Douglas, Bastion what are your thoughts?" Ryuu let out a long breath before asking for his friend's opinions. This proposal was more geared towards the two of them after all. He was just a court mage that handled the administration of the territory, Douglas was still the shot caller. However in his personal opinion he was pretty convinced.

As long as Frost wasn't lying about the state of development and the level of military force protecting it the venture sounded very promising. And given his knowledge of Frost's personality as well as their friendship he didn't think he'd be one to lie.

Douglas, Bastion and Cassandra all thought deeply about the proposition keeping Leo and Frost on tenterhooks.

"Personally, I think it's a great idea however my word doesn't mean much in these matters. For the adventurers guild to get properly involved we'll need permission from the headquarters in the capital. All I can do at the moment is inform the local adventurers about a new camp." Bastion shook his head, annoyed that his guild couldn't fully invest in such a venture until it had already proven itself.

He and Ryuu then turned to Douglas and Cassandra, the only ones with the right to pretty much do what they want regardless of the risks.

Douglas and Cassandra looked at one another before staring directly into the eyes of their only son.

"Leo you'll will inherit the viscounty and become the ruling lord in the future. Engaging in such a partnership will not be easy and could very well cause a cascade of problems down the line when you're in charge, you cannot be blinded by emotions.

Are you really sure you wish to back Frost and his territory?" Douglas imbued his words with aura, making Leo endure a heavy pressure despite the fact it aggravated his wounds.

Leo trembled from the weight and found it painful to look into his father's eyes. He questioned his intentions and resolve.

'Is this really the right choice? Am I simply blinded by my friendship with Frost and his personal strength? Will this partnership benefit us in the long, long term?' Frost could see Leo wavering, unsure of himself. He sighed internally but didn't say anything as it wasn't his place to interfere right now. He simply had to trust in Leo and the proposal he submitted.

30 seconds later Leo shook his head, his thoughts coalescing back into one. He stared straight at his father with resolve flaring in his eyes.

"Yes father, I believe that partnering ourselves with Frost and his territory will not only be beneficial in the mid-term and long term but also decades in the future. The dungeon though something new is still at its base akin to a monster lair and it already has more than five floors all with differing environments and monsters.

It's a goldmine in terms of materials and it only shows signs of growing such abundance. We would be fools to not take advantage of such a place in the early stages better yet with someone we know and trust completely. My emotions may have swayed my thoughts in the beginning however Frost has given a clear cut proposal this stands on its own merit.

He's already ahead of everyone else, has substantial military might and even the aid of a highly populated enclave in the glacial mountain's external regions. Father, Mother we should accept Frost's proposal." Leo announced in an unwavering voice, the charisma of a noble briefly shining through him causing Douglas, Cassandra, Ryuu and Bastion to be in awe.

Leo was finally showing his mettle as the next ruling lord.

There was silence for a few seconds before a bright smile adorned Cassandra's face and Douglas started laughing.

"Hahahahhaha I couldn't have put it better myself. Very well the Furano viscounty will accept Frost's proposal and enter into friendly territorial relations. Leo since who accepted and presented the proposal to your mother and I, you will be in charge of the project. Consider it your first major test as my heir." Douglas bellowed his response with pride in his heart.

Leo's body trembled with excitement. He turned to face Frost and raised his fists up into the air and roared "we did it!" His joy clear as day. Frost however was much better at controlling himself, he simply smiled brightly at his young friend without any fanfare, but his fists were clenched under the table and his heart was screaming success.

Getting the support of the Furano viscounty would help so much in the long run.

With the proposal accepted the large group engaged in future discussions. The adults lending their expertise to the two young men who had just cemented their territories' friendship.

The group talked wholeheartedly for hours about the project as well as the upcoming celebration that would involve everyone in the territory. Douglas felt relieved at passing the torch to his son, though he did enjoy being the host of the stampede victory celebrations he couldn't really be up and walking for hours on end in his current state.

Bastion and Ryuu also decided to hand over their responsibilities to their subordinates and the young, their time was over.

Of course, the topic of injuries did crop up on occasion but it was met with warmth and positivity. Douglas declared he'd search high and low for medicines that could restore each of them to full fighting condition, Bastion most of all. Every time he saw that missing left leg and those trembling arms, he felt an intense pain in his heart.

Money would be of no consequence in his search as he could always make more. Bastion cried at his statement, but they were happy tears. Ever since he woke up and felt the state of his body he fostered a horrible dread in his heart, that he would be abandoned by those he cared about.

Douglas's words and the heart-warming gazes of everyone at the table cleared him of that doubt and suddenly the loss of his leg and the weakness in his arms no longer mattered as much.

"Oh, I almost forgot we were going to hand over your rewards tonight."