Now he raised his head to look at her standing in the firelight, suddenly feeling a bit blocked in his heart.
She really had reached the age of marriage; it couldn’t be delayed any longer.
"What’s wrong?" Emily noticed his silence and tilted her head to ask.
"Nothing," he smiled, taking a sip of coffee to cover up, "I just suddenly feel that ti is passing too quickly."
Emily couldn’t understand what he ant, or perhaps she understood but was unwilling to expose it, rely lowering her head with a gentle smile.
Edmund gazed at her smiling face, a mix of emotions swirling in his heart.
This girl would likely benefit that boy Louis.
He is of the age that matches well with the Calvin Family, has battle accolades, outstanding abilities, and although the Emperor hasn’t explicitly stated anything, he hasn’t raised objections either, which is an implied approval.
And in the exchange between the two families, details are gradually being confird.
If nothing unexpected happens, the wedding would probably be held this year.
Sohow, it feels like...maybe it should be a little later, accompany her for a few more years.
See her a few more tis walking in from the doorway, bringing coffee, calling him "Father."
But alas, one cannot keep their daughter by their side forever.
"Emily." Edmund finally spoke, his voice low and slow, "This matter... I had wanted to wait a bit longer."
"Hmm?" Emily, who was fastening the buttons on his shawl, raised her head when she heard this, looking at him with an innocent expression, "What matter?"
He hesitated for a mont, but ultimately said it: "You...might have to get married."
Her hand paused slightly, though she didn’t show much surprise.
"Oh." She lowered her eyes, her lashes casting a soft shadow in the firelight.
"Actually, it’s about ti." Her voice was soft, "I know I’m not young anymore; in other families, they might have already had their second child."
Edmund was a bit taken aback, bitterly shaking his head.
"Then...who has Father chosen for ?" She asked as if casually, yet her tone couldn’t hide curiosity.
Edmund paused, as if weighing his words, finally sighed, and said: "Louis Calvin."
"Ah, the one..." Emily narrowed her eyes slightly, searching her mory, "From the Calvin Family? The Pioneer Lord from the South, right."
"Yes." He nodded, "Also one of the Eight Great Clans...but slightly different from our family."
Emily nodded; she certainly knew the na of the "young pioneer," having frequently heard people ntion him in Frost Halberd City recently.
Things like the "Qingyu Ridge Raid," "outstanding military accomplishnts," "a noble outcast in the wastelands" sounded almost as if he was a Savior from the Northern Territory.
She was also quite curious about the man who could make her father show a solemn expression, even consider marrying her off, what kind of person he really was.
"Everything is up to Father to arrange." She smiled obediently, her hands folded in front of her dress, her posture as proper as a noble lady should be.
But the fleeting sly glint in her eyes didn’t escape Edmund’s attention.
"Emily..." He glanced at her, speaking aningfully, "You aren’t planning to run away from the marriage, are you?"
"Wha-where would that be." She widened her eyes, with an expression of "I’m so innocent."
"I just feel that you know," she pretended to ponder, pursing her lips playfully, "It’s necessary to see him in advance... In case he’s too scary, smiles too fakely, has a bad temper, then I have to consider how to escape, right?"
"You little girl." Edmund, unable to suppress a smile, lightly flicked her forehead, "If you run away, I’ll have to issue military orders to catch you back as a runaway marriage fugitive."
"Ouch, that hurt." Emily covered her forehead, mumbling, "Then I’ll write a letter to him in advance saying ’I’m really ugly,’ maybe he’ll voluntarily give up."
"He’s not that dumb..."
"Then I can only hope he’s good-looking, funny, easy to bully." She said while standing up, her skirt swaying lightly, "I can’t be forced to marry so fierce, bald old man, can I?"
"He’s only nineteen." Edmund cradled his forehead.
"A little brother, then maybe I’ll consider it." Saying this, she humd a tune as she walked out the door, leaving behind a warm coffee aroma.
After leaving her father’s sight, Emily’s expression slowly turned cold.
Although the words just spoken were joking with father, she indeed had thoughts about eting her fiancé in advance, to see if he’s qualified.
...
The new Northern Territory Pioneer Order wasn’t just sent to Duke Edmund; heavy Royal Family envelopes were delivered to every noble study obliged to participate in the dispatch.
Duke Calvin received the visit from a ssenger early in the morning.
He sat in his study, fingers tapping the envelope, a sowhat amused smile on his face.
"Here we go again..." he humd lightly, pulling out the letter, "Nearly identical to last year’s, only with a few more requirents, seems to be making it look like a ’serious selection.’
He skipped those pleasantries, focusing on the main point:
Selection criteria: Must be direct family bloodline, Elite Knight status or above, with war experience, and able to lead a Knight Team of at least a hundred people.
"...Oh?" He raised his eyebrows, smiling instead of being angry, "This ti they got smarter, afraid we’ll send so worthless people to idle away again?"
He recalled last year’s ridiculous stunt.
Back then, almost all nobles thought it was just a ’political gesture,’ few took it seriously.
So he went along and sent the most diocre, least impactful son, ridding the family of a pointless leftover.
Who knew that talentless, inconspicuous Louis would soar like a dragon!
He couldn’t help but start doubting if his son had been pretending to be an idiot all these years?
So when facing a similar order this ti, he didn’t take it lightly, spending a whole night deliberating among his ten-plus children.
Finally, he picked two.
Not the best, the best should stay in the Imperial Capital, by his side, as the family’s heir seed.
Not the worst, those with no future would just beco naless corpses in the Northern Territory’s snow, failing to achieve his goals, he knew Louis was just an exception.
These two, just right.
What he wanted was not to ’send them to die,’ but to ’verify.’
To verify whether Louis himself had skills, or if Calvin’s blood stood naturally steadier amidst the Northern Territory’s chaos than others.
"Butler." He finally spoke.
"Here, master." A butler responded.
"Go, summon Pal and Willis, and say—I have tasks for them."
"Understood."
Soon after, footsteps were heard outside the door.
The door to the study was gently pushed open, and two figures entered consecutively, with upright bearing.
"Father."
"Father, sir."
Duke Calvin nodded, his gaze sweeping between the two.
Pal is twenty-one, consistently outstanding since childhood, especially skilled in tactical studies, though a bit arrogant.
Willis is twenty, steady and reticent, adept in cavalry battles and group leadership.
These two won’t stir much storm in Imperial Capital’s politics, yet can achieve results in the Northern Territory.
"You know, the Northern Territory Pioneer Order has co again?" His tone was calm.
The two were montarily stunned, then nodded: "Yes."
"I have submitted your nas." He looked at them, his tone devoid of emotion, "Prepare to depart with the troop within three weeks."
They exchanged a glance but didn’t question their father’s decision.
"Last ti it was your brother Louis who went." Duke Calvin said slowly, "He did well, unexpectedly."
The two bowed their heads: "Yes."
"I want to know whether it’s his personal ability or Calvin blood naturally suited for ruling the Northern Territory."
Duke Calvin stood up, his tone carrying a hint of heavy authority: "You either establish yourself there, or die in the snow."
"Understood." The two responded in low voices.
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