Havrian City, Sector 15, Shopping Mall
The automatic doors slid open with a soft whoosh, ushering them into cool, polished air.
And just like that, every second or third head turned.
It wasn't subtle. It was that kind of glance people do when something doesn't quite make sense—but they can't help but look.
Because what they saw was this:
A man—tall, sculpted, with a face like something off a billboard—but wearing loose, oversized white clothes that looked like they were stitched from curtain fabric. His pants were loose. No shoes.
Nor did he have anything branded on him—but he was dressed like a handsome beggar who took a wrong turn into a luxury shopping center.
Then came the woman beside him.
Barefoot.
Velmira didn't even flinch as the chilled tiles touched her soles. Her floral skirt swayed lightly above her thighs, and her black-and-grey hair streamed down her back like night wind.
Her milky white cleavage clung to her chest just enough to draw attention, but her eyes—icy blue and half-lidded—ignored every passing gaze.
And last—Agatha.
Business slacks. Tucked shirt. Formal shoes. She looked like the only one who actually belonged in a place like this.
Her expression said it all: Please don't know me. Please don't know me.
People kept glancing. Some with interest. Others with concern. A few with that curious hesitation of "is this a film shoot?"
Agatha gritted her teeth and whispered behind them, "You two could've at least worn footwear."
Velmira didn't even turn. "You're free to walk a few feet behind if you're embarrassed."
"N-No, I meant you both might get your heels hurt."
Agatha tucked her hair behind one ear as she looked around. Too many people. She didn't particularly like crowds.
Yet, her eyes kept flickering—not toward the shops—but toward the two people walking just a step ahead of her.
Lecan and Velmira.
He wasn't saying much. Just walking, eyes calm, like he was barely interested.
But surprisingly, he looked like couples with the woman beside him—both were attractive enough to make Agatha feel somewhat relieved.
Relieved that he finally got someone beautiful as his partner who will love him as he does and even make him proud by standing beside him.
They both were compatible.
But the issue for Agatha was... the way Velmira walked—effortlessly, like she didn't even need to think about her own body.
First, wearing a thin floral fabric skirt which seemed to flutter just a little too high whenever her hips swayed.
The real issue was not that to Agatha, but the fact that Velmira wasn't wearing any undergarment at all.
'Tch.' Agatha could only click her tongue as even though she had suggested her to use her bra or panties, but all of them snapped due to her size.
Agatha sighed and looked away. "I thought we came here to buy clothes," she muttered under her breath given she just wanted to make this woman wear something underneath as her clothes were too tight against her figure.
"Hmm?" Lecan turned slightly, hearing her. "Yeah. That's the plan."
"Then where are we going first?"
He pointed lazily. "That way. Women's wear. Let's buy something first for Velmira."
"What? Why me?" Velmira raised a brow, her arms still folded beneath her chest as she walked slightly ahead. "You're the one who wanted new clothes."
"I will buy later," Lecan said simply. Given how he had used all of his remaining fate value to increase her luck, he needed to get some fruits from her.
He might have used lag state on himself or Agatha, but given his fate being clearly not favored, and even Agatha, whose luck was more like negative, it was only Velmira who possessed the heroine status—who could have a more positive effect of luck boost than her.
He further clarified to her. "And you are attracting too many gazes."
"I'm comfortable."
"That's the problem," Agatha muttered under her breath.
Velmira didn't argue further, but her gaze flicked sideways at a mirror lining the glass wall of the store entrance.
Her reflection stared back at her—barefoot, breasts nearly spilling out of the summer dress, long legs moving with her hips curved enough to give space for the skirt opening.
And yet… she didn't flinch. No shame. No awkwardness. Just a faint shrug.
"I'll pick something quick," she finally said, stepping into the store first.
"Should I accompany you?" Lecan just glanced towards Agatha, who just gave a nod before reluctantly following Velmira.
Lecan walked behind them both, clearly waiting to see the bonus he gets for his investment.
Inside, the attendant—a girl barely out of college—froze when she saw them.
Her eyes darted to Lecan's face first, then dropped to his outfit, then snapped toward Velmira's bare feet and plunging neckline.
"Uh… W-Welcome," she managed, clearly unsure if she was supposed to call security or offer them champagne.
"We're just browsing," Velmira said, her voice light but final.
The girl nodded, too stunned to argue.
---
Minutes passed. Agatha moved along the inner aisles, trying to find something—anything—that would cover more of Velmira's body.
She pulled a few blouses and longer skirts.
"Try this," she offered quietly.
Velmira looked at the pieces, blinked once, and said, "I like the one I am wearing, just give me something to wear underneath, can't you see they are poking?"
"Eh?," Agatha snapped as her mouth twitched, eyes going to the perky, puffed fabric on her breast where both of her nipples were too vivid through the skirt fabric making her mouth twitch.
"Follow me."
Agatha didn't give Velmira a chance to sass back. She grabbed her wrist—soft but firm—and dragged her down the aisle, weaving through racks of maxi dresses and sales bins.
"Where are we going now?" Velmira asked, her bare feet padding softly against the tile. Her voice didn't resist—just carried an amused lilt.
"You need undergarments. That's non-negotiable."
"Is this how humans seduce their rivals?" Velmira said under her breath, leaning in just enough for Agatha to feel her breath on her ear.
Agatha flushed but didn't break stride. "This is how humans prevent public indecency."
She tugged Velmira straight into the Lunelle Lingerie outlet. She hadn't checked the name. It was the first undergarment store she saw.
The moment they crossed the glass threshold—
PCHHHRRTTT!
A burst of compressed air shot into the ceiling. A rain of glittering confetti showered down around them in a swirl of pinks and purples.
A party popper exploded near the entrance stand, and lights blinked in wild celebratory sequence.
"CONGRATULATIONS!!!"
The shout didn't come from a staff member—it came from a built-in speaker, blaring over the entire store.
Agatha froze mid-step. Velmira stopped too, looking slightly up at the floating paper strips.
The attendant behind the counter blinked, then quickly scrambled to grab a mic.
"A-Ahem! Congratulations to our 5,000th walk-in customer! You've just won a 7-day Royal Cruise Package for four, courtesy of OceanLux Voyages!"
Agatha blinked. "C-Cruise?"
"Yes!" the girl beamed, recovering her retail energy fast. "It's an all-expense-paid luxury cruise on the OceanLux Sovereign! Private cabin, buffet access, pool decks, spa, the whole works!"