CHAPTER 217: CHAPTER 181: ARRIVAL (PART 2)

The sunlight slanted across a few strands of silver at her temples, softening the always dignified profile.

She recalled how much she had once resisted this marriage.

The Northern Territory was barren, and the Red Tide Territory was merely a frontier establishment for just over a year.

The young man named Louis, though he came from the Calvin Clan, one of the "Eight Great Clans" like the Edmund Family, he was ultimately just a rootless Pioneer Noble. What could he truly offer Emily?

Though not Emily’s biological mother, she had personally raised her since she was six.

She couldn’t bear to see this intelligent and gentle girl marry off to such a desolate place.

She had hoped Emily could stay in the Imperial Capital, or marry into the warm, prosperous South to enjoy a truly comfortable and luxurious noble life, not endure hardships in the North, accompanying a young man to "build an empire."

But now it seemed she might have been too pessimistic initially.

She saw clean villages, bountiful fields, and bustling markets without chaos, a well-prepared wedding, and respect in every staff member’s eyes.

Footsteps lightly resonated.

Emily approached, wearing a pale blue gown adorned with their family crest.

She didn’t disturb her mother’s contemplation, instead quietly walking to her side, lightly wrapping her arm around hers.

"Mother," she softly called.

Alina turned her head, looking at the girl she had raised, myriad complex emotions flickering in her eyes.

She slowly lifted her hand, gently resting it on the back of Emily’s hand.

"I really used to worry you’d suffer," she said softly, her tone light, "I tried persuading your father to marry you to the South, so you wouldn’t endure hardship later."

She paused, looking toward the distant children dancing by the street, then glancing once more at the distant city walls and guard towers where soldiers stood straight.

"But look," she said softly, "this city is built more orderly than your father’s domain; and people smile... as if without fear. I find myself feeling at ease."

Emily remained silent, only tightening her grip on her mother’s hand, tears silently welling in her eyes.

The Governor’s Wife sighed gently, but smiled: "Maybe marrying here isn’t really wronging you."

"Mm..." Emily softly responded, her cheeks slightly flushed, resting gently on her mother’s shoulder.

In her mother’s eyes, she had entrusted her fate.

And this trust, her mother could finally willingly let go.

...

The sunlight in Red Tide City was slightly blinding.

Pal Calvin rode on horseback, his cape billowing in the wind, yet his gaze remained as cold as ever.

Pal disliked noise and disliked weddings even more, and he had initially wanted to refuse.

But his father coldly commanded in a letter, "Support your brother’s wedding."

The family had too few people in the Northern Territory, so his father sent him to offer some support.

He was highly dissatisfied with this marriage.

He had seen Emily once from afar at Frost Halberd.

At that time, Emily was like a red plum in the snow, passing by him with the grace of an alpine flower.

Pal thought she would fall for a noble type like himself, silent, resilient, and self-reliant.

Not someone like the Baron of Expansion, who relied on good fortune and effortlessly won favor.

Yet she chose Louis.

It was as if a flower was stuck in cow dung!

"That guy just happened to stumble upon fertile land and conveniently cling to Miss Frost Spear," Pal gritted his teeth.

He was dissatisfied, of course, dissatisfied.

In the beginning, to exhibit his spirit of "I can conquer the world on my own," he refused the Governor’s offer of land near Red Tide.

He personally selected Wolf Plain Slope south of the Cold Mist River, choosing it based on intelligence about its rich mineral resources and potential for trade.

But reality proved harsher than he imagined.

Unyielding Permafrost was as hard to cultivate as ascending the heavens, thriving only with recent support from his second brother, managing barely to survive on the limited accumulated food and morale.

Yet he refused to acknowledge failure.

"Others would have collapsed long ago, but I stayed strong, which is proof in itself."

He always believed that with complete resources and sufficient support, he would absolutely exceed that "fate-blessed guy!"

Even if his clothes were muddied now, and the carriage that brought him to Red Tide was rickety and trembling.

Standing beyond the city gates, seeing the rows of red and white ribbons and knights in formation, he still snorted inwardly.

"Is this all their pomp? Hmph, when my Wolf Plain rises, one day I’ll have them all see."

But before that... he still had to hold up this "family support" task.

Perhaps he could seize the opportunity to see Emily once more.

Just to prove to himself: "She chose wrong."

Pal trotted through the streets of Red Tide City, his eyes involuntarily wandering.

His gaze initially held contempt, even almost hoping to witness a spectacle. However, as he traveled, his expression gradually hardened.

The city gates were heavily guarded, soldiers standing with arms, armor gleaming and expressions solemn.

Unlike some noble displays, these men truly experienced combat.

"Tsk, but that’s all it is," he smirked, mouth hardening in arrogance.

But before he could finish his sneering, his words were cut short by the scenes within the city.

The streets were surprisingly clean for the Northern Territory.

Shops hung banners in red and blue, children ran through alleys, and someone shouted, "Hurry! The Lord’s wedding is about to start!"

Further away, a few older children surrounded the younger ones telling stories.

Stories of the "Red Tide Sun," who defeated the Snow Swearer at the Battle of Qingyu Ridge, saving three villages.