It isn't too out of plot for Mildred to be this naïve of Walford's intentions at least according to the novel. In the novel (if I remember correctly) Mildred hopes to marry potentially Iris to Daniel Walford since she considerers herself too old for him (older woman x younger man was more frowned upon than younger woman x older man) and that his age while a bit old for Iris is not out of the acceptable range. Her hope is that maybe she can give at least Iris and Lily a better chance at life than she got.
She isn't terribly concerned with Ashley's marriage since she was predetermined to be Cinderella and marry the prince with love at first sight. She is more concerned with Iris and Lily since they are no longer part of Baron Rivera's family seeing as they have left along with their mother since they have no other male relatives to care for them or potentially male relatives willing to care for their best interests. Iris and Lily aren't necessarily perfect matches to idealized beauty in the story (even though I think they are extremely pretty in the manhwa!) causing her even more concern for sending them off with good dowries (nearly all of her jewelry) even if they are both of aristocratic blood. Meanwhile Ashley will not likely require a dowry since she is not of aristocratic blood therefore less expectation, but still in relation to aristocrats. This would be acceptable since a plague has come through leaving reduced aristocrats or marriable age along with many aristocrats falling to poverty or marrying wealthy commoners (like Mil).
She isn't terribly concerned with Ashley's marriage since she was predetermined to be Cinderella and marry the prince with love at first sight. She is more concerned with Iris and Lily since they are no longer part of Baron Rivera's family seeing as they have left along with their mother since they have no other male relatives to care for them or potentially male relatives willing to care for their best interests. Iris and Lily aren't necessarily perfect matches to idealized beauty in the story (even though I think they are extremely pretty in the manhwa!) causing her even more concern for sending them off with good dowries (nearly all of her jewelry) even if they are both of aristocratic blood. Meanwhile Ashley will not likely require a dowry since she is not of aristocratic blood therefore less expectation, but still in relation to aristocrats. This would be acceptable since a plague has come through leaving reduced aristocrats or marriable age along with many aristocrats falling to poverty or marrying wealthy commoners (like Mil).
Code:
Mod Note: Please use spoiler tags when talking about chapter-specific or future events.
