Chapter 174 The King Wants a Son-in-Law
The group that entered the castle now had the coachman park the carriage, and the soldiers settled the horses in the stables.
The minister and the general, leading the servants and soldiers, followed behind King Louis and the Princess, walking towards the magnificent building in the very center.
In the middle of the courtyard was a circular fountain composed of thirteen fan-shaped sections. The surrounding green lawns were covered with brightly colored purple and white flowers.
Ahead was the central building of the castle, with blue spires, and its eaves, walls, and corners were carved with luxurious patterns, surrounded by vines with blooming flowers.
Below, tall white stone pillars supported the walls, and the ceiling was inlaid with stained glass paintings, depicting ferocious and exotic beasts such as lions, leopards, eagles, qilin, and pandas. Everything was exquisitely admirable.
Seeing such a sight, King Louis exclaimed in praise, "Oh, what a fine castle! One can tell the designer must be a stylish gentleman who loves extravagant flair and floral decorations. Although its size is far less than the Palace of Versailles, if this castle were placed in Versailles, it would still hold its own."
The minister flattered him, saying, "Indeed. It's unexpected that Marquis Shirou possesses such a magnificent estate. Your Majesty has excellent discernment. This is also the deserved result of Your Majesty's benevolence and helpfulness."
The general also chimed in with flattery, "Yes, Your Majesty. Marquis Shirou must be preparing to welcome you now."
"Are you sure this is really where Marquis Shirou went?" King Louis looked at the cavalryman who had reported to him and confirmed again. He was uneasy about letting a young man who had just been robbed continue alone, so he had sent a cavalryman to follow him on horseback.
"Yes, Your Majesty, absolutely certain," the cavalryman affirmed.
Because Shirou and the bay horse worked well together, their speed was fast. The cavalryman could only follow the hoof prints all the way to the castle, then turned back to report.
So King Louis led the carriage procession along the road to this castle. The way was completely unobstructed. Even with servants working, no one stopped them from entering, which clearly indicated a welcome.
Thus, King Louis and his entourage became even more convinced of the identity of the owner here.
However, the richness of the place startled him, and all that remained in his heart was appreciation and delight. Marquis Shirou, that elegant young man, perfectly matched the image of an ideal son-in-law.
King Louis then looked at his princess and asked, "My dearest daughter, what do you think of this place?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, this is a very fine place. The architectural style incorporates the merits of France, the fashion of England, and some novel elements. I quite like this cosmopolitan style," the Princess nodded, performed a knight's bow, her golden long hair flowing down, and replied respectfully.
"Is that so, is that so, ha-ha-ha," King Louis laughed with joy, and his steps became lighter.
It would still be several minutes before they reached the mansion's main entrance.
The castle's servants were bustling around the door like a swarm of headless flies.
Originally, they were just domestic staff hired by a country noble. Before Merlin used the Holy Grail to create this castle, their workplace was actually a wooden villa made by a third-rate carpenter. They ate two meals a day—warm water with black bread—worked year-round without rest, and slept on old cowhides spread in the cellar.
Most of those lands were acquired through power and unscrupulous means. Since no one else cared in the countryside, the noble just quietly made a fortune and became a local despot.
In contrast, the new mistress, Lady Jeanne, though a bit harsh with her words, treated the servants extremely well, not looking down on them, who were mostly country farmers.
Now they ate soft bread, received wages, and slept in large beds in the corner guest rooms. They felt more gratitude than fear towards Jeanne.
However, people of their background had never encountered a personage as esteemed as an emperor, so they were instantly flustered, gathering at the entrance to the great hall, afraid to go in and unable to get a response. They were completely at a loss.
At this moment, Jeanne, who had finished a hot bath and was wiped clean, happened to return.
"What are you all gathering here chattering about? It's so noisy. If your work is done, go rest somewhere out of sight. Why are you here?" Jeanne asked the servants.
"My Lady! You're here! A noble guest has arrived outside, claiming to be the Emperor of a neighboring country." The servants waiting outside found their backbone when they saw the silver-haired girl and stepped forward to report. "Yes, what should we do?! We have never hosted such a great personage!" the servants asked.
"Don't make such a fuss. I don't care if he's an Emperor or a King. The person I'm looking for has already arrived, so just chase everyone else away," Jeanne said impatiently.
Hearing the girl's voice, Shirou immediately opened the door and walked out, saying, "No, Jeanne, we need to meet them. There's a Servant present there."
"A Servant? Shirou, is it an enemy?" Jeanne frowned and asked the young man.
"My Lord, who are these guests?" the servants asked in confusion.
"That's enough. Well, this is my..." Jeanne glanced at the young man, rolling her eyes, and said with an awkward grimace, "...friend! You treat him as me and obey his commands."
"Yes, my Lord. How should we address you?" The servants, seeing their mistress's reaction and the young man's luxurious attire, exchanged knowing glances and respectfully asked the young man.
Shirou looked at these servants and kindly said, "Ah... call me Shirou..."
Just as Shirou was about to speak, Tamamo Cat jumped out first and shouted, "This is Meow's Master, Marquis Shirou, nya! Show Meow some respect, commoners!"
"Yes! So it is Marquis Shirou! We apologize for our oversight." The servants became even more respectful when they heard the young man's title.
"Then, the esteemed guests have settled their carriage. Marquis Shirou, what should we do next?" the servants asked with their heads bowed.
"Master, please show your Marquis's presence, nya!" Tamamo Cat hugged the young man.
'Unexpectedly, the outrageous Tamamo Cat, who seemed to be just fooling around, is the most rational and reliable one. Then I must also pull myself together.'
Shirou took a deep breath, adjusting his mindset. He indeed had no experience hosting an Emperor, but he was not without experience hosting nobles.
He decided to lead these people and conduct a perfect reception.
Shirou observed the servants awaiting instructions.
They weren't the twenty-something cold beauty black-haired head maid leading a group of ten-something pure and lovely young girls, the stuff of light novels and dreams.
Instead, they were a team of aunties and uncles in their thirties and forties, all from farming families in a remote countryside. Because their families didn't have much land, their children alone were enough to handle the farm work. So, during the off-season, they worked as hired help to earn some money to supplement the household income.
They were adults who could patiently care for people and willingly do dirty and strenuous work without complaint.
"The Emperor who has arrived is a noble guest who helped me. First of all, follow me to welcome them," Shirou commanded.
"Yes," the servants agreed.
"Maids and male servants, line up on either side of the entrance. Shorter ones stand in front, taller ones behind, facing the center of the path leading into the door. You don't need to say anything to welcome the esteemed guests, nor should you smile. Just bow slightly to show respect! Move quickly! If you do well, this month's salary will be doubled," Shirou instructed.
"Yes!" The servants immediately beamed with joy at the mention of double salary and agreed loudly.
With the command given, the servants no longer hesitated and quickly sprang into action.
Being pragmatic people from farming backgrounds, they didn't harbor any extravagant dreams of being noticed by a great personage and living a worry-free life. In fact, just successfully hosting an important person like the Emperor of a neighboring country without making mistakes would be enough for them to talk about for a lifetime.
Receiving a bonus now was simply the best thing ever.
"So, are you two coming along too?" Shirou asked the two Servant girls.
"Meow, Meow is always the pet who supports Master, nya~!" Tamamo Cat raised both hands, revealing her large paw pads, and said with a smile.
'Hmm, the pet role is confirmed. I can leave her here then.' Shirou nodded.
Jeanne wrinkled her mouth in disgust and said, "Me? I won't show my face. Kings, nobles, and all that just make me want to set them on fire."
"Alright then. I'll go and welcome the Emperor and his group first, and then I'll come back for you," Shirou said to the silver-haired girl.
"Hmph, well, my room is the largest one over there. Just come directly if you need me," Jeanne said, turning her face away.
"I know." Shirou waved his hand and hurried outside.
When King Louis and his entourage walked through the blue and gold patterned main gate, they saw maids and male servants lined up on both sides of the long red carpet, all bowing their heads respectfully. The young man stood in the center of the path, welcoming them with a smile.
"Your Majesty, welcome."
"Shirou! You have quite a fine estate," King Louis looked at the young man and praised him.
"Haha, you flatter me." While talking, Shirou used his Mystic Eyes to scan the area.
This was a space between a dream and reality, and the state of every living being was somewhat different from before.
King Louis, this good-natured and moral man, had a stable Spirit Origin, but he was not a Servant. As for the Minister and General beside him, they were somewhat inferior, and the soldiers further back were just ordinary people.
Finally, his gaze locked onto the suspicious blonde woman standing behind the Emperor, wearing a light blue formal gown and a long hat that concealed half her face.
She had been hiding inside the carriage earlier and was very skilled at concealing herself, which was why he hadn't noticed her before. Now, he was certain she was a Servant.
'Is she an enemy? Or is she someone, like Tamamo Cat, who was sucked into the dream?' Shirou channeled more magical energy into his Mystic Eyes, trying to ascertain whether the girl across from him had any connection to the Black Mud Servant.
At this moment, the girl also peeked at the young man through the gap in her fashionable hat. Her fair hands wrung her dress, tightening her grip on the sword hidden beneath her skirt. The young man in front of her was clearly not a Servant, but those aggressive Mystic Eyes, trying to see through everything, were definitely not those of an ordinary person.
The two stared at each other for a long moment in silence.
"Hmm? Ha-ha, ah ha ha ha." King Louis noticed this scene, but instead laughed heartily.
"Ha ha ha," the Minister and the General also laughed along.
"Alright, alright. Shirou, as a gentleman, staring at a lady like that is improper. Don't be too eager. I will properly introduce this lovely little lady to you later. For now, why don't you show us around your castle," King Louis said with a smile.
"No, you misunderstood," Shirou said, closing his Mystic Eyes awkwardly.
The blonde woman across from him also breathed a sigh of relief, releasing the sword hidden beneath her skirt.
"Ha ha ha, there's no need to be shy, young man!" King Louis, like a seasoned elder, stepped forward and patted the young man's back.
"Yes, please allow me to guide you," Shirou nodded and agreed, then gave a few instructions to the servants and led the Emperor around the magnificent mansion as a guide. To avoid any slip-ups, Shirou's Analysis Mystic Eyes came in handy. He knew the layout of the large house, the purpose of each room, and through analysis, he could comment on the interior decor and design style.
After guiding King Louis and his entourage around, the servants he had previously instructed had also completed the preparations.
"Your Majesty the Emperor, please allow me to properly host you and your entourage. Rooms for rest have been prepared for you. Please stay here today," Shirou said with a smile.
"Shirou, thank you. You've been very thoughtful in your preparations. We will gladly accept," King Louis smiled and agreed.
Since they were distinguished guests, Shirou naturally could not host them in ordinary guest rooms.
Instead, he cleared out the annex villa next to the main building for the Emperor and the Princess to use freely. The Minister and the General were settled on the upper floor of the Western-style building next to the villa, while the lower floor was for the knights and accompanying soldiers, allowing them to choose their own rooms.
When Merlin built the castle, he seemed to have created a miniature version based on Camelot, only removing the superfluous walls and the residential area. There were definitely enough rooms.
Having been jolted around in the carriage all day, King Louis, who felt tired sitting on the sofa, decided to rest for a while.
After settling the Emperor and his party, Shirou left the annex and returned to the main building, heading toward Jeanne's room.
The silver-haired girl was lying on the red sofa, talking about something with Tamamo Cat.
Tamamo Cat, meanwhile, was sitting at a table, using a sewing machine that appeared from nowhere, rapidly cutting and sewing silk and other materials on the stand.
Most of the garment was already complete. Even with two large paw-like claws that resembled thick gloves, she was operating it very nimbly. A man's noble formal suit was taking shape little by little in her hands.
"Finished, nya!" Tamamo Cat raised the formal suit with both hands, wagged her tail, and happily twirled in place.
"Ohhh, you have cat claws, but your hands are very skillful," Jeanne exclaimed with admiration.
"If Meow gives this suit to Master, then it looks like we can move on to the next stage, nya~!" Tamamo Cat said with a slight blush, looking very expectant.
"What's the next stage?" Jeanne looked at Tamamo Cat and asked in confusion.
"Since we have the fields and the house now, it's about time to hand over this red thread of fate to Master, and then have Master nap with me every day, and take me for a walk in the courtyard every evening, nya." Tamamo Cat blushed and, using some unknown method, pulled out a long red leash with a buckle from the shallow pocket of her apron.
"Wait! Wait! Why are you doing dog-like things, you stray cat!" Jeanne immediately rushed over, snatched the leash, and shouted at Tamamo Cat.
Tamamo Cat quickly grabbed the other end of the leash and pulled it back towards herself.
"You don't understand, nya. Meow is Master's perfect all-purpose pet. I have the cuteness of a cat, the loyalty of a dog, and the wifely virtue of a maid. I'm proficient in everything, whether it's fighting, cooking, cleaning, or warming the bed.
For Master, I can do anything with love, whether it's squeaking and running on a wheel like a hamster, or barking and rolling around like a cat!" Tamamo Cat used her immense strength to pull the leash towards herself, swaying her body, and her bell jingled around her neck as she made her proud declaration.
"You're breaking the rules! Do you think I'll let you get away with that?!" Jeanne exerted all her strength to snatch the leash back.
A ferocious glare appeared in Tamamo Cat's eyes, and she said, "Do you really want to compete with Meow for the position of walking with Master? You can't, nya. Meow is Master's most perfect pet, nya!"
"What are you two fighting about? I can hear the noise from outside," Shirou pushed open the door and walked in, asking in confusion.
"Master! Master! Look quickly! Meow made new clothes for you!" Seeing the young man, Tamamo Cat immediately dropped the red leash, held up the clothes, and ran to the young man like she was offering a treasure.
"Ah, thank you, Tamamo Cat. You're right, this borrowed suit needs to be washed and returned," Shirou stroked Tamamo Cat's head and praised her.
Tamamo Cat accepted the petting, squinted her eyes, and smiled, looking delighted. Then she asked, "Hehe, Master, Meow is the perfect pet, isn't she? I'm both a cat and a dog, and I even trained as a maid. I'm practically a three-in-one all-purpose pet, nya!"
Shirou rested his chin in his hand and said, "Hmm? Performance-wise, I really can't complain. So you're simultaneously filling the roles of three pets, and you're skilled at sewing. You also seem to get along well with the current Artoria... No! Wait! A maid isn't a pet!"
"But Meow is the pet who loves Master the most, nya." Tamamo Cat covered her face and blinked her big eyes, looking at the young man without concealing her feelings.
Shirou paused, feeling a bit shy. Although he understood this was due to her class, Tamamo Cat was affectionate like a pet. But no matter how much she emphasized that she was a pet, she was still a cute girl. He wasn't very good at handling such forward women.
"Woof!" At this moment, Cavall II at Hikigaya's house suddenly shivered, looking around alertly, seemingly sensing something.
"What's wrong, Cav-chan?" Shirou's sister, Komachi Hikigaya, walked over at the sound and stroked the white dog, asking, "Are you missing Onii-chan? Just be patient for another week, and he'll be back. Then you'll be annoyed by his Grandpa-like nagging again."
"Woof-ooh?" Cavall II licked the girl's hand, as if comforting her instead.
"That's right. He should be in Paris now. The news says some strange illness is spreading there recently. But Onii-chan is as strong as a youkai, so he should be fine, right? I wonder if he can manage to bring back a foreign girl?"
"Woof-ooh!" Cavall II's eyes lit up, and he wagged his tail happily.
Komachi laughed to herself as she spoke, "But that's impossible for Onii-chan, ah ha ha ha! Well, as long as he brings back Komachi's snacks, it'll be fine."
"Woof, woof..." Cavall II squinted his eyes, sighing as if he empathized.
In Jeanne d'Arc Alter's room, the young man was shy and didn't know what to say. The cat girl took the opportunity to lean forward, rubbing herself against the young man's firm chest.
"Wait~! Shirou! Why are you acting shy there!" Jeanne kicked the stunned young man in annoyance.
Shirou was jolted by the kick and finally snapped out of it.
Shirou coughed and said, "Ahem, indeed, this is not the time to talk about other things. The first thing we need to do to host the Emperor and his family is to get them to agree to take us into the country in the forest."
"What a hassle. Why don't we just barge in?" Jeanne d'Arc Alter said with her arms crossed, annoyed. After all, it was a rare meeting with the young man, and besides the addition of a stray cat, a bunch of strange people had shown up.
"Yes, that's one method, but since I received help from the Emperor earlier, it's only right that I host them properly now. Besides, since we've finally reunited, we should celebrate with some good food, right?" Shirou said with a slight smile to the silver-haired girl.
"I-Is that so? Well, I suppose you can't be helped, Shirou!" Jeanne d'Arc Alter turned her face away and said with an awkward grimace, "I'm not as gluttonous as the cold-blooded King, but if Shirou wants to do this, I won't stop you."
"Alright, then Tamamo Cat, help me out," Shirou said, rolling up his sleeves.
"Meow knows! Leave it to Meow! Meow, meow? Master?!" Tamamo Cat raised her arms and enthusiastically agreed, then reacted and stared blankly at the young man.
"What's wrong, Tamamo Cat?" Shirou had already projected an apron onto himself and was checking the ingredients in the castle.
"Master! Cooking is Meow's job!" Tamamo Cat pounced in front of the young man and said very seriously.
"No, it'll be faster with two people, right? Anyway, I'll be the head chef. You can make a few of your best dishes then, alright?" Shirou said to the cat.
"Then Master should be helping Meow, nya! Meow underwent rigorous training at a maid cafe, nya~!" Tamamo Cat said, looking conflicted.
However, the young man couldn't back down in this domain. The soul of a chef was burning within him.
Shirou looked at the cat and said, "I don't think my cooking will lose to yours."
Tamamo Cat also could not tolerate defeat in this domain. She absolutely could not give up this point, either as the strongest, most perfect pet or as a devoted wife.
"Meow? Master! Then Meow must make you understand that cooking is a pet's expression of love. Master just needs to be responsible for earning money, and when you return home, you just need to sit obediently and accept my service."
"I think a pet just needs to be adorable, which is enough. After all, allowing a pet into the kitchen might violate restaurant health codes. How about you just sit down obediently and accept my kindness?" Shirou projected a pan, grasped it in his hand, and said to the cat.
"Meow, meow! Even if you praise Meow for being cute, Master, I won't back down!" Tamamo Cat heard the young man's words, felt like she was struck by a heavy blow, and her face flushed.
She wanted to laugh happily but stubbornly held back. If it were any other time, faced with such a handsome Master, she would probably be lying on the ground, exposing her tummy in surrender. But this was the one thing she could not concede.
Tamamo Cat also held a frying pan in both hands, vigorously shaking her head. The bell around her neck jingled back and forth, and she finally calmed down. If she surrendered the kitchen, which was like the battlefield of a devoted wife, her only remaining value would be warming the bed!
"Eh? Why? Why are you two suddenly confronting each other?" Jeanne said in confusion from the side.
"Is that so? I understand!" Shirou also understood Tamamo Cat's determination and nodded.
"It's great that you understand, Master!" Tamamo Cat said with a smile.
"Matters in the kitchen will be decided the kitchen way! We'll have a cooking contest!" the young man and the cat girl said in unison.
"So! Why did you two suddenly get fired up on your own!" Jeanne exclaimed in surprise.
An hour later.
Shirou had the servants summon the Minister and the General, while he personally went to the annex to find the Emperor and his entourage, who had finished resting, and invited them to be seated for dinner in the castle's central banquet hall. As for the servants and soldiers, he arranged for the servants to deliver meals to them.
In the spacious banquet hall, crystal chandeliers hung overhead like waterfalls. On the long rectangular table in the center, covered with a white cloth, a golden candelabrum burned with a soft candlelight.
Servants individually carried silver platters, covered with gleaming, semi-circular silver lids that reflected the light. A maid brought slender wine glasses and poured champagne as an aperitif for the guests.
This time, the objects of service were not the teenagers and burly teachers of Britain, but the Emperor of France.
If this King Louis was that 'Louis,' as Shirou suspected. Then, in the era he grew up in, French culinary culture was already fully developed.
There were even cooking competitions held by the royal family, and the court nobility considered tasting fine cuisine one of the greatest pleasures in life. Ordinary dishes would not satisfy this Emperor and his Ministers.
If it were merely about deliciousness, stinky tofu is delicious, Houttuynia cordata is delicious. The famous Inuit dish 'Kiviak,' made by sewing dead sea birds into a seal carcass and burying it in the ice to ferment for three years, is also a delicacy, and so is canned herring.
But these dishes would certainly not be served at a state banquet. French court cuisine must not have strange odors, must not make noise, must not stain the luxurious formal wear, and must adhere to etiquette.
The challenge for the young man was how to ensure they enjoyed the most delicious cuisine while adhering to the refined rules of the noble and royal family and ensuring elegant and beautiful dining.
In such a remote countryside, there weren't any remarkable ingredients.
Caviar and abalone were out of the question. However, the only advantage was that there were farms everywhere, allowing him to get freshly picked, the freshest, highest-quality selected vegetables, flour milled from polished rice, and livestock that grew up eating green grass and earthworms in a pesticide-free environment.
Shirou chose Cream of Mushroom and Chicken Vol-au-vent as the appetizer. The golden-brown round pastries were topped with puff pastry and chicken, brushed with layers of egg wash, resulting in a crispy and flaky pastry.
The soup was a sweet and fresh vegetable soup. One would dip the spoon into the center, scoop up the broth, and slowly sip it from the side of the spoon without making any noise. The warm vegetable soup brought a refreshing sensation upon tasting, like enjoying a natural landscape and being caressed by a gentle breeze.
The entrée was snails cooked in brandy, paired with a foie gras salad, its winning point being the freshness of the ingredients.
The main course was roasted rack of lamb, slow-roasted to medium-rare, paired with a sauce made from local farm-picked wild cherries brewed into cherry wine and stewed. It was tender and juicy, eliminating the gamey smell, and leaving a lasting delicious aftertaste.
The Emperor and his entourage all ate with satisfied smiles, savoring the flavors. Everyone chatted while dining. The only minor drawback was perhaps the lack of music from a violin or piano, but the deliciousness of the food compensated for this perfectly.
"This is truly delicious. The preparation of the ingredients is impeccable. Shirou, where did you hire your chef? I would love to hire a court chef of this caliber for the palace," King Louis asked curiously.
"Well... this situation is a bit special, and it's a long story. Actually, my chef is not some remarkable person. It's just that he has mastered many new recipes. I can have him hand over all the recipes to your court chef. With the recipes, I believe with some study and practice, they can make the same dishes," Shirou said with a dry laugh. Since he didn't know whether a noble man having cooking skills was considered a plus or a minus here, Shirou chose to keep it a secret.
"Is that so? Then thank you, Shirou," King Louis nodded, satisfied with this answer.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Tamamo Cat, wearing a maid outfit and a long apron, knelt on the ground with her hands supporting her.
"Meow lost, nya. Meow is a stray cat now. To actually lose to Master in cooking... Was my training at the maid cafe insufficient? Meow must run away from home, train well, and then come back to Master. Meow is no longer qualified to nap with Master, nya."
Tamamo Cat wiped away tears, pulled out a stick from nowhere, tied a cloth bundle to the end, and was about to walk out the door.
"Hey, don't leave. Your food was actually quite good. How should I put it? It had a feminine touch, and unlike Shirou's precision, it had a wild, free-spirited feeling," Jeanne said, tasting the omelet rice Tamamo Cat had made.
"Meow only feels happy when praised by Master, nya." Tamamo Cat burst into a brilliant smile through her tears and said, "But if you like to eat it, then eat it all, nya."
"Who praised you? I just don't want you to leave so no one will rush out to be cannon fodder. And if Shirou thinks he caused you to leave, his troublesome personality will obsess over it for
a long time. Otherwise, who cares about the feelings of a stray cat! But if I finish all the food you made, you have to stay," Jeanne said awkwardly, then buried her face and started eating the fried rice in big bites.
"Meow, meow~" Tamamo Cat smiled and said no more, only walking forward and rubbing her head against Jeanne's chest.
In the banquet hall, King Louis, the blonde woman with the long fashionable hat, and the accompanying Minister and General finished the exquisite dishes and the wine in their glasses.
They tasted the final dessert: a white mousse cake topped with fine red granules made from crushed beautiful rose petals, and an eggnog-like milk tea made from a mix of fresh raw egg and milk tea, with wild honey added.
With the servants' attendance, the tableware and cutlery were cleared, and a corner of a cloth napkin was used to gently dab away any grease from their mouths and hands.
From the King down to the Minister and the General, everyone wore expressions of utmost satisfaction. Even the corner of the lip of the woman whose face was half-covered revealed an intoxicated smile. It seemed everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
"By the way, Shirou, I actually have a proposal," the Emperor said, looking at the young man.
"Please speak," Shirou replied.
"I am actually looking for an outstanding talent to become my son-in-law. Alright! There's a limit to how shy you can be. You are a princess; this is very rude. How long are you going to wear that hat!" King Louis reached out and snatched the blonde woman's hat.
"Your Majesty~! Wait." The blonde woman, whose hat was taken off, let out a silvery shriek. At this moment, her true appearance was finally revealed: shimmering, smooth, long, straight golden hair, sparkling under the crystal chandeliers and candlelight. Her sapphire blue eyes were like jewels, and her pretty and proper face, with an undeniable heroic spirit in her eyes and brows, showed that this was a lady of honest, knightly demeanor.
King Louis looked at his daughter with affection, praising the beautiful person unreservedly, saying, "Shirou, this is my beloved daughter, the Princess of the Kingdom of Hearts in France. You've met her now. She is the nation's treasure, my apple of my eye, a rare woman of both talent and beauty in the world."
"Huh?!" Shirou looked at the beautiful princess with long golden hair, who was blushing and looking down, almost steaming. For some reason, she gave him a strange sense of incongruity.
This feeling was subtle, much like the famous Mona Lisa painting. It could almost be called the most famous painting in the world, interpreted by various people for its mystery. Besides
painters, various people, including mystery novelists and film directors, have offered different opinions.
Firstly, there is the mystery of the Mona Lisa's most famous smile. When viewed from a distance, she seems to be smiling, but when the gaze focuses on the mouth, one finds no curve there. Looking at the whole again, one might feel the person in the painting is not smiling. But as soon as one looks away and views the whole painting again, one finds that the person is smiling.
Secondly, there is the mystery of the Mona Lisa painting's gender. Although the generally accepted academic view is that the prototype of Mona Lisa was a noblewoman, some scholars have suggested that the prototype was Leonardo da Vinci's male lover and apprentice, Salai.
Another theory is that the left half of the Mona Lisa is male, while the right half is female. This is true for the face, and upon closer inspection, one finds that the left hand in the painting is long and slender, like a man's hand, while the right hand is soft and plump, like a woman's hand. Therefore, Mona Lisa is also considered a masterpiece that embodies the beauty of both genders.
The blonde princess across from him gave him that same contradictory feeling. Was it a long-haired blonde girl in a light blue princess gown? Or was it a boy who looked like a princess?
The staff in Chaldea, who were secretly watching through the surveillance, were now whispering to each other, some even chuckling. A few male staff members were biting their handkerchiefs and pounding the tables, glaring at the young man with jealousy.
He, or perhaps she, was the Dragon Knight of France, a legendary multi-faceted spy who had honed a superb sword skill. Even after her death, her true gender remained a mystery. Although there were rumors that someone confirmed her true identity as male after her death, there was no genuine, valid evidence.
Yes, he (she) was none other than...
"d'Eon!" Gudako and Mash from Chaldea exclaimed in surprise. Isn't this the Servant who disappeared from Chaldea?
"Ugh... why are there only familiar faces," Jeanne d'Arc Alter, watching the live broadcast through the Chaldea hologram in the kitchen, said unhappily.
"Meow? A Princess? Is this an enemy?" Tamamo Cat squinted her eyes, revealing her feral vertical pupils.
"What do you say, Shirou? Since you are unmarried and have no elders in your family, you can make your own decision, can't you? I'm not saying you have to decide now, but you could try to interact with my Princess. We accepted your hospitality today, so now I invite you to be a guest in my palace. You young people can get to know each other better." King Louis said with a smile.
"Excellent! Infiltrate the enemy! Shirou, quickly agree to the Emperor!" Da Vinci transmitted her voice into the ear of the young man, who was still in the dark, shouting loudly. She was desperately holding back her laughter and pounding the table.
Shirou nodded and said to King Louis, "I understand. Please allow me to visit your palace."
"Ha ha ha, that's what I like to hear! Very good, this is the best. I can introduce you to my family then," the Emperor stroked his beard with satisfaction and laughed happily.
"Ha ha, I'll be back soon. You young people have a good chat," King Louis said before leaving, then walked out the door with the Minister and the General, chatting and laughing.
The large banquet hall was now only occupied by the young man and the Princess, who was wearing a light blue long dress and had flowing golden hair.
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