Moonlight Like Water (7)

The candles had been extinguished, and the silver moonlight slowly spread across the desktop, covered in a thin layer of dust.

Lorist sat there quietly, watching the moonlight drench his entire body and the floor, painting the room with a layer of silver lacquer. The silver moon was so bright tonight…

A rumbling sound of a carriage approached from afar, and soon the carriage stopped downstairs. The neighing of the strong horses pulling the carriage, the coachman's low scolding, and the sound of the door opening followed in quick succession. Those familiar footsteps echoed urgently up the stairs, then stopped at the room's door.

The door was pulled open, and candlelight streamed in, churning the silver moonlight in the room into fragmented shadows.

Miss Windsor stood at the doorway, wearing an off-the-shoulder white princess dress. She must have altered it herself; the gold thread embroidery was a bit excessive, turning what should have symbolized purity into something uniquely sexy and alluring on her. Perhaps she had rushed over after receiving news from Rina at a party. She was still panting from climbing the stairs in her haste.

It seemed both of them understood that if they missed this chance, they might never meet again.

Lorist's voice was calm, "Could you blow out the candle? I like the silver moonlight in the room."

Miss Windsor silently blew out the candle, placed the candlestick aside, and walked quietly into the silver moonlight, stopping motionless, just like on that night when the moonlight was like water.

Both were silent. Lorist looked at the lily-like girl before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions. The one he once loved most was about to leave and marry someone else. When he first heard the news, he wished he could grow wings and fly to her side. But now, seeing her, though still saddened, he no longer felt that desperate longing.

"Perhaps I should address you as Marchioness," Lorist said lightly, breaking the room's stillness.

"You know?" the girl raised her head.

"Three months ago, I encountered a group of mercenaries from the Kingdom of Chigda in the Ruins Archipelago. They mentioned that the Marquis of the Lofei Family would be holding a grand wedding banquet in the capital at the end of the year to welcome his second wife. They were entrusted by the Lofei Family to procure some precious materials for the banquet from the Ruins Archipelago. During our chat, they were guessing which noble lady from the kingdom would be the second wife, and that's when I knew it had to be you."

Lorist chuckled softly, "Your secrecy was quite effective. I believe no one in Molent City knows that you accepted the Marquis's proposal over three months ago, not even your maid. When I arrived, Rina even begged me not to break up with you. Heh heh..."

"I had no choice, Locke. I know you hate me, for falling for someone else, for being fickle, for being greedy for power, but I truly had no choice. For the sake of the family, I had to do this." The girl sat directly on the floor, tears streaming down her face. "After you left, he had his family step in and force those four new lords to return the land they had seized to the Windsor family. But even after the land was returned, it was constantly harassed by those lords. Knight Hurd was severely injured, and Knight Som couldn't handle both defense and offense. Those lords sent people disguised as bandits to burn our fields and houses, and to abduct our villagers to sell them as slaves. They committed all sorts of atrocities. Under such circumstances, the territory couldn't develop at all."

"At that point, he made a suggestion: if I were willing to marry him, he could legitimately send his family's army to help the Windsor family overcome this difficulty. I agreed. Once I returned to the capital and the wedding day arrived, the Lofei Family would announce their declaration of war against those four lords due to the marriage alliance with the Windsor family, making the enemies of the Windsor family the enemies of the Lofei Family. By then, his family's army would already be deployed around the territories of those four lords, launching a simultaneous attack to uproot those four lords completely, allowing our family's territory to be free from future troubles and have time for recovery and development."

"Could I refuse such an opportunity? For the future of the Windsor family, even if I didn't love him, I had to accept his proposal. Moreover, he promised that after the four lords were eliminated, two of their territories would be returned to the royal family, one would go to the Lofei Family, and the remaining one would be given to the Windsor family as compensation. At that time, I would grant this territory to Knight Som and confer upon him the title of Baron, in recognition of his merits in leading the resistance army for the family."

The girl sat on the floor, talking incessantly, as if wanting to say everything. "Rina not knowing about his proposal was also his request. Only he, I, and Susie knew about it, to maintain secrecy and prevent the four lords from becoming aware. He said the key to this matter was surprise. As soon as the wedding began and the Lofei Family declared war, the nobles of Chigda wouldn't be able to react in time. Once the four territories were occupied, creating a fait accompli, the royal family would then announce the stripping of the titles of those four lords and the confiscation of their territories. At that point, no one would have anything to say. And with the Lofei Family as a support, the Windsor family would no longer face the tragedy my father did."

Lorist's eyes narrowed. What a brilliant calculation, what a meticulous plan. His own strategy at the time was for the resistance army to fight for at least another six months, until the military strength of those four new lords was severely damaged, rendering them incapable of dealing with the resistance army and posing no military threat to the former Windsor territories. Only then would he find a way to mediate, and the recovery of the family's territory would usher in a period of peaceful development. As long as the Windsor family seized this opportunity to establish a formidable guard force, they would no longer have to worry about being attacked.

Who knew that the Marquis would intervene, disrupting the original plan. First, he forced the four new lords to return the former Windsor territories, making the Windsor family indebted to him. To defend the territory, the Windsor family had no choice but to let the resistance army act as the defense force. After being forced to return the land, the four new lords were clearly resentful. Coupled with their military strength not being significantly damaged, and seeing the resistance army, whose whereabouts were previously unknown, now out in the open, they would naturally retaliate with all their might.

The situation in the territory changed drastically, with things happening half a year ahead of schedule. The resistance army became the territorial defense force, while the new lords, along with their subordinates, became the resistance army. The roles were reversed. Now, the Windsor family was suffering and on the defensive, unable to cope with this unexpected change, and their territory was being ravaged. At this moment, the savior reappeared, proposing to Miss Windsor. As a condition, he would mobilize his family's army to help the Windsor family deal with their enemies, seizing the opportunity to eliminate the four lords. Then, two of their territories would be returned to the royal family, making the royal family take the blame, directing the anger of the entire kingdom's nobility towards the royal family. He and the Windsor family would then divide the remaining two territories, gaining benefits, earning a reputation for righteousness, and finally securing the Windsor family as a staunch ally.

Was this one arrow hitting five or six targets? Lorist gasped. As an outsider, he could see clearly. Perhaps when the plan to establish the resistance army in the former Windsor territories was conceived, everything that happened was observed by someone with ulterior motives and meticulously calculated. Creating opportunities from existing situations, going with the flow, fishing in troubled waters, deceiving the heavens to cross the sea, secretly crossing the river, the guest becoming the host, creating something from nothing. With such a complete set of arrangements, the Lofei Family, who was originally just watching the show, gained the most benefits. That Marquis Lofei was truly not simple.

Watching the girl proudly recount the benefits of the Windsor family having the Lofei Family as their backing, Lorist suddenly felt disheartened. Was this the girl he once loved most? Was this the angel in his heart? Vain, ignorant, and stubborn, being manipulated like a chess piece without realizing it. Poor eldest daughter, what else do you have besides beauty?

It's as if the marriage between the Windsor family and the Lofei Family was a great sacrifice on your part. Isn't this what you've always wished for? To become a Marchioness, to frequent royal courts, to associate with queens and noble ladies, to be high and mighty, with everyone flattering and looking up to you. Isn't this the life you desired? Simple-minded eldest daughter, the strength of a family is not displayed in this way, nor is family honor won at banquets. Relying on the Lofei Family as your greatest support might lead to the Windsor family being sold out one day, and you'll still be helping to count the money. It's better to rely on oneself, eldest daughter. When will you ever understand this truth?

But what does it have to do with me? Lorist shook his head listlessly, suddenly finding it ridiculous that he had been heartbroken over their breakup. After he gave up, he felt a sense of relief, as if a burden had been lifted.

"What's wrong, Locke?" the girl asked, confused as she saw Lorist shake his head.

"Nothing. After returning from the Ruins Archipelago, I was on a boat for over a month. As soon as I reached land, I still felt like I was at sea, experiencing occasional seasickness." Lorist casually found an excuse. "By the way, is he treating you well?"

"Yes, very well," the girl nodded. "Being with him, I feel cherished and doted upon. He arranges everything perfectly. Unlike you, where I had to figure everything out myself. To be honest, Locke, being with you was really tiring. I was busy to death all day, while you were so leisurely. Whatever problem came your way, you solved it with a few words. I really envied you back then."

"Heh heh, that's because you're not smart," Lorist chuckled. "I'm curious, why would his wife support him proposing to you?"

"You mean Sister Rafina? Her health is not good. She had a miscarriage after falling from a horse, and the imperial physicians said she might not be able to conceive again. Moreover, she prefers peace and quiet and dislikes social gatherings and banquets. So, she hopes Lorist will propose to me, and I can attend parties and banquets on her behalf in the future. She also hopes I can give birth to an heir for the Lofei Family soon." The girl's face blushed slightly as she spoke.

Good, very good. Eldest daughter, you're being used as a substitute for social engagements and a tool for procreation. I guarantee that after you give birth, the First Lady will use the excuse of you being busy with external affairs to take the child for upbringing, making you extremely grateful. Years later, when the child doesn't recognize you as their mother, you'll finally understand. Lorist muttered maliciously.

Lorist asked, "Why did you end the business in Molent City? Sell the house and the shop?"

"The family's territory was severely damaged. Knight Som wrote that there wasn't a single intact civilian house in the entire territory. Reconstruction and restoration of people's livelihoods require a large amount of supplies and expenses. He also listed a sum of over ten thousand gold coins. Plus, I still need to prepare a dowry and other things, so I don't have that much cash right now. He advised me to sell everything here and start anew in the capital. That's his territory; he'll arrange everything for me." The eldest daughter's face showed a satisfied expression when she spoke of these things.

Lorist really wanted to applaud, expressing his overwhelming, unstoppable respect for the Marquis Lofei. Look at him, not only winning the beauty's heart but also killing two birds with one stone, taking away the golden goose that lays eggs for the beauty. Once in the capital, the Marquis arranged everything, and the eldest daughter smoothly transitioned from boss to high-level employee. From then on, the profits from the high-end women's fashion boutique would continuously flow into the Marquis's pockets. One can only hope that this Marquis doesn't take everything and leave nothing, allowing the eldest daughter to have at least a little soup to drink.

"Then why did you come running over tonight? Just for this last meeting? Is it necessary? Tomorrow morning, I'll move out my books and sundries. You've already sold the house. There's nothing left here but memories." Lorist found himself too lazy to be angry with the girl anymore. He believed that even if he explained everything clearly, this eldest daughter wouldn't believe him, only thinking he was jealous and trying to sow discord. Forget it, everyone has their own destiny. He and this eldest daughter were just two shooting stars crossing paths, leaving behind a brilliant memory.

"What's wrong with me wanting to see you? After all, I loved you for four years. Although you've disappointed me, I just can't forget you. You're always like this, cold and ruthless once you've made up your mind. Don't you have any lingering feelings? Can't you say 'don't leave me'? When I said we should break up, you just left without a word. I know you hate me and refuse to forgive me. This is all my own doing. But I still want to see you one last time..." The girl's voice grew louder, erupting from Lorist's impolite words.

Brave in love and hate, this was the eldest daughter's strength.

"Sigh..." Lorist sighed and stood up. "It's better to reminisce than to meet. Why go through this trouble? Can't we let this relationship be the most beautiful memory between us..."

"No, I want to see you again, hold you again, kiss you again. I know I wronged you. You did so much for me and my family, and you never asked for anything in return. I know giving you gold coins was an insult, so I bought these few secret manuals for you, hoping they'll help you break through to Black Iron Battle Qi." The girl walked to the desk and opened a drawer, revealing five high-level Battle Qi secret manuals with different attributes. Then, she turned and hugged Lorist, resting her head on his chest.

"Hold me again, kiss me again, okay?" the girl murmured with her eyes closed.

Lorist gave a wry smile. The girl was still fixated on his Black Iron Battle Qi, unaware that these high-level Battle Qi secret manuals were useless to him and that gold coins would have been more practical.

"Don't forget you're the Marchioness now," Lorist reminded her.

"I'm still free before the wedding," the girl replied.

Uh, is that even possible?

"No, I'm not used to kissing someone else's girlfriend," Lorist said.

"Locke, can I stay here with you tonight..." the girl tightly hugged Lorist's waist, refusing to let go.

"Um, can the Marquis downstairs wait until morning? I don't mind, but he seems a bit impatient." After standing up, Lorist looked out the window and saw the carriage parked at the main entrance downstairs. For some reason, the Marquis wasn't waiting in the hall but was pacing around the carriage outside, occasionally looking up at the third-floor window.

"Pfft..." The girl giggled, stood on her tiptoes, and quickly kissed Lorist on the lips. Then she let go of him. "Okay, we've met, we've hugged, we've kissed. I'm satisfied now. Goodbye, Locke."

The sound of the girl's footsteps descending the stairs could be heard. Soon, the rumbling of the carriage faded into the distance until it disappeared.

Lorist sat back down in his chair. After a long pause, he suddenly spoke, "How long are you planning to stand there, Er?"