"Tch... No customer today as well..."
Ray grumbles to himself in a empty bar, even though it's prime time for such places elsewhere.
I suppose I did pick an unconventional location to build one, but I didn't expect no one would at least wander in...
It's not like I'm struggling to make money, I'm sure I can spend like crazy and still have a comfortable amount for retirement. Well, in a traditional sense, I'm already retired.
"...Can't believe I'm a failure of a bartender also..." - he said with a frown.
As soon as he said that, two people walks in. Suprised, Ray tries to put on the best smile he could-
"Welcome to Unlikely Haven, would you care for- Why the hell are you back?"
Stupified, Ray stares at Alexia and this old man standing next to her. Despite being shorter than the princess, he still have an intimidating look to him.
"Ho, this isn't quite the welcome I was expecting. You're an interesting one ain't cha?"
"Excuse me, sir, but this girl shouldn't be here" - Ray, trying his best to look calm, despite panicking.
Ray, unconsciously forming an escape plan in his head:
"It's alright, I'm her guardian, I intentionally take her here." - that old man's voice brought Ray back to reality.
"Ah, yes...That works.... Uh... Let's try this again" - Ray, desperately hoping his nervousness isn't showing - "W-welcome to Unlikely Haven, would you care for a drink?"
"I'll take a recommendation this time." - the old man said with a curious smile.
"Is there non-alcoholic beverage here that I can order? I didn't get to last time." - said Alexia, still curiously looking around.
"A-ah yes, I'll do my best. Please wait a minute. Until then, please make yourself at home."
Ray, noticing the strange stare from the old man accompanying the princess, was sweating bullets.
- Ray prays in his heart for a miracle.
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Alfred found himself curious about this young man.
First of all, his bar location. Why would you build a bar in a remote alleyway? The most logical conclusion would be that the boy is hiding something.
Second of all, his attitude. He immediately regconize the princess, but he doesn't seem to like her presence very much even though it would help his shop immensely. He seems to instinctively...afraid of her, for some reason. If he's hostile to the princess he would have reacted immediately the moment we walked in.
Third, the bar itself, this decoration style...seems out of this world. In every sense of the phrase. It's very hard to describe, but this bar seems to put your entire body, soul, being at ease. A true Haven.
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From the warm but not hot atmosphere, the complete isolation from the outside world, the faint sounds of rain from an artificial fountain in the corner, the faint smell of drinks... It seems like home yet not quite. It's very likely that the boy incorporate magic into his designs, but that takes immense skill and costs, not to mention to relations needed to bring items such as these in. Could the boy make these himself? Unlikely, since that'd mean he'd be very wealthy since a skilled craftsman is highly valued, but a magic craftsman is infinitely more respected.
Why would he make this bar then?
For the first time in a long time, Alfred Felstein, is interested in someone.
"I now understand why you're curious about this boy, princess." - Alfred said with a faint smile.
The princess nodded in acknowledgement while still curious looking around like a lost child.
"Here are your drinks, sir and...madam. Please enjoy yourself." - Ray, finally done with his creations, served them this his customers with a strained smile.
"What is the name of these drinks?" - Alfred staring at his cup in curiosity.
In Alfred's cup there's a light blue drink with a large ice cube. Meanwhile, Alexia's have an almost blood red drink with traces of grinded ice inside.
"I've yet to name them since no one ordered them yet..." - Ray, scratching his head - "You're welcome to think of them."
"Ho, well then. Let's see how this'll go. Oh. And if you serve the princess alcohol, I'll end you myself." - Alfred, looking serious.
"Y-yes, sir" -
As soon as the drink touches Alfred lip, his eye widened: "What is this... this is unlike anything I've ever tasted."
"A-ah, yes, that'd be my original brew blend of malt and white grapes, great for relaxing after heavy working."
The princess was also in shock. "Taste like pomegranate, but carries hints of lemon and apple...Delicous."
"That'd be a fruit juice mix."
"These drinks are amazing, boy I thought you were hiding something by faking as a bartender but turns out you have some skill after all." - Alfred, still enjoying his drink, loudly said.
"Hahaha, yes...."
"So why this location? Why in an alleyway? Why not just buy out a main street plot and build there, you certainly look like you can afford it?" - Alfred stares down Ray.
"Uhh...there are many reasons..." - Ray, nervously adjusting his tie.
"I'm listening."
"...I'm bad with crowds..." - Ray, red-faced, keeping his head down like an embarassed maiden.
Alfred and the princess were rendered speechless, mouth-agaped.
"Also it'll affect the atmosphere here, and uh...I don't like serving many people at once..." - Ray, keep adding fuel to the fire.
"I think that's enough boy." - Alfred and princess were trying their best not to laugh - "Your first reason is plenty convincing."
"Ahhhhhhh..."
Alexia thought
"Alright, thanks for the drinks and the entertainment, what's the costs?"
"Actually I only need you to make a promise. Drinks were on the house" - Ray, trying to recover from that embarassment.
"Oh? What promie can this old man fulfill?" - Alfred, confused.
"Please don't mention anything about me or this bar to anyone at the palace. You're welcome to return at anytime though."
"You're a strange one, boy. People would pay to have me advertise their shops. But alright. Deal. Though I have a question first."
"Please go ahead."
"Is it very rude to not introduce yourself before telling someone else to make a promise?"
"Ahhh...My apologies. Though a bartender shouldn't reveal their story to their customer, that's my belief."
Alexia, who was slience for most of this, suddenly said:
"His name is Ray. Ray, this is Alfred, my butler and bodyguard."
Ray stares dumbly. Alfred have a smirk on his face.
"Ahh, yes thank you Princess for your introduction...I'm very honored..." - Ray seems to be visibly shrinking.
"Pfft, hahahaha, alright then Ray, I promised, this shop shall not be mentioned inside the palace and nor shall you." - Alfred, audibly guffawing.
"We'll take out leave now, boy, you were great entertainment, hahahaha. We'll come back sometime."
"Thank you for your patronage...." - he seems like he's about to cry.
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"So what do you think, Alfred?" - Alexia still trying to stifle her laughter over what just happened.
"This boy is a funny one, and proves to be rather harmless. I can't sense anything from him...except for his earnest attitude. Hahaha, his drinks were fine too. Truly an "Unlikely Haven"." - Alfred, appears to be in a good mood.
End of Chapter 4.