"… Aria?"
Staring at me, was none other than Aria.
She politely bowed her head and greeted me.
"Hello."
I glanced at her, both my hands still inside the pockets of my hoodie. I lightly asked.
"What a coincidence, are you here for shopping too?"
I scanned her from head to toe, her fashion sense was top-notch and her spotless, charming face, which could melt away even the maiden's eye, her facial features resembling that of Miss Jenna.
'Talk about biology.'
Pointing to the other side of the road, Aria said.
"No, not shopping, there's this new pastry shop that just opened, so I was about to visit it." Aria added with her usual cold voice. "But are you here to shop? What were you shopping for?"
Nodding my head in understanding, I answered with a soft chuckle.
"I was searching for a clothing store, but it seems there are none that suits my taste."
"I see…"
"Yeah…"
Silence.
We just stood there.
'So awkward.'
Somebody please kill me.
But I do have to say this, with each passing day I find myself getting better in making new friends. Now I don't hesitate.
Finally, breaking the silence, Anna softly said.
"A-Any ways, are you buying a suit for tomorrow's party? You can come with me, I know a place."
Surprised by her suggestion, I blinked twice, before asking back.
"You know a place? Are you sure I could come?"
"Yeah, don't worry that place has everything you need."
I ponder my thoughts for a moment, Aria Frostheart, the daughter of House Frostheart, the strongest and most richest household of Frostvile Kingdom. If she is suggesting a place then… that place must be damn costly.
'Do I have enough money?'
My mother only gave me around 20 thousand in cash, that wouldn't be enough.
If I ask Aria, will she let me borrow some of her money?
No, Fuck! What was I thinking!?
I won't ask her.
No! Never!
Let's see… I have saved enough during my time as the Rank-1 Hero, if I have to count how much, then probably over 700 million.
Yeah, I am filthy rich myself.
"Sure, let's go. Thanks for the help, Aria."
"It's fine." Smiling brightly, Aria said before she offered me the direction.
***
Following behind Aria, I noticed there were a lot of people around. Well of course there will be, today's Sunday.
We—No, Aria was getting a lot of stares from the people, both boys and girls included. Well it's no surprise, her beauty was unparalleled.
I kept my distance, hoping they wouldn't get any wrong ideas and I didn't want to get involved with any troublesome situation.
Turning back and glancing in my direction, she asked.
"Hey, umm… why are you walking so far behind," she said squinting her eyes, "walk beside me."
"…"
I followed her instruction. For some reason, that expression of hers reminds me of Miss Jenna.
Her eyes are scary.
I stood beside her, and without glancing at me, she turned toward some of the alleys.
'Hmm? Is this the right place?'
"Aria, are we going the right direction?" I had to ask.
"Of course, it's a shortcut," Aria said, tilting her head towards my direction. "My mother and I always visit this place when we need to buy some clothes."
"Is that so…" I almost choked on my saliva after she referenced her mother.
Her mother—Miss Jenna's words echoed in my mind.
-'What you and Aria do with your life doesn't concern me, your life, your choice.'
I wonder what will she think when she finds out, I was shopping with her daughter.
'Ok! Let's stop thinking that!'
I don't want to know.
"What's the matter?"
"No, nothing! Don't worry, please lead the way."
Seeing Aria nod her head, I shrugged my shoulder and continued my steps.
But a sudden thought struck me. When I asked my master about her life, she told me Aria was her only child, and my master Envy (Miss Jenna) was the current head of House Frostheart. So that makes Aria the next line of heir.
If so, then why is she roaming the city by herself? Where were her bodyguards? Generally knowing my master's personality, she would be very cautious regarding this kind of matter.
Although, when I asked my master about her husband, she brushed off my question stating: 'Don't ask me that question again.'
She seems quite angry, and from that moment on I made a mental note to never ever question her about that.
'Well I do wonder, what happened?'
"We are here." Aria said, pulling me from my thought.
Staring ahead, the first thing I noticed was a larger grand gold-plated metallic door and two guards standing on both sides.
The white marbled building was ten stories tall, and a huge sign board hung on top which had the text "Gloria" written in bold letters.
This place is marvelous.
But…
'What are we doing at a hotel?'
Don't tell me it's a clothing store!
"Welcome, Madam Aria, you look as pretty as always," A young man around 30 years of age, in a black butler outfit, came rushing through the door, "please come inside, what clothes are you looking for today?"
The young butler asked, he didn't even bother to look in my direction.
'Well I am nothing but a filthy commoner.'
Damn you rich people!
Pointing toward my direction, Aria said to the butler, "Hello Mr. Adolf, my friend here needs some assist regarding a suit for tomorrow's Fresher's party."
Finally noticing me from the corner of his eyes, the young butler made a surprised expression. He scanned me from head to toe, before he turned towards me and said.
"Y-Yes, dear customer, how rude of me. Please come inside."
He led both of us inside, when I stepped foot inside the building, the cold air of air conditioner brushed past me, this place smelled like lavender.
My eyes landed on rows of mannequin wearing different suits lined in a symmetrical order, the staff greeted us when we stepped inside.
This place speaks royalty.
'There goes all my money.'
Was 700 million enough. I never bought a suit in my entire life, I didn't need to, all my clothes were provided by those caretaker of Hero Association.
"…"
Let's see, by analyzing this place and all clothes present here, I made my decision.
1 million, yes.
That's my threshold. I won't go beyond that.
"As you can see, we have Varity of collection each one is a unique masterpiece, designed by our hand picked designers," the butler continued, "we pride in our uniqueness,...….…"
How long does it going to take, is he now going to explain the history?
Well so sad, I am not interested.
"So, dear customer," the young nonsense yapping butler finally looked me into the eyes and said, "what's your budget."
"one million." I said without hesitation.
"…"
"…"
End of Chapter.