14. TiaraRose’s Stall

After leaving Maria’s house, TiaraRose and Aquasteed headed to the city’s commerce guild. By registering there, one can set up a stall in a corner of the city to buy and sell goods.

“But can we really register by just showing up so suddenly?”

“During the festival period, there are several dedicated stalls, and it seems you can do business with a simple registration.”

“That’s good to hear.”

When TiaraRose voiced her anxiety, Aquasteed gave a brief explanation. TiaraRose was relieved that the procedure seemed simpler than expected. However, she realized this wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the festival.

The inside of the commerce guild was overflowing with people intending to do business at stalls, just like TiaraRose and her husband. Many were people who didn’t usually do business in this city, and new registrations were being processed actively. There were several reception desks, and a long line had formed at the one for festival-only new registrations. It looked like they would be waiting for quite a while.

“Befitting a chocolate festival, it’s very popular.”

While standing in the reception line, TiaraRose and Aquasteed discussed what kind of sweets to sell.

“If chocolate is the main focus, cookies would be good, or perhaps baked goods… chocolate donuts might be nice too. Fresh cream items would be difficult to manage, though… Hmm, it’s hard to decide.”

TiaraRose seemed to have many sweets she wanted to make, racking her brain over various options.

“All of Tiara’s sweets are delicious, so it’s hard to choose.”

“Thank you. Aqua, do you have a particular favorite?”

“Let’s see, for me, I—”

Just as Aquasteed was about to mention an impressive sweet he had eaten, they were called with a “Next, please,” and it was their turn.

“Ah, it looks like it’s our turn.”

Saying so, Aquasteed took out identification that could be used in various countries. The kingdom had prepared IDs that could be used under the names Tiara and Aqua; the system allowed registration upon presenting them. While the information that TiaraRose and Aquasteed were royalty was not explicitly conveyed, a guild official could tell at a glance that the IDs were of a special format. Consequently, when they submitted the IDs, the official wore a startled expression for a moment but processed the request immediately.

“It feels a bit like utilizing a privilege, which I feel apologetic for, but it is helpful.”

Though giving a wry smile, TiaraRose received the permit and the explanation for the stall. The spot TiaraRose and Aquasteed rented was located just one turn off the main street. It was “Sweets Street,” where stalls primarily dealing in confections were lined up.

They could use the spot by paying five percent of their profits to the commerce guild. There were other minor registration fees, but there were no other bothersome procedures beyond that.

“It’s amazing that doing business can be this simple.”

“Even if it’s a measure during a festival period, this is something we should learn from for our own country.”

“Yes. Let’s consult with Luca and Rio when we return.”

Both TiaraRose and Aquasteed want to flexibly adopt good points they find elsewhere that their own country lacks. This world tour would likely yield various discoveries helpful for Marineforest’s development.

And then, the long-awaited day of the festival arrived.

The city was overflowing with the delicious scent of chocolate, and TiaraRose took a deep breath, her face filling with happiness.

“Haaaaah~! Look, Aqua. No matter where you look, chocolate is being sold!”

“This is incredible; it’s more than I imagined. …But the sweet smell is so strong I feel a bit lightheaded.”

Aquasteed was impressed that everyone could walk around so nonchalantly. If someone hated chocolate, they probably couldn’t live in this country.

“From my perspective, it’s like a city in heaven, but you might be right.”

Giggling at Aquasteed’s words, they arrived in front of the stall assigned to them. The rented stall had an adorable appearance with a light blue and white striped pattern.

“Waaah, so this is my shop… I’m feeling a bit nervous.”

“Selling things you made yourself isn’t an experience one gets often, after all.”

“Let’s start preparing right away.”

TiaraRose fired herself up with a determined look and put on a chocolate-colored apron. This was an apron matching Aquasteed’s that she had purchased yesterday specifically for today.

The items to be lined up there were sweets TiaraRose and Aquasteed had stayed up almost all night making. Since they had secretly received help from the candy fairies, they were able to prepare products despite their sudden decision to participate.

“Well then, shall we set up?”

“Yes!”

From a wooden box they brought, they took out colorful flower candles. They lined them up on the stall’s counter, placed stands over them, and set small cups filled with chocolate on top.

This was a collaboration between TiaraRose, the candy fairies, and the forest fairies. Simply put, it allowed for easy cheese or chocolate fondue. For this occasion, the sweet they prepared was cookies to be dipped into the melted chocolate. Since they were dealing with fire, some caution was necessary, but there wasn’t much danger since they were simply handing over the warm, melted chocolate and five cookies to the customers.

As Aquasteed lit the candles, the chocolate began to melt inside the cups placed on top.

“Tiara, how is it? I think it’s coming along well…”

“I think it’s perfect!”

TiaraRose, who was lining up bags of cookies beside him, wore an enchanted expression at the scent of the sweet chocolate. The finely chopped chocolate was what Aquasteed had prepared last night using wind magic. Whether or not TiaraRose looked off into the distance, remembering how she used to chop chocolate with a kitchen knife when making chocolate sweets in her previous life, remains unknown.

The sweet scent of the melting chocolate drifted around, and passersby began to look at TiaraRose’s stall.

“We’re getting a lot of attention. It’s natural since the sweets Tiara makes are delicious, but…”

“You’re exaggerating, Aqua.”

Since Aquasteed praised TiaraRose unconditionally, she sometimes lost track of her own objective evaluation. However, seeing the passersby looking over with delighted faces, his praise might not have been far off.

“Since we’re here, why don’t we try a taste test?”

“Good idea.”

TiaraRose dipped a cookie into the chocolate melted by the flower candle and took a bite. The warm chocolate spread throughout her mouth, followed immediately by the light, crumbly texture of the cookie.

“Mmm, delicious! Aqua, you have some too.”

When TiaraRose brought it to Aquasteed’s mouth, he took a bite.

“Thank you. Mm, it’s delicious.”

Smiling while noting its sweetness, Aquasteed looked very satisfied.

“It looks like this will sell. In fact, I’d be fine with opening a shop like this after we return to Marineforest.”

“Oh, Aqua…”

As TiaraRose and her husband had this exchange, restless people began to gather around. Shortly after, a few of them spoke up.

“Um, has sales started yet?”

“Is it okay to line up?”

Then, following them, other people came over.

“I want to line up too.”

“Me too!”

“Those candles are amazing as well. May I see them?”

People flocked over, asking TiaraRose various questions. From passing customers to artisans who likely made sweets regularly, many people’s eyes were caught.

Though flustered, TiaraRose said “Please” and urged them to line up. While Aquasteed organized the line, she continued the preparations. A queue formed in an instant.

“This… the sweets we made might not be enough.”

“As expected, Tiara’s sweets are the best in the world.”

While thinking they might run out, TiaraRose announced, “We are now starting sales!”

—I should probably be prepared to close up shop early today.

“That will be one. Thank you very much.”

“Next person in line, please come this way!”

TiaraRose and Aquasteed worked together, selling the chocolate steadily. Since they were selling while melting the chocolate, to be honest, the product couldn’t keep up with the line.

—This was a mistake in my selection.

“I’m sorry, Aqua. At a festival like this, we should have prepared things that could be handed over immediately…”

One can eat warm chocolate, and the appearance is cute. For those reasons, she had chosen this chocolate fondue… but the turnover rate was poor, resulting in a less-than-ideal outcome. To the dejected TiaraRose, Aquasteed laughed and said, “It’s okay.”

“There are places selling sweets you can buy quickly, so I think it’s fine for Tiara to sell sweets that are ‘Tiara-like.’ Isn’t it enough if people who want to savor it slowly come to buy?”

At Aquasteed’s words, TiaraRose’s heart suddenly felt lighter.

“…You’re right. It might not be efficient, but this sweet has its own way of being enjoyed!”

That said, nothing beats being able to check out quickly. While selling, TiaraRose placed chocolate into the containers and set them over the flower candles. As she repeated this, she grew accustomed to it and her working speed increased.

Then, from out of nowhere, a voice calling “Tiara~” was heard. Looking up, there were candy fairies in the sky.

“Everyone…!”

『Ta-da~!』

『We thought you might not have enough, so we brought more~!』

They were carrying flower candles and chocolate, showing they had come to help.

“It looks like the candy fairies have come to assist Tiara, but…”

Aquasteed said this as he looked around.

“We’re getting an incredible amount of attention.”

It seemed most of the customers in line had never seen a fairy before. While wearing very surprised faces, their eyes sparkled as they said, “They’re cute!”

“What is that!?”

“Could it be the fairies from Marineforest?”

“I’ve never seen one before!”

“It’s a fairy! And a candy fairy at that! I saw them when I went to Marineforest the other day!”

Various voices rose up. Then, even more people flocked over as the word spread: “Over there, it looks like a chocolate shop where candy fairies are selling!” The already long line became even longer.

“What should we do, Aqua? I’m happy the candy fairies came, but… it’s chaos.”

“True. But since they’re already here…”

It might be too late to ask them to go back now. The people around were very happy at the arrival of the candy fairies, being moved by the idea of candy fairies coming to a chocolate festival.

“In that case, it might be best to liven things up together with the candy fairies.”

Saying so, TiaraRose spoke to the candy fairies.

“Candy fairies, today is a chocolate festival. To liven things up grandly, would you lend me your strength?”

『Yes, leave it to us~!』

『It’s a chocolate festival~!』

Hearing TiaraRose’s call, the candy fairies made many chocolate sweets in mid-air. Those were steadily lined up at TiaraRose’s stall, and in proportion, people who heard the rumors came swarming.

“One candy fairy sweet, please!”

“Over here too!”

“Uwa, do I have to stand in that line to buy one!?”

“My apologies, please be sure to line up properly…!!”

It felt like things would become disastrous if they continued selling like this, but they couldn’t stop now. They had to keep selling. Fortunately, even with the candy fairies’ help, the stock wasn’t that large. It would be best to sell out early and leave the area.

“It ended up being quite a hectic scramble.”

“But it’s somehow fun, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

With the cooperation of the candy fairies, they hurriedly sold the sweets, and TiaraRose’s stall saw a massive surge of excitement.

End of 224