"Oh, would you look at that! I already expected a lot of people, but this is something else! Just how many are there already?" ［Julius］
"There should be at least a couple thousand... Maybe even more..." ［Galleus］
"Hahaha! Those two never fail to surprise me!" ［Ernes］
It was a new day, the sun now high up in the sky and the city now bustling with life and activities. The city folks are buzzing bees, some heading to their workplaces, some buying ingredients in the market, and some carrying loads.
Yet today is not like any other day. A grand event is about to unfold and many of the not-so-busy bees have gathered in one place as if it was a flower field of sweet and fragrant flowers. They were all excited, eyes brimming with curiosity.
It has been a few days since Grey and Yuna posted the advertisements and gave the invitations, and after some more preparations, it was finally time to unveil the fruit of their hard work. It is now time for the Grand Opening of Esperanza!
"No matter how many times I see it, the building really is impressive..."
"You can say that again. I bet those who come back after a long time will be extremely surprised to see this!"
"Instant food sampling and demonstration at 3PM... Alright! I'll take note of it!"
"I heard there's all sorts of fun things on the 3rd floor. Wanna go there first?"
Some were mumbling and grumbling, some were chatting out loud, and some were silently excited. All sorts of people gathered to witness Grey and Yuna initiate the Grand Opening of Esperanzaー though some were just there for the instant foods.
The main characters soon made their appearance and took their place in their little makeshift stage and podium. The moment they did, excitement swept through the crowd, people cheering their names and greeting them politely.
Though not exactly their acquaintances, Grey and Yuna have met many people already. Other than their reputation as heroes, they were also known for their kind and humble nature which many people admired. They were simply popular.
Their fans were especially excited to meet them, squealing and cheering like little kids as they waved their hands and banners energetically. Only when Grey cleared his throat did the crowd become a little quiet, his voice sweeping through with magic.
"A wonderful morning to you, everyone. I know you're already curious and excited to see what's inside the mall, so I'm gonna make this quick." ［Grey］
Said Grey as he started his little speech. It wasn't one he prepared for, nor one he had a script of. The young man just spoke what he wanted to say, everyone in the crowd listening closely as he gave his words.
He first thanked everyone who made the project possible, then he gave a few words to introduce what Esperanza was again, a couple statements about their vision, and also a couple other whatnots he just came up with on the spot.
"It's been a lot of hard work and sleepless nights, so you better appreciate our efforts. Especially the uncles and aunties at the back. I already know you'll be gossiping about it tomorrow. You'll be our free advertisement, so please do your best." ［Grey］
Grey also pulled some jokes to make the people chuckle a little, making sure not to bore everyone as they listened to his words. It wasn't like a speech at all, but rather, ramblings a young man just put together for the sake of the Grand Opening.
"Well... I guess that's all... Oh, right! I almost forgot to mention. There will be a raffle by the end of the day. We just decided on it yesterday so we're announcing it a little late, I hope you understand." ［Grey］
"Un! We'll be giving raffle tickets for every 100-kiel purchase! There will be lots of prizes this night, so do your best, everyone～!" ［Yuna］
"We'll be announcing how many winners there'll be later, but you can rest assured that one person will be winning the grand prize." ［Grey］
"Un! We prepared it ourselves. It's a really special prize～!" ［Yuna］
They made a sudden announcement, the two wearing bright smiles on their faces. As previously said, it wasn't one mentioned in the flyers, so it took everyone by surprise, many curious about just what Grey and Yuna will be giving away.
After all, it wasn't just anyone they're talking about. It was Grey and Yuna. Other than their great reputation, they are also known for their common senseー or rather, their lack of common sense and their ability to break it ever so casually.
There was no solid proof of such a fact other than the massive building before them. No way in hell it was possible to build such a massive structure in just a single week, detailing and furnishing completedー or so they thought.... Now, not so much...
"A special prize from Their Highnesses? Isn't that really great?"
"What are you saying?! Don't you know how amazing items Lord Grey and Lady Yuna make? They could easily churn out Superior-Grades as if they're nothing!"
"Right! Right! I'm sure it will be extremely valuable!"
"Well, whatever it is, I'll be sure to win it! I swear I'll make it mine!"
The announcement got people talking, many people hyped and riled up to see just what prizes they could win. It could be high quality equipment, never-before-seen magic tools, ancient relics, discount privileges, anything... It could be anything
But perhaps the most pumped up were their great admirers. They didn't even care what the prizes would be. As long as it was from Grey and Yuna, they are more than happy and willing to give it their all. They were very enthusiastic.
With that, it was sure that Grey and Yuna would lose out a great deal of money again. However, on the other hand, they were sure to increase customer engagement to the shops and services, baiting them successfully.
To top it all off, if everything goes well, Grey and Yuna can recover all losses sooner or later. The more people engage with the malls, the better it would be for them and the workers inside. It was all a matter of patience and hard work.
"Well, I'm not really good at speeches, so let me just end it there. All I can say is... I hope you enjoy your time here and welcome to Esperanza!" ［Grey］
"Have fun, everyone～!!" ［Yuna］
Before long, it was finally the Grand Opening, cheers piercing through the clouds and excitement sweeping through the city. The mall's glass doors soon opened, quite a few people were surprised by the automatic opening sequence of the doors.
People poured inside the mall, the cool air of the air conditioning units greeting them warmly, and the workers cheerfully welcoming them. Everyone was in awe at the sight revealed inside, walking ever so slowly as they scrutinized the place.
It was grand and marvelous, unlike anything they've ever seen before. Not only was the building itself amazing, the inside was also designed to match that of medieval-fantasy luxury and grandiosity many could only hope to lay their eyes upon.
The crowd continued to flood and more curious eyes wandered all over the shopping mall. They all headed their own ways, not really knowing where they're going and simply heading wherever their feet took them, shock and surprises here and there.
"Oh my God! There's new kinds of cosmetics here! New perfume scents too!!
"Really?! Are they new products of Her Highness?! Let me see! Let me see!"
"A laundromat...? What's this all about?"
"Hm? What's this,.. Instant coffee? Instant milk? That's new..."
On the 1st floor, many people were quickly drawn to the new products and services they spotted, everyone filled with curiosity. They soon started entering the shops and trying them out for themselves, greeted with delight soon after.
The products based on the ones back on Earth were an instant hit. Especially those products whose efficacy and convenience was already proven. People bought them as if there was no tomorrow. Yuna's cosmetic products were especially popular.
As for the instant powdered beverages offered, there was nothing left to be said. With a trial center offering free cups and water, they quickly tried it out. They poured the powder into the cup and added water soon after, following instructions closely.
"Wh-What the hell?! It really became milk!"
"T-The instant coffee too! It even has a predesignated flavor already!"
"Hey! I just found this apple juice one! Let me try it too!"
Soon enough, everyone was left with their own drinks, still steaming hot with aromas that really tickles one's nose. It was something Grey and Yuna had been enjoying for quite some time already, now released to the market.
The very moment everyone tasted the drinks they chose, their eyes opened wide in shock. It was immaculately better than what they expected, their hearts pumping in excitement as they enjoyed their drinks down to the last cup.
Brewing tea and coffee was tedious, making fruit just is even more so, and milk goes bad after just a couple days. Yet the instant products offered them a treat which was neither time consuming nor terrible to taste. Not to mention its very long shelf life.
It was especially appealing to those who had extremely early or late working hours, those people who are busy throughout the day, those who are terrible at brewing, those who are lazy, and so much more... It was the gift of the heavens.
"Please let me buy 3ー no! Let me buy 5 packets of them, please!"
"Excuse me, do you have any flavors for the coffee?"
"Ugh... I should have brought more money!"
As one would expect, the instant beverage products were overwhelmed by all sorts of customers. They flooded the isles and took off like a storm, the shelves needed to be restocked in less than an hour right after the grand opening.
The same could be said for Yuna's cosmetic products, the packed snack items, the convenient daily life tools and accessories, and many more. Sales were off the chart, a ton of people flooding in and out of the grocery store as if there was no tomorrow.
It wasn't just the 1st floor which was busy either. The other floors were also bustling with life and colors, people moving up and down the floors as they enjoyed everything Esperanza had to offer, faces full of glee and delight.
Speaking of which, one little angel really loves moving up and down the floors using the elevators and escalators. There was a bright smile on her face as she pointed towards them, eyes sparkling like the stars as she went through them.
"More! More! Let's play more!" ［Natalia］
"Again...? Have you not had enough yet, Natalia?" ［Natasha］
"Haha. Just leave her be, Dear. It is natural for people her age to be curious and excited about these things... Granted that I don't even know what it is." ［Galleus］
"Papa! More! More! Let's go down! More!" ［Natalia］
"Hahaha. Alright. Let's go down one more time." ［Galleus］
Of course, that little angel was none other than the Little Princess, Natalia. It seems like she was very fond of the escalators and elevators Grey had designed and had been going up and down on them for quite some time already.
In fact, everyone had already lost count how many times they've gone up and down the floors just because of her whims. They may be under the veil of illusion magic right now, but such behavior will only make people look at them with curiosity,
Thankfully enough, everyone else was also busy with their own thing, so they really had no time to pay attention to them. It was the first time the Royal Family got ignored so much in public. It was both refreshing and liberating.
"Hahaha! Natalia sure loves these things... What do you think, Talia? Should we ask Grey and Yuna to install one in the castle?" ［Ernes］
"Dear, please refrain yourself from causing them any more trouble. They are already busy enough as it is. And... Do you not still owe them a favor?" ［Talia］
"Come on, wouldn't it be fine? We will be paying them anyway." ［Ernes］
"Dead, do not make me repeat myself." ［Talia］
"... Haah... Fine... I will restrain myself." ［Ernes］
All hail the Queen!
The King was about to request something stupid again, and cause even more trouble for Grey and Yuna. Thankfully, due to the Queen's intervention, such a disaster was averted and Grey and Yuna could actually rest without worries.
Though, it seems that they themselves will not be getting any bi of rest soon. Despite having tried it several times already, the Little Princess has yet to tire from going up and down the floors using the escalators and elevators, a smile afloat her tiny face.
Just like that, they went up and down the elevators and escalators some more, the Little Princess squealing and giggling every single time. She had fun looking at the things present here and there, innocent happiness blooming in her little heart.
"Would you like to go down again, Natalia?" ［Galleus］
"Um! Go downー Mmn?" ［Natalia］
They were just going down the floors once again, when the Little Princess spotted something curious just a short distance away. It was a little horse figure made out of wood and metal, painted with various colors and had little light bulbs built in them.
A child would ride the horse and his mother would insert a coin at the coin slot. Soon enough, the horse will move, rocking up and down, whilst the colorful lights twinkled and dimmed, a short melody playing all the while.
It was a common attraction back on Earth, but it was something not even princesses had seen in Merusia. The Little Princess was greatly curious at the sight, her eyes twinkling along the lights as she fell in love with it.
"Papa! Papa! That! Try that! Nalia wants to try!" ［Natalia］
"Hm? Which one... I see... That horse-looking thing, right?" ［Galleus］
"Certainly. It seems like something children will be fond of." ［Talia］
"Um! Fun! Nalia will have fun!" ［Natalia］
There was no use thinking too much about it. Just as the Little Princess suggested, everyone then headed outside the arcade where the rocking horse was. There isn't just a horse, but various other animals as well like sheep, llamas, wolves, and more.
The Little Princess picked which one she wanted to ride, and Galleus put a coin in the coin slot soon after. It only cost him a copper coin, 1 kiel, so he was quite a bit surprised to see how cheap it was... Oh, the sense of money of Royalty...
"Waah! It's moving! Horsey is moving! Hehe! Hehe!" ［Natalia］
The white unicorn the Little Princess picked soon started to move and rocked her back and forth. It also raised up and down, making its movements more dynamic whilst it played its sweet chimes, filling the Little Princess with Glee.
CLICK CLICK CLICK SNAP SNAP SNAP
The King didn't miss the chance and quickly snapped a lot of pictures of the Little Princess, wishing to capture the cuteness of his granddaughter. If it wasn't for the Queen scolding him, he would have wasted all the picture films by now.
"Mama! Papa! Ride with Nalia too!" ［Natalia］
"Fufufu! Maybe next time, Natalia. Mama and Papa are big now you see, and horsey is still little. We do not want horsey to get hurt, right?" ［Natasha］
"Mmmn... Okay! Next time! Nalia will play with Mama!" ［Natalia］
"Fufufu! That's my daughter. Good girl～." ［Natasha］
It was unfortunate that not everyone could ride the mechanical animals with the Little Princess, but there was nothing they could do about it. Not like everyone wanted to anyway. Everyone was already having fun just watching over the Little Princess.
Well, it was fun, but a certain figure still figured he needed to go somewhere else. It was a rare day that they get to spend such quality time somewhere fun, so it would be best to go around the whole mall and have some fun as much as they can.
"Father, Mother, me and Amelia have somewhere to go, so we'll be going out on our way now. We'll see you later." ［Julius］
"Oh? You already had plans? The mall just opened though, so howー" ［Ernes］
"I already asked Grey and Yuna before so I know a couple things. They also gave me recommendations, so we'll be checking them out." ［Julius］
"You did not even let me finish my words... But well, that much is fine. Just make sure to not cause any trouble, alright?" ［Ernes］
"You are the least qualified to say that, Dear." ［Talia］
Waving goodbye with one hand and holding Amelia's gently with the other, Julius then headed away from the others and before long, they started going down the 2nd floor. It seems like he knows where he's going, but not, he does not.
"I did not know we already had plans, Your Highness." ［Amelia］
"That's because it was a lie. I just made it all up." ［Julius］
"Lying is not good, Your Highness. Are you trying to cause trouble for Grey again? You might not get off with just a light scolding if you do." ［Amelia］
"Hey, just what do you think of me? I'm not some kind of devil that I'd annoy Grey when I know he's this busy... I still have a conscience." ［Julius］
Julius laughed wryly at the words of his beloved Amelia. He knows that he causes trouble to a lot of people, but he didn't think his reputation was already so low, and to his own fiancée nonetheless. He was left in aghast.
The young prince could only reflect on his actionsー or so one might think. However, he simply let it pass by, all the while scratching his cheeks, painted a little red. After all, the real reason why he parted with the others was just a tad but embarrassing...
"And... It's not like I lied to cause trouble anyways... I just want to spend some time alone with my fiancée... Is that too much to ask?" ［Julius］
"... No... Not at all... It is perfectly normal..."［Amelia］
The young man mumbled in a low voice, yet still echoing clearly in the young lady's ears, a sudden arrow striking her heart. It was a critical blow! Amelia's face turned flushed red at Julius' words, unable to say anything in response. She was happy.
With her face redder than that of a tomato's, Amelia still managed to keep her calm, not wanting to show too much intimate affection in public. However, she made sure to clench her hands tighter, holding Julius close to her, heart racing madly.
"One more thing Amelia. We're in public so stop addressing me formally. Just call me by my name. It's not like we're strangers. After all... You're my fiancée…" ［Julius］
"... Yes... I understand... Julius..." ［Amelia］
"Mmn... Yeah... This is a little embarrassing, after all..." ［Julius］
"Mou... It was your idea... It is embarrassing for me as well..." ［Amelia］
Two lovebirds red as can be. The atmosphere was pink and their hearts were racing loudly. They continued to hold one another's hands as they toured the massive mall, smiling and giggling to themselves as they enjoyed their time together.
As they toured around the place, another figure spotted them from up above. Her teal eyes peering at the two youths, a bright and cheerful expression blooming on her face as she giggled ever so quietly. It was Vanessa.
"His Highness and Lady Amelia sure are innocent. Just look at them, Deae. It's like they just started going out." ［Vanessa］
"Hm? I thought they were wearing disguises?" ［Ranzel］
"They are. I managed to greet them before we departed, so I know how they look... Well, enough about that. Don't they look cute?" ［Vanessa］
"Yes, they do... It reminds me of our teenage yearsー or so I would like to say. But then again, you were too bold and aggressive that it really is the opposite of what you'd call innocent... Really, what an energetic junior I had." ［Ranzel］
"What's wrong with being bold? If I didn't act like that, someone else would have snatched my man! It's all thanks to my boldness that I can marry you!" ［Vanessa］
"Yes, yes, and I'm thankful for that... Else, I wouldn't have been able to get myself a lovely wife and an adorable daughter." ［Ranzel］
The married couple are now enjoying some treats from the food court, walking from stall to stall as they tried out all sorts of sweets they could find. The Little Angel was also with them, also riding along her parents' food trip.
After all, both Vanessa and Ranzel had quite the sweet teeth. It was only natural that Antoinette, their lovely daughter, would also have the same preferences. She could only eat the ones her little tummy could safely digest, but needless to say, she was having a good time.
"Oh dear, look at how messy you are... Stay still for a while, Dear. I'm just gonna wipe Anne's face for a little bit." ［Vanessa］
"Hahaha. This reminds me when you were making sweets back then. You always looked this messy when you were baking." ［Ranzel］
"That's because I was working hard! And it's normal for young noble ladies to not know how to cook. It was completely normal, right, Anne?" ［Vanessa］
"Bbah! Bbaba! Buu～!" ［Antoinette］
"See? Even Anne agrees." ［Vanessa］
Or so she says, but it's not like her words were credible. Anne isn't even a year old and she was already asking such weird and nonsensical questions. They have been married for a couple years already, but Ranzel still couldn't read his wife's mind.
However, there was one thing Ranzel knew, it was that his wife was the loveliest woman in the world. Sure, she causes a lot of troubles and mischief all the time, but that very cheerfulness of hers is one he loves the most. And another thing...
"Hmm... There shouldn't be any more stainsー Oh! New ice cream flavors! Just wait a moment dear, I'll just peek for a minute!" ［Vanessa］
... Is that she really loves sweet and tasty things. She loves them so much that the moment she saw a brand new ice cream menu, she immediately left her husband and their daughter alone to go see what flavors are available.
Ranzel also loves that part of her, but sometimes he couldn't help but think that her love was bordering obsession. He could only sigh at the sight of his silly wife, soon chuckling to himself as he adored her quirky attributes once again.
"Let's go, Anne. Let's catch up to Mama." ［Ranzel］
"Bbaba! Bba! Bbu! Bbuuu!" ［Antoinette］
"Hahaha. How energetic." ［Ranzel］
CHAPTER 467 END