Chapter 263 In The Shopping Mall [1]
"The weather here is truly tropical," I muttered, casting a glance outside the window.
I had no choice. I pulled on a simple t-shirt and made my way downstairs.
"Milord?" Albert noticed my departure and glanced at me with a questioning look.
"I'm heading out to Central Vedelia, Albert," I replied, scanning the room. "Where are Mother and Sister?"
"They are attending to the Kingdom's affairs in Pallas, Milord," Albert informed me.
Right, they were both handling the Kingdom's affairs after Connor's death. Today was a day off for everyone, though.
You might assume I was going out to enjoy myself, but that wasn't entirely accurate. Elizabeth had chosen this day for us to work on our homework. So, together with Sirius and Sephira, we decided to have lunch outside.
Francis wasn't the driver this time, but he still took me to Central Vedelia. The Circles were once again incredibly convenient, and in just a little over an hour, I found myself in Central Vedelia.
Central Vedelia was the wealthiest city in Sancta Vedelia. It was a city of diverse cultures and races, where one could find anything they desired. But being the wealthiest city also meant it was a playground for the affluent.
Most of the buildings here were skyscrapers, adorned with screens displaying the latest releases. The city's architecture and atmosphere reminded me a lot of Las Vegas.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Drop me off at Central Shopping Mall," I instructed Francis.
"Yes, Milord."
After a few minutes of driving, I disembarked in front of Sancta Vedelia's largest shopping mall. With more than twenty floors, each designated for a specific purpose like clothing, entertainment, or dining, it was a bustling hub of activity.
"I will call Francis, when I'm over, you may leave," I said to the driver before entering the mall.
***
The biggest shopping mall in Central Vedelia was divided into several sections, with the most famous ones being the clothing and food sections. The clothing section occupied the 1st to the 8th floors, while the food section spanned from the 9th to the 13th floors. In this upscale environment, it was imperative to dress the part of high-ranking nobility and have ample funds to spend. Individuals deemed 'poor' were often unwelcome and were promptly escorted out.
On the 6th floor, within the men's section, a conspicuous young man drew the attention of many with his striking looks. His handsome appearance contrasted sharply with his rather casual attire. His disheveled black hair and bright yellow eyes stood out, and despite his unconventional appearance, none dared to comment. This young man was none other than Rodolf Moonfang, a Prince of the esteemed Moonfang House.
Rodolf, who was typically jovial and wore a perpetual grin, exhibited an unusual seriousness on this particular day. Such an expression was a rarity for him. But today was different. He had a date with Cylien Elaryon, the culmination of a year's pursuit. She had finally agreed to go out with him, and Rodolf had chosen this day to win her over—a challenging task.
Approaching a Great Noble Princess was a daunting endeavor, even for other high-ranking nobles. These princesses were meticulously raised, immune to the charms and advances of men, regardless of their status, attractiveness, or power. Winning their hearts seemed nearly impossible. This challenge was compounded in the case of Cylien, who belonged to the Elven race.
Elves were known for their prudish and cautious nature, with women being especially discerning in choosing their life partners. The concept of first love was foreign to them, as their first love would typically be their last. Loving more than one person in a lifetime was considered taboo. As a result, Elves were extremely selective when it came to choosing their mates.
Rodolf understood this well. He had been patient with Cylien over the past year, recognizing why she would avoid him and provide ambiguous responses. All was not lost; he only needed to make a favorable first impression. If he could capture even a fraction of her heart, it would be a victory.
Therefore, he had selected carefully crafted clothing to ensure that he made a perfect first impression. Turning to a female clerk, Rodolf decided to seek her assistance.
"Hey," he called out to her.
"Yes, Sir?" The woman responded respectfully.
"I need clothing that's perfect for my first date," Rodolf requested straightforwardly.
The woman was momentarily taken aback but quickly nodded, ready to assist.
…
…
Rodolf admired his reflection in the mirror, his vibrant red suit giving him an air of sophistication. His rugged, wild appearance contrasted perfectly with the classy attire, making him the epitome of a handsome, adventurous man. As he gazed at himself, a satisfied smirk graced his lips.
The woman assisting him couldn't contain her emotions any longer. "Y-You look perfect, Sir!" Her admiration was palpable. She had never seen a man as handsome as Rodolf in her life, and he left her utterly captivated.
Rodolf accepted the praise with a nod. "I'll take it."
After paying for the suit, Rodolf left the store, ready to continue his day. However, his phone suddenly began to ring, displaying the name of the caller. With a slight groan, Rodolf answered.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"What's up, brother?" He spoke casually.
The voice on the other end belonged to Jefer Moonfang, the Head of the Moonfang House and a Monarch in his own right. ["What are you doing?"] Jefer asked directly.
"I'm out, in Central Vedelia," Rodolf replied.
Jefer's tone was stern. ["I asked what you're doing, Rodolf."]
Rodolf's irritation flared. "I can't even enjoy myself on days without school?" He responded, his annoyance clear.
Jefer pointed out, ["I've never prohibited outings for you, Rodolf, but what you're doing is clearly not considered entertainment."]
Rodolf paused, then clicked his tongue in frustration. "You already know, then? Who told you? Percy? Or Roda?"
["You asked a Princess of the Elaryon House on a date right in front of your classroom, and you're asking me how I found out?"]
"Come on, brother," Rodolf retorted, his anger apparent. "You already know I want Cylien as my wife."
["I don't care about that. You have responsibilities as a Prince. If news of you and Cylien Elaryon getting cozy gets out, it will become the talk of Sancta Vedelia."]
Rodolf's frustration boiled over. "Who cares about that?! Instead of trying to sacrifice me for your so-called responsibilities, why don't you throw Percy, Roda, or better yet, yourself under the carriage? Act like a big brother for once and encourage me!"
Before Jefer could respond, Rodolf abruptly ended the call. He didn't need to hear the rest of his brother's orders. If he didn't hear them, he didn't have to obey them.
With determination in his eyes, Rodolf muttered, "Time to impress her," and left with a confident grin