She didn’t look at anyone around her.
Including those two young men who had just gained the rights to expand their territories and were in the most exciting moments of their lives.
To her, during this time, too many young nobles had come under her father’s command to register their fiefs and flatter him.
Those two just now, in Emily’s eyes, were merely two random names that popped up from the long list of "reporting for fief" under her father’s command.
Especially since she had just returned from the Red Tide Territory.
After seeing a stunning man like Louis, all other men seemed dim and dull.
"Father," she said softly, bowing slightly.
Duke Edmund smiled as soon as he saw her come in, "How did you feel about your trip to the Red Tide Territory?"
"I just went around the surroundings of Frost Halberd City," Emily replied somewhat reluctantly.
"Don’t pretend," Edmund picked up his wine glass, shook it slightly, and tapped the table edge lightly, "I even know how many sets of casual clothes you brought. Do you really think I check nothing?"
Emily coughed lightly, unable to conceal her smile, and sat opposite her father, "Okay, I just wanted to see him for myself."
"Tsk, a grown-up daughter can’t be kept at home," the Duke shook his head, his smile ambiguous, "Is my daughter about to be taken away?"
"Father!" she glared at him somewhat annoyedly, her cheeks flushed.
"Alright, alright," Edmund spread his hands, the smile deepening, "Then tell me, what did you actually see on this trip?"
"The Red Tide Territory is much better than I thought," Emily’s tone became serious, "The streets are tidy, the public order is good, and the residents feel at ease. I saw many people living with smiles... that wasn’t a performance, they are genuinely striving to live."
"Sounds like a fictional place."
"No," she shook her head and continued, her voice soft but glowing with fervor,
"They call Louis ’the Sun’, saying he’s the one who brings hope. At first, I thought it was a publicity stunt, but their eyes can’t deceive. It’s trust, and also respect."
Edmund stared at her for a few seconds, smiling faintly, "Quite a detailed observation. Looks like my prospective son-in-law has left a good impression on you?"
"I..." Emily bowed her head, saying somewhat shyly, "He is indeed more reliable than I anticipated. He has courage and patience, knows how to govern.
The land ravaged by war is slowly recovering. He’s... a person seriously doing things."
"That’s good," the Duke put down his wine glass, "This way, I can be at ease marrying you off."
"Who said anything about marriage?" Emily snorted lightly, turning her head to avoid looking at him.
"If you don’t want to, can I force you?" Edmund shook his head with a smile, "But you’re saying this too late, your little feelings are already written all over your face."
Emily bit her lip, not arguing back.
The room went quiet for a moment.
"Father," she suddenly said softly, "do you think... he’s worth entrusting my life to?"
Edmund paused, looking at his normally calm and rational daughter, for once somewhat wavering.
He sighed, "I don’t know what the future holds, but there’s no one truly ’worthy’ in this world, only whether you want to believe. At least from your reaction this time, he’s doing well now."
Emily nodded, feeling somewhat complex.
Edmund leaned back in his chair, his gaze resting on her, and sighed softly. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝓷𝓮𝓽
He knew, of course, that his daughter spoke with a few subjective emotions, perhaps even exaggeration.
But precisely because of this, it showed she truly valued that young man.
And if Louis weren’t genuinely capable, she wouldn’t have evaluated him this way.
"It seems, this young man... should not disadvantage my daughter," he thought silently, and his expression relaxed a bit.