Translator: Yang_Wenli Editor: Yang_Wenli
The etiquettes of this world’s nobles were numerous and complicated too. Different countries possessed different sorts of etiquettes. Trying to present oneself to be ‘cultured’ before some of the greater nobles was a difficult thing to do.
Even though Joshua was a prince, he had never truly studied the subject of etiquette.
Fortunately, he had accustomed himself with the customs of Norland after coming here. As the people in Norland were mostly mage teachers and mage students, they’ve already omitted those troublesome and meaningless etiquettes.
As such, Joshua just followed Ciri and made the courteous gesture mages used to greet others toward this Grand Duchess.
“I was expecting for Madam Beaumont to be older.”
Madam Schroder was wearing a heavily decorated dress. She lifted her ‘heavy’ dress and walked over to Joshua. Her gaze immediately landed on Ciri.
The mistress of this mansion must’ve mistaken Ciri to be the original author behind ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ the renowned French author Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont.
“Regretfully, Madam Beaumont passed away a long time ago. The person before you is my assistant Ciri Lloyd. I am the ‘Beauty and the Demon’s’ screenwriter and director, Joshua.”
Joshua briefly introduced themselves to Madam Schroder. Joshua did not reveal to her.
Like one’s family emblem, one’s surname also represented one’s identity in this world. Perhaps very few people in this world knew what Joshua’s surname, Annerlaude, represented, Joshua must still consider the possibility that his surname could scare this noblelady.
As his surname represented the Chaos Demon, it will only bring about unnecessary alert to humans. That was not something that Joshua wanted.
“She has already passed away? That is truly a pity. While I’ve never heard of the original author Madam Beaumont before, I could imagine that the original work the performance was based off must be an outstanding work of literature.”
Madam Schroder was someone who has been in the Farucci’s stage play social circle for over ten years. Thus, she knew that the scripts for stageplays could either be created personally by the scriptwriter or adapted from well-known fictions or biography as the source.
From the ending credits, ‘Beauty and the Demon’ had revealed itself to be an adaptation.
While Madam Schroder was saddened after learning that the original writer for ‘Beauty and the Demon’ had died, she was looking forward to the person who filmed ‘Beauty and the Demon’ even more so than meeting the author.
A servant standing behind Madam Schroder whispered to her ear, seemingly informing her about Joshua.
Joshua has never shown himself in any venues related to ‘Beauty and the Demon.’ Because of that, even though his name was in the credits of ‘Beauty and the Demon,’ no one knew what he looked like.
The servant that came to whisper to Madam Schroder was most likely an informer she planted in Weissenasche Theater. After hearing the servant’s confirmation, Madam Schroder finally believed Joshua’s identity.
“Please have a seat. It’s been a long time since I’ve received such talented youngsters.”
Madam Schroder’s servants had finished setting up a table and three chairs in the middle of the garden. The table was completely packed, overpacked even, with desserts.
Joshua and Ciri did not hesitate and took their seats. As for Madam Schroder, she sat across from them.
Even though she was wearing makeup, this noble lady with long flax-colored hair was unable to hide her wrinkles. But, even though that might be the case, she would still be considered to be a beautiful middle-aged lady.
As expected of the birth mother to the legendary Flower of Farucci. When she was young, she must be a beauty capable of toppling over countless men.
“My name is Carana van Donnell. I am the wife of Farucci’s Grand Duke of Blackwood. The two of you can address me as Mrs. Donnell or Madam Schroder.”
Madam Schroder gave a simple self-introduction too. The Grand Duke of Blackwood’s name was Schroder. His surname was van Donnell.
“Well then. Madam Schroder, may I know why you invited me here?”
Joshua expressed no to a servant that was asking whether he wanted to add sugar to his tea. He seemed to have no intention of picking up his tea cup.
Truth was, Joshua was not planning to spend too much time with this afternoon tea. Perhaps, this noble lady might have invited him over with the intention of discussing art with him.
Unfortunately, Joshua was not fond of this overly reserved atmosphere. He was not interested in flattering nobles and unfamiliar with the troublesome honorifics and etiquettes.
Joshua had grown accustomed to sinking into the sofa with a cup of coke in hand and talking nonsense with his colleagues in the game company he worked for.
He had grown used to his behavior on earth, that carefree habit of his. As such, it was impossible for him to get used to this etiquette-chained afternoon tea.
If they were sitting on sofas, then perhaps Joshua would be able talk freely with this noble lady. After all, the garden they’re in was truly quite beautiful.
Unfortunately... the chair he’s seated on was truly uncomfortable.
Ciri could be said to be acting like quite a lady too. With Joshua not touching his tea, she also didn’t touch the desserts on the table.
“As Mister Joshua can see, I am a faithful fan of ‘Beauty and the Demon.’ Originally, I was planning to complain to you about the ending of that performance. But, I was comforted by the meet-and-greet yesterday. Because of that, my purpose today is in Mister Joshua, you. Furthermore... I also deeply desire to know how that ‘movie’ was made.”
Madam Schroder was originally in Norland to represent Farucci in the World Expo. Her purpose was to find arcanotech devices that could change the world in the World Expo. She was also here to find talented young mages.
Without a doubt, Joshua satisfied both conditions. Whether it be his movie filming technology, how he was able to film such an outstanding movie as a first-time director or his outward appearance, a pleasing look to any woman, he satisfied everything. Because of that, Madam Schroder was very fond of Joshua.
“Regretfully, Madam Schroder, I am not planning to share the movie-filming technology with anyone for the time being.”
Even if Joshua wanted to share the technology, he wouldn’t be able to. But, if it was to sell the technology, there wouldn’t be any issue.
The product of a Chaos Demon, no one else would be able to reproduce it. In fact, Joshua even patented his filming technology.
The rune inscriptions of the arcanotech device Joshua used to film with has been affected by his chaos magic. Joshua was able to replicate the arcanotech device. But, it would be a tricky matter to teach others how to replicate his filming arcanotech device.
Joshua was in no need for money right now. Hearthstone was bringing in so much money that he dhea no idea what to do with them. What Joshua lacked right now were two other things — talents and a filming site.
“But, I am willing to teach others the way to film movies.”
While there were still a couple performers under Sir Weissenasche, they were too few. Joshua needed more performers. The best method for him to obtain performers would be to obtain them from somewhere or someone else. It was not Joshua’s first time doing something like that. Since it was already a familiar thing to him, he did not feel any mental pressure at all.