Chapter 248: Dragon's Den (Part 2)
Chapter 248: Dragon's Den (Part 2)
A moment passed.
"Your Highness, are you still cold? Do you need another layer of clothing?"
"No...no, I'm fine..."
Upon hearing Lyon's inquiry, the princess, wrapped in an old coat, wearing woolen gloves, holding a hot water bag, and with a warm little puppy in her arms, couldn't help but shake her head slightly. Then, with a complex expression, she said, "Actually, I'm not that cold...but why are you so afraid of the cold? Why do you carry so many things to keep warm?"
"Not only do I have things to keep warm, but I also have things to cool down."
As Yuhua whimpered in a puppy-like voice, the window next to Lyon flashed, and a sun hat and two somewhat old silk fans appeared in his hands. Then, a small iron bowl filled with creamy ice slush even fell into his grasp.
"..."
You carry fans and ice slush with you in the winter? What are you trying to achieve?
As the princess looked at him in disbelief, Lyon calmly explained, "As you know, our Purification Bureau's work is very special. We often encounter various unexpected situations. For example, the senior members of the Celestial Harp Bureau have been frozen in the polar regions for two years due to an accident.
I worry that one day, when I'm on a mission, I might encounter similar extreme conditions, so I've made extra preparations. I carry some food, water, and tools with me, just in case I can't handle the situation when it arises..."
"Would you like to try some ice slush? It's mixed with coconut syrup and is very sweet."
"No...no, thank you..."
After declining Lyon's kind offer, the princess, who had been standing in the cold for over half an hour in hopes of flirting with him, took a big gulp of the hot water he had prepared and then, with a vengeful look, tightly hugged and kissed Yuhua.
Oh well, if I can't flirt with him, hugging his dog isn't bad either...hmm...this little thing is so adorably strange.
"Your Highness, Veronica."
As Yuhua whimpered in protest, Lyon looked down at the ticket in his hand and then, taking the initiative, asked, "Which plays will the Morning Star Theatre be performing today that you wish to see?"
"Of course, it's the most classic works of Master Wilde!"
To Lyon's surprise, what the "ticket-delivering maid" had said about the princess liking Master Wilde's works didn't seem to be just an excuse.
When mentioning the plays they would be watching later, Princess Veronica's eyes lit up. With Yuhua wriggling in her arms, she listed them off like a connoisseur:
"Among them, the one I never miss is Master Wilde's masterpiece, 'Lady Helena,' which tells the story of the once-great sculptor Lady Helena and her forbidden love with her most talented disciple.
Especially after experiencing countless storms, the gentle and composed Lady Helena, under the fervent and sincere pursuit of her disciple, struggled to contain the palpitations in her heart for the first time.
But for the sake of her family and the disciple's future, she could only reject the boy's intentions. She cruelly drove him away, but as he left in dejection, she trembled and, for the first time, lost her grip, accidentally destroying the sculpture she had been working on for years. That scene was incredibly impactful!
After the statue was destroyed, whether it was the loss of years of hard work or the farewell to her dearest love, she couldn't help but suppress a choked sob, making one wish to tear their heart out in pain.
Behind the scenes, Helena, with tears in her eyes, picked up the carving knife and continued to modify the ruined statue. As she carved, she found that the face of the statue, which she had sketched countless times, gradually resembled her rejected lover. In the end, she could only caress the statue's face, her tears falling silently.
After excitedly introducing her favorite work, perhaps fearing that Leon wouldn't enjoy such a heart-wrenching drama, the Princess quickly recommended more light-hearted plays:
"Leon, if you're looking for something more light-hearted, Master Wilde also has works like 'The Twelve-Day Tour' and 'The House of Rent,' which are romantic comedies."
'The Twelve-Day Tour' is one of Master Wilde's early masterpieces. It tells the story of a young man named Elijah, who resists an arranged marriage by his family. Before his wedding, he secretly runs away to a coastal city, but as he doesn't know where to go, he hires a beautiful waitress named Agatha from a local tavern to be his temporary tour guide.
Over eleven days of traveling together, they get to know each other and eventually fall in love. However, just as Elijah decides to abandon the loveless marriage and bravely pursue Agatha, she is mysteriously captured on the beach. For Elijah's love and safety, he has no choice but to return home and marry his fiancee, hoping to use his in-laws' influence to find Agatha."
Incredibly, on the very day Elijah, with the intention of sacrificing his love for Agatha's safety, marries the woman arranged by his family, Agatha, who had also run away from her own arranged marriage, appears at the wedding ceremony. She had been forcibly captured and brought back for her own wedding...
"What do you think? Doesn't it sound exciting? I'm already getting impatient!"
"..."
Leon couldn't help but smile at the princess, whose eyes sparkled with anticipation, as if she desperately sought his approval.
To be honest... it does sound interesting. But you just spoiled the biggest twists of both plays in a few sentences...
Leon glanced at the princess, who was eager to recommend her favorite plays but had unknowingly given away the entire plot. He smiled helplessly and nodded in agreement.
"I am quite interested... Shall we watch these today?"
"Yes! One performance of 'The Twelve-Day Tour' and one of 'Lady Helena.' By the time we finish both, it will be dark."
The princess beamed with success, hugging Yuhua, who looked delighted. "I knew it! No one can resist Master Wilde's works... Leon, trust me. Although the Morning Star Theatre has been going through some issues, and the lead actor can't perform, making the shows less impressive than before, with Master Wilde's plays, I guarantee you won't regret it!"
Wow, you're usually so busy, yet you still keep up with the changes in a theater troupe. It seems that servant girl was telling the truth; you're indeed an ultimate fan of that Master.
Although he hadn't seen the plays yet, the princess had already revealed most of the plot. However, seeing her more animated than ever, Leon found himself strangely less resistant to this trip to the Dragon's Den.
"Then I'll trust you."
Leon smiled at the princess and waited until the carriage slowed down and came to a stop by the roadside. He first threw the blanket and Yuhua into the window, then got off the carriage and turned to offer his hand to the princess.
"Let's go. I hope our trip today will be worthwhile."
(End of Chapter)
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