The City of Marronligar

The Governor's Mansion is not only the Governor's office, but also the residence of the Governor's family. There are not only civilians and guards who are busy all day long, but also maids and servants who take care of the housekeeping.Compared with the city hall, the temple, etc., it is probably a semi-public and semi-private landmark building.

As long as there are no major mistakes, the governor's term of office can usually reach more than 20 years, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a "half-life tenure".Therefore, the Governor's Mansion actually accommodates the entire political life of its "master", as well as private life other than official duties.How many secrets are hidden in the Governor's Mansion?This is a question that many people want to find out.

——Miscellaneous Notes of Silver Bay Tower: Gossip and Conspiracy in the Governor's Mansion

As the year draws to a close, people have to sum up the gains and losses of the past year, clear up the problems accumulated until the end of the year, and make plans for the coming year. The busy atmosphere brings some enthusiasm to the winter.

Feishi Mansion is no exception.Because he was busy assisting Sophia with daily affairs and needed to stay at the Flying Lion Mansion most of the time, Adrian couldn't find time to see Louis every day.

Of course, Louis will not feel lonely because of this-he is not a young man full of love and love.Moreover, "avoiding suspicion" is very necessary for them.

The point is not the scandal between the "former president of the Bounty Hunter Association" and the "young backbone of the Torresso family" - as long as the way of communication seems to be normal, it can't be pushed to that level by ordinary people's imagination, but If it is noticed that Adrian is getting too close to himself, and there seems to be an unknown interest relationship, it will not be very good for the Torreso family.

——Perhaps Sophia has already seen some clues from Adrian.

Louis thought so often.That woman is very shrewd, as long as this little personal relationship doesn't get in the way of business, she won't blame Adrian for it.As for how to explain to Samuel, besides taking one step at a time, Louis couldn't find a second way.

Since those things happened, the association has been keeping a closer eye on Louis.Considering the handle in Louis' hands, even though they have met Adrian, Chu De and others dare not confront the Torresso family for the time being.But as long as he walked out of the house during the day, Louis could feel the sight from the dark from time to time.

It's not difficult to get rid of the association's eyeliner, but it's troublesome, and Louis is too lazy to do it.Fortunately, there are basically no major commissions at the end of the year. Except for the usual tavern time, he can block himself in the house and let the days go by the pearl river with floating ice.

One night, someone knocked lightly on Louis' door.

Visiting is Governor Morgis's wife, Bella.Maybe it was because the governor was watching closely, or because she heard some rumors from the servants, she hadn't come to Louis for a long time.

Seeing Mrs. Bella, Louis bowed his head habitually: "...Madam."

Bella used to be so beautiful and moving, but now her complexion is even worse than when they met last time, she has shown a bit of sickly paleness, the red corners of her eyes still have panic and uneasiness, haggard as if gathering dust The moth lingered in the corner, as if with just one touch, the scarred body would be shattered and turned into a pool of ashes.

When it comes to ashes, Louis can't help but think of the Lightless, and the final outcome of those "creatures".

Mrs. Bella walked into the room without saying a word, sat on the bed, took off the heavy cloak, grabbed the belt on the side waist with her slender fingers, and was about to take off the rest of the clothes, but Louis stopped her.

The cotton dress didn't fit very well, and the untied tie revealed a small piece of the back, which was enough for Louis to see the fresh injury on Mrs. Bella's body.Interlaced welts crawled across her skin, mostly hidden under her clothing.

Luis looked at those wounds, and sympathy and guilt flashed in his eyes.He gently grabbed Mrs. Bella's wrist, and didn't let her take it off. He immediately let go, picked up the cloak that was put aside, and covered her thin shoulders again: "You should wear it, don't catch a cold .”

Bella's lips moved, and she nodded slowly and sluggishly.

The two were silent until Louis poured out a cup of warm honey tea from the kettle on the table and handed it to the haggard Mrs. Bella: "The governor...is he rough on you again?"

Bella bowed her head and remained silent.

--That's it.

Louis took the tea cup in Bella's hand, straightened the firewood in the brazier with a fire stick, tried to provide her with a warm and quiet space, and at the same time silently declined Bella's self-defeating courtship.

After a while, Mrs. Bella's complexion finally got better.She raised her head again, showing a miserable smile: "Louis, you still rejected me."

"I'm sorry." Louis still bowed and apologized to Bella in a low voice.

He has always had a kind of slumped self-confidence; it was this unique temperament that attracted Mrs. Bella's attention at the beginning.At this moment, he didn't want to look directly into her eyes.

Mrs. Bella smiled bitterly: "No, it's not your fault. I know, I've been forcing you all this time."

She looked around—she hadn't been at Louis's house in a while, and she could sense that something had changed.Not just the furnishings in the room, but also Louis himself.

Bella's eyes waded through the shadows under the candlelight, and finally stopped at the corner of the window sill, her thin lips that lacked blood were slightly raised: "I remember you don't grow flowers."

She was looking at a wine bottle resting on the window sill.Unlike other wine bottles piled up in the sundry room, the bottle was unexpectedly clean, with a uniquely shaped flower protruding from the mouth of the bottle.It's a pity that it has been some time since it was picked off. Even if it is carefully offered with clean water, it will still usher in a day of withering.

Bella recognized it as a strelitzia.

Louis didn't seem like a flower-appreciator.Even if they recognize their names, it is mostly because of their medicinal value, which can be used when they are injured in the wild.

"Who gave it to you?" she asked.

Louis replied half-jokingly and half-seriously: "No, I picked it myself."

The strelitzia had indeed come from a bouquet Adrian had sent, and Louis had found it at his mother's grave.

——Leave everything else, just take one of them, mother shouldn't mind, right?

At that time, Louis thought so, and left the bouquet in front of the tombstone, but took out a branch that had not yet bloomed, and kept it as his rare "souvenir".

It was the first flower Louis brought home as an adult.

Bella smiled miserably again: "It seems that you already have someone in your heart, but unfortunately that's not me." She clenched her cuffs tightly, her white knuckles and thin shoulders under the blouse trembling slightly.

Louis froze in tidying up the brazier, nodding so slightly that it was almost imperceptible.

The Governor's wife let out a weak sigh from her throat.

The next second, she raised her head abruptly, and suddenly grabbed Louis's arms: "Louis, how I wish someone would take me out of the sea of ​​suffering... Yes, I hope it's you, and I hope you can help me and my child." Out of the Governor's Palace, out of Marunliga, where Morgis won't find out—"

Maren Liga is very big, and everyone has their own destiny. We cannot expect every woman to have Sophia's means, Liz's wisdom, and Cynthia's will.On the surface, Bella is the governor's wife. Her status is noble, and her beauty impresses the men and women in the city. But facing Governor Morgis' abuse, she can only escape, and she can only think of escaping.

Louis' hand, holding the poker, was hanging over the brazier, neither pulling it away nor putting it down.

He stared into Mrs. Bella's eyes—the eyes were full of tiredness and resentment, making it difficult for him to say anything that might hurt her.

But Louis could not nod decisively, and then told her frankly, "I will definitely accompany you."

The silence said everything, and Bella slowly let go of her hand.

"...I'm sorry, ma'am." That night, Louis apologized to her again. "I cannot leave you."

Bella looked at the Strelitzia branch again, and did not speak for a long time.

The firewood in the brazier was crackling, as if urging the two to talk.

"Is this because you want to stay in Marenlica forever for the person you really care about?" Bella asked softly.

Louis put down the tongs, smiled wryly and shook his head: "It's not all for that person."

He was silent for a moment, and then added: "But if you are determined to leave this place, I will definitely help you. I have a few friends in other cities. As long as you need, I can provide some contacts."

As for Louis himself, although he has complex emotions towards Maren Liga, most of which are hatred and disappointment, he does not intend to leave, nor can he leave easily.

The city is beautiful and ugly, sacred and vile, a symbol of prosperity and a hotbed of evil.

Since his unblessed birth, Louis's fate and life have been tightly entwined with Maren Riga, and this connection engraved in the blood cannot be easily severed.

Therefore, he can only stay here——while seeing the essence of Maren Liga clearly, he is also trying to see himself clearly.

Mrs. Bella knew that she could not control Louis's thoughts after all.Eloping with him with his daughter and escaping from the control of Governor Morgis, I am afraid it can only be an illusory dream.

She stopped pestering her, but pulled herself together and tried to squeeze out an apologetic smile: "I'll talk about this later... It's very warm and quiet here, please let me stay at your house for a while."

That was the last time she was at Louis' house.

Focusing on the security of the city-state, the Governor's Mansion summoned all forces in the city to hold the last meeting before the winter.Adrian, also as Sophia's right-hand man, walked into the city hall again.

As usual, he sat quietly beside Sophia, never forgetting to observe the half-familiar faces around the round table.

There are always similarities among the distinguished guests who can sit at this round table and sway Maren Riga with a few words: exquisite and gorgeous silk clothes, deliberately selected emphasis and wording, and there is no doubt that there is another face hidden under the flawless reserve .

——In front of them, you don't need to be too assertive, and you can even refuse to answer those tricky questions, just throw them to me.If you and I are both sharp-edged, even if we agree, outsiders will think that the Torresso family's power is scattered and not monolithic.

This is Sophia's order to Adrian.Of course, Adrian didn't think he could talk like Sophia.

——In that case, it is better to talk less, but to listen more, see more, and think more.Not only have to consider the interests of your family, but also your own position.

While bringing up these meetings with Louis, Adrian heard more from the bounty hunters.

What reassured Adrian the most was that there were not many difficult new things to deal with in this meeting, but General Lucien of the city-state garrison casually mentioned the fire in the old shipyard.However, he didn't mention the burned down drug workshop - Sophia had suppressed that matter.

Chu De, the current president of the Bounty Hunters Association, took a deep look at Adrian.

Governor Morgis turned to Sophia and Adrian, and asked with pretended concern: "I don't know how Mr. Samuel is doing recently, is he healthy?"

"Uncle—the patriarch is still recuperating in the manor." Adrian answered succinctly.

Sophia smiled slightly: "Thank you Governor for your concern. I received a message from him a few days ago, saying that he is much better than before, and he will be able to return to Marenliga next summer."

The representative of the Chamber of Commerce sitting opposite Sophia shook his head helplessly: "It's a pity, it seems that he has to miss this Spring Festival celebration."

"You can rest assured that the Feishi Mansion will make proper preparations for this celebration." She seemed confident.

When the show ended, Adrian and Sophia were walking outside the city hall when they suddenly heard Trud's voice behind them.

"Please stay."

For some reason, although Chu De did not mention his name, Adrian was sure that he knew that the other party was calling him.

"Chu De probably wants to ask you something about me, such as how you got involved with me."

That night, Louis and Adrian sat on the embankment in front of the lighthouse, with half of their bodies covered in the darkness of the night and half of their backs covered with the light of the lighthouse.This is a place for them to meet in private, out of sight, even if it's just for viewing.

Adrian nodded and replied, "But I didn't tell him anything. Madam sent him away for me."

Louis smiled: "Then I have to thank Sophia." He raised his head, imprinting the clear night sky without rain or snow into his eyes. "Don't think that Chu De is the president. He has learned some high-society thoughts and manners from the 'predecessors'. In fact, he is very small-minded and holds grudges—me grudges. It's best to stay away from him."

"I'll pay attention." Adrian said softly. "Master, you also have to be careful."

For some time, Louis had gotten used to Adrian's growing concern: "I know."

Adrian thought of another thing, and a smile more suitable for his age appeared on his face: "Every year in the early spring, Ma Lunliga seems to have a tradition of welcoming the Spring Festival, and this time it is rotated to the Flying Lion Mansion to take the lead. Mrs. Sophia Let me help with the preparations."

Louis stroked his chin, thoughtfully: "Speaking of which, you haven't seen the Maren Riga celebration yet."

"I am looking forward."

Even at night, Louis could see the light in Adrian's eyes.

"In addition to fireworks, torches and canoes, remember to prepare more food and wine." Louis smiled and lifted Adrian's hair on the back of his neck. "That's right, I'm just going to grab some drinks."

Adrian also smiled: "Silver Cove Mead, right? Not only is it your favorite, since everyone here likes it, it is natural that it is indispensable. You can look forward to the arrival of that sleepless night."

The author has something to say: Skylark-SergeyEybog