Luna Belle's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the girl who called herself Fusheng Ruoyu. Looking closely, it was true that their faces were almost identical, yet Ruoyu's bearing was softer—utterly different from Sayu's cool reticence, a presence as sharp as an unsheathed blade.
"Ah! So you're Miss Ruoyu! Sorry, sorry—I mistook you for your sister; you two look amazingly alike!" Luna Belle scratched her head, a little embarrassed.
Ruoyu covered her mouth with a soft laugh, shook her head, and said, "It's all right, Lord Belle. People mix us up all the time. Elder Sister's temperament is rather… cool, and she doesn't socialize much, so I occasionally help with the guild's public reception duties." Her voice was gentle, like a feather brushing the heart, instantly endearing.
"I see…" Luna Belle nodded in understanding, then asked curiously, "Is Miss Sayu not at the guild today?"
Ruoyu nodded and explained, "Elder Sister left early with Guild President Katerina to inspect the follow-up work at Clear Water Lake. Before she left, she told me to receive you if you arrived." As she spoke, she glanced at Ellen and Alice behind Luna Belle, dipped slightly again, and said, "These two must be Lady Ellen and Lady Alice? Elder Sister mentioned you. Thank you all for your help to White Thorn City."
Ellen, lollipop in mouth, gave a casual nod in greeting. Alice returned an elegant curtsey and smiled. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Ruoyu. Your sister is a most reliable comrade."
Ruoyu beamed at the praise, her bright eyes curving like crescents. "Thank you! Elder Sister will be so happy to hear that!" She turned back to Luna Belle, stepped aside to clear the way into the guild hall, and with a light "Please," said, "Lord Belle, you're here to collect the quest reward, aren't you? Follow me; I'll handle the paperwork."
Under Ruoyu's guidance, the three entered the guild hall. Though gentle in manner, Ruoyu proved efficient and organized. She led them skillfully around the bustling crowd to a quiet internal counter.
"Mr. Hans, these are Miss Belle, Miss Ellen, and Miss Alice, who completed the Clear Water Lake emergency survey. Please settle their reward." She addressed the bespectacled old man behind the counter.
Mr. Hans pushed up his glasses, swept his gaze over the trio, and nodded, producing a thick ledger. "Per the joint decree of the City Lord's mansion and the guild, the Clear Water Lake emergency survey and purge is rated a gold-rank special emergency. Base reward: fifty gold coins. In view of your discovery of critical intelligence and your direct, decisive role in combat, an additional eighty gold coins are granted for outstanding contribution, totaling one hundred and thirty."
He recorded as he spoke, then drew out a weighty pouch. The mouth was loosely tied, revealing glimpses of golden gleam. "One hundred and thirty gold coins—please check."
Luna Belle accepted the heavy pouch, excitement surging at its weight. A hundred and thirty gold coins! By her previous standards, this was a fortune! Enough to buy a house and open a video store. Ruoyu, seeing Luna Belle's delight, smiled. "Congratulations, Lord Belle; the pay is very generous."
Just then, a slight commotion arose at the entrance. Everyone turned to see City Lord Cecilia standing just inside the doorway, giving them an almost shy smile. She pointed outside, signaled "Come with me," and slipped back out. Luna Belle, Ellen, and Alice exchanged puzzled looks.
"Lord Cecilia wants us?" Luna Belle looked at Ruoyu.
Ruoyu shook her head, unsure, but said gently, "Since Lord Cecilia came personally, it must be important. Let's go see."
They nodded and left the noisy hall. Outside, the sun shone on the busy square, but Cecilia was nowhere in sight. Ruoyu spotted a small path to the side. "There's a little garden back there; she might be waiting."
Following the shaded stone path a short way, they found a quiet, exquisite garden behind the guild building. It was small but tastefully planted with seasonal blooms. Cecilia stood with her back to them, fingers brushing a pale-blue petal; dappled sunlight shimmered on her silver hair. Hearing footsteps, she turned, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Sorry for interrupting your reward collection."
"It's no trouble, Lord Cecilia," Luna Belle said quickly, then asked, "Is something wrong at Clear Water Lake?"
Cecilia stepped closer and naturally took Luna Belle's hands. Luna Belle started slightly; the City Lord's fingers were cooler than expected, her palms warm, skin as fine as silk. The touch made her inexplicably shy. Cecilia seemed not to notice; her ice-blue eyes sparkled. She tilted her head playfully. "Clear Water Lake is fine… but I have a little surprise for you."
"A surprise?" Luna Belle's curiosity piqued; even the languid Ellen glanced over, while Alice's waist-screen switched to a curious (⊙ˍ⊙)?
"Mm." Cecilia nodded, tugged Luna Belle's hand, and turned. "Come with me."
With curiosity and anticipation, they followed Cecilia from the garden, across the central square, toward the west district of White Thorn City…