After the dart game, the two princesses planned to return to the Lake View Manor manor to rest. Shad went with them and "happened" to meet Dorothy in the banquet hall on the first floor.
The blonde writer was not alone, she was accompanied by her writer friends, most of whom Shade knew, except for the southern-looking gentleman, whom Princess Margaret knew.
He looked to be about thirty years old, with black hair tied into a short braid at the back of his head, wearing a pair of gold glasses and having a beautiful mustache.
This image can be called a typical "artist".
"This is Sir Lykins Prisher. His grandmother and my grandmother are twin sisters."
Princess Margaret introduced Mr. Prisha to Resia. He circled his right hand in the air twice, then bent down and pressed his left shoulder with his right hand:
"Good evening, Her Royal Highness Leisia Cavendish."
"Come to Kings Prisher?"
Xia De was stunned, and then realized:
"The Guiding Moon?"
This is the one who possesses the core spiritual rune of "Moon of Guidance", the correspondence ring sorcerer of the Sexes Higher Medical School.
Although Shade was with the princesses, there were many people around them, so Leicia did not introduce Shade's identity abruptly. Although he did not shake hands with this gentleman, Shade roughly judged that the other party should be a five-ring warlock.
"Very good, this is our first contact tonight. When I get back, I'll contact Miss Danister and ask her to give me the alchemical items for collecting spiritual light. When we meet next time at other salons or gatherings, I'll try to get him to reveal his life ring..."
Shad was thinking silently, and Mr. Prisha looked at Shad as if he had noticed something, only to find that the young knight was lowering his head and teasing the cat.
Sir Prissier is a famous poet in Carsenrick. At the banquet, he met Miss Eva Swift (Chapter 497), a writer from Carsenrick who was living in Tobesk. After being introduced by this lady, he got together with Dorothy and local writers from Tobesk.
Although this was not a literary salon, the two princesses did not mind talking to these famous writers and poets. The group sat down on the sofa by the window in the grand banquet hall on the first floor. Everyone surrounded the two princesses, who were the protagonists here.
Taking advantage of the time, Shad introduced himself to Sir Prisha and established a preliminary connection.
At this time, Princess Margaret had already started a topic of discussion about the recently popular detective novel "Hamilton Detective Stories". She already knew that Shade was the prototype of the story, but now she knew that the writer was Shade's female companion, and she couldn't help but sigh:
"This is a wonderful combination. Miss Louisa, I think the Knight Hamilton must have provided you with a lot of inspiration, right?"
"Yes."
Dorothy nodded and praised:
"Shad is a very famous detective in Tobesk. He has never failed in any mission since he started working."
"No, no, I'm not some famous detective."
Shade showed his modesty at the right time, and Dorothy's friend, the essayist Professor Mulder Goethe, immediately praised him:
"Some time ago, I accompanied a friend to a funeral at a public cemetery in the East End. I heard about Detective Hamilton from the church. He solved the case of "The Missing Third Gold Coin". He is really amazing."
Professor Goethe was not only a university professor, but was also employed as a lecturer in literature and grammar for the royal family at Jodel Palace, so his praise carried a lot of weight.
Princess Margaret curiously inquired about the detective case, and Dorothy told the story that she had "adapted". After removing Shad's spiritualism, she added her own reasoning for the story.
The gold coins in the mouth of the dead body, the morgue that should not be entered by anyone, and the father who willingly let the corpse be insulted for the sake of his child, these plots made people exclaim again and again. Although the lives of the nobles were rich, they were mostly boring. Such an exciting story attracted everyone's interest, and even Princess Margaret, a ring wizard, praised:
"Detective stories can indeed be regarded as chivalric legends that take place in the city."
The most famous game at the party, besides Rhodes, was "Riddles". After Dorothy finished her story, people suggested guessing riddles to pass the time. Mona Asperger, Resia's sister, happened to be there, so she hosted the game.
This was not a game originally prepared by the manor, so there were no specific rules. Everyone could take turns to say their own riddles, and then everyone would guess together. If the riddle was guessed correctly, it would be the next person's turn. If three riddles were not guessed correctly in a row, then it would be considered a victory, and Mrs. Asberg provided a bottle of red wine as a prize.
"Then I'll go first."
Leicia said, looking at Shade to let him get ready, and then said:
"Shut your mouth and you've spoken my name; if you can speak my name with words, I'm no longer myself."
"Your Highness, is it the tongue?"
Mr. Miles Garoff, the poet known for Falling Leaves, raised his hand and asked.
"no."
Leicia smiled and shook her head, so Shade said:
"It is silence. Not speaking is silence. When silence is spoken, it is no longer silence."
Leicia and Shade had mentioned this riddle, so Shade answered it so quickly.
"Yes, you guessed it, Knight."
She shook her head regretfully, then motioned for Princess Margaret to continue with the riddle. The Princess of the House of Anjou thought for a moment:
"One wind, one boat, and six crew members rowing together."
This time Shade didn't come up with it right away, but Mr. Prisher raised his hand and said:
"Six-hole flute. I'm good at it."
"Yes."
Princess Margaret smiled and nodded, and people clapped their hands in appreciation.
The Princess motioned Dorothy to continue, and the blonde writer knew what Shard wanted to do at the party, so she said:
"I can't think of a good riddle for now. Why don't we let Mr. Detective do it first?"
"OK."
Princess Margaret then looked at Shad again. She had a good impression of Shad and wanted to know what kind of riddle Shad could tell:
"Mr. Hamilton, detective riddles would be interesting, right?"
The others also looked at Shad, because Shad was the man who talked the most to the two princesses because of the topic of detective stories that Dorothy had introduced. Although the others had no objection to this, they were still unwilling to admit defeat, so they were also ready to "challenge" the detective.
Xia De thought about it. Although he had no intention of showing off, he still came up with a classic riddle for tonight's task:
"Four legs in the morning."
Holding the cat in her arms slightly upwards, Mia cooperated by moving her four little paws. The ladies around her all laughed. This cat was indeed very attractive.
"Two legs at noon, just like us."
Xia De paused dramatically, then smiled and said:
"At night, there are three legs. Excuse me, what is this?"
No one spoke immediately, but instead they began to think carefully. Only Xiaomia, who was held by Xia De, squirmed restlessly, not used to being in such a crowded place.
“Is this some kind of magical creature?”
It took a long time for Lesia to ask curiously. She didn't know what kind of riddle Shade would tell her in advance.
“It’s a living thing, but it’s not magical.”
Shade smiled and said:
"At least it's not more magical than my cat. The answer is simple."
"Oh, Mr. Hamilton, are you sure this is a normal creature? And not something from a legend? I read in ancient documents that people living in the dense forests have the ability to transform into animals."
Professor Goethe confirmed, and Xia De nodded:
"Very sure. So, can anyone give me the answer?"
He looked around at the people around him. Leicia shook her head slightly. Princess Margaret was still thinking. Mr. Prissy smiled and shook his head. Dorothy said regretfully:
"Knight, you may give the answer now."
"The answer is human. When young, they crawl on four legs, when they grow up, they walk upright on two legs, and when they grow old, they walk with crutches."
After hearing Xia De's explanation, people gradually understood.
"Oh, that's great!"
Princess Margaret said even faster than Resia that this compliment was very sincere. Although she had only played a few small games at the banquet, she had a preliminary understanding of how this handsome young man in front of her won the favor of the Duchess.
"Please continue."
Princess Margaret said again, and Shade thought for a moment:
"Your Highness, the following question is probably not a riddle, but I think it is still interesting. This question is for you to answer only once. Are you willing to accept the challenge?"
Princess Margaret winked:
"certainly."
So Shade held his cat and said:
"First, please say it with me three times: rat, rat, rat."
"Meow?"
Before Princess Margaret could speak, little Mia shouted first, making everyone around her laugh.
"Okay, rat rat rat."
Princess Margaret said in a very good mood.
"What are cats most afraid of?"
Xia De asked again, and the princess almost blurted out:
"mouse."
After saying that, he blinked, then covered his mouth and laughed.
The people around tried their best to control themselves from laughing, so as not to be misunderstood as making fun of the princess.
Leicia said to Shade with a rather angry look:
"Knight, this is extremely disrespectful."
"Yes, this is not really a riddle, it's just a little joke. Can I give you another one? Please..."
"No no, it's okay, it was funny, I did get it wrong."
Princess Margaret smiled and shook her head. The atmosphere at the wedding banquet was very lively at the moment. She did not feel offended. Instead, she felt that such a banquet was interesting:
"Then please continue with the third riddle, Hamilton of Rejade. I still want to challenge you."
She thought for a moment and said:
"Let's add some conditions. If I still lose, you can choose an ornament from me. But if I win, I will have to borrow this cute pet cat in your arms for three days."
Although she was not angry, she was obviously aroused by her competitive spirit and was very confident in herself, thinking that she had seen through Shad's tricks.
Of course, Margaret of Anjou was genuinely interested in Shade’s cat.
"Meow?"
Xiaomia lay on Xiade's legs and cried softly, probably unable to understand what was happening.
"That won't do, Your Highness. It's not that I want to refuse you. But this cat is not mine. It belongs to the client."
Xia De quickly refused.
You finally remembered this.
"But I always remember that no matter what, I can't bet on Mia."
He said quickly in his mind.
"The client's cat? It's okay. I think your client will understand."
The princess urged with a smile on her face:
"Knight, please start. But if I really answer correctly, I think this cat will get the best treatment from me."