Free Web NovelThe faint morning light filtered through the window, quietly spilling into the room.
A thin, mist-like layer of morning glow cast soft, hazy shadows on the floor and along the bed, reflecting the room's stillness as if time had stopped.
The lingering warmth of last night's fireworks hadn't completely dissipated, like the fading echo of a dream.
Louis slowly opened his eyes.
He didn't get up immediately, but instinctively looked to his side.
Sif was quietly curled up in his arms, her posture a little cautious, yet holding an unconscious dependence.
Her silver-white short hair was scattered on the pillow, like a layer of frost quietly covering a snowy night.
Her brows and eyes were peaceful, her pale cheeks tinged with a hint of red from sleep, and her breathing was steady and warm.
Last night, she didn't say anything; after the dance ended, she simply stayed by his side in silence, not uttering a word.
Louis knew she had sensed his hesitation, ambiguity, and even avoidance.
She was too smart not to know that the fireworks weren't prepared for her, and she wouldn't misunderstand the understatement behind his “dance partner invitation.”
Yet, she still smiled, and still extended her hand.
“You’ve worked hard,” he murmured softly, as if speaking to her, and also to himself.
He slowly sat up, his movements extremely light, as if not wanting to disturb the sleeping girl in his arms.
His right hand gently lifted, and his palm waved.
Accompanied by a soft “Whoosh,” a translucent light screen slowly unfolded before him, revealing the familiar ice-blue interface.
【Daily Intelligence Update Complete】
【1: The Supreme Mage has decided to dispatch three Archmages and an elite Silver Mask Squad to the northern border of the Iron-Blood Empire to investigate the Worm-Eaten Household attack.】
【2: Vik’s investigation has found that the Worm-Eaten Household has begun to exhibit organized tactical behavior, suspected of intelligent evolution; a team has been dispatched for in-depth investigation.】
【3: Eduardo: Calvin, by order of the Golden Feather Flower Papal Church Bishop, has gone to the northern border to investigate the disappearance of Grand Mage Jürgen Loken.】
The blue light screen, suspended in mid-air, gently trembled before his eyes, and lines of intelligence automatically scrolled and refreshed.
Louis watched quietly, his right hand tapping his knee, his mood fluctuating with the three pieces of intelligence. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
The first one: Archmages and the Silver Mask Squad will personally go to the northern border to investigate the Worm-Eaten Household.
His lips unconsciously curved upwards a little; this was good news.
For Magician Forest to deploy individuals of “Archmage” level indicated that they finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
This would not only reduce his own pressure but also meant that higher-level forces were intervening, which could shield him from a lot of trouble and suspicion in a short time.
Furthermore, if the existence of the insect corpses could be eliminated by them, he wouldn't have to worry anymore. The second one: Vik’s side found that the Worm-Eaten Household had begun to exhibit organized behavior and tracked the traces of Worm-Eaten Household activity.
Louis nodded, another piece of good news, but there was nothing much to say; he hoped he could uncover more truth.
But just then, his gaze fell on the third piece of intelligence.
At that moment, his brow slowly furrowed.
Eduardo: Calvin.
His third brother’s name appearing on the intelligence list should have been a perfectly ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ normal thing. But the problem lay in the suffix of his identity.
“By order of the Golden Feather Flower Papal Church Bishop.”
Louis’s gaze froze.
The Golden Feather Flower Papal Church? That was the ruling body of the Golden Feather Flower Theocracy.
Everyone throughout the empire knew that this theocracy was at odds with the Iron-Blood Empire, and could even be said to be its most important enemy faction. And now his third brother was appearing in the northern border as an “Envoy of the Bishop,” and coincidentally had to investigate the disappearance of Grand Mage Jürgen Loken, which was closely related to him.
His fingertips moved slightly, the words on the intelligence screen reflected in his eyes, yet unable to hide the turmoil of his thoughts.
“When did he get involved with the Golden Feather Flower Papal Church? Does Father know about this?”
This was the first thought that flashed through his mind. If his father didn’t know, then it was too dangerous.
If his father knew, then this was probably a fallback plan he had laid out.
After all, the Emperor’s actions in recent years had become increasingly overbearing, forcing various great nobles to secretly or openly prepare their escape routes.
The Calvin Family should be no exception.
He wasn't sure if his third brother was attending his wedding, investigating the Archmage, or using the Church’s name to lay out plans in the northern border.
Perhaps all three.
But no matter what, such a person appearing at this time absolutely could not be ignored.
Not to mention the subject he was investigating was Yulgen Loken.
The missing Archmage, who died right before him, and was closely related to the Original Meditation Technique in his mind.
“Good,” he reached out and closed the light screen with a gesture, the blue light slowly dissipating.
Louis intended to guide him, to shift his attention to the Worm-Eaten Household.
The more people he could involve in the murky waters of the insect corpses, the safer he would be.
The more people who got involved, the more shields he would have against the wind and rain.
Then he still looked with some disappointment at the spot where the light screen finally disappeared.
“Still no direct core intelligence on the insect corpses.”
Outside, the sky was tinged with red, like a gently crumpled red ribbon, slowly unfurling along the silhouette of the distant mountains, shimmering in the clean evening breeze unique to the northern border in July.
Inside the Governor’s Mansion dressing room, a silver mirror hung high, and white gauze hung halfway, like a stage curtain.
Emily stood before the mirror, her skirt slightly lifted, her fingertips gently caressing the neckline of her wedding gown.
This was her third time trying on this dress, and also the last.
The wedding gown was dark red, with a finely woven pattern, and gold threads snaked down from the shoulders, embroidered with the flying eagle and snow pine, symbols of the northern border.
A pale gold sash was tied at her waist, perfectly accentuating her upright figure.
She stood there, like a crimson rose on a snowfield, upright, elegant, and with a chilling aura that kept others at a distance.
Emily had a typical Edmund Family face, with clear features, blade-like eyebrows, and deep, calm, and cold eyes.
Her hair color inherited her mother’s softness; it was long blue hair, now styled into the “Oath” updo of northern border nobility, with a few strands falling by her neck, catching a golden glow in the candlelight.
She stared at herself in the mirror, her gaze focused and complex. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Her lips curved slightly upwards, but without a smile, as if she was trying to adapt to a new identity.
“So, it’s really time to... depart,” she said softly, her voice like a feather brushing a clean tabletop.
Emily exhaled gently, then turned to the maid beside her: “Please put this wedding gown away. I’ll wear it when we set off tomorrow.”
“Yes, young lady.”
Only three months had passed since Emily decided to accept this marriage proposal.
“It’s too cunning, isn’t it? He only said ‘Welcome to Red Tide Territory,’ but I’ve already started looking forward to him holding my hand.
I’ve started worrying if the headpiece for the wedding will be too unfashionable.”
She sat on the chair, hugging her knees, and rested her head gently on them, murmuring softly.
“What color suit will he—wear? Will he think my wedding gown is too formal? Or will he wait for me to approach very seriously, then smile and take me over?”
As she thought, she looked at the half-written papers scattered on the flower-vine wooden chair nearby.
She had originally wanted to write something, either a family letter or a farewell statement before the wedding.
But when she picked up the pen, she only felt that blankness was far heavier than words.
The closer the wedding got, the more lost she felt, even though this wasn't her usual personality.
A light knock came from outside the door.
“Come in.”
The door creaked open. It was her mother—no, her stepmother, but Emily never called her that.
To her, the woman who had gently taken her hand when she was six years old and had always stayed by her side was her true mother.
“Are you all ready?”
Her mother wore a simple dark blue long dress, her hair styled into the traditional northern border bun, looking even gentler than usual.
“Hmm, almost,” Emily nodded.
She stood up and obediently walked over to sit beside her mother.
Her mother gently smoothed a few strands of hair that had been ruffled by the wind, then offered her a cup of hot tea.
“I remember when you were little and first attended a court ball, you wouldn’t even let me touch your hair to tie it up. You insisted on braiding a crooked pigtail yourself.”
“That’s because I was afraid you’d make my hair too ‘obedient’!” Emily protested softly.
Her mother smiled, gently tapping her forehead with her fingertip.
“From that moment on, I knew you were an eagle that would fly away. You would one day fly out of this castle and forge your own path.”
“But this time, I’m flying a bit far,” Emily said softly, but there was no hesitation in her voice.
“I—even though I’ve only met him once, I know he’s not the kind of person who lives off his family—”
“I believe he won’t let me fall. Even if I fly far, I’m not afraid.”
Her mother looked at her, a moment of fleeting distraction.
“You’ve grown into a woman, Emily. Faster than I imagined.”
She gently embraced Emily, resting her against her shoulder.
“If ever you feel wronged, no matter how far, just write back. Even if I can’t do anything for you, I’ll let you know you’re not alone.”
Emily hugged her mother tightly and nodded: “I won’t be wronged. I wouldn’t let you see something like that.”
The next morning, before dawn, the sound of rolling carriage wheels and low thudding hooves already echoed on the stone road in front of the Edmund Mansion.
A grand procession of dowry carriages lined up in the morning mist, red-bottomed, gold-patterned carriage flags gently fluttering in the wind, with over a dozen exquisite carriages lined up in a row.
Chests were stacked as high as small mountains, containing gold and silver vessels, ceremonial tools, wedding dresses and combs, and even Emily's personal sword for sword practice was placed within.
Guards and servants performed their duties, imposing yet not ostentatious.
Emily, dressed in a dark blue traveling robe and cloak, slowly descended the stone steps.
Her stepmother held her arm, and they walked side by side towards the carriage procession, their hair damp with the morning dew, their expressions gentle.
“Father said he would depart a little later,” Emily said softly.
“He’ll make it to the wedding,” her mother tightened her grip on her hand.
Bells chimed, and the procession slowly set off, heading towards the Red Tide Territory.
