บท 35: Chapter 35: Falia’s Boat
When Viserys finished his meeting with the assassin, it had already grown dark.
As he made his way home, the stars had appeared in the sky. Upon arriving, he noticed an unfamiliar carriage parked in front of his house. The carriage was adorned with a faint moon emblem, indicating it was a private and exquisite vehicle. The grand nature of the visit suggested it wasn't malicious.
Two figures stood next to the carriage: one was the maid Viserys had hired, and the other seemed familiar. Before he could take two steps, the familiar figure approached him—it was Ranche, the young man he had met at the Moon Pool Theater. This time, Ranche's expression was noticeably friendlier and warmer, likely due to Viserys' meeting with Falia, the Moonshadow.
Ranche walked forward, bowed slightly to Viserys, and said, "Prince Viserys, Lady Moonshadow has asked to meet you and hopes to speak with you."
This time, Ranche was exceedingly courteous, trying to satisfy Viserys. The reason was that Falia already knew about the dire situation at the Morel workshop. It was beyond saving, even with an infusion of 10,000 gold dragons. She had placed all her hopes on Viserys, having recognized the value of his soap immediately. Viserys was her last straw.
Viserys sensed the change in attitude and understood the urgency. Lady Moonshadow's immediate request for a meeting indicated the importance of the soap to her. He wanted to leverage this to gain more influence in their dealings. If the soap wasn't crucial, she wouldn't have sought him out so urgently, even at night.
"If it's about the soap, please leave. I already have a better partner to work with," Viserys said, trying to test her resolve and willingness to negotiate.
Viserys knew that her interest in the soap was a significant opportunity. He wanted to see how desperate she was. He had a backup plan—if things didn't work out, he could sell the formula to the Iron Bank and secure some money. However, he hoped it wouldn't come to that; after all, who would kill a hen that lays golden eggs?
Fortunately, Viserys's gamble paid off. As soon as he crossed the threshold of his house, he could already sense the urgency in Ranche's demeanor.
"Lord Viserys," Ranche hurriedly stood in front of him, "You said you had a new partner, but why don't you come with me to see what Lady Moonshadow can offer?"
Ranche's intuition told him that Viserys was bluffing, but he didn't dare to gamble. The Morel workshop was too important to Falia, and he knew what losing it would mean for her.
"Then let's hurry up," Viserys replied.
"Okay! Please get in the carriage," Ranche responded.
The carriage was filled with a faint aroma, and the seats were adorned with soft velvet pillows, almost like a sofa. As Viserys settled in, he couldn't help but appreciate the comfort, indicating that Falia usually rode in this carriage herself.
After about ten minutes, they arrived at a dock. Viserys thought he would have to disembark and transfer, but to his surprise, Ranche drove the carriage directly onto a boat. Once they arrived at the next port, Ranche simply drove off the boat and continued on their way.
'So extravagant!' Viserys thought, realizing that he didn't even have a personal carriage. He sighed at the opulence.
After another half hour or so, they reached a small lake. Several boats floated on the lake, resembling junk boats but decorated in a style unique to this world. Lanterns hung from the boats, making them easy to spot in the dark.
"Lord Viserys, we've arrived," Ranche announced.
Viserys got off the carriage and took in the serene night. The crescent moon above looked like a small boat hanging in a black velvet sky, dotted with a few stars. Not seeing the familiar Big Dipper, Viserys was reminded that he was no longer in his original world. A moment of sadness washed over him, realizing he might never return. He quickly gathered himself and followed Ranche to the lake, where a small barge awaited.
The boatman turned out to be a robust woman. As Viserys and Ranche boarded the boat, ripples spread out from the bottom, distorting the reflection of the crescent moon as they slowly sailed towards one of the boats.
Halfway through the journey, a figure emerged from the boat they were approaching. She was less than 1.6 meters tall but had an explosive figure. Even in the dim light, her silhouette was captivating.
When they reached the side of the boat, Ranche made a gesture of invitation, indicating he would not be joining them. Viserys then saw the true face of the figure. She had spirited almond-shaped eyes and well-defined features. Her figure was undoubtedly an asset.
However, Viserys knew from her attire that she was not Falia. Still, he said, "This is Lady Moonshadow. It is an honor to meet you."
The maid was momentarily stunned but quickly responded, "Lady Moonshadow's maid. She is waiting for you inside."
"Sorry, my mistake," Viserys replied.
At this moment, Asha clearly saw Viserys's appearance under the moonlight and couldn't help but feel a good impression. To Asha, such handsome boys were not common. Coupled with the amusing misunderstanding earlier, her heart softened.
However, when she noticed Ranche's gesture on the boat, her expression grew more serious. Viserys, unaware of this, was preoccupied with what to say during the meeting. His earlier behavior was strategic, based on the saying, "It's easier to face the known danger than to deal with the unseen threat." If he could get along with Falia's associates, it would make future dealings with her much smoother.
Asha lifted the curtain for Viserys, and as soon as he entered, he was greeted by a scent similar to that in the carriage. He passed through a small door and found himself in what looked like a "small living room." In front of him was a table with a few exquisite chairs on either side.
A woman wearing a moon-white cloak sat behind the table, her veil concealing her face. She looked towards the door as he entered. At that moment, three crisp bells rang outside the boat, and Falia's eyes flickered twice—once for the silver bells outside and once for Viserys's appearance.
However, Viserys now felt slightly irritated. This woman was blocking his view entirely. Her figure was hidden by the cloak, and her face was covered by a veil. How ridiculous!
But he reminded himself that the purpose of today's meeting was to discuss business and cooperation. If she didn't want to show her face, it wasn't necessary.
Falia made a gesture of invitation, indicating that he should take a seat. Viserys sat down with ease and said, "I don't know what cooperation plan Lady Falia has, so please, tell me directly."
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