Chapter 378 Shopping Mall Part 4

The movie theater was located on the first floor of the shopping mall. Heading towards them was embarrassing for the Grand Duchesses as the passersby they met along the way stared at them as if they were looking at something that was higher. Though it is not if, but a reality.

The common citizens of the Ruthenia Empire rarely see the faces of the royal family that is ruling over the huge swath of land. They only see them on television and in charity events where they fundraise to raise capital to start a novel cause such as building schools and hospitals.

But none of those folks dared to even approach them, after all, it felt to them like there must always be a distance separating them. Like parallel lines that would not intersect. Alexander had expected the people to gather around them as if flocks of sheep surrounded their shepherd. However, due to the strict security measures in place, they couldn't.

Five minutes later, the family arrived at the movie theater. As one of Alexander's expectations, the theater was full. A long line of people patiently queued up to purchase tickets and watch the currently screened movies. Alexander carefully walked over to the posters and saw three movies screening.

First was Romeo and Juliet, a popular tragic story of two youths from feuding families written by Shakespeare. And as you might wonder, yes, a parallel Shakespeare exists in this world too. The name and the story were conveniently the same so that's a plus. The second movie was The Second Rutho-Yamato War. It is a military film based on a true story about the Ruthenia Empire going to war with the Yamato Empire due to the attempted assassination of the Grand Duchesses of the Ruthenia Empire.  Lastly, the Metropolis. A science fiction film highly stylized futuristic city where a beautiful and cultured utopia exists above a bleak underworld populated by mistreated workers. Basically the same as Metropolis which was released in the original world in 1927.

So a tragic story, war film, and science fiction. All three of them served the purpose of Alexander's goal of adding new culture to the country and as an aid for him to help the people see the future through interpretation. Science fiction will feature modern concepts such as robots, that are now found in factories. The war film features advances in military technology with the cooperation of the Imperial Ruthenian Armed Forces, making it a big-budgeted recruitment advertisement for the youth who want to serve the country in the future. The tragic story of Romeo and Juliet was adapted into a play but it is the first time it is adapted into a movie. So people could also expect that popular stories can be brought to the movie theater too.

If Alexander were to pick what to watch in order, he would watch the war film because it's the only field that interests him. The second would be the Metropolis, and the third would be Romeo and Juliet. That was his reference but given the fact he brought his sisters and daughter to the mall, he can't simply have his way here.

"Brother!" Anastasia called. "This war film, is this movie about us?"

"Yeah," Alexander confirmed.

Anastasia looked down somberly as the tragic memories from the past resurfaced. Alexander quickly noticed and realized a simple mistake that he had overlooked. Since the story is about a war between two countries that sparked because of them and is based on real life, there is a possibility of them remembering what they have been through in that time.

Alexander glanced at Tiffania and Christina who had a frown expression written on their faces.

"This is bad…I didn't mean to," Alexander muttered under his breath before walking up behind Anastasia and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"We don't have to watch it. As I said earlier, we are going to watch Romeo and Juliet," Alexander said in a reassuring voice.

Anastasia shook his head. "It's okay. I just remembered but I have long moved on from it. There's nothing to worry about, brother."

"Anastasia is right," Tiffania said, crossing her arms. "It may be a bitter memory but we have overcome it already. And I stole a glance at you and I saw from your face alone that you wanted to watch it. We don't mind, you don't have to babysit us all the time. Because if you do, how will we grow?"

"Tiffania made a good point," Christina chimed in. "Brother, if you don't mind, we can watch it together after Romeo and Juliet," she suggested.

"You guys…" Alexander smiled softly. The fact that they are reassuring him that everything is okay warmed his heart. "Very well, that would be our plan for today."

With that, they proceeded to the theaters. As they head towards the theater, those who are in the line let out a sigh of admiration. Seeing the royal family walking past them and close to them was like a dream come true. Some tried to even reach for them but Rolan, who was tasked with protecting the family, swatted the offending hands. They may be happy seeing the royal family but they can't just casually touch them without permission.

Who knows, their hands are laced with a slow-acting poison that seeped into the skin. Rolan couldn't be too careful these days as people are always coming up with unique ideas.

A minute later, the royal family entered the movie house without going through the long line. Inside was a huge dark stage theater, consisting of a single auditorium with rows of comfortable padded seats arranged in a stadium seating that is sharply raked extending from in front of the screen back towards the ceiling. It gives patrons a clear sight line over the heads of those seated in front of them. And in front of them was a white large projection screen. Above, at the centerline in the back was a movie projector, an optomechanical device that will project a film onto a screen.

The royal family has designated seats and is seated in the middle part. There are of course Imperial Guards disguised as patrons of the cinema to protect them in the middle of the screening.

"Oh, this movie experience won't be complete without popcorn," Alexander said. "I'll go get us some."

"Can I come, papa?" Anya asked.

"Of course," Alexander agreed. "The rest of you stay here," he said before his gaze flickered to Rolan.

"Rolan,"

"Sir?"

"Come with me,"

"Understood," Rolan replied before following Alexander outside of the theater.

As soon as the imperial guards saw Alexander walk out of the theater, they started fixing their eyes on the Grand Duchesses covertly.

It only took Alexander ten minutes to buy popcorn and when he did, he immediately came back.

The smell of freshly-cooked popcorn wafted in the air with its sweet and buttery flavor lingering into the noses of all the patrons inside. While holding a bowl of warm popcorn in his hands, he approached the four siblings who were sitting beside each other quietly.

"Okay, the movie is about to start, so behave yourself now."

Suddenly, the projection screen flickers to life. The sound system in the movie house sounded.

"Please stand as we will play the national anthem of the Ruthenia Empire."

All the patrons inside rose up from their seats. The royal family included. The national anthem was played for a minute and a half. When it was finished, the patrons sat back. The projection screen started showing moving pictures and the movie he funded started.