Landlord in the Arctic

"Your Highness, I know this is difficult to speak of. Please, take care of yourself." Andrei’s expression was solemn. He stood and gave Natasha a deep bow, a gesture that seemed like a final farewell.

He then quickly drew his pistol, his eyes burning with fury and resolve, ready to chase after Feng Shan’s retreating figure.

"Wait!" Natasha, startled by Andrei’s actions, grew even more confused.

Still, she raised a hand to stop Andrei, her face a mask of confusion. She asked again, "Who hurt me? What are you talking about?"

"Andrei, don’t be rash."

Natalia also hurried forward, placing a hand to stop the enraged Andrei. With a trace of calm on her face, she said, "Her Highness already has a marriage contract with Feng Shan. It’s true that having relations before marriage is improper, but it hasn’t reached the point where a mission of honor is required."

"Aunt Natalia, but..." Andrei’s expression instantly became conflicted, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

On one hand, his loyalty to Her Highness wouldn’t allow him to tolerate anyone taking advantage of her, not even her betrothed, Feng Shan.

On the other hand, Aunt Natalia’s words made him realize that the situation might not be as serious as he had imagined.

Andrei gripped his gun, his arm trembling slightly as he struggled internally between loyalty and reason.

’Had relations with Feng Shan?’

’What are you all talking about?’

Natasha froze for a moment before it dawned on her.

She realized why Aunt Natalia and Andrei were so inexplicably agitated.

An expression somewhere between amusement and exasperation appeared on her face.

Her eyes held a mix of exasperation at their misunderstanding and a hint of amusement.

’So that’s it. They thought Feng Shan and I slept together last night.’

"You’ve misunderstood. Nothing happened last night. Feng Shan and I slept in separate rooms. We were only together to discuss some business matters."

Hearing this, Natalia and Andrei both froze. They turned to look at Natasha at almost the same time, their eyes filled with astonishment.

"Really?"

"Your Highness?"

Seeing their expressions, Natasha sighed helplessly.

"Of course it’s true. I’m not that desperate. The Feng Shan of today is far from meeting my standards. Andrei, put your gun away."

"Let’s head back to the cabin. The bus camp doesn’t even have a place to wash up."

With that, Natasha turned and walked gracefully toward the cabin, leaving Natalia and Andrei behind to stare at each other blankly.

Andrei awkwardly holstered his gun, an embarrassed look on his face.

Natalia shook her head slightly, silently relieved that she had stopped Andrei from acting rashly.

The two exchanged a glance, then hurried after Natasha toward the cabin.

Andrei was inclined to believe Her Highness Natasha. After all, his loyalty and trust in her were absolute.

He turned his head slightly to give Natalia a meaningful look.

Natalia, understanding his intention, gave a subtle nod.

They would know whether anything had actually happened once they had a chance to check Her Highness’s physical condition.

Meanwhile, Feng Shan was completely oblivious, unaware that he had just had one foot in the grave.

He pushed open the tavern door and went inside.

Just two days ago, this place had been bustling with noise and laughter.

Now, only the empty hall remained. Soft music drifted through the air like a trickling stream, yet it could do little to dispel the desolation of the empty space.

"Boss, you’re here!" Just then, a sharp-eyed female employee spotted him. Grinning, she immediately approached with a menu, her eyes showing a hint of excitement.

Feng Shan was a little surprised. Curious, he asked, "Why haven’t you gone home?"

After all, the head ladies who had been monopolizing the boss were gone, home to enjoy the holiday.

An opportunity like this was rare.

The female employee smiled and moved the menu behind her back.

She deliberately puffed out her chest, her eyes hinting at something suggestive. The corners of her mouth lifted in a seductive smile as she said,

"Sister Demi and Sister Jenny talked it over. They decided not everyone could leave, so they left me... and Yara in charge of the tavern and restaurant."

The employee’s voice was sweet and delicate, her tone rising slightly at the end of her sentence, as if deliberately emphasizing the part about her staying behind.

Ignoring her blatant advances, Feng Shan simply nodded, his expression unruffled. He said calmly,

"Thank you for your hard work. I’ll have Jenny calculate your overtime later."

With that, his gaze swept across the hall, quickly landing on the tribal chiefs huddled in a corner.

Almost instantly, a phony smile spread across Feng Shan’s face. He adjusted his collar and strode toward the group of tribal chiefs.

When the female employee saw that her boss had completely ignored her advances, the smile on her face vanished instantly.

It was replaced by a look of vexation. She stomped her foot in frustration and muttered something under her breath.

She then turned and stalked back to the counter, her retreating figure radiating indignant frustration.

At that moment, Chief Uerta and a group of Inuit Chiefs were gathered together.

Their heads were close as they discussed the plan in hushed tones.

The plan’s complexity was like the hidden crevasses beneath the Alaskan ice fields; what appeared to be a calm, stable surface actually concealed countless complications.

Although it sounded like a simple matter of achieving inter-tribal consensus, it involved the interests of so many parties that it was far beyond what the few chiefs present could decide on their own authority.

"The eleven Athabasca tribes have all agreed. What about the rest of you?" Chief Uerta was the first to break the short silence, his wrinkled face filled with a triumphant expression.

The Athabasca, one of the oldest peoples of this land, carried the long history of Alaska. They were the very first group of Indians to settle in this frigid state.

Over the long course of their development, the Assabasca people gradually split into eleven groups, scattering to all corners of Alaska.

They followed the ways of their ancestors, subsisting on hunting, gathering, and fishing in the rushing rivers. Their very lives were intertwined with this land.

Notably, with the exception of one group, all the others practiced a matrilineal clan culture.

Among these eleven groups, the Wild Bull Tribe was undoubtedly the most prominent. Thanks to its large population and vast territory, it stood head and shoulders above the other Assabasca people, consistently holding a dominant position.

The Bear Tribe, in contrast, was merely an inconspicuous nomadic tribe among the many Athabasca groups. Small, migratory tribes like it, who followed the water and grass, were as countless as the stars across the vast expanse of Alaska.

If not for Feng Shan’s arrival, the Bear Tribe would never have even registered on Chief Uerta’s radar.

The chief of the Point Hope Tribe understood the implication and quickly nodded in agreement. "Ninety percent of the Inuit tribes in the Far North Region have agreed. Only the Barrow Tribe has explicitly refused."

"The Kaktovik Tribe is close with the Yupik Tribe, so that shouldn’t be a problem."

"I will handle the negotiations with the Tlingit People."

"The Haida People won’t be an issue," another chief added unhurriedly, his steady voice reassuring the group.

"That just leaves the Aleut People. Those folks would happily hide on their islands for a lifetime. I’ll try to get in touch with them; I should be able to secure a few votes."

The chief who said this frowned slightly, a look of resignation on his face.

"By that count, we should be fine on the votes." After hearing the reports from the other chiefs, Chief Uerta narrowed his eyes, his mind racing with calculations.

A moment later, a satisfied smile finally broke out across his weathered face.

It was as if even his wrinkles were smoothing out, as if he could see the dawn of victory shining just ahead.

"What won’t be a problem?" At that critical moment, a familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind the chiefs, instantly shattering the conspiratorial atmosphere.

As if a switch had been flipped, they all whipped their heads around in unison.

Surprise and even a hint of panic showed on every one of their faces as their eyes locked onto the source of the voice.

.....