The Demon Queen's Contract

As Alexandra's disdainful words hung in the air, a thought struck me. I turned back to her, curiosity piqued. "If you don't mind me asking," I began, "is that man you were kissing your boyfriend?"

Alexandra glanced at the dark-haired man who was now watching us with a bemused expression. She shook her head. "No, he's not. I just felt like kissing him because he looked handsome. Why do you ask?"

A glimmer of hope sparked within me. "So, if Cratos were more handsome, would you consider going out with him?"

She tilted her head, considering the question. "Well, if he cleaned up his act and looked halfway decent, I might give him a chance. But he'd have to do more than just look good. He needs to show some effort."

Seraphina and I exchanged glances. This was the opening we needed. "Thank you, Alexandra," I said, nodding gratefully. "We'll see what we can do."

We hurried back to the library, where we found Cratos lounging on a couch, lazily flipping through a book. He looked up as we approached, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Well, did you talk to her?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant but failing to hide his eagerness.

"Yes, we did," Seraphina replied, her tone serious. "And she said she might consider a date with you if you put in some effort and cleaned up your appearance."

Cratos frowned. "What do you mean by 'cleaned up'?"

I sighed, knowing this might be a hard sell. "It means we need to give you a makeover, Cratos. A new look, new clothes, and maybe a bit of grooming."

His expression turned wary. "I don't know about this..."

"Come on," I urged, trying to sound encouraging. "It's worth a shot, right? If you want a chance with Alexandra, you have to show her that you're willing to change."

Cratos hesitated, clearly torn. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, fine. Let's get this over with."

We led Cratos out of the library and into the bustling streets of the university town. The town was alive with activity; students hurried to their next classes, street vendors peddled their wares, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air. The vibrant energy seemed to invigorate us as we made our way to the clothing store.

Our first stop was a boutique known for its wide range of fashionable garments. The store's facade was inviting, with large windows displaying mannequins dressed in the latest trends. As we entered, a bell chimed softly, and we were greeted by the shopkeeper, a friendly older woman with silver hair tied in an elegant bun. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Welcome! How can I help you today?" she asked, her voice warm and welcoming.

"We need to find some new clothes for our friend here," I explained, gesturing to Cratos, who stood awkwardly by the door. "Something that will make him look more... presentable."

The shopkeeper's eyes twinkled as she assessed Cratos, noting his disheveled appearance. "I see. Well, you've come to the right place. Let's see what we can do."

With a practiced eye, she began to pull out several outfits, ranging from casual to formal. She selected a crisp, white tailored shirt made of fine cotton that promised to feel soft against the skin, and a pair of well-fitted charcoal trousers that accentuated a sleek, modern look.

She handed the garments to Cratos, who grumbled under his breath but reluctantly took them and headed to the fitting room.

While he changed, Seraphina and I browsed the store, picking out a few accessories. Seraphina chose a sophisticated leather belt with a polished silver buckle, and I found a pair of stylish, yet understated, cufflinks that added a touch of elegance. We also selected a slim, navy blue blazer that would complete the ensemble perfectly.

After a few moments, Cratos emerged from the fitting room. The transformation was immediate and impressive. The tailored shirt hugged his frame in all the right places, and the trousers emphasized his long legs, giving him a refined and polished look. The blazer added a touch of sophistication, making him look like he belonged in the pages of a fashion magazine.

"Wow," Seraphina said, nodding appreciatively. "You clean up nicely."

Cratos glanced at his reflection in the mirror, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "I guess it's not too bad," he admitted, a touch of pride creeping into his voice.

"We're not done yet," I said, a smile spreading across my face. "We still need to take care of your hair."

Cratos's expression darkened. "I'm not letting you touch my hair."

"Come on," I pleaded. "It's just a little trim and maybe a style. It'll make a huge difference."

He crossed his arms stubbornly. "No way. My hair stays as it is."

I sighed, realizing this was going to be a tougher battle than I anticipated. "Cratos, if you want Alexandra to notice you, you have to go all the way. Trust us on this."

He looked from me to Seraphina and back again, his resolve wavering. Finally, he threw up his hands in defeat. "Fine, but just a trim. Nothing drastic."

We led Cratos to a nearby salon, where the scent of citrus and lavender filled the air, creating a calming atmosphere. The salon was sleek and modern, with large mirrors and comfortable chairs. The stylist, a young woman named Clara with vibrant red hair and a confident demeanor, greeted us warmly.

"What can I do for you today?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.

"We need a trim and a bit of styling for our friend here," Seraphina explained, gesturing to Cratos.

Clara nodded, motioning for Cratos to sit in the chair. "No problem. Let's see what we can do."

As Clara began to work her magic, her hands moved deftly through Cratos's hair. She trimmed the ends, shaping it to frame his face more effectively, and added subtle layers to give it volume and movement. She worked with precision, her scissors snipping away with a rhythmic cadence. Bit by bit, Cratos began to relax, the tension in his shoulders easing as he watched his transformation in the mirror.

Clara finished by styling his hair into a modern, yet classic look. She brushed it back slightly, adding a bit of texture to keep it from looking too formal. The result was a sophisticated style that highlighted his strong jawline and brought out the depth of his eyes.

"There," Clara said with a satisfied smile, stepping back to admire her work. "What do you think?"

Cratos studied his reflection, a look of amazement on his face. His hair, once wild and unruly, was now neatly styled, giving him a polished and refined appearance. "I look... different," he said, almost in disbelief.

"Different in a good way," I said, grinning. "Alexandra won't know what hit her."

Seraphina nodded in agreement. "You look fantastic, Cratos."

He continued to gaze at his reflection, a small smile forming on his lips. "Thanks," he said quietly, the weight of his transformation settling in. It was as if he was seeing himself for the first time, realizing the potential that had always been there but was now brought to the surface.

" Now, let's get you back to Alexandra and see what she thinks."