A week later. Farucci's Royal Capital. Central Theater.
The Royal Capital's Central Theater was the oldest theater in Farucci. It has survived through all the turmoils of the country. At the beginning, the Central Theater was a simple and crude building constructed of four walls and a signboard. Gradually, it transformed into a five-story grand spectacle that could be seen in all corners of the Royal Capital.
Throughout the years, the Central Theater had witnessed countless grand stage performances. And today, this ancient building would bear witness to the birth of a new era.
Inside the Central Theater's ballroom. Madam Schroder was holding a glass of wine. She seemed to be entranced in thought as she shook the wine around..
"Madam Schroder, what's in your mind?"
A Blackwood Elf accompanying her noticed her lonely expression and quietly asked her.
This Blackwood Elf was Madam Schroder's bodyguard. Ever since Gallolie became the host of their Holy Tree, the Blackwood Elves became inseparately linked with the Grand Duchy of Blackwood.
"I recalled a film review I read on the Mage Forum," Madam Schroder picked up the wine glass and took a small sip.
"Film review?" asked the Blackwood Elf.
"Life is like a drama," Madam Schroder spoke of the line from the review that left the greatest impression on her. "Monica, did you know that I met Gallolie's father here?"
The Blackwood Elf shook her head to express that she did not know about Madam Schroder's past.
"Was it to celebrate the birth of an outstanding play? It was a dance ball held in this ballroom. At that time, I was the young lady of the Leland Family and he was the heir of the Donnell Family. It is not only our first encounter, our wedding was also held in this place."
The Blackwood Elf bodyguard quietly listened to Madam Schroder's speech. She doesn't know how to respond. In the end, she lowered her head, "We, the Blackwood Elves, felt deep grievance toward the passing of the Grand Duke, Madam Schroder."
"It has been three days since the burial. Monica, let go of your enmity today. After all, today is a day of celebration," Madam Schroder comforted the Blackwood Elf. However, there was no trace of emotion in her voice.
The recent occurrences had greatly exhausted the high-spirited Grand Duchess. Even her makeup was unable to conceal her haggard appearance.
"Madam Schroder, the performance called 'movie' that you've displayed in the theater today has completely surpassed my understanding of stage plays."
An old man walked over to Madam Schroder.
"I'd prefer to consider movies to be separate from stage plays as a stand-alone art form. After all, movie performances are simply too different from stage plays, Teacher Furcolo."
Once Madam Schroder started talking to the old man, her haggard expression instantly disappeared and was replaced with the aura of a Grand Duchess.
She exchanged a couple sentences with the old man and discussed the future development of movies. Only then did the old man slowly depart. Slightly exhausted, Madam Schroder took a sip from her wine glass.
"Madam Schroder, he is?"
Standing behind Madam Schroder the entire time, Monica noticed that Madam Schroder has been raising her spirits by force when talking with the old man.
"The manager of this most magnificent theater in Farucci, a teacher of the Royal Art Institute and my esteemed teacher. He also held the status of an earl in Farucci."
With an undisturbed attitude, Madam Schroder listed a series of shocking titles. She looked to the Blackwood Elf who had never participated in balls held by nobles and spoke with a soft voice, "Monica, none of the people present in the ballroom are weak in Farucci. No matter how young they might be, they could be a certain genius performer. No matter how old they might be, they could be a grand playwright who left an immortal work for Farucci. The death of any person here would be an enormous loss for Farucci."
"But… but I… I saw a man wearing female attire."
Monica's eyes ran through the crowd following Madam Schroder's indication. Ignoring the people who seemed to not be individuals easily trifled with, the Blackwood Elf saw a man roughly 160cm tall wearing… female clothes.
Someone like that was also a 'great person?'
"Is there… something wrong with him?" Monica knew that her question was very rude. Nevertheless, she was unable to overlook the existence of that individual. In the end, she was unable to contain herself from asking the question.
Madam Schroder followed the direction indicated by Monica and saw the man in female clothes. Finally, a smile appeared on her taut face.
"Monica, the person you thought to have issues is the great ruler of Farucci, His Majesty King Klund III. If you are to anger His Majesty, even I will not be able to guarantee your safety."
The words spoken by Madam Schroder completely terrified the Blackwood Elf. With wide-opened eyes, Monica immediately covered her mouth.
"He is...?" The Blackwood Elf was still slightly unwilling to believe in Madam Schroder's words. She slightly removed her hand from her mouth and quietly questioned for confirmation.
"That's right. That's something His Majesty Klund enjoys doing. Among Farucci's nobles, there's many that considered it as a fashion too. Give it some time, you'll get used to it." Madam Schroder seemed to have already gotten used to it.
"Fashion?"
The Blackwood Elf was at a loss as to how to respond. All the words she wanted to say ended up being compiled into a single phrase -- 'You humans truly play too much.'
Sure enough, as Madam Schroder and the Blackwood Elf Monica were talking about the cross-dressing king, he started walking toward them.
This completely terrified the Blackwood Elf. Her ears were perked upwards. It seemed like she was afraid that the king had heard her earlier comments and was here to criticize her.
Fortunately, Klund III was a forgiving person. Or perhaps, he had not heard the conversation between Madam Schroder and Monica.
"Karana! I am touched by Hachiko's loyalty in the movie 'Hachiko: A Dog's Tale' that Teacher Morgan starred in. There are always those selfless acts of waiting in this world; this movie has brought out the most beautiful aspect of my heart…"
Klund walked over with a cheerful smile on his face. His speech was so very impassioned. It was as if he was performing in a stage play.
The Blackwood Elf standing beside Madam Schroder stealthily stepped back. As a country girl, she was truly unable to comprehend the aesthetics of these city dwellers.
"Thank you for your praises, Your Majesty Klund," said Madam Schroder.
"I sincerely wish to be able to meet the screenwriter. Karana, do you have any means to get in contact with him?" asked Klund III all of a sudden.