The next day at Central Capital....
Erebus found himself in another awkward situation.
Jafar was not around. He had relayed his message through a messenger crow that he'd be partying with his old workmates.
But the main reason behind his exhaustion was a troublesome stalker.
Someone who appeared to be unknown to him yet familiar.
He was stalked all the way from the inn to the main shopping district.
He tried to ignore him in every possible way.
-"Damn that alley boy." He kept thinking.
He stopped and he stopped and hid behind one of the shop alleys.
He looked back. No one.
He turned halfway when his eye caught the signboard with Lady Amerson Parsel's Boutique.
He remembered some of the noble ladies speaking highly of the boutique with latest fashion trends.
He saw a gorgeous dress with fabric that was warm yellow and pure white embroidered and studded with little topazes.
"It looks perfect for her."
He decided to enter the shop and took one last glance.
The hooded stalker hid once again.
He no longer paid attention to him and went inside the boutique.
A receptionist welcomed him.
He saw the place with quite a lot of customers even during this time of the day.
The festivities were about to end but the boutique was ever busy dealing with the customers.
He looked around and chose a spot to sit.
The employ gave him a catalog of the latest works and fashion.
He felt like there was no need for it since his eyes were already on the evening ballgown that he saw.
He waited hours until they finally asked for his order.
"Sir could you please fill in the details about what you might need?" The employee did not focus on what Erebus told her.
"That dress over there. He pointed at the ballgown. I need that one for my wife."
He told her.
"You want the same red and black trend sir? But I'm afraid that we're currently out of the fabric."
"No I don't think I said something like that."
Erebus did not want those colors on the dress.
The poor attitude towards him frustrated him when he got up and grabbed the quill and paper from the woman diverting her attention towards him.
"Look Sir! This is not-!"
Before she mouthed another word she only saw him as a beast with murderous instinct triggered.
"Call the owner of the place. Before I demolish this place." His words were but a warning to those around him.
The terrified employee scurried away in a flash and in just a few moments another woman who looked more refined came in her place.
The terrified employee stuck behind her like a leech not looking up.
"M-my Lord. It seems that my employee has earned your displeasure. I'm the owner of the store. Amerson Parsel at your service.What can I do for you?" She politely asked him.
"Drop the act." Erebus sighed.
"Pardon?" She felt intimidating pressure before her.
"You lot really don't disappoint me in treating my kind as eyesores. Be it even in back alley bars."
"S-sir it is our utmost priority to serve a customer regardless of their kind or status. We only serve our customers. Please bestow your mercy this once. We will make it up to you for incurring your displeasure."
-"Finally someone with common sense." Erebus was a little relieved.
"Then let's go back to business." He changed the subject. He did not want to take any longer as the sun was already overhead.
"Then please let me know your preferences from the catalog." She asked him about the dresses.
"I have ordered that piece over there." He pointed to the ballgown.
"T-that my Lord...are you sure you want that one?" She looked at it and back at him.
"What's wrong with that one?" He asked.
"I-its just that it doesn't sit right with the noble ladies in the capital. They say that bright colors are eye blinding. Even when it is one of the finest pieces of the year...." She fretted over her failed efforts as it did not have a buyer.
"Then give it to me." He said. He was relieved to hear that.
"Sir will you really buy that one?" She asked him surprised.
He nodded without hesitation.
"How much does it cost?"
" Since it's one of the finest works it's cost was around eighty gold coins."
-"Eighty gold coins! Is she messing about with me? The amount could feed an entire village for a year."
"But since you're buying it I will discount you up to fifty gold coins." She offered him the best price which was not in the least favourable for him.
"We can even compensate you. You can select three of our latest dresses."
"Instead of three more dresses reduce it to one more dress and the other two I need a children's wear instead."
"Then it will be upto seventy gold." She told him.
"Twenty." He denied her.
The entire store felt silent.
"Twenty and not a copper more. Compensate me for the time I wasted here."
"But sir-" she began when Erebus cut her off once again.
"Twenty."
After there argument she finally gave up.
He was stubborn as an iron gate.
The employee took in the details as Amerson asked him questions.
"My wife is three months pregnant. And she's not good with winters." He specified the details about her appearance except for the facts that Luciana was Amanécerian. Her visible traits were never revealed.
They moved onto Nemesis. Erebus didn't know that what demon age was Nemesis.
He looked small even for an average human child.
He had a hard time filling in slightest details that were required for both of their clothes.
"My servants will receive the orders soon." He filled in the payment.
The woman's face told him the loss she had faced that day.
"If there is even a slightest error in the order. Know that you will never live to see another day."
They stood half lifeless holding their breaths especially when they learnt that he was the imperial palace executioner.
The executioners held a special place in the city. Their ancient beliefs told them that executioners were the closest to the god of death.