Free Web NovelAfter their cultivation, the two simply washed up and came to the dining room in their outer garments.
The morning sun finally pierced through the thin clouds, illuminating the warm wooden dining table and the simple yet thoughtfully prepared breakfast laid upon it.
Emily had personally instructed the kitchen the day before that she didn't want anything too greasy, so today's meal consisted of fish soup and bread, accompanied by a little salted butter and /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ lightly fried mushrooms.
"It's not luxurious," Louis said, tearing off a piece of bread and slowly chewing it, dipping it in the soup.
"But it's not bad either," Emily replied with a smile, taking a spoonful of fish soup and closing her eyes slightly.
The soup base was made from the whitefin clear eel, a specialty of Red Tide, with tender, delicate flesh and all bones removed, leaving only a mellow, fresh aroma.
"This fish soup is really good."
The two quietly ate breakfast, occasionally exchanging a few soft words, and the entire room was filled with a long-lost sense of tranquility.
After all, the boisterous wedding had passed several days ago.
The lively noble guests and the noisy banquet scenes seemed like a dream, now all dispersed, leaving only the newly married couple to return to their daily routine.
Even Duke Edmund and his wife had departed for Frost Halberd City yesterday.
But compared to their farewell, another departing figure left a deeper impression on Louis.
Eduardo Calvin, his third brother.
When they parted, he smiled and patted Louis's shoulder, saying, "I happen to want to travel and see the world; perhaps I can help you uncover some clues about the Brood Mother."
Louis did not expose his identity, as the more forces involved, the more advantageous it would be for him.
Halfway through breakfast, Emily suddenly seemed to remember something and looked up to ask, "Oh, right, how many gifts did we receive from this wedding?"
Louis's chewing paused slightly, then he chuckled softly: "Hmm — not many, after all, the situation is sensitive, and we deliberately kept a low profile, not inviting too many people."
But he knew that "low profile" merely meant not lavishly inviting people to the banquet.
Which of those Northern nobles wasn't a shrewd person?
Which one didn't immediately order gifts to be prepared and sent to Red Tide as quickly as possible after hearing the news?
The gifts were numerous but generally fell into three categories:
The first category, the most common "expression of sincerity"—gold coins and magic crystals, which could never be too many.
The second category consisted of rare treasures sent by a few genuinely "thoughtful" nobles. For example, Countess Grant personally sent someone with a "Battle Aura Magic Stone" imbued with rich battle aura, said to quickly restore a knight's battle aura.
And the most significant gifts, of course, were the "generous gestures" from the two main families.
The Calvin Family, as Louis's blood relatives, sent almost entirely living and construction resources.
There were large quantities of luxury goods: high-quality grain, spices, fine wines, and Southern silk. freewebnøvel.com
There was a large group of skilled professionals: experienced furriers, tanners, weapon smiths, seasoned herbalists and veterinarians, and even fishermen skilled in fishing in cold regions.
More importantly, these people were not "exiles" but elites screened by the family, willing to serve the new territory.
This was the first time the Calvin Family had allocated such a scale of resources to him under the pretext of a "wedding."
This was no longer just a dowry but a change in attitude, a hint: "You are no longer an peripheral collateral relative, but a core member worth supporting."
On the other hand, the Edmund Family, as always, was "rich in martial virtue":
Hundreds of weapons and equipment: spears, swords, axes, war hammers forged from cold iron, along with matching chainmail and studded leather armor;
A batch of rigorously trained warhorses, and even specialized armor for warhorses and horse-training knights;
The most crucial gift was knights:
In addition to the two Extraordinary Knights who accompanied Emily,
There were also thirty Elite Knights who were directly stationed in Red Tide.
Although three had died during the recent campaign against the Brood Mother, twenty-seven remained, ready to be deployed at any time.
Before leaving, the Duke personally promised to send an additional fifty Elite Knights, two Extraordinary Knights, and seventy Formal Knights as reinforcements.
This was... quite exaggerated.
Louis remembered even blurting out at the time, "As expected of the Lord of the North, knights are being sent out as if they cost nothing."
Of course, this was just a joke, not "recklessly squandering resources."
The real reason was most likely his performance in the battle against the Brood Mother.
Leading a team of only a few dozen, he managed to uproot the Brood Mother, a feat that even Duke Edmund could not ignore.
Coupled with his marriage to Emily, Duke Edmund's most beloved daughter.
Louis knew that this time, he had received Duke Edmund's true "recognition."
However, what was given was indeed a bit too much, directly increasing his knightly forces by more than two or three times.
Louis thought that if he married Emily a few more times, he might just be able to dominate the North!
"This time—we've gained quite a lot of benefits," Louis said, putting down his spoon and looking at Emily, his tone somewhat pleased.
Emily was cutting bread with a small knife and smiled at his words: "You sound like a merchant who just won a big battle."
"Pretty much," he shrugged lightly, his eyes darkening slightly. "But no matter how much stuff there is, if it's not converted into real 'strength,' it's just sitting in a warehouse waiting to be plundered."
Emily stopped and looked at him: "Do you think someone will come to plunder us?"
Louis didn't answer immediately; he just finished the last bit of fish soup in his bowl, as if deep in thought, then said, "It's not that someone will come to plunder, but I have a bad feeling—"
Emily watched him intently, not pressing for details, just looking at him.
"You're also a native of the North," Louis said calmly, with a hint of probing in his tone, "Has this place—ever been peaceful?"
Emily was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"No. The North has never been 'stable.' In the past ten years alone, I've experienced three large-scale disturbances and countless small conflicts."
She paused, a complex emotion in her eyes. "You're right; we should implement these resources now. Otherwise, when the blizzard truly falls, it will be too late to build or raise anything."
Louis looked at her and joked, "So you support me in continuing to spend lavishly and exhaust the people?"
"I support you in preparing for a rainy day," a faint smile appeared on Emily's face. "To be honest, you have more foresight than most lords I've met. Before, I only knew you were very smart; now I realize you—are actually quite patient too."
"Hmm?"
"...And a bit handsome," she finished, picking up her cup and taking a sip of water, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
Louis cleared his throat, but a smile flickered in his eyes.
Breakfast concluded amidst such intermittent conversation.
Although the topics discussed were not light, the atmosphere was not oppressive.
Both seemed to be gradually adapting to each other's rhythm.
After a short rest after the meal, Louis stood up and stretched his body.
"What work do you have later?" Emily asked casually.
"Catching snakes."
"...Catching snakes?"
