CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN - FESTIVE ACCORD

The day of the festival dawned bright and clear, as if nature itself was celebrating with Ulfheim. Anna woke early, her stomach fluttering with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She dressed quickly in a traditional Norwegian bunad she had borrowed for the occasion, the colorful embroidery a stark contrast to her usual simple attire. As she stepped out of her room, Anna was immediately swept up in the whirlwind of last-minute preparations. The mansion was abuzz with activity, staff members rushing to and fro, putting final touches on decorations and setting up food stations. Anna moved through the chaos with purpose, her clipboard in hand as she checked and double-checked every detail. She paused to adjust a crooked banner here, taste-test a new batch of krumkake there, all while offering words of encouragement to the frazzled staff. As the first guests began to arrive, Anna positioned herself at the grand entrance, greeting villagers with a warm smile and a few words of Norwegian