"Are you still cold, Your Highness? Do you want to add another layer?"
Hearing Leon's inquiry, the princess, wrapped in an old coat, wearing cotton gloves, clutching a hot water bottle, and holding a warm little puppy, shook her head slightly. Then, with a complex expression, she said, "Actually, I'm not that cold... Are you afraid of the cold, by any chance? Why do you carry so many things for warmth?"
"It's not just things for warmth, I also have things for staying cool."
Amidst Young Ha's puppy-like whining, the window next to Leon shimmered slightly. A sun hat and two somewhat worn silk fans appeared in his hands, followed by a small iron basin full of milky ice shavings.
Carrying fans and ice shavings in winter? What are you aiming for?
Seeing the princess's somewhat speechless expression, Leon explained calmly, "You know, our work at the Purification Bureau is very special. We often encounter unexpected situations, like the seniors at the Lyra Branch, who have been frozen at the poles for two years due to an accident.
I worry that one day I'll encounter similar extreme situations during a mission, so I made some preparations in advance. I carry things like food, drinking water, and tools with me, just in case I'm unable to handle it...
By the way, would you like to try some ice shavings? It's mixed with coconut syrup, very sweet."
"No... no, thank you..."
After declining Leon's kind offer, the princess, who had deliberately frozen at the roadside for over half an hour for an excuse to flirt, reluctantly drank a large sip of the hot water Leon had prepared. Then, with a darkened face, she hugged Young Ha tightly and gave it a retaliatory kiss.
*Well, couldn't hug the dog man, but hugging his dog isn't bad either... Hmm... Speaking of which, this little thing is quite adorably strange~*
Amidst the protests of the tormented Young Ha, Leon glanced down at the tickets in his hand and then asked proactively, "The Morning Star Troupe you wanted to see, what plays will they be performing today?"
"Of course, the most classic works of Master Wilde!"
Contrary to Leon's expectations, what the previous "ticket-giving maid" said about the princess liking Master Wilde's works seemed not to be entirely an excuse.
When mentioning the plays they were about to watch, Princess Veronica's eyes lit up instantly. Hugging Young Ha, who was wagging its tail and struggling, she recounted enthusiastically, "Among them, a must-see every time is Master Wilde's masterpiece 'Madam Helena,' which tells the story of a forbidden love between the former great engraver Madam Helena and her most outstanding apprentice.
Especially, after enduring many hardships, the scene where the gentle and composed Madam Helena cannot control the stirring of her heart under the passionate and sincere pursuit of her apprentice has a sense of pure beauty amidst the taboo.
But for the sake of her family and the apprentice's future, she could only choose to reject the young man's affection, cruelly sending him away. Still, as he walks away in melancholy, the moment she accidentally destroys her own work of years in her first moment of trembling loss has unparalleled impact!
Then, when she picks up the engraving knife with tears and continues modifying the ruined statue, she realizes that the face she has carved countless times without thought is increasingly resembling the lover she rejected. Ultimately, she caresses the statue's face and cries silently—Madam Helena is an eternal classic in the history of drama!"
After passionately introducing her favorite work, perhaps fearing Leon might dislike such tragic romance, the princess eagerly advocated, "Leon, if you'd prefer to see something lighthearted, Master Wilde's works also include romantic comedies like 'Twelve Days' Journey' and 'Lucky House for Rent.'
'Twelve Days' Journey' is an early masterpiece by Master Wilde, about the young Elijah who opposes his family's arranged marriage. He sneaks away to a seaside city before the wedding and, unaware of where to go sightseeing, hires the beautiful barmaid Agatha to be his temporary guide.
During their eleven-day journey, the two get to know each other and fall in love. But just as Elijah is ready to abandon his loveless marriage and pursue happiness, Agatha is mysteriously taken at the seaside. For the safety of his love, Elijah must return home to marry, attempting to leverage his fiancée's family to find Agatha.
However, incredibly, on the day Elijah, harboring the thought of giving up love for his lover's safety, marries his designated bride, the one who appears at the wedding is, in fact, Agatha, who also detested arranged marriage, escaped, but was forcibly brought back home due to her exposed whereabouts...
How about it? Doesn't it sound intriguing? Can't wait, right?"
Seeing the princess's eyes sparkling with anticipation, clearly craving affirmative feedback, Leon couldn't help but grin.
*To be honest... it does sound decent, but you just gave me the main highlights of these two plays in a few sentences...*
Looking at the princess, eager to recommend her favorite plays while unknowingly revealing spoilers, Leon smiled wryly and cooperatively nodded.
"Indeed, I'm quite interested... Are we watching these today?"
"Yes! One performance of 'Twelve Days' Journey,' one of 'Madam Helena,' and after watching both, it will just be getting dark."
With a successful recommendation, the princess beamed radiantly, hugging Young Ha and expressing, "I knew it, no one can resist Master Wilde's works... Leon, believe me, although the Morning Star Troupe has recently had some issues, preventing the lead actor from performing, and is somewhat lacking compared to before, with Master Wilde's scripts, I guarantee you absolutely won't regret it!"
*Wow, you're usually that busy, yet you can still keep up with an acting troupe's cast changes. It seems what the maid said is true; you're indeed the ultimate fan of whatever Master.*
Although inundated with spoilers before even seeing the play, seeing a princess who was more "real" than before, Leon paradoxically felt much less resistant to this trip to the Dragon's Den and Tiger's Lair.
"Okay, I'll trust you then."
Smiling at the princess, once the carriage began to slow down and eventually came to a stop by the roadside, Leon first tossed the warming clothes and Young Ha back into the window. He then stepped out of the carriage first, thereafter turning and extending his hand to the princess.
"Let's go, I hope today won't be a wasted trip."