Volume 16 Chapter 31: Pop-up Store

After giving his warning, Keith grabbed the children. “Let’s go out now.” The three held hands with one another as they walked. Keith chuckled, “Make sure not to—never mind.” The three kids went splat on the ground! When one tripped, the others went with them. Kneeling down, “Are you alright?”

“Mmhmm!” “Fine!” “Okay!” The three children grinned further as they continued to walk hand in hand. Keith watched and would send wind gusts on the road ahead, keeping it smooth; the four arrived at Ignis’s hammer, “Orin! Are you here?”

“What do you want, kid?” Orin came out, “Why did you bring the little ones as well?”

Keith answered with a grin, “I’m here to get some wood; also, I need paint.”

“Are you building something again?” Whenever Keith grabbed bulk materials, it meant construction.

“I am building something.” Keith turned to the kids, “Pick out whatever color you want.”

“Okay!” The three babies quickly looked at the selection.

Orin frowned, “Does this have to do with the little ones?”

“You’ll see.” There was no need to spoil the surprise. The little ones picked out the colors they liked, and Keith paid as they returned home. They headed to the pergola, which had a lot of free space. Lei, Mir, and Ruby rushed over to the little ones, pouting that they had left them here. The little ones had to soothe the other little ones while Keith laughed.

Sophia asked, “Keith, what are you doing?”

“Something,” Keith clapped his hands, “Kids, huddle up. I’m going to give you all a mission!” The little ones circled him as he exclaimed, “Okay! We’re going to do a limited-time store opened by our three little ones.” The moment he said this,  

“Yeah!”

“Wait, what?” Sophia blinked, “Pop-up store?” This was the first time she had heard of this. When did we decide this?

Keith nodded, “Since this is your store, you three will need to make the design, and I will build it for you. So work together!”

“Mmhmm!” The three huddled together as they were thinking up a way.

While they did, Sophia asked again, “Son, what are you doing?”

“A pop-up store: I thought it would be interesting to have one in Vaelthryn.” Keith took a break from Cart Eden, but the motions had been ingrained in him. He couldn’t sit still and laze around. That was why a thought came to mind: why not have a pop-up cart here? It wouldn’t hurt anyone, and there were a lot of pluses.

“However, for the little ones to control it?” Arolina questioned.

“I will be there to help them; it’s also a good way for them to communicate with the city folk.” Killing two birds with one stone: the kids were interested in what he does, plus this would allow them to communicate with people.

“My, you always have the most interesting ideas.” Thalia chuckled.

Arolina smiled, “Now I have to stay a little longer to see it for myself.”

“Umm, what’s going on in the sea kingdom?” Are you fine staying here for so long?

“Oh, you do not have to worry about our kingdom. Muriel is doing all the work. She assists her father from time to time.”

“…I see.” Poor Muriel.

“Big brother!” “Papa!” The three little ones waddled over.

“Have you finished your design?”

“Mmhmm.” The three showed them their drawings. Keith tilted his head, “I can manage building this. Good work.” He patted the three. They showed their pearly teeth as they puffed out their chests with pride.

“I also know what you will sell .” There was one dish even kids could make. Sophia and the others tilted their heads as they wondered what this big child had in store.

“Hmm?”

“I’ll show you later. But first, I have to get started.” Keith rolled up his sleeves; he was the muscle today. It was his turn to make the children’s design into a reality. Before he took action, “Umm, everyone, can you take a step back?” Sophia and the others got closer to see what he was doing.

“But it’s been too long since we’ve seen you work,” Sophia grinned.

“Mother, you’ve seen me work a month ago.” Keith sighed as he cut down the planks to the adjusted size, and he hammered them down. He was deeply absorbed in his actions, and Carolyn glanced at the little ones, “Let’s play a game and let Keith make it.”

“Okay!” The three little ones followed Carolyn. Sophia and the other adults watched with intrigue: one mother duck and her ducklings. They followed Carolyn closely. Thalia turned to Sophia, “See! Eri should come with me to the royal castle!”

“No!” Sophia refuted it, “End of discussion!” The argument resumed once more, but Arolina stared at Eri. I wonder who her real parents are? Being the one not related to the child, her mind had gone to the child’s actual parents. From what Keith told them, Eri was an orphan. Did something happen to them? Did they abandon the child? Either way, she wondered what would happen if they came out.

A few days later,

“The three of you look really excited.” William and the others noticed their excited expressions.

“Mmhmm!” “We are bosses now!” “Yah!”

“My! The little ones are becoming bosses.” Violet chuckled as they watched them.

Julius eyed Keith, “So when are you going to open the cart?”

“Probably tomorrow.” Keith stretched his neck back and forth. He had gotten the menu down, and the cart was finished.