Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 142 Emily Makes a Decision

The brief silence in the hall seemed to be pierced by a lit spark.

The first to react was an old craftsman sitting in the corner. He raised his ceramic cup high and shouted, "Long live the Red Tide! Long live Lord Louis!"

Immediately afterwards, the sound erupted from all directions like a torrent.

"Long live!"

Long live the Red Tide!!

"Cheers to Lord Louis!!"

Applause, shouts, and the clinking of glasses blended into a wave of excitement, as if the entire hall was trembling.

Some people were so excited that their eyes reddened, some clenched their fists and waved them incessantly, and some shouted while gulping down a large mouthful of strong liquor, their faces bearing a long-lost, joyful smile.

The gratitude on their faces was not blind worship, but heartfelt recognition.

Emily sat at the table, her heart pounding with each shout of "Long live the Red Tide!"

This was not only the climax of a banquet, but also the awakening of the soul of a territory.

During the ensuing banquet, laughter and clinking glasses filled the air as a group of children, led by their servants, excitedly ran onto the small stage.

An older child straightened his back, cleared his throat like an adult, and called out:
"We are Red Tide Children's Theatre! We bring you the story of 'Great Lord Louis uses his cunning to thwart the evil Snowsworn's plot'!"

A burst of laughter and applause immediately erupted from the audience.

The young actors were assigned roles: the tallest, Karl, wore a "lord's cloak" that was obviously made from a tablecloth, and looked extremely solemn. He played Louis, and his lines repeatedly emphasized "protecting the peace of the Red Tide Territory".

Several children, wearing homemade "Snow Oath" masks, brandished wooden swords and played the villains.

Another group of the youngest children simply played the roles of "flowers, grass, and trees," shaking paper leaves in their hands and using their childish movements to piece together a scene of a "granary."

The climax is Louis's clever plan to defeat the enemy.

Karl shouted, "Ignite the Fire Demon Bomb!"

Immediately, all the children in the "Granary" crew fell to the ground with a "bang," creating a deafening "explosion" effect.

This drew laughter and cheers from the audience.

Following this were several song and dance performances: some were folk songs praising Lord Louis for quelling the war and rebuilding his home, while others were choruses praising the hard work and dedication of the people.

The entire hall was filled with a simple yet warm and joyful atmosphere.

Emily's mind was hardly on these shows.

Her gaze kept drifting involuntarily towards the young lord sitting on the high seat.

Watching him raise his glass amidst laughter, calm and composed; watching him occasionally lower his head and whisper to the manager beside him, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Those programs were interesting, and there were even a few scenes that made her smile.

But in Emily's mind, those same questions kept echoing:
How did this person get to where they are today?
What is he really thinking?
If they become husband and wife, will she be able to truly enter this person's world?

……

Emily stared blankly, slightly lost in thought, even forgetting to put down her wine glass.

“Louis…” she murmured the name in her heart, her curiosity and budding longing filling her as she quietly imagined their future.

And so, the lively and bustling banquet finally came to an end. The guests left in twos and threes, smiling and saying goodbye, carrying with them a lingering sense of satisfaction.

But Emily barely heard the final farewell words.

She sat there, lost in thought, her heart pounding as if gently stirred, unable to calm down for a long time.

The laughter, the children's performance, and the toasts all seemed like a hazy dream.

Only the image of Louis, the man on the high seat, remained vividly clear in her mind.

"What's wrong with me..." she murmured softly, trying to remain calm, but her heart felt like it was being licked by flames, burning unbearably.

She returned to her residence, still unable to shake off her wild thoughts.

Standing in front of the mirror, her eyes flickered uncertainly in the candlelight.

Finally, as if she had made a decision, Emily took a deep breath and turned to look at Nora, who was standing guard beside her.

“Nora,” she said softly but firmly, “help me remove my makeup.”

Nora was taken aback, hesitated for a moment: "But Miss..."

Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Emily's unusually bright eyes.

It was a resolute light, carrying with it anticipation, tension, and courage.

Nora opened her mouth, but in the end she didn't ask anything more. She just nodded silently and skillfully removed the makeup from her face.

The shadows that had been drawn out were erased, the colors that had been covered up faded, and the face of the person in the mirror seemed to be reborn.

The scar that had been deliberately drawn disappeared without a trace along with the watermark.

Instead, she possessed an undeniably stunningly beautiful face.

A high-bridged nose, deep blue eyes, carrying the coldness and sharpness unique to the North.

Like a flower blooming on a snowfield, cold yet beautiful.

At that moment, the slightly weathered businesswoman, who seemed to be hidden among the crowd, completely disappeared.

Instead, the real Emily Edmund was replaced.

The noble lady, once hailed as the "Flower of the North," now stands up with a newfound determination, elegant yet with a touch of heroism.

"Change the cloak," she said softly.

He casually pulled off the drab gray hooded cloak and changed into the dark blue dress that had been prepared beforehand.

The brocade shimmered under the light, outlining her tall and slender figure, exuding both dignity and a sense of authority.

She gently straightened her skirt, looked up at her reflection in the mirror, and a faint light burned in her eyes.

“Nora,” she said slowly, her voice carrying an undeniable authority, “summon one of the Red Tide’s guards.”

Before long, the steady footsteps of the guards could be heard outside the door.

When the door opened, the guard was momentarily stunned. Who was this?

Hasn't this place always been inhabited by only one low-profile businesswoman?

How did such a stunningly beautiful woman with extraordinary temperament suddenly appear?

But he still politely asked, "Miss, what can I do for you?"

Emily slowly turned around, raised her chin, and said in a haughty tone, "Please go and inform Viscount Calvin that his fiancée, Emily Edmund, requests an audience."

Upon hearing the surname, he was startled and almost reflexively straightened his back, not daring to question it in the slightest.

"Yes, sir! I'll go and report right away!" the guard replied hastily, turning and leaving swiftly.

The door closed again, and the room fell silent once more.

Emily slowly exhaled, gazing towards the door, her hands unconsciously clenching the hem of her skirt.

“Louis…” she whispered his name in her heart, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and trepidation.

(End of this chapter)