The Swan sailed westward along the Chishui River, with Mei Yi standing at the bow, her eyes fixed ahead. She wasn't there to admire the scenery, but to reach the dock of Border Town sooner.
"How much longer do we have to get to our destination?" she asked impatiently.
"Almost there, Miss May. It's getting too hot here—why don't you go back to the cabin and rest?" Gait said from behind. His face was unmistakably wearing a smug smile.
Looking back, Mei realized her suspicions were justified. "You said it was imminent when you told me before. Is it still imminent now? Have you ever been to Border Town?" "Uh..." He paused, scratching his head. "The last time I came was ten years ago." "If a year can change the owner of the Changge Fortress, how much more so in ten years?" Mei snapped. "But there are exceptions. I see no change in you—you've remained unchanged for ten years, never stepping onto the stage." Seeing him retreat with a stiff smile, she felt a bit relieved. Had it not been for Irene's news, she wouldn't have wanted to board the same ship to Border Town with these extras.
As the star performer of Fort Theatre, she was already renowned throughout the Western Frontier. This time, she was invited by the Tower Grand Theatre to perform "Prince's Love Story" in the royal capital of Graycastle. The production was a resounding success, with even the renowned dramatist Mr.Cagan Fees praising her for bringing the role of the princess who died for love to life. Though not the lead actress, her performance left an equally profound impression as the protagonist.
But when she returned to the Long Song Fortress in high spirits, she found the place had undergone a complete transformation. Duke Lain had been defeated and killed, and the fortress had fallen into the hands of the Fourth Prince, Roland Wimbledon, who was now temporarily in charge of the Pei Luo Helmon from the Golden Flower family... Less than a year after her departure, the Western Frontier had become a foreign land.
Fortunately, the political turmoil in the upper echelons had little impact on the theater. Had it been merely a passing topic for May and her sisters, the news of the capture of Knight Dawnlight, the foremost knight of the Western Frontier, would have instantly gripped her heart.
Mei rushed to the theater to ask Irene about the situation, only to find that she had also gone to Border Town half a month earlier, presumably to reunite with her husband. The news left Mei feeling both disappointed and a touch envious.
In the theater, she was the undisputed star, while Irene remained a rising star yet to shine. The title of 'the flower of tomorrow' was merely a self-aggrandizing boast among the cast. In appearance, she held confidence that rivaled her rival's. Though Irene came from humble beginnings, Irene was an orphan adopted by the theater—a far cry from her rival's humble origins.
Yet what troubled Mei was that Fuxiao Chen Guang Feilin Hilt had fallen for Eileen, the girl with her innocent face, and later even sacrificed his family inheritance to marry her.
"Look, the fields," someone called out, "we're close to Border Town." Mei gazed to the left of the ship's rail, where rows of knee-high wheat stalks swayed in the wind. Farmers in straw hats worked in the fields, their figures blending into the emerald sea. The wheat fields stretched westward along the shimmering river, stretching endlessly into the horizon.
"The view here is absolutely breathtaking, Miss May," Roxia approached with a nod. "I never imagined such vast farmland could exist in this remote region, rivaling the grandeur of the Long Song Fortress." "Compared to the capital," May remarked with a dismissive smile, "those wheat fields stretch between two cities. The endless expanse of wheat along the way is downright tedious." "Really?" She chuckled awkwardly. "I've never been that far before." "Well, that's how ordinary people should react," May mused. If Erin had heard this, she'd have given an envious look and demanded more stories. "Don't worry, you'll get the chance someday." "I hope so," Roxia patted her chest. "Thank you for the encouragement." "I mean, you could ride the caravan to the capital for just a few Silver Wolves," May thought, rolling her eyes. "Not that you'd perform there either." But since the other party was Erin's friend, May didn't bother to say more.
Luo Xia joined the theater earlier than she did, and they were about the same age. However, due to her unremarkable appearance and poor memory, she never had the opportunity to perform on stage formally. Apart from Ailin, few people in the theater were willing to interact with her.
"Eileen knows we're here today?" Meey asked.
"In my reply, I set a date for her to meet us at the dock." "Very well," she nodded. "I don't want to wander alone in a strange town searching for a place to stay." "May I ask you something, Miss May?" Rosa hesitated. "Why did you come to the town with us, and even in secret from the theater? Irene's letter mentioned possible roles here, but you're never short of opportunities." "If I'm being honest, do you think the theater would let me perform in this cursed place?" May pouted. "As for why I came... I just wanted to see how the theater crew was doing." She couldn't explain her impulsive decision. The Fort Long Song Theater had major productions scheduled for the next two days. Her sudden departure would likely cause headaches for the owner. While there were other backup actresses, Noble might refuse to cast her without her, and in severe cases, might even protest to the theater.
Frankly speaking, this wasn't a wise move. Mei knew full well that no matter how famous she was, she still depended on the theater's support. If she angered the theater owner and they decided to sideline her while promoting a new lead actress, she'd be powerless. She'd either have to make a concession and admit her mistake, or else leave the place to compete with other theater's key figures.
Otherwise... after seeing the film, just take a boat back to the fortress? Mei thought.
"Ah, I see," Rosa nodded. "Eileen would be utterly astonished to see you." The riverside landscape grew increasingly vibrant, with more tents and log cabins appearing on the side facing the Desolate Mountains. As noon approached, the farm women were busy preparing porridge and soups, their cooking smoke curling from the dwellings. Mei could still catch glimpses of the wheat fragrance wafting through the air. Children gathered by the river to play, and the more skilled swimmers would strip down completely, dive into the water to their friends' cheers, then climb ashore with a smug grin.
May finally saw the long-awaited dock.
After the Swan docked, Gait and Sam volunteered to handle all the ladies' luggage. As the group stepped off the pier, Rosa cried out excitedly, "Aileen!" Mei followed the sound of the shout and saw a woman in a white dress waving vigorously toward them from the dock, accompanied by a tall man whose imposing and muscular build made him look exceptionally heroic even from a distance.
Dawn light, Filin Hilt.
The figure in May's memory became clear again.