Free Web NovelOn the night after the Spring Festival, the Red Tide Lord's office was quiet and warm. The noise of the banquet had long since faded, and a warm fire burned in the fireplace, illuminating the stone walls and bookshelves. The air still carried the scent of mead and stewed meat.
Louis took off his cloak and had just sat down at his desk, preparing to deal with a few post-festival government documents.
Just then, a guard knocked and entered, speaking in a low, cautious tone: "My Lord, a woman requests an audience. She claims to be Emily Edmond."
Louis's quill paused slightly in his hand. He looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Emily Edmond?"
He had thought that this noble-born fiancée would quietly depart after observing everything in Red Tide.
He hadn't expected her to choose to appear voluntarily after the festival; this surprised him somewhat.
"Please bring her here," Louis said in a deep voice.
The guard nodded in response and quickly left.
The wooden door of the Red Tide Lord's castle gently opened, and a gust of night wind blew in, followed by the sound of the young woman's footsteps, light and firm. Emily stepped into the study, wearing a dark blue gown with her cloak fluttering slightly behind her, and a silver eagle emblem, symbolizing the Edmund Family, pinned to her chest.
Her blue hair fell over her shoulders, making her appear cool and dignified. Her features were exquisite and sculpted, and her figure was slender and upright.
Every step she took carried the self-possession and elegance characteristic of a noble.
She had come, shedding her mask, and stood before this young Lord as her true self.
Emily's gaze fell upon Louis.
At that moment, he looked up from his documents, the golden-red firelight from the hearth casting a gentle glow on his face.
His eyes were clear, his face calm, and dressed in his black and gold uniform, he appeared more solemn and steady than he had at the banquet.
Emily felt her heart skip a beat, as if it had paused for a moment.
On the other side, Louis looked at her, his eyes subtly brightening.
She was an undeniable noble lady: dignified, calm, with a steady and self-possessed demeanor.
However, Louis still caught a glimpse of the faint tension in her eyes.
"Emily Edmond," Emily stood still and bowed, her voice clear and composed, "Or rather, your future fiancée."
Louis rose, returning a polite gesture: "My father has indeed written to me about this matter."
"I came here to observe what kind of person you are," Emily met his gaze, her tone frank. "This marriage alliance is very important to me, so I must personally judge whether it is worthwhile."
She lowered her eyelashes slightly, her voice softer but exceptionally sincere: "I hope to make the decision myself."
A moment of silence passed, the firelight flickering on Louis's handsome face. His expression was calm, showing no surprise.
"Aren't you angry?" Emily asked softly.
"No," Louis smiled, his tone gentle. "I understand your actions. If it were me, I would do the same."
He didn't expose her disguise at the banquet, but rather, with a reassuring and silent acceptance, he embraced her probing and her doubts.
At this moment, Emily's eyelashes trembled. She smiled as if relieved, the corners of her lips curving, beautiful almost beyond words.
Louis invited her to sit, and they sat across from each other at the desk, the faint glow of the fireplace reflecting on their faces.
"The Red Tide Territory is much better than I imagined," Emily began, bringing up the topic that interested her most. "The streets are clean, the houses are orderly, and the people have smiles on their faces. I never thought I'd see such a decent territory in the Northern Region."
Louis replied calmly: "It is my honor to receive Miss Edmond's praise. Red Tide was originally desolate. It is through everyone's collective effort that it has become what it is today. I merely happened to stand before them."
"But not every Lord is willing to do that," she added softly, her blue eyes looking at him. "When I passed through the market,
an old man pulled me aside and said, 'Our Lord is the sun, the only fire on a snowy day.'"
Louis chuckled: "It seems I need to ask someone to thank that old man. He helped me earn some impression points." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Emily laughed, her blue eyes curving as she looked at him, unable to tear her gaze away.
"What you're doing might not only change Red Tide but also the entire Northern Region," she said softly.
Louis shrugged: "That's too heavy a burden. I only intend to manage my own small domain well."
They talked like this for a long time, the atmosphere gradually transitioning from initial probing to a warm ease, as if both had silently shed their armor.
As the conversation deepened, the atmosphere between them subtly changed.
Emily's hands, holding the teacup, were no longer stiff. She exhaled, her gaze gentle, finally shedding the rational shell she had worn at their first meeting. freewebnσvel.cѳm
"Actually, I'm not that resistant to the marriage alliance, it's just that I don't want to hand over my future blindly," Emily paused, her expression a little, "Meeting you today, I feel that my father's choice might not have been wrong."
"Thank you for your trust," Louis smiled slightly.
Emily's eyelashes trembled gently. She said no more, only nodding softly.
A moment later, she stood up, gracefully tidying her cloak: "I will set off tomorrow to return to Frost Halberd City. My father is waiting for my report."
"You are welcome to visit again," Louis also stood up and reached out to open the door for her.
Outside, the night wind gently brushed, stirring her blue hair.
Emily walked to the door, then suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked up into his eyes.
"You truly surprise me," she said softly.
Her eyes sparkled with complex emotions, holding both the reserve expected of a noble lady and the barely concealed flutter of a young girl.
The next second, she stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed him on the cheek.
A fleeting touch.
"I ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) look forward to seeing you again, Lord of Red Tide."
Louis stood at the doorway, watching Emily's figure gradually disappear into the night. The scent of her still lingered in the wind.
He reached up and touched the spot where he had just been kissed, the corner of his mouth involuntarily curving upwards, as if his heartstrings had been stirred by a sudden spring breeze.
He gently closed the door and turned around. As soon as he looked up, his gaze met Sif's.
Sif stood in a corner of the study, watching silently. The light caught her eyes, reflecting a myriad of tiny ripples.
She didn't speak, nor did she show any strong emotions; her face remained as calm as ever.
But that suppressed emotion was like a spark in the hearth, silently burning in her heart.
Louis paused slightly, scratching his head a little awkwardly: "I was going to tell you. I didn't expect it to turn out this way."
Sif lowered her head, her fingers gently twisting the corner of her clothes.
"I know," she said softly. "I've known for a long time that my status shouldn't allow for such delusions—you are the Lord, she is a Duke's daughter."
She tried her best to keep her tone steady.
But in that instant, Louis saw the hint of grievance that flashed in her eyes.
He walked over, his voice as gentle as possible: "I didn't mean to make you feel this way. I just—"
"I trust you," Sif suddenly interrupted him, her voice very soft, yet exceptionally firm.
She looked up, her eyes brimming with moisture, but she forcibly held it back, not letting it fall.
The next second, she stood on tiptoe and suddenly embraced him, pressing softly against him, and gently kissed him on the lips.
This kiss lacked Emily's reserve, but it held a more direct, almost heartbreaking trust.
"I trust you, no matter what happens in the future—I will be by your side." Her voice was soft, yet it melted his heart. Louis paused for a moment, then gently put his arms around her.
