Chapter 217: Chapter 217 - 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.