Moonlight Like Water (1)

As dusk approached, the streets filled with people hurrying home after a long day's work. Candles and oil lamps flickered to life in some of the houses lining the streets, their dim glow and the occasional aroma of stew prompting passersby to quicken their pace. Perhaps, at that moment, a simple yet warm dinner was all they longed for.

A light carriage made its way slowly down the street. The uniformed coachman occasionally tugged on the reins, slowing the Draimon Striped Horse pulling the carriage to avoid people crossing the road. This caused the horse to grow impatient, tossing its head and snorting.

The coachman looked back and asked respectfully, "Sir, we've arrived at the Phoenix Tail Flower Street District in the East City. Where would you like to disembark?"

Lorist snapped back to attention with a startled "Ah." He glanced around and pointed ahead, saying, "A little further. See that four-story building with the pointed roof? Stop by the alley entrance next to it."

The carriage stopped at the alley entrance.

"How much?"

"30 copper coins, sir."

Lorist fumbled for two small silver coins and handed them over. The coachman returned ten copper coins.

Lorist took only five copper coins. "The remaining five are a token of my appreciation for your service."

The coachman, delighted, took off his hat and bowed. "Thank you for your generosity, sir. I wish you a pleasant evening."

In Molent City, people were accustomed to using the four types of metal currency issued by the Forde Commercial Alliance. The first was the gold coin, bearing the profile of Grand Duke Fude of Molent, also known as Gold Fude. The second was a silver coin featuring a sailing ship on the sea; its official name was the White Sail Silver Coin, but due to its large size and weight, people called it a large silver coin. The third was also a silver coin, depicting the city walls of Molent City. Originally called the City Wall Silver Coin, it was known as the small silver coin because it was only one-third the size and weight of the large silver coin. The last was the brass coin, the most widely circulated. In the center of the brass coin was a simple pentagram, and people sometimes referred to it as a copper coin or copper.

One Gold Fude was equivalent to twenty large silver coins, one large silver coin to five small silver coins, and one small silver coin to twenty copper coins. With the development of the Forde Commercial Alliance and the expansion of its sphere of influence, these four currencies had become the standard currency in more and more countries and regions. Some kingdoms and duchies no longer issued their own currency, instead entrusting the Forde Commercial Alliance to mint these four currencies for them as reserve funds.

At the alley entrance, a fruit vendor who hadn't yet packed up his stall stared at Lorist for a moment before exclaiming in surprise and delight, "Hey, Little Locke! Where have you been all this time? Haven't seen you for over half a year. Come, try these new strawberries, they're very sweet!"

Lorist smiled and nodded. "Uncle Jiro, business is good? I went out of town for a while, it was for the academy. I just got back."

He picked up a strawberry, took a bite, and praised, "They're good, very sweet. Uncle Jiro, weigh two pounds for me. Oh, and a box of those honey fruit candies too."

"Alright." The fruit vendor began weighing the strawberries while glancing around. Seeing no one paying attention, he lowered his voice and asked, "Little Locke, what happened between you and Miss Winsor? While you were gone these past six months, I often saw a nobleman escorting her home, and then leaving together the next morning. And last month, a troop of guards and knights came and took several carriages, saying they were taking Madam Winsor and Young Master Billingham back to their country to inherit their territory. Do you know about these things?"

Lorist nodded, then shook his head. "I know some things, and some things I don't want to know. Uncle Jiro, we actually broke up half a year ago. I'm just here to pick up my luggage this time. If you need me in the future, you can find me at the academy. I'm living there now."

"Ah! So that's how it is. It's a real shame for you both. Sigh! That'll be three small silver coins." The fruit vendor sighed as he handed over the strawberries in a paper bag and the box of honey fruit candies.

Lorist paid for the items, took the strawberries and candies, and said with a smile, "Everyone has their own aspirations; you can't force things. If you get along, you stay together; if you don't, you part ways. It's no big deal. Goodbye, Uncle Jiro."

Turning away, Lorist's smile vanished, and his face darkened. She dared to openly bring a lover home to spend the night, causing gossip among the neighbors. She was forcing me to break up with her, so decisive.

The alley was narrow, only wide enough for one carriage to pass. It wasn't long either, about ten meters. Exiting the alley, there was a small open space. Facing the space were three four-story dark red buildings with pointed roofs. On either side of the space were two- or three-story flat-roofed houses made of wood and earth, of varying heights.

A girl of four or five, wearing a floral dress, sat alone on the steps of a two-story building on the left, head bowed as she played with something. Seeing Lorist emerge from the alley, she glanced at him, then froze. She rubbed her eyes, and upon recognizing him, jumped up excitedly and ran towards Lorist.

The girl's clear laughter was like a sweet spring, flowing into Lorist's heart. Lorist also laughed heartily, half-crouched down, opened his arms, and hugged the little girl tightly before standing up and spinning her around a few times.

"Little Lonnie, what were you doing just now? Where's your grandma?"

"I was waiting for Daddy to come home. Grandma is cooking," Little Lonnie replied in a childish voice.

"Heh heh, Little Lonnie is so cute. Come, let Brother Locke give you a kiss."

"Nooooo..." Little Lonnie giggled and shook her head desperately, dodging Lorist's attempt to kiss her.

In the end, Lorist succeeded.

"Hmph!" Little Lonnie rubbed her face with her hand, looking very angry. "Brother Locke is the worst! You haven't visited me for so long, and you always tickle my face with your beard. I'm going to tell Daddy to spank your butt..."

"Heh heh..." Lorist chuckled happily and took out the honey fruit candies. "Look, what's this?"

"Ah! It's fruit candy! Little Lonnie's favorite! Brother Locke is the best." Little Lonnie's gaze fixed on the candy, her stance changing rapidly.

Lorist chuckled helplessly and handed the candy to Little Lonnie. "Don't eat too much tonight, or your teeth will hurt."

"En, I know. Thank you, Brother Locke. I'm going to show Grandma." Little Lonnie ran off quickly, clutching the candy.

Little Lonnie's father, Morander, was a Silver Swordsman serving in the Molent City Guard. Little Lonnie's mother had passed away early, and her grandmother had raised her with great hardship. Little Lonnie waited by her doorstep every day for her father to come home, but due to his profession, he only had three days of leave per month to visit her.

Watching Little Lonnie disappear into her two-story house, Lorist turned around and walked towards the three dark red, pointed-roofed buildings, carrying the paper bag of strawberries. This was where he had lived for three years.

He knocked on the bronze door knocker. After a moment, the door opened. The maid who opened it, Lina, was surprised to see Lorist standing outside, her hand flying to her mouth.

Lorist smiled gently. "May I come in? Lina?"

"Ah, of course, please come in, Young Master Locke."

After closing the door, the maid, Lina, followed Lorist nervously, unsure where to put her hands.

Lorist handed her the paper bag of strawberries. "I bought them at the alley entrance. They're sweet and fresh. Lina, take them and try some."

"Ah, thank you, Young Master Locke. You're always so polite." Lina took the paper bag with hurried thanks.

Returning here after half a year gave Lorist a feeling of revisiting old grounds. "Don't be nervous, Lina. I'm just here to collect my luggage this time. Is my stuff still in the original room?"

"Ah, yes. After you left, the young lady didn't let us clean it. The door has been locked, though she herself has gone in a few times."

"There's also half the furniture missing here. Are you preparing to leave too?" Lorist asked, looking at the rather empty hall.

"Yes, the young lady sold this house, and we have to move out before the end of the month."

"Did you sell the shop on Triumphal Avenue too?" Lorist asked.

Lina shook her head. "I'm not sure about that, but I heard Susie say they're looking for a buyer, though the price hasn't been settled yet."

Lorist sighed. "It seems your young lady has decided not to return this time."

Lina nodded and looked at Lorist. "Young Master Locke, shall I make you some tea?"

"Alright, I might not be able to drink tea made by Rina again, so I must savor it today."

Soon, Rina brought over a cup of hot tea. Lorist took a deep breath and praised, "It's still so fragrant. Rina, your tea-making skills haven't declined at all."

Rina lowered her head and asked softly, "Young Master Locke, are you really going to break up with Miss?"

Lorist stared at the steaming teacup, silent for a long while before replying leisurely, "Rina, it's not that I want to break up with your Miss, but that your Miss is forcing me to break up with her. You know the facts, especially what your Miss has done during the six months I've been away. Don't tell me you don't know. She's desperate to reclaim her family's territory. As for me, I can only leave after wishing her success."

Rina hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said resolutely, "But, but I always feel like Miss's choice is wrong. She shouldn't be separating from you..."

Lorist smiled, "Rina, not everyone thinks that way. Your Miss has her own considerations."

Saying that, Lorist stood up. "Alright, I've had Rina's tea. I'll go upstairs to take a look, pack my things, and have them transported away tomorrow morning."

"Ah, Young Master Locke, wait, I'll get you a candle."

Pushing open the door, Lorist stood at the entrance, staring blankly at the familiar furnishings in the room. Rina followed behind, holding a candle in a candlestick, and asked curiously, "Young Master Locke, what's wrong?"

Lorist snapped back to attention, reached out to take the candlestick, "Oh, thank you, Rina. Let me be alone for a while. I need to clear my head."

Rina nodded understandingly, "Okay, Young Master Locke. If you need anything, just pull the bell rope. I'll be downstairs."

Placing the candlestick on the desk, Lorist slowly sat down in front of it. Scenes from the past flashed before his eyes: in this very room, at this very desk, he and she had endlessly debated how to design a dress...

To save expenses, he and she had sprawled on the floor, cutting fabric and sewing it themselves...

He and she had fiercely argued over the shop's decoration...

And that day, under the moonlight like water, she had taken off her nightgown in front of him...

He lay on the floor, she lay beside him, playfully sticking out her little tongue and circling his chest, asking him to draw a few more design drafts for her...

This was actually a very cliché love story.

That year, Lorist was twenty years old and had just been officially hired as a swordsmanship instructor by the academy. Fatty Shi had brought some food and wine, dragging Lorist to the academy's disciplinary office, ostensibly to celebrate. As a result, Lorist got drunk. Unable to sleep from excitement, Lorist wandered around the academy, eventually ending up by Moon Lake. Suddenly, he heard a faint sobbing sound. Curious, Lorist followed the sound and discovered a girl crying uncontrollably by the lake.

Lorist felt awkward at the time, not knowing why the girl was crying. If it was a breakup, would it be appropriate for him to comfort her? While he was agonizing over this, he saw the girl suddenly lunge towards the lake. So, she was trying to end her life!

Lorist carried the unconscious girl back to the disciplinary office and kicked Fatty Shi awake. After much effort from the two of them, the girl finally woke up. The girl was beautiful but remained silent, saying nothing. However, this didn't stump Fatty Shi. By noon the next day, he had figured out the whole story.

The girl's name was Winsor.Bilina, and she was eighteen years old. Her father was a Viscount in the Kingdom of Chigda. A while ago, two Grand Dukes of Chigda had fallen out for some reason, raising armies and engaging in armed conflict. Viscount Winsor unfortunately sided with the losing Grand Duke. His territory was on the front line, making him one of the first casualties. His castle was breached, his territory was divided, and the Viscount himself was severely wounded in battle and returned to the gods' kingdom. Madam Winsor and her seven-year-old young master naturally became prisoners.

In wars between nobles, the families of the defeated were not usually mistreated, but it was common and tacitly understood for them to entertain guests with drinks and dances. Madam Winsor, though past her youth, was still charming and naturally popular in the military camp. Half a year later, the war subsided. The two Grand Dukes made peace. The Winsor family had lost their territory and was of little value, so Madam Winsor and the young master were released free of charge. However, Madam Winsor was pregnant, and it was unclear whose child it was. To avoid scandal, she had no choice but to seek refuge with her eldest daughter, Miss Winsor.Bilina, who was studying at Dawnlight Academy in Molent City.

Miss Winsor, who had lived a life of luxury, never dreamed she would face such a day. The bad news brought by her mother and brother turned her from a phoenix in the sky into a common hen on the ground. Losing her father meant losing her support; losing her family's territory meant losing her source of income. The usually proud eldest daughter humbled herself and sought help from her admirers, hoping to reclaim some of her family's territory.

The result was that Miss Winsor was severely humiliated. None of the nobles who had taken over the Winsor family's territory offered any help, though many were eager for more intimate "discussions." Greatly disappointed and filled with despair, Miss Winsor felt life was not worth living and slipped out to Moon Lake in the middle of the night. At that time, Miss Winsor was living in the academy's female dormitory, not too far from Moon Lake.

Fatty Shi said that Viscount Winsor was quite good at managing his affairs. Besides his territory, the Winsor family also owned a property in the eastern residential district of Molent City and two shops on Triumphal Avenue. Not to mention anything else, the rent from these two properties alone could maintain a respectable life in Molent City.

Lorist, speaking casually, blurted out, "This is actually the capital for the Winsor family to make a comeback."

Turning around, Lorist was startled. The girl who had been silently sitting in the office, not eating, drinking, or making a sound, was standing in front of him, her beautiful large eyes asking, "You said our Winsor family can still make a comeback..."