Future Pet Shop

Chapter 106: A Princess is Just a Mascot

"Mr. Alfred, you’re finally here! I was just about to call your embassy." Shen Yibin quickly tried to clear his name. ’This really has nothing to do with me! You were watching the entire time that day. Even if I’d wanted to abduct the princess, I wouldn’t have had the chance!’

"I’m terribly sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you." Alfred bowed politely in apology. "Could you please give us some private space? I have a few words I’d like to say to Her Highness."

"Of course, of course. There’s room upstairs." Shen Yibin led Alfred and Princess Sylvie to the second floor. As the aroma of the meal wafted over, Princess Sylvie’s stomach, empty for the better part of a day, began to rumble loudly.

"Um, how about you talk after Her Highness has had something to eat? Besides, I’m guessing you haven’t eaten either, Mr. Alfred? Why don’t you join us?" Shen Yibin couldn’t bear to see it and chimed in. ’The poor princess, look how famished she is.’

"Yes, yes! Alfred, I haven’t eaten a thing since last night," Princess Sylvie immediately said, putting on a pitiful expression. "I promise I’ll have a serious talk with you after I’ve eaten."

"Ah, very well. We’re troubling you again." ’Yes, the princess is so headstrong,’ Alfred thought. ’Persuading her to return won’t be a quick affair. It wouldn’t do for her to starve herself.’ With that, Alfred had no choice but to agree.

"Alright, I’ll go get the others to join us." Shen Yibin clattered down the stairs, called Sun Qian, Hah’Er, and Cheeky to come up, and then turned to Bai Yanni. "Officer Bai, why don’t you come be a witness? This really has nothing to do with me this time."

’It’s better to let her hear it all now,’ Shen Yibin thought. ’Saves me from explaining it to a bunch of cops later. Why is my life so hard? Ever since I got involved with the Future Pet Shop, I’ve been constantly dealing with the police.’

After a brief discussion with the other officers on site, Bai Yanni received permission to follow Shen Yibin to the second floor. As for the officers left downstairs, they could only sit and wait for the outcome.

"This is a Panda Banquet, a Sichuan specialty. It’s made primarily with bamboo shoots—a favorite of giant pandas—and cooked with a few other local Sichuan products. You probably can’t find a meal like this anywhere else. Your Highness, Mr. Alfred, please give it a try," Shen Yibin introduced enthusiastically.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality." However, Alfred refused to take a seat. He stood behind Princess Sylvie, helping her arrange her cutlery and serve her food. This made it impossible for Shen Yibin and the others to eat comfortably. They didn’t dare crack jokes at the dinner table. Even when eating their food and drinking their soup, they were extremely cautious, terrified of making any noise that might be considered rude.

Princess Sylvie looked just as helpless. She gave a subtle shrug, as if to show them how dull her daily life was. ’No wonder she ran away. I don’t think I could stand a life like that either.’ Shen Yibin, Sun Qian, and Bai Yanni exchanged glances, all sharing the same sympathetic thought. ’This princess’s life is pretty miserable.’

"This is absolutely delicious! It’s almost as good as the state banquet I attended in your Capital City. I never would have guessed you were such an amazing chef, Mr. Shen. If you’re willing, I could help you open a restaurant in the capital of Sokovia. I’m sure it would earn three Michelin stars in no time. As for the name... how about ’The Giant Panda Restaurant’?" As she ate the delicious food, Princess Sylvie’s imagination began to run wild again.

’Oh, this man... He has a giant panda for a pet *and* he’s an incredible cook. I’d be so happy if I could marry him.’

"Thank you for your generous offer, but I quite like my life here in Yunzhong City," Shen Yibin said with an awkward laugh, quickly changing the subject. "Your Highness, have you tried this dish...?"

Alfred was now utterly stunned. ’It’s one thing for a panda to eat at the same table as people,’ he thought, ’but it’s eating the same food? Won’t that make it sick? And what’s in that little bowl? It looks like... beer?’

With a royal butler like him at the table, everyone ate in extreme discomfort. Having barely filled their stomachs, Sun Qian and Bai Yanni were the first to excuse themselves. Shen Yibin quickly followed, taking Hah’Er and Cheeky downstairs and leaving the second floor to Alfred and Sylvie. ’Please, just take the princess with you and go,’ he pleaded internally.

"Your Highness, the King and Queen have already called. They want to know when you plan on returning to the country. They are terribly worried about you," Alfred began, trying to persuade Princess Sylvie.

"Alfred, can’t you just wait until I’m finished eating to bring this up? I’m not even full yet!" Princess Sylvie said with a look of exasperation.

"The host has left. To continue dining in his absence is quite rude." Of course, by that logic, Shen Yibin and the others were the rude ones, but Alfred wasn’t about to blame them.

"I’m staying here to complete my internship. According to royal protocol, I have the right to choose my own placement," Princess Sylvie retorted, falling back on this excuse.

"But Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen has already arranged an opportunity with a charitable organization. They have vast conservation areas in Africa. If you like animals so much, you could go there." Even though the rules stated as much, members of the Sokovian royal family typically chose to complete their internships at prestigious-sounding organizations, like charities or cultural institutions.

But now, Princess Sylvie wanted to work at a tiny little pet shop. If word of this got out, what would people think?

"But Africa doesn’t have any giant pandas," Sylvie muttered under her breath. She took out a handkerchief, dabbed the corners of her mouth, and prepared to begin her formal negotiations with Alfred.

"Mr. Alfred, in this day and age, what role do you believe the Sokovian royal family—and a princess like myself—actually play in society?" Sylvie asked.

"The King of Sokovia is the nation’s head of state. You will one day inherit the throne and become the Queen of Sokovia. That is all the more reason you must be mindful of your image," Alfred began to lecture her again.

"Enough, enough. Let’s not waste time on such meaningless talk." Sylvie had heard these lines countless times before. She waved a hand, cutting him off before he could finish.

"The way I see it, whether it’s my father the King, or me, the princess, we’re nothing more than mascots for Sokovia. So how can it be that important?" Sokovia had long been a constitutional monarchy. Their royals had even less power than the Queen of England and held virtually no say in national affairs. "Since we’re just mascots, how can we possibly be as important as you make it out to be, Alfred?"