On the night after the Spring Festival, the office of the Red Tide Lord’s Castle was serene and warm.
The clamor of the banquet had long dispersed. The fireplace burned with a warm fire, casting light on the stone walls and bookshelves. The air was tinged with the scent of ad and stewed at.
Louis took off his cloak, just sitting down at the desk, preparing to handle so post-festival official docunts.
At this mont, a guard knocked and entered, speaking in a low, cautious tone: "Milord, a lady requests to see you, claiming to be... ’Emily Edmund.’
Louis’s quill paused slightly in hand. He looked up, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Emily Edmund?"
He had thought this noble fiancée would quietly leave after observing all there was to see about Red Tide.
Unexpectedly, she chose to show herself after the festivities, which sowhat surprised him.
"Please bring her here," Louis said deeply.
The guard nodded in response and quickly left.
The wooden door of the Red Tide Lord’s Castle opened gently, letting in a light breeze, followed by the sound of the girl’s footsteps, light and steady.
Emily stepped into the study, dressed in a deep blue gown, her cloak fluttering slightly behind her, and wearing the silver eagle emblem symbolizing the Edmund Family on her chest.
Her blue hair fell over her shoulders, complenting her cool and dignified deanor. Her features were exquisite and defined, her figure delicate yet upright,
each step embodying the particular poise and elegance of the nobility.
She ca, stripping away the mask, presenting her true self before the young lord.
Emily’s gaze settled on Louis.
At that mont, he looked up from his docunts, the golden-red firelight casting a gentle glow on his face.
His eyes were clear, his deanor calm, dressed in his black and gold uniform, appearing more solemn and steady than at the banquet.
Emily felt her heartbeat pause for a mont.
anwhile, as Louis looked at her, his eyes also brightened imperceptibly.
She was undeniably a noble lady, dignified, calm, and composed.
Yet the faint trace of nervousness in her eyes did not escape Louis’s notice.
"Emily Edmund." Emily stood still and curtsied, her voice clear and composed, "Or, your future betrothed."
Louis rose, returning the gesture with proper etiquette: "Indeed, my father ntioned this in his letter."
"I am here to observe what kind of person you are." Emily looked straight into his eyes, her tone frank, "This union is very important to ... so I must personally judge if it’s worthwhile."
She slightly lowered her lashes, her voice softening yet exceptionally sincere: "I hope to make the decision myself."
A mont of silence passed, the firelight flickering over Louis’s handso face, his expression indifferent, showing no hint of surprise.
Emily asked softly, "Aren’t you upset?"
"I’m not." Louis smiled gently, his tone warm, "I understand your approach. If it were , I would do the sa."
He did not disclose her disguise at the banquet, using a kind of silent acceptance that comfortingly enveloped her probe and doubt.
At this mont, Emily’s eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, her lips curving gently, almost blindingly beautiful.
Louis invited her to sit, and they sat across the desk, the gentle glow of the fireplace illuminating their faces.
"Red Tide is much better than I imagined." Emily spoke first, discussing her most interested topic, "The streets are clean, the houses orderly, the people smile. I never thought I would see such a decent territory in the Northern Territory."
Louis replied calmly, "It’s an honor to receive the Edmund lady’s evaluation. Red Tide was originally barren. It took everyone’s concerted efforts to achieve today’s appearance. I just happened to stand in front of them."
"But not every lord is willing to do so." She added softly, her blue eyes looking at him, "When I passed through the market, an old man took by the hand and said, ’Our lord is the sun, the only fire in the snowy day.’
Louis chuckled, "It seems I must send soone to thank that old man for helping gain so impression points."
Emily laughed, her blue eyes curving as she looked at him, unwilling to look away.
"What you are doing may not only change Red Tide... it could change the entire Northern Territory," she said softly.
Louis shrugged, "That’s a heavy burden. I only plan to manage my small piece of land well."
They talked like this for a long ti, the atmosphere gradually shifting from initial probing to a warm ease, as if both silently laid down their armor.
As the conversation deepened, the atmosphere between the two subtly changed.
Emily’s hands holding the teacup were no longer stiff. She exhaled softly, her gaze gentle, finally shedding the rational facade she wore when they first t.
"Actually, I... am not so opposed to the marriage. It’s just, I don’t want to hand my future away carelessly," Emily paused, her expression sowhat hesitant, "eting you today, I think perhaps my father’s choice wasn’t wrong."
"Thank you for your trust." Louis smiled slightly.
Emily’s eyelashes fluttered gently, saying nothing more, just nodding lightly.
After a mont, she stood up, tidily adjusting her cloak with impeccable etiquette: "I will depart for Frost Halberd City tomorrow. My father is waiting for my report."
"You’re welco to visit again." Louis also stood, reaching out to open the door for her.
The night breeze outside brushed in, lifting her blue hair.
Emily walked to the door, suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked up into his eyes.
"You truly surprise ," she said softly.
Her eyes glimred with complex emotions, bearing the nobility’s expected reserve while concealing a girl’s undisguised excitent.
The next mont, she stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed his cheek.
A fleeting touch.
"Looking forward to our next eting, Lord of Red Tide."
Louis stood at the door, watching Emily’s figure gradually fade into the night, the fragrance of her presence lingering in the wind.
He tentatively touched the spot where he had been kissed, the corner of his mouth lifting softly, as if a sudden spring breeze had stirred his heartstrings.
He gently closed the door, turned around, and imdiately t Sif’s gaze.
Sif stood quietly in a corner of the study, silently watching, the light casting fine waves reflected in her eyes.
She said nothing, showing no intense emotion, her expression remaining its usual calm.
But the suppressed emotion was like embers in the fireplace, silently burning in her heart.
Louis paused slightly, awkwardly scratching his head, "I was going to tell you... I didn’t expect it to turn out like this."
Sif looked down, her fingers lightly twisting the hem of her clothes.
"I know," she said softly, "I’ve known for a long ti. My status shouldn’t have any delusions... you are the lord, she is the duke’s daughter."
Her tone tried to remain steady.
But in that mont, Louis saw a hint of grievance flash in her eyes.
He walked over, speaking as gently as possible, "I didn’t an for you to feel this way. I just..."
"I trust you," Sif suddenly interrupted, her voice light yet exceptionally firm.
She raised her head, her eyes brimming with a layer of moisture, yet she forcefully suppressed it from falling.
In the next second, she stood on her tiptoes, suddenly embracing him, softly pressing against him, and kissed him lightly on the lips.
This kiss lacked Emily’s reserve but carried a more direct, almost heart-wrenching trust.
"I trust you, no matter what the future holds... I’ll be by your side." Her voice was soft, yet it lted his heart.
Louis was startled for a mont, then gently wrapped his arms around her.
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