His Chosen Luna

Cloud Mountain - Chapter 9

Roy left the West Hall. He wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve, feeling like he had lived a long life. He had served by the Prince's side for many years, but this was the first time he felt he had endured all sorts of tortures.

He sighed deeply, contemplating how to truthfully describe this day to the Prince when he returned in the evening.

Returning to his residence, he changed into clean clothes. Just as he started to feel warm, he heard a maid from the West Hall hastily report that Lady Cathy had only taken her own maid out for a stroll.

His heart tightened for a moment, and after a while, he weakly waved his hand, "From Moon Lake to Cloud Mountain, she has traveled the long journey with her maid. It would be fine for them to go out for a walk."

Cathy smoothly left the palace. As soon as she stepped out, she felt refreshed with the burden lifted.

Leisurely strolling outside the palace, she soon arrived at the bustling and lively main street of the Cloud Mountain pack.

The street was lined with stores, bustling with traffic, and filled with people coming and going.

There were rich merchants in splendid clothes, women escorted by a group of servants, and ordinary people who were modestly dressed but full of joy.

Cathy's simple attire, though elegant, did not stand out too much among the affluent crowd. The only eye-catching aspect about her was her appearance.

She walked slowly along the street amidst the bustling crowd, enjoying the liveliness of the Cloud Mountain pack.

She had to admit that among all the packs of Shadow Ridge, the Cloud Mountain pack was the most prosperous and glorious.

Elsa followed Cathy with a gloomy expression on her face. As she noticed people casting admiring glances at Cathy, she frowned and stared back. Some people walked away reluctantly, not daring to look anymore. After staring several times, her eyes began to twitch, and she finally spoke softly, "Miss Cathy, you don't really intend to..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Cathy had already stopped in front of a door and smiled, "Indeed, I need to earn some money. As Rob said, being broke is not a pleasant feeling."

Elsa swallowed her unfinished words, her complexion turning even worse. She whispered, "The Prince should be able to support you, right?"

Cathy sneered and pointed to her forehead, "I doubt he can afford it. I have a big appetite, and what does he have as the Prince? All those things he does are just filling the royal treasury. What can he support me with?"

Elsa fell silent immediately.

Cathy pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Elsa glanced at the words "Fortuna Casino" above the doorframe, feeling her head spinning and shivers down her spine.

Fortuna Casino was the largest casino in the Cloud Mountain pack, occupying an area as large as three of the most expensive hotels on the main street.

It never closed its doors, hosting gambling games day and night. Anything valuable could be gambled here, including gold, silver, treasures, antiques, livestock, and more.

Regardless of status or wealth, whether you were noble or commoner, everyone was treated the same here.

As Cathy stepped into the casino, a servant approached her and quickly scanned her up and down with eyes that had seen countless people. He smiled and asked, "Miss, are you here to find someone or to gamble?"

Cathy smiled back innocently and said, "I arrived in the Cloud Mountain pack just yesterday. I've heard of the renowned Fortuna Casino and came here specifically to play a couple of games."

The servant was dazzled by her smile and took a moment to regain his composure. He quickly asked with a smile, "What would you like to wager?"

Cathy casually pulled Elsa, who had reluctantly followed her, from behind and said with a smile, "How much do you think this maid is worth? I was so happy today that I forgot to bring money. Let's gamble with her."

Elsa's face turned pale instantly.

The servant was stunned, carefully examined Elsa, and after a moment of contemplation on her pale face, he couldn't estimate her value nor make a decision.

Cathy smiled lightly at him and spoke softly, "Is there someone here who can estimate the value of my maid?"

The servant nodded quickly, "Yes, please follow me."

Cathy nodded and pulled Elsa along, following the servant into a room.

A square-faced chubby man walked out. In his forties, he greeted people with a hint of friendliness. He glanced at Cathy, showing admiration, and then looked at Elsa by her side.

Elsa looked terrible at this moment, and she remained silent.

The man observed Elsa for a moment and then looked back at Cathy.

Cathy smiled at him and asked, "So, can I wager with her?"

The man chuckled at her words, bowed slightly, and said, "Your maid has a beautiful face and an unyielding spirit. She's worth at least one hundred coins. That's enough for ten rounds of gambling."

Upon hearing this, Cathy became even happier. "No wonder Fortuna Casino is famous throughout Shadow Ridge. It truly lives up to its reputation. Today has been a worthwhile visit for me. Deal!"

Elsa gave her a sultry glance and turned her head in frustration.

Cathy paid no attention to her and said with a smile, "Lead the way! I hope luck is on my side today, so I can meet the renowned Nine Rounders."

The man was surprised, then burst into laughter. "Miss, not everyone can have the privilege of meeting the Nine Rounders."

Cathy smiled confidently, "I know. The Nine Rounders have been famous for so many years, yet no one has seen them. It's just my hope."

The man laughed again. "I hope your wish comes true, Miss."

Cathy said even more joyfully, "Let my maid accompany me for now. Maybe I'll win her back soon. If I lose, she will be yours."

The man nodded with a smile and agreed, "Alright." He then instructed the servant, "This young lady might be our most esteemed guest today. You should also accompany her and serve her."

The servant quickly nodded in compliance.

Elsa was depressed in her heart, but she felt that the man's words made sense. After all, wasn't her lady the most esteemed guest of Fortuna Casino today? Who could be more honorable than the future Luna?

The servant led the two of them to a gambling table.

Cathy glanced at it and saw that they were playing the most common dice game, with a maximum bet of ten coins. She didn't mind and smiled at the servant, "First bet, ten coins. Remember it."

The servant glanced at Elsa, remembering that she was worth a hundred coins, enough for this young lady to play ten rounds. He nodded.

The game began, and everyone started placing their bets.

In the first round, Cathy made the wrong bet and lost. The servant noted that the first ten coins were gone.

In the second round, Cathy still made the wrong bet and lost again. The servant noted that the second ten coins were gone.

In the third round...

In the fourth round...

The servant saw that Cathy hadn't won a single bet since she started playing and had no intention of watching anymore. He thought that the young lady from a prestigious family came to Fortuna Casino out of curiosity. But she didn't know, winning by gambling was not that easy. Even a simple dice game required some skill. He shook his head, knowing that even her maid could be lost entirely, let alone meet the Nine Rounders. It was just a daydream!

As Cathy placed another bet, he waved his hand and called over a boy who served water. With a smile, he whispered in his ear, "Go tell the director that it's eight lost, nothing to worry about." Then, he looked back and saw Cathy lose again, so he changed his statement, "Nine lost, no chance."

The boy nodded and hurriedly left.

The servant didn't bother looking at Cathy anymore. He thought that although the lady was beautiful, her luck was exceptionally bad. She had lost nine rounds. Unfortunately, her maid had no choice but to be pawned off to Fortuna Casino. It was her misfortune to serve a lady who had no talent but still wanted gambling.

As he was thinking this, Cathy suddenly turned to Elsa beside her and said, "Elsa, why don't you use your handkerchief to wipe the sweat off my forehead? Who knows, maybe your handkerchief will bring me some good luck."

Elsa glared at Cathy and reluctantly reached into her pocket to take out the handkerchief, wiping the non-existent sweat from her forehead.

Cathy gently patted her face, saying gently, "You're so sweet. I can't bear to part with you by pawning you off here. I promise I'll win you back."

Elsa felt speechless and reminded her, "The game is starting."

Seeing everyone's eyes on her, Cathy laughed and said, "I bet big."

Everyone clicked their tongues in unison.

The servant thought that soon he would be able to leave with the maid.

The dealer started the game, and everyone shouted for small except Cathy, who chose big. Then the dealer uncovered the dice cup. At first, there was silence, then a collective cry of despair from the crowd.

Cathy won ten times her bet and recouped her initial investment in a single round, plus an additional ten coins.

Even the servant was surprised, thinking that perhaps her bad luck had finally ended today. She had actually managed to turn things around.

Cathy gathered a pile of chips, took out ten coins of chips, and held them in her hand. She pushed the rest towards the servant and said, "It seems my maid and Fortuna Casino are not meant to be. These chips are worth a hundred coins. Please return them to the director."

The servant collected the chips, nodded, and asked, "Miss, would you like to continue playing?"

Cathy was delighted and nodded without hesitation, "Of course, I just had some luck. How can I not play?"

There were plenty of people who kept gambling when they had a little bit of good luck. He hoped that the lady wouldn't lose everything here. Then he turned around and walked away with a hundred coins of chips in his hands.

The director looked at the chips and didn't think much of it. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, let her play. If she ends up losing, maybe the master will like her and keep her by his side."

The servant nodded.

The director had been cautious for twenty years, handling all matters in the casino. He had never encountered any major issues. But at this moment, he never expected that these two seemingly gentle and harmless women, a lady and a maid, would turn the renowned Fortuna Casino upside down.