The two Princesses appeared in the courtyard because Leia had invited Princess Margaret to take a stroll in the garden, to see the splendor of the Delarion Kingdom's noble banquet, which was also a way to showcase Delarion's national strength.
Naturally, the Princesses were surrounded by young people who had gathered for various reasons, but they did not approach when the Princesses were speaking with Mr. Smith and Baron Fuller.
When the two old gentlemen heard that Marquis Da Vinci, the Deputy Minister of Finance of Delarion, had also arrived, they left together to visit him. Taking advantage of the moment when there were few people around the Princesses, Xia De said to Leia with a natural expression:
"Your Highness, I heard you have a handwritten copy of the "summer night collection." My companion, Miss Dorothy Louisa, is very interested in that book. I wonder if you could lend it to us to read."
"Of course."
Leia understood the "code" and was very pleased that Xia De had taken the initiative to bring up the matter:
"I happen to have that book with me, but I can't give it to you just yet. When it's convenient, I'll send a maid to find you."
She said with a serious expression, and Xia De immediately nodded:
"Thank you for your generosity."
This conversation was to make the upcoming invitation less abrupt.
Princess Margaret, who was nearby, overheard their conversation and became very curious:
"A handwritten copy of the 'summer night collection'? I've heard of that famous collection of essays. Can I read it too?"
Xia De stroked the cat's head on his shoulder and turned his face to the other side. Leia's expression changed in the moment, but quickly returned to normal:
"If you're interested, I'll send that book to you tomorrow as a thank you for that bottle of red wine."
After speaking, she glanced at Xia De and saw that he was turning his head, as if he was interested in the champagne tower in the tent nearby. So she slightly lifted her skirt with her lowered left hand, revealing her left foot in high heels in the darkness. While no one was paying attention, Leia gently kicked Xia De. But when Xia De looked at Leia again, Her Royal Highness acted as if she had done nothing, inviting Xia De to rejoin the conversation.
Although it was a royal Princess's wedding banquet, neither the King nor Queen Diana actually attended; they only participated in the wedding ceremony at Peace Church in the afternoon. Therefore, theoretically, the highest-ranking person at the banquet was Duchess Jialinna Cavendish, but Miss Jialinna was still chatting with Miss Silvia on the third floor. So, apart from the bride and groom, the Princesses and Princes of the Cavendish Family, and Margaret Anjou, who was visiting Huntington City, were the true protagonists of this banquet.
After the two old gentlemen left, Xia De had not chatted with the two Princesses for long before the local young noble men and women gathered around again.
"Mr. Hamilton, I remember you are Sir Smith's neighbor?"
Leia asked curiously, and Xia De nodded:
"Yes, we both live in Saint Delan Square, not far from Yodel Palace."
"Oh, I've heard of Saint Delan Square too."
Princess Margaret smiled:
"It's said to be one of the most expensive places in all of Tobesk."
"Yes, Your Highness. There's even a joke about Saint Delan Square."
A voice came from the surrounding crowd. Xia De looked over and saw a gentleman in his twenties, whom he recognized but didn't know, wearing a red coat:
"It's said that Tobesk government officials, after retirement, all like to live in Saint Delan Square. Because only by living there is it possible not to be continuously monitored by MI6."
"Why is that?"
Someone else asked, and the gentleman in the red coat said:
"Because the land price is too expensive, MI6 can't afford to buy houses nearby and can't monitor for long."
Everyone laughed, and Princess Margaret and Leia also smiled in cooperation.
This kind of mockery of housing and land prices was something everyone enjoyed, and even Xia De smiled, but then he thought to himself:
"Yes, high-ranking civil servants like my neighbor Mr. Smith, who must know many state secrets, should still be monitored even after retirement. Where might MI6 agents occasionally appear near his house?"
"Is it possible it's you?"
"She" asked with a light laugh.
The temperature tonight was indeed a bit low, and the two Princesses would not stay in the courtyard for too long. But it was indeed very lively here. The candles on the dining tables and the gas lamps in the courtyard made everything around seem to glow. At the lively wedding banquet, everyone could find something they were interested in. The group did not talk for too long by the long table, and soon it was time to cut the cake.
Amidst the congratulations of the people, Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Iceberg together held the silver carving knife and symbolically made a cut in the five-tiered cake. Afterwards, servants came to continue cutting the cake.
Mia, standing on Xia De's shoulder, watched the cake with shining eyes, but for the cat's health, Xia De did not give it this food. The two Princesses accepted Mr. Eisberg's kindness and each took a small piece of cake, but Xia De noticed that they only held the plates and did not actually eat.
After the cake was cut, interesting banquet games were also held by the long table in the courtyard.
Among them, the game that surprised Xia De the most was "Catch the Devil."
First, a shallow bowl was filled with raisins. After soaking the raisins in brandy, the brandy was lit. The cheerfully dancing blue flames quickly illuminated the faces of the people around. Participants in the game would take turns reaching their hands into the flames, grabbing a burning raisin, and eating it as quickly as possible before their fingers and tongue were harmed.
This was a rather dangerous activity, but people seemed accustomed to it and were very cheerful. Even if someone was injured and screamed in pain, it would only make the surrounding guests laugh, and then others would continue to reach their hands into the burning brandy.
Even Leia and Margaret were not surprised by this game, apparently, it was a regular feature at wedding banquets.
In the "Catch the Devil" game, the person who could eat the most raisins would also receive a grape-shaped gilded badge as a reward. Xia De was very grateful that he only needed to prove "strength, wisdom, and charm," and not his "courage."
Therefore, to avoid looking foolish, he did not join this dangerous but exciting game. Instead, he was invited to play another table game with the Princesses.
The two Princesses' attire clearly indicated they were not suitable for activities with large movements. The new game in the courtyard did not require much movement, as it was dart throwing.
This was not the common pub game of throwing sharp darts at a small target while a crowd watched, but a very creatively made human-shaped target, as tall as a person. There were small red circles representing targets on the forehead, heart, and the left and right kidneys. Besides these four targets, other parts of the upright human-shaped target were separated by black dashed lines, each with small requirements written on them, such as reciting a poem or praising the moon. If these positions were hit, these requirements had to be fulfilled.
Xia De really didn't understand why people would like this kind of human-shaped target, but in any case, he was also invited to join this game.
Because the two Princesses were present, Mr. Randolph Iceberg, who had just finished cutting the cake, did not leave, but instead replaced his Old Butler as the game's host.
This dart game would last all night, and guests who wanted to try it, as long as they could hit any of the four circles, would receive a gilded dart-shaped brooch.
Princess Margaret seemed very enthusiastic and discussed with Leia who should go first.
The human-shaped target was set up next to the long table. Finally, Leia stood on a small path on the side of the walkway, about five or six steps away. Amidst the lively discussions of the people, she was the first to pick up a dart:
"I hope my luck is good enough."
Her Royal Highness said with a smile, and then threw gently. The dart flew unsteadily towards the target, but did not hit any of the four circles; instead, it struck the target's right leg.
The red ink on the right leg read "Praise the moon," so Leia really recited a short poem.
Next was Princess Margaret. She also behaved similarly to Leia. Although the dart finally pierced the target steadily, it only pierced the right eye. She smiled and complained to Leia that the four red circles were too small. Then she called a servant to bring wine, took a small sip, and thus fulfilled the requirement of "drinking red wine."
Since the two Princesses were here, people who wanted to make a good impression on them also joined the game. After Princess Margaret, the groom Mr. Eisberg's younger brother, Maca Eisberg, who had a face full of acne, came out first.
He also played the gift-unwrapping game on the other side of the long table, wearing a strange hairpin like an antenna on his head. He tried the dart twice, then threw it violently, but the dart didn't even pierce the target; instead, it flew straight into an unmanned bush on the other side, causing people to burst into laughter.
After the young Eisberg retreated with a flushed face, Xia De stepped forward. But the first thing he had to do was find someone to look after his cat. However, before Xia De could find a maid, the cat quite consciously stretched out its two front paws from Xia De's arms towards Leia.
Xia De almost broke out in a cold sweat at the moment, but fortunately, Leia smiled and praised Mia's cleverness, then naturally took the cat.
Xia De, startled, walked behind the horizontal line on the ground with the dart. After raising the dart and looking at the target, the voice in his ear was still so clear amidst the clamor of the crowd.
"A little lower."
Even though his eyes could see the target, he still needed help.
"I'm a little curious, can other people's 'other selves' also provide this kind of 'aiming assistance'?"
Xia De thought curiously, looking at the target:
"After all, except for linear attack Miracles like Sunlight Ray, most spirit and energy radiation Miracles require aiming."
"She" only chuckled but did not answer. Xia De didn't mind. After confirming that his strength was adjusted properly, he lightly threw the dart in his hand. So, under the gaze of the surrounding circle of people, the dart accurately pierced the target's heart. Xia De smiled, but did not immediately retreat. Instead, he asked for another dart, and with a light throw, it hit the target's forehead.
"That's really good."
Leia, who knew Xia De's goal tonight, praised him.
"Mr. Hamilton, you're very good at this game, aren't you?"
Princess Margaret also asked curiously, and Xia De nodded:
"Yes, Your Highness, my profession is Detective. Due to professional needs, I am proficient in skills such as tracking, boxing, rhode cards, and darts."
He said softly, intending to stop there, thinking that saying more would make him seem too arrogant. He didn't expect Leia to smile and ask at this moment:
"Knight, since you are so good at darts, and there are still two targets on the board, how about trying again blindfolded?"
After speaking, she looked at Princess Margaret, who also smiled and nodded:
"Yes, but there's no need to feel too much pressure. It's just a banquet game."
"Of course, Your Highness, it's an honor to perform for you."
Xia De said, very grateful that Leia was so cooperative.
People were in high spirits. The matter of Xia De winning first place with Princess Angelina in the horse race earlier tonight was also being discussed.
Mr. Eisberg quickly had a servant bring a black blindfold, and Xia De, even with his eyes covered, still beautifully hit the remaining two targets on the board with the pointed darts.
When he removed the black cloth covering his eyes, the people around him applauded. Leia, holding Mia, smiled, and Princess Margaret praised softly:
"In Huntington City, I also met a gentleman from Delarion who could throw three coins into an empty wine glass after being blindfolded. Perhaps I should introduce you two."
"What was that gentleman's name?"
Xia De asked, feigning curiosity.
"Sherlock Holmes."
Princess Margaret said, reaching out to touch Mia, who was being held by Leia, but was blocked by the cat's paw.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness."
Xia De quickly apologized and then took the cat back. Princess Margaret shook her head slightly, but she was more interested in this rumored "socialite" of Tobesk.
