[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman":3,"chapter-marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-440":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Marvel: A Lazy-Ass Superman",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1721946,2198,"Chapter 440 440 — Visiting Château du Jonchet","marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-440",440,"\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For 40 advanced chapters, visit my Patreon:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patreon - Twilight_scribe1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commune of Romilly-sur-Aigre, in France's Eure-et-Loir department, lies southwest of Paris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a small place with fewer than five hundred residents, still preserving much of its old-world charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the early 1970s, Hubert de Givenchy, who held the title of a French count, purchased a Renaissance-style castle built in the 16th century there—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Château du Jonchet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To design the castle gardens, Givenchy invited Rachel Lambert Mellon, the daughter-in-law of the Mellon family who had also designed the White House Rose Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collaboration sparked a friendship that lasted decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although called a castle, Château du Jonchet is architecturally closer to Versailles than to a medieval fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was designed primarily as a residence and administrative center, not a defensive stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stepping down as creative director of LVMH and leaving the fashion industry, Givenchy retired here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His main interests became collecting 17th- and 18th-century bronze and marble sculptures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Givenchy wasn't the only resident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Living with him was his partner, Philippe Venet, also a fashion designer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Venet had co-founded Givenchy with Hubert and served as the house's chief tailor until 1962, when he launched his own label.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their professional paths diverged, but their relationship continued unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, renting a car and driving a little over two hours brings visitors to the small town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grounds of Château du Jonchet extend far beyond the main building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They include:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A maze of boxwood hedges\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rose garden designed by Rachel Lambert Mellon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A greenhouse\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An artificial lake\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A private chapel\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moat\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An indoor swimming pool\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dog cemetery\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even a small forest\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the castle required a number of servants and staff to maintain the property.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a side note:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hubert de Givenchy's father was the Marquis of Givenchy from the Taffin family, a title granted during the reign of Louis XIV in 1713.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The marquisate was inherited by Givenchy's elder brother, leaving Hubert, the younger son, with the lesser title of count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Henry had arranged the visit in advance, entering the estate posed no difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They soon arrived at the main entrance of the castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Henry's surprise, Givenchy himself—already sixty-nine years old—stood outside waiting to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After parking the car, Henry first opened the door for the two women before stepping forward to greet his host.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men exchanged a traditional French cheek-kiss greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bonjour, Givenchy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Coucou, Henry. Long time no see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry presented his gifts:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A box of chocolates from La Maison du Chocolat\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his own book, Love from a Foreign Culture, which had been published some time ago (English edition only)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chocolates, though high-quality, were commercially available.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Givenchy casually handed them to a servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he examined the book with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the book Audrey recommended for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fortunately the book jacket still carries Audrey Hepburn's endorsement, so it didn't lose money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But sales were… average.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Givenchy chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a feeling the real reason is that you were too lazy to promote it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry laughed awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The retired fashion legend still had sharp instincts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry quickly introduced his companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These two are Charlize Theron and her agent J.J. Harris.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ladies, this is Count Hubert de Givenchy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was their first meeting, the greetings were polite and formal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged handshakes, not the traditional hand-kiss greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Givenchy also introduced his partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is Philippe Venet, my husband.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nice to meet you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A pleasure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good afternoon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group then entered the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being invited into a French person's home is actually quite rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Americans—who frequently host parties at home—French homes are considered very private spaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without sufficient friendship, visiting someone's home is almost impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, for social figures at the level of Givenchy or the Mellons, their \"home\" is so large that separate areas are naturally reserved for receiving guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, their visit included touring:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rose garden designed by Rachel Lambert Mellon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Givenchy's private sculpture collection\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a house belonging to a fashion icon, it's difficult to explain the atmosphere with complex theory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything felt comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visually comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Experientially comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the sense of being immersed in the space was deeply relaxing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This feeling couldn't be achieved merely by placing expensive objects together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like admiring a great artwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Experts might describe it with endless theories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ordinary people only need one simple reaction:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's beautiful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Henry and the others had traveled all the way from the United States, they were invited to stay for dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meal was casual French home cooking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boeuf bourguignon (red wine braised beef)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garlic pumpkin\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ratatouille\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Savory French quiche\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And of course, classic baguette\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally baguettes weren't served at dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But apparently Henry's appetite had already reached Givenchy's ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bread was clearly prepared in case he needed extra food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, as a guest in someone else's home, Henry behaved politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ate at a relaxed pace and chatted naturally about what they had seen during the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the sculptures in the castle were works by masters such as:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bernini\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puget\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Girardon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coysevox\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Falconet\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pajou\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Houdon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even more numerous were anonymous pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't made by famous masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes the sculptures even had slightly awkward or strange details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they all shared one quality:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one point Henry stopped in front of a sculpture of Cupid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound amused Givenchy so much that he stopped beside him to discuss the piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was a statue of the god of love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the little angel's face looked grim and resentful, as if burdened with deep grudges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heart shape on the arrow—whether carved intentionally or altered by time—was covered in cracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cupid was supposed to bring lovers together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this one looked more like he had come to break couples apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps to ensure that the most incompatible people ended up together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could anyone not laugh at that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🎉 Power Stone Goal Announcement! 🎉\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'll release one bonus chapter for every 500 Power Stones we hit!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let me know what should I do\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your support means everything—let's crush these goals together! Keep voting, and let the stones pile up! 🚀\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>",1057,"2026-06-06T15:31:22.542Z",1,"novelbin.me","416ee8155e9168a74038ffcac5f06cb3e3fcf2100a25b26f338e842dffd61664","marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-441","marvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-chapter-439",556,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmarvel-a-lazy-ass-superman-cover.jpg"]