Promet had only been back at the Augustus estate for an hour before Mr. Elli asked him to run a few errands.
In truth, the Augustus mansion was massive, yet it employed a mere five staff members: two maids, two butlers, and a cook. This was possible because daily chores could be handled through magic—an immense convenience. Tasks that would take an ordinary person all day could be finished in under an hour by these seasoned veterans.
And what of the guards?
Every servant of the Augustus household shared a common trait: they were, at minimum, Level 9 Core users. Since most individuals at that level were either famous or held high status—being only two ranks away from a peerage—very few would ever deign to serve another.
"Sigh."
But regardless of their strength, they were aging, and choosing a life of service was a far better fate, especially within a prestigious Marquis house like Augustus.
Promet wove through the crowds toward a soft-serve ice cream stall. It was a new delicacy, a harmonious blend of aromatic cinnamon and sweet cream that had debuted only three years ago in Jinlus Village. He bought two cones, each enchanted with a minor spell to keep them from melting too quickly.
Next, he intended to stop by a boutique for women's fashion—specifically, a place selling hats and headpieces, though he wasn't entirely sure if that was the correct term. He pushed open the ebony door of a shop painted in a striking mix of lotus pink and vermilion.
The interior was overflowing with women's apparel, ranging from provocative to modest. They even sold padded inserts, specialized bras for gowns, and a dizzying array of accessories. The sight made Promet flush; his face had been a deep shade of crimson since the moment he stepped inside.
"Excuse me, sir, do you require any assistance?"
A girl in a uniform—likely a shop assistant—approached him. Promet suddenly realized he was still awkwardly clutching two ice cream cones and a bag of food.
"Ah, um, I don't think I need help. I'm quite alright, thank you for noticing me."
Promet leaned down slightly to meet the receptionist's eyes and offered a friendly smile. With a hint of a grin in his gaze, he straightened up to pass her, his hand lightly brushing the assistant's arm.
"Actually, I'm looking to buy a hat as a gift. Could you help me with that?"
The assistant turned back toward him, and their eyes met once more. Ron's eyes widened momentarily before he quickly looked away, his hand twitching as if to scratch his neck before he stopped himself.
"I have a longtime friend who is very fond of the hats here. Having just returned from afar, I'm a bit out of touch with what ladies like yourself prefer, so I'd like to ask for your expertise."
Promet smiled gently and extended his hand toward her. "Consider this ice cream your commission. Will you accept?"
The girl took the cone, her face reddening as she stole a glance at him. Bathed in the golden light of the late afternoon sun, his hair seemed to glow with an even more vibrant brilliance.
"Oh, it's nothing, really. This is my job, after all; there's no need for payment," she said, quickly composed herself and leading the way toward the women's hat section.
His conversation with her had inadvertently drawn quite a few stares from the other women, as Promet was still standing right by the entrance. The looks from the ladies in this female-only sanctuary were... peculiar, to say the least. He hurried away from the door to follow the assistant. He had assumed that standing at the entrance of a women's shop would only invite more unwanted attention and embarrassment.
Click.
"Huh?"
The assistant turned her head, seemingly surprised by something.
It was then that Promet realized he wasn't the only man in the boutique. Another man was just opening the door to step inside.
"Excuse me, let me through."
The newcomer was tall but lean, with long, silky black-and-red hair that cascaded down his face like a waterfall. His expression was somewhat cold, his eyes dull with the look of chronic sleep deprivation, and he wore a black waistcoat accented with red pinstripes. He possessed an air of elegance—a mysterious, magnetic charm.
"I'd like to purchase a stylized black hat with gold star embroidery and a decorative brim."
He rattled off a long list of specifications to the receptionist. She took a deep breath and gestured toward the girl standing next to Promet.
"I'm not entirely sure about that one, but you might want to ask her."