Chapter 6:

  Price of Clothes

  "Dinner, huh?" I thought to myself in the back of the car that Maya picked me up in. I'd be lying if I stated I wasn't nervous. Adjusting the colr of the shirt I wore, I felt a little uncomfortable. It's grey-blue fabric complimented the dark blue of the bzer I wore over it.

  I just wasn't used to wearing such high-quality clothing. It wasn't that the clothing was uncomfortable itself. The fabric and material were actually surprisingly breathable. Despite wearing two yers, a short sleeve turtleneck and bzer, I was hardly sweating at all. Even the simirly colored dress pants felt insanely comfortable.

  I was surprised that they had even prepared dress shoes to match the rest of the outfit, and contrary to what I always thought of such shoes, they weren't uncomfortable at all. Even so, the golden embellishments of the cufflinks and buttons along with the quality made me feel like a fish out of water.

  "...I really have to wear this?" I mumbled to myself, resting my chin on the palm of my hand, "Feels like it's worth more than a house..."

  Looking out of the car's window, I saw the city pass me by. From my neighborhood and simple buildings, with some rundown areas, to the more affluent districts was jarring and unreal. The people walking by were of a totally different league.

  It wasn't like I never came to such a part of town. I was a courier, after all. I went anywhere the packages from the association needed to go. I just couldn't believe that I was coming here not on the back of my bike, and even more so without delivering something.

  "Then again..." Gncing over at Maya past the divider in the car, I recalled what she said earlier, "She did say she was delivering me...so, I guess I'm the package this time." I ughed to myself, and Maya seemed to catch my eye as she gnced back in the rearview.

  "Don't worry, we will arrive soon, Sir," Maya stated in that professional tone of hers, "And don't worry about the clothing. It only cost around three million. You don't have to fuss with it too much."

  "Th-Three million!?" I felt my face drain completely of color.

  I saw my entire life fsh before my eyes. The outfit I wore cost more than an entire lifetime of work, without spending a single cent. If I wasn't sweating before, I certainly was now. If I damaged this, I felt like I would have to sell an organ to repay it.

  "Yes, is that a problem, Sir?" Maya asked, genuinely seeming concerned, "It's not uncomfortable, is it? It is a bit on the cheaper side. If it's uncomfortable, please let me know. You'll have to deal with it for tonight, but I'll ensure it is adjusted for you ter."

  I could hardly say anything, for my mind was stuck on the fact she thought three million dolrs was cheap. I could feel my heart palpitating.

  "Should I have spent a little more?" Maya inquired, her brow furrowed, and she seemed to be worried, "While it was cheaper, it was made with the highest quality materials. Did I do wrong? Perhaps I should have pushed for something around ten million..."

  "What? N-No, it's alright..." I finally spoke up, snapping out of it when she spoke of spending more, "It's actually really comfortable. I was just...surprised at the price. Something like this isn't exactly cheap to me."

  "Oh!" Maya seemed instantly relieved, and a light blush appeared across her face, "I apologize. I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I am simply used to Miss Falcrest's expenses. I tend to forget that others don't have the finances that she does."

  "So, she's really that rich?" I asked off-handedly, not really being a question as I knew she was a Falcrest, but that fact still hadn't really sunk in.

  "Oh, yes," Maya answered despite it not being a question, as if she didn't really understand, but I didn't mind; It was honestly endearing, "This is nothing. So, don't worry about ruining it. If you do, she'll most likely get you another one."

  "Another one?" I perished the thought. The fact that she bought one was already more than enough, and I had no intention of ruining this. I vowed to ensure it would always be in its best condition.

  "Speaking of these clothes..." I inquired, a bit reticent to ask, "But...what is it made of?"

  Maya seemed to light up at the question, and I was beginning to understand a little bit more about her. She enjoyed being of use and helping. She was disappointed with herself when she wasn't. I didn't know her circumstances, but it seemed she was a bit too hard on herself.

  "Right! The main ingredient is made from the silk threads of a Thousand-Eyed Queen Widow Arachnid," Maya expined cheerfully, listing off everything in an excited yet informational manner, "It's also known as simply the Thousand-Eyed Queen. The silk is then interwoven with finely made threads from Mithril Ore mined from the Pits of Draclon. It was then reinforced with several protective magics from the finest Enchanters of our Atelier department."

  "E-Enchantments?" I was baffled, gncing at the outfit in a new light, "She really went all out, huh?"

  "Not at all," Maya told me, which further threw me off, "In truth, there wasn't enough time to do everything she wanted done."

  "She...wanted to do more?" I could hardly believe it, but if her yandere nature was any indication, it came at no real surprise. I was just overwhelmed. All of this was a lot, and so I simply took some breaths to ease my rapidly beating heart.

  -----

  Name: Casual Dinner Outfit (Bonded to Lucas)

  Rank: A+ (Unique)

  Attribute: Protective

  Effects: While worn, protects the user against Physical and Magical attacks of Grade F- though B+. When attacked by something that would prove fatal, a protective barrier will erect around the user. This will save the users life once before the item breaks.

  -----

  My breath was blown away. Not only by the venue I arrived at, but by the woman waiting for me once I got there. Elizabeth was waiting in a bck slit dress with a Grecian neckline and no sleeves. Her revealed legs showed the dark stockings she wore, but more than that, I was drawn to the definition of her body. Something I didn't notice before.

  She was toned. The muscles in her shoulders as they elegantly melded into the muscles of her arms looked sculpted from marble. Yet, it wasn't overdone. Its subtleness added to the danger of her form, and as she made her way to me, it felt like I was being approach by a tigress.

  Even her legs as she walked shifted in such a way to reveal the strength they held. Such a lean, dangerous body. Despite that, I recalled how soft she had felt when she embraced me. Perhaps, she was just being gentle.

  This fact alone was enough to warrant the jealous gres from onlookers. Some had recognized her, as it was hard to not know who she was. For those who didn't, they had been admiring her from afar, only to turn their burning gazes of jealousy upon me, but I ignored them all, for she was all that was in my view.

  "...Lucas?" She called my name, and my attention was drawn up to her shining emerald eyes; a smile widened her face as I did, "Do you like it? I wasn't quite sure what to wear."

  "I...Yeah, it fits you extremely well," I responded, completely flustered as I had realized my mouth had been slightly open, "Stunning doesn't even begin to describe you."

  I spoke the truth, for as my eyes finally took everything in, I realized just how beautiful she was. Her hair was done up in a messy, yet elegant bun held together by two golden hairpins. This revealed her ears, which were pierced with golden studs. Resting upon each wrist were two thin golden bangle bracelets.

  In her hands, she held a small bck clutch accentuated in gold. The warm lighting of the venue, a rge building that rose higher than I'd like to think of, illuminated her in a soft glow.

  "You ftter me," Elizabeth said, though a light blush entered her cheeks, and her eyes began looking me up and down before she smiled in satisfaction, "I see you got the clothing on time. It suits you well. Quite dashing."

  "Please..." I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't say I wasn't happy, "I feel awkward in this..."

  "Is it the price?" She asked, hitting the nail head on.

  "...Yeah," I responded sheepishly, letting out a sigh, "Three million? Really?"

  "It would have been more, but..." She shrugged, seeming disappointed, "It wouldn't be ready on time."

  "So I've been told," I gave her a teasing gnce out of the side of my eye, "Honestly, you didn't have to do this much..."

  Elizabeth grew silent then, and for a moment I felt a chill in the air, but it was oddly warm. She got that look in her eyes then, that obsessiveness.

  "True," She stated, wrapping her arms around mine as she leaned down towards my ear, "But I want to. You won't take that from me, would you?"

  There was a danger to her question, and though I felt my heart skip several beats, it wasn't out of fear.

  "Elizabeth..." I smirked, looking up at her, "Are you trying to scare me again?"

  "N-No..." She stammered suddenly; it was quite cute, "I just...want you to know."

  "Sure, sure," I found that my speech came so naturally when I spoke to her.

  Her expression changed to one of pouting, which only made her more adorable.

  "Well..." I muttered, my heart feeling incredibly happy, "I'm still grateful. Thank you, Elizabeth."

  Gncing down at me, she dropped her pouting expression and smiled lovingly.

  "You're welcome, my dear Lucas," She spoke softly, reaching up one hand to adjust my hair, "Now, instead of standing out here, how about we go inside?"

  I nodded. Together we turned towards the gilded doors at the top of the red carpeted stairs. Pilrs lined the way up, and before I knew it, we were inside.

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