Chapter 4: Emotions

"Have I been sleeping for so long?" Natsuki murmured as she lazily crawled up from the sofa, scratching her head in the process

As the only daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II and a priceless treasure of the German royal family, Princess Victoria Louise neither hid nor showed anger; she tugged at her elder brother's right arm, urging him, "Get up quickly! The banquet has already begun!"

The little princess said dismissively: "Who could be happier than Prince Joachim, who knows everything and can do anything, to marry me!"

... ...

Hmm, at this age, I could be your uncle. " Xia Shu spoke through his lips while offering a pleasant smile to the other guests.

Speaking of age, that noblewoman who was almost willing to sacrifice herself for you last time seems to be catching up with Aunt Frank! Do not be fooled by Princess Louise's standard lady-like appearance; she has liked to follow behind Summer Tree since she was young, and her words and actions have certainly been influenced by this unconventional elder brother.

"Whoever can marry our skillful and gentle little Victoria is truly fortunate!" said Xia Shu, lowering his head

As the golden boy and girl of the German royal family descended the spiral staircase, the guests in the main hall greeted them with gestures appropriate to their status. For such an occasion, the unique little princess of the German royal family chose a pure white long chiffon dress, accessorized with a string of slender pearl necklaces, and wore a pair of low-heeled leather boots. Her attire was elegant yet not ostentatious, noble yet not extravagant, perfectly highlighting the youthful charm of her age. With a standard oval face, willow-like eyebrows, sparkling eyes, a delicate high nose, well-proportioned lips, and golden-brown wavy hair, this beauty was the center of attention wherever she went.

Under the bright sunshine, a young mother bends down and stretches her arms, her face radiating a kind and beautiful smile—"Xia Shu, Xia Shu, come here to Mommy! Come on!"

The summer tree ~ The summer tree ~ The summer tree stands in the wind

The princess smiled with her lips pressed together, her shoulders slightly shrugging. If it were not in a public setting, she would have laughed so hard that she could not stand upright.

"Spare me!" Xia Shu forced a bitter smile at the corner of her mouth, "Her face is so covered in powder that it could be used to make a pot of glue soup."

Ah... Princess Louise, your presence always allows me to behold the angelic light! You are so beautiful that even the most brilliant gems would pale in comparison before you...

The siblings playfully teased each other without reservation as they walked hand in hand towards the banquet hall. As the most significant celebration of the German Navy each year, the Kiel Week typically lasts for a week. During this period, there are public open days for naval vessels, as well as multinational naval exchanges and joint exercises. Naturally, a navy-themed banquet is indispensable. The German royal family has a palace in Kiel, and due to the importance placed on naval development, Emperor Wilhelm II would spend some time here each year, often taking his family out to sea for summer vacations. This palace, located by the North Sea, may not be as grand and luxurious as the Berlin Palace and the Summer Palace, but its modern architectural style reflects the ambitions of a great power: enormous crystal chandeliers illuminated by electricity, exquisitely crafted fiberglass sculptures, and enameled hardware, all showcasing the first-class technological prowess of an industrial powerhouse.

Oh, esteemed Prince, please forgive my excessive focus... Thank you for your greetings. I have just received a promotion and am now the youngest major and first officer of the Royal Navy's armored ship. My next goal is to become the youngest warship commander in the Royal Navy.

Upon opening his eyes, Xia Shu indeed saw that lively and adorable familiar face. The playful expression eased his concerns, and a sense of indescribable warmth surged within him.

The short-haired girl in a blue floral dress shyly lowered her head and said, "Natsuki, I am very happy to be your friend!"

Many familiar and friendly faces, with sincere smiles, clap and sing—"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!"

Well, becoming a first officer on a second-class ship at the age of under thirty is indeed quite commendable in the highly competitive and talent-rich Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, but in Xia Shu's eyes, it is still insignificant. He disdainfully refrained from engaging in further conversation and directly took Princess Louise's arm: "We can talk again another time, excuse me!"

Dreams, sometimes vague, sometimes clear

A graceful and virtuous lady is well-suited for a gentleman. Although Princess Louise is still a minor, her distinguished lineage and delicate beauty have already garnered her a considerable number of admirers. However, the British officer before her is a full fifteen years her senior, and despite having a decent family background, Xia Shu believes he is entirely unworthy of his sister. Moreover, in ten years, Britain and Germany are bound to become rivals, and in order to prevent his younger sister from becoming a widow at such a young age, Xia Shu hopes she will steer clear of those young men serving in the British army. Out of concern for his sister, Xia Shu steps forward to block this sycophantic 'older youth': 'Hey, Major Brown, long time no see, how have you been lately?'

A small world filled with models, the woman wore a displeased expression—"What should I say to you, Xia Shu? You are almost thirty, you should have a bit of ambition! Look at Xiao Ling's husband, he has been promoted to deputy section chief. Both are men, yet the difference is too great! This time for the senior engineer evaluation, you must make an effort, otherwise, you will definitely miss out. All you do is play with these children's toys every day, it's pointless!"

If Princess Victoria Louise is likened to a fragrant and elegant magnolia, then Prince Joachim, who is two years her senior, leaves the impression of a red pine. Unlike the vast majority of young German nobility, he is not fond of flamboyant and eye-catching attire; sometimes he wears a neatly pressed military uniform, at other times a smart riding jacket, and occasionally a simple black tailcoat. The simpler the outfit, the more it accentuates the extraordinary nature of this royal youth. He carries himself with poise, maintains an upright posture, and speaks appropriately. His rich inner qualities, extensive knowledge, and wise intellect leave every person who has had in-depth contact with him in awe.

The light and sweet melody seemed like the ethereal music from the depths of a dream, and Xia Shu suddenly felt a jolt of clarity. "Dersommerbaum" is the German term for "summer tree"; although the name is merely a code, these simple characters are etched with indelible memories. Due to a secret that transcends time and space, which no one can articulate, Xia Shu composed a song for himself to the tune of "Lemon Tree." Initially, he only hummed it to himself, but later, the clever and bright Victoria Louise, the younger sister of Prince Joachim of Germany, found the song very pleasant and often hummed along with it. Due to a secret that transcends time and space, which no one can articulate, Xia Shu composed a song for himself to the tune of "Lemon Tree." Initially, he only hummed it to himself, but later, the clever and bright Victoria Louise, the younger sister of Prince Joachim of Germany, found the song very pleasant and often hummed along with it

The gentle breeze stirs the curtains, and the person beside the pillow is more beautiful than flowers—"Xia Shu, from today onwards, I am yours, regardless of wealth or poverty, sickness or health, I will never leave you!"

In the office filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, a look of regret emerged on the face that shone with oil— "Comrade Xia Shu, the leadership is still very affirming of your work, it’s just that your experience is still limited. There’s no rush, take your time, the future undoubtedly belongs to you young people..."

Xia Shu also smiled; he enjoyed speaking and teasing with Louise in such an unrestrained manner, without having to worry about his image or the nuances of male-female interactions, feeling relaxed and at ease

My parents have grown old, their temples graying, yet their smiles remain kind, and their eyes are filled with anticipation. The more this is the case, the greater the immense sorrow and helplessness that makes it hard to breathe...

For a typical member of the appearance association, such risks must be guarded against

On the solemn podium, the elderly man with white hair spoke passionately: "Students, today you take pride in the Shipbuilding College; tomorrow, the Shipbuilding College will take pride in you"

The visit of the British fleet was a rather formal diplomatic act, and Duke Hill and Brigadier Hill did not bring their families along, thus the beautiful face of Charlotte Hill would naturally not appear before Xia Shu. The German prince greeted the Hill father and son out of courtesy, and from their attitudes and behaviors, it was evident that regardless of how renowned the reputation of the "Hohenzollern genius" was in Germany, it still could not escape the perception of the arrogant British as being rigid and rude.

"Oh dear, my hair is all messy!" the beautiful little princess complained, as she instructed her elder brother to stand still in front of her. She then tiptoed and used her delicate fingers to smooth his hair.

Taking a few steps away, the princess whispered beside the summer tree, "I really don't like this guy!"

In the auditorium, the principal, always dressed in a 30-70 split and a white shirt, holds a bright red certificate— "Let us welcome Class 2 of Year 3's student, Xia Shu, to the stage to receive the award"

The obsequious flattery came from a tall young man dressed in a British Royal Navy uniform. When the German princess raised her right hand out of courtesy, he eagerly leaned in to kiss it, his face filled with infatuation

On the field of alopecia areata, a young figure runs swiftly with the wind—"Pass... Oh yeah! Natsuki! Beautiful!"

"It seems you just had a nightmare, your brows are furrowed like this..." The light beauty, in the prime of her youth, pinched the tips of her brows with her fingers, making a very comical and ridiculous expression.

In the hall of the Kiel Palace, more than half of the hundreds of male guests attending the banquet were dressed in naval uniforms. Although Xia Shu was not yet an official member of the navy, he had long been active in such occasions and could recognize many familiar faces, whether in British white or German blue. Soon, he noticed the commander of the British visiting fleet, Duke Hill, and his son, Rear Admiral Hill. Both father and son were tall and robust, with a fierce appearance. Such rugged men had married wives of extraordinary beauty—the Duchess, though over fifty, still exuded an air of dignified beauty, while the Rear Admiral's wife was stunningly beautiful, captivating all who beheld her.

Oh, is that so? Xia Shu smiled faintly, raised her right hand, bent her index finger, and gently brushed the adorable tip of the other person's nose

For Prince Joachim, who is only 14 years old in terms of physiological age, these two experienced beauties are irrelevant to him. The first time he met the main members of the Hill family in England, he was deeply attracted to Charlotte Hill, the daughter of Brigadier Hill and granddaughter of the Duke. The beautiful Charlotte is the same age as Princess Louise, and she gives Summer Tree the impression of Hermione from Harry Potter—innocent, naive, and playful, especially with that innocent expression that is particularly endearing. Over the following year, Summer Tree encountered Charlotte on two more occasions in different settings, and his fondness for her only grew—though it was not to the extent of making lifelong commitments. The beautiful Charlotte is the same age as Princess Louise, and she gives Summer Tree the impression of Hermione from Harry Potter—innocent, naive, and playful, especially with that innocent expression that is particularly endearing. Over the following year, Summer Tree encountered Charlotte on two more occasions in different settings, and his fondness for her only grew—though it was not to the extent of making lifelong commitments. Firstly, in their limited interactions, Charlotte did not show any obvious affection towards him; secondly, as the saying goes, girls change significantly by the age of eighteen. What if the charming girl of today reveals more of her parental genes in a few years? The beautiful little fairy could turn into a salted fish.