Chapter 248

A short moment passed.

“Are you still cold, Your Imperial Highness? Would you like to add another layer of clothing?”

“N-no… it’s unnecessary…”

After hearing Leon’s inquiry, the princess wrapped in an old overcoat, wearing cotton gloves, clutching a hot water bag, and holding a warm little puppy in her arms, couldn’t help but slightly shake her head. Her expression grew complicated as she said,

“In fact, I’m not that cold… Speaking of which, are you particularly afraid of the cold? Why do you carry so many heating items with you?”

“Not just heating items, I also have cooling stuff.”

In the midst of the puppy’s soft whining sound, the carriage window beside Leon flickered slightly. A sun hat and two somewhat worn silk fans appeared in his hands one after another. Following this, there was even a small iron basin filled with milk-white slush falling down.

“…”

Even carrying fans and slushies in winter? What are you aiming for?

With a somewhat speechless expression, the princess watched as Leon calmly explained: “As you know, our work at the Clearing Bureau is very special, and we often encounter various unexpected situations. For example, the senior members of the Lyra Branch have already been frozen in the polar regions due to an accident for two years.

I worry that someday when I go on a mission, I might encounter similar extreme conditions. So, I’ve prepared quite a bit ahead of time, carrying some food, drinks, and tools with me, just in case I can’t handle the situation later…

By the way, would you like to try some of the slush? It’s mixed with coconut syrup, very sweet.”

“N-no… it’s unnecessary…”

After declining Leon’s kind offer to share, the princess, who had deliberately stood freezing by the roadside for half an hour as an excuse to flirt, could only drink a large gulp of hot water prepared by Leon with a sullen face. Then, she fiercely hugged the puppy and kissed it forcefully, as if seeking revenge.

Well, if I can’t hug the dog man, hugging his dog isn’t bad either… Hmm… Come to think of it, this little thing is really quite adorable~ “Princess Veronica.”

Amidst the puppy’s protesting whimpers, Leon glanced down at the ticket in his hand and then proactively asked,

“What plays will the Morning Star Theater Company be performing today that you wish to see?”

“Of course, Master Wilde’s most classic works!”

To Leon’s surprise, what the “ticket-giving maid” had said earlier about the princess liking Master Wilde’s works seemed to be more than just an excuse.

When mentioning the plays she would watch later, Princess Veronica’s eyes lit up immediately. She clutched the wriggling puppy in her arms and began recounting knowledgeably:

“The one I always watch is Master Wilde’s masterpiece, ‘Lady Helena,’ which tells the story of the famous sculptor Lady Helena and a forbidden love affair with her most outstanding disciple.

Especially the scene where the gentle and composed Lady Helena, after enduring numerous storms, cannot control her own heart’s fluttering under the intense and sincere pursuit of her disciple, exudes a subtle beauty that mixes immorality with sanctity.

And when she chooses to reject the young man’s feelings for the sake of her family and her disciple’s future, cruelly driving him away, yet trembles and loses control while he departs sorrowfully, accidentally damaging a sculpture she has worked on for years, that moment carries an incomparable impact!

Later, when she tearfully picks up the chisel and continues modifying the damaged statue, discovering that the once repeatedly carved figure increasingly resembles the lover she rejected, she can only caress the statue’s face and quietly weep. Lady Helena becomes an eternal classic in theatrical history!”

After excitedly introducing her favorite work, seemingly fearing that Leon might dislike such a tragic love drama, the princess eagerly continued recommending:

“Leon, if you want to watch something light-hearted, Master Wilde also has romantic comedies like ‘Twelve Days Together’ and ‘Renting Happiness.’

‘Twelve Days Together’ is an early masterpiece by Master Wilde. It tells the story of Elijah, a young man resisting an arranged marriage set up by his family, who secretly leaves home before his wedding and goes to a seaside city. Not knowing where to visit, he hires a beautiful waitress named Agatha from a local tavern to be his temporary tour guide.

During their eleven days of traveling together, they come to know each other and fall in love. But just as Elijah decides to abandon the loveless marriage and courageously pursue his own happiness, Agatha is abducted by a mysterious person at the seaside. To ensure his lover’s safety, Elijah returns home and marries as arranged, hoping to use his fiancée’s family resources to find Agatha.

However, incredibly, on the day Elijah marries out of concern for his lover’s safety, giving up on love, Agatha appears at the wedding site. She too had escaped her arranged marriage, but after being discovered, she was forcibly brought back for the wedding…

How about that? Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? I can hardly wait!”

“…”

Looking at the princess whose eyes gleamed with anticipation, clearly yearning for a positive response, Leon couldn’t help but smirk.

Honestly speaking… it does sound okay, but you’ve just summarized the highlights of both dramas in just a few words…

Glancing at the princess who, eager to recommend her favorite plays, inadvertently spoiled them without realizing it, Leon sighed helplessly and nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, I’m interested… Are we watching these today?”

“Yes! One ‘Twelve Days Together’ and one ‘Lady Helena.’ After finishing both performances, it’ll be dark.”

The successful recommendation made the princess beam with delight as she happily declared while hugging the puppy, “I knew it; absolutely no one can resist Master Wilde’s works… Leon, trust me. Although the Morning Star Theater Company has had some issues recently and the lead actor can’t perform, making it less impressive than before, with Master Wilde’s script, I guarantee you won’t regret it!”

Wow, despite being so busy normally, you’re still paying attention to the cast changes of a theater troupe. It seems the maid was right; you really are the ultimate hardcore fan of that master.

Although the plays were almost completely spoiled before even seeing them, looking at the much more genuine princess compared to before, Leon inexplicably didn’t feel as resistant to this trip into the dragon’s den.

“I’ll trust you then.”

Smiling at the princess, as the carriage started to slow down until it stopped by the side of the road, Leon first threw the warming clothes and the puppy through the window, then stepped out of the carriage first, turning around to extend his hand to the princess.

“Let’s go. Hopefully, we won’t waste our trip today.”