Читать книгу Faraway Stars - Roger Hunter - Страница 6

“A glass of Ronnie, please, will you?” With a faint smile, Felix popped a copper coin - a third of his current possessions, to be exact - and landed steadily in Livia’s hand. Just now, he had been noticing that someone was sneaking up on him, and thought it was some official who was going to embarrass him. It turned out to be just such an ordinary maiden. It seemed that he was being over-conscious.. But then again, if he hadn’t been so careful, he would have been a decomposing corpse in some nameless gutter on an unknown street many years ago…. In order to show his apology, Felix decided to spend his money at this small shop… More importantly, of course, to take care of his poor stomach. Not everyone can bear the experience of not eating for a whole day.

“Huh? Oh, ummmmm, coming right up.” A little flustered, the girl hurried to the bar. Although the hotel was offically closed, she found it difficult to say no in the presence of this man.

“Add two quick ices, no sugar!” Raising her voice a little, Felix called out to her back. Ronnie is a mild, astringent drink made from a small domestic fruit not far from here. It’s a rather plebeian drink that the aristocrats barely drink, but it fits in well with Kevlar’s laid-back personality. However, although the wine is light, it varies greatly because of the different methods of making it, which makes almost every shop have their own taste. The difference is great. Some are excellent, others are almost impossible to access. It is one of the most representative beverages of the hotel.

“Yes, sir. Right away.” She was more or less panic, but a few years of exercise still allowed Livia to develop reflexive bartending skills. Just a few minutes later, a glass of crystalline Ronnie was placed in front of Felix. Raising the cup, the young minstrel smiled slightly and took a shallow sip while the maiden who stood beside him with full of expectant eyes. Then his slender eyebrows rose, and a look of surprise appeared in his lavender eyes.

It’s not a simple glass of wine.

No expensive ingredients were used, but a few slices of just the right amount of mint had all the astringency of the wine down. A few rhododendrons of raw juice and many other juices were added to the liquid, bringing its light and palatable character to the extreme; together with the chilling effect of the ice, this cheap drink, which sold for only one copper coin, was comparable to the popular tens of silver coins for a glass among princes and nobles. Each part is not complicated, but getting it “just right” is definitely not that simple.

Noticing that the guest was staring at the wine glass with interest, Livia was a little more uneasy. Somehow, in the face of the drunken villains who were all fearless, she looked as rusty as a little girl on her first job when confronted with the plaintive minstrel.

“En, monsieur, may I ask if this glass of wine is to your taste?” Asked Livia softly and cautiously.

“Very good, thank you.” Found the side of the young girl’s small mind, Felix’s lips emerged a faint smile. He has been traveling around the world for many years.How could he not see such a little girl’s mind? Unfortunately, he will always have to play the third-rate role of the “tramp who takes away a girl’s dream”. After all, he was not qualified to live like normal people ah… In this case, staying here is obviously not a good option.

“Thank you for the wine, beautiful lady.” Putingt down the glass, the minstrel smiled faintly and got up to walk towards the door. “May the Most High God Antanis bless you.”

“You…… Won’t you sit a little longer?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Livia noticed her own lapse and her face flushed. What happened to me today? Unexpectedly will speak to retain a strange guest. Well, no more imagination. When Felix did not pay attention, she shook her head desperately, as if to drive all these strange thoughts out of her mind.

“Thanks for the kind words, but I’m just a wandering entertainer for the livelihood consideration!” Holding the doorframe, Felix laughed softly, arranged his clothes, looked at the darkening sky, and walked towards the door. It seems that I may have to sleep on the streets again tonight… I remember a long time ago when I was sleeping under a bridge, even my wallet was taken away by a stray dog. It can’t be that bad now. I should have known to make more money before coming to this place of indifferent people, what a miscalculation…..

However, just as he was about to walk out of the room, the reflex nerves developed by the long exercise worked perfectly. In the instant the alarm sounded in his head, almost without thinking, Felix’s footsteps moved back, already flashing away from the doorway and disappearing into the shadows behind it.

Although he didn’t know what was going on, he knew one thing.

One can never be too careful.

And the facts, too, completely prove it. Just as he dodged out of the way, a thin figure, slamming open the hidden door flew in and fell heavily to the floor.