It’s been a few days since Rio, and I have started working. Rio had been slowly warming up to everyone and started hesitating less when he spoke to people other than me. I’ve also gotten somewhat used to everything now as well.

I don’t know when but at some point, I had also got a new skill.

My Heart to You (B Grade)

Your heart connects with those who can hear you.

And to be honest, I had no idea what that meant. My heart connects to people? What an ambiguous choice of words…

Would it kill you to give me any more info?

The only slight inkling I had was that maybe it was the reason why people felt a little calmer after hearing my voice? Did it share my mental state with those around me? And because of my ‘Peace of Mind’ skill, they felt calm? I don’t know, I could only assume.

“Leo, someone’s here for you.” I could hear Jennette’s voice from behind me. “For me?” I asked. I was on a short eating break in the staff canteen, I wasn’t expecting any visitors until Sunday, so I was a bit confused.

“Yeah, for you and Rio actually. I don’t know his name, but he has gray hair and is in a suit, should I send him away?” She asked.

Gray hair, suit? Is it that butler I saw?

“No, it’s fine, I’ll go see him.” I replied before standing up and heading towards the dining area.

It was a somewhat familiar face, it was the butler who brought the king his tea. I only remembered him because he was the only butler who stood by the king’s side.

“Ah, Mr. Vondheart, it’s good to see you. Do you remember me?” He asked, he wore a black suit and a monocle, just like a stereotypical butler.

“I do, you were the king’s aid. Is something the matter?” I asked after we stepped to the side, away from the counter.

“No, not at all, I’ve actually come to take your measurements.”

“Measurements? Like our three sizes?”

“Indeed, to prepare your outfits, are you two free?”

Outfits, ah. That makes sense, I guess we can’t show up there in our inn uniforms.

“How long will it take? I’m currently on break right now, so I’m free for a few minutes. Rio usually takes his breaks around 2, so he should be free in an hour or so.”

“It’ll only take a second, may I touch you?”

“Sure?” Huh? It’ll only take a second? I thought suits took weeks to make…

He pressed his hand against my chest and closed his eyes, suddenly I felt a strange chill run throughout my body that made me step away.

What the hell was that…?

“Thank you, Mr. Vondheart, I’ll have your suit ready before Friday. I’ll be back in an hour to get Mr. Rio’s size.” He bowed with a polite smile.

“Um…Okay…” I was still confused, I had never felt anything like that before. I still had the shivers as was leaving.

Before he completely left the building, I checked his status.

Isaiah Saber – 62

Skills – Memory Touch, In The Shadows, Perfect Fitting

Talents –

Stats: A+

Strength: A

Agility: S-

Dexterity: S-

Stamina: A+

Mana: A-

As I read through his status, he suddenly turned around and looked at me with a smile that sent shivers down my spine. Even through my skill, I felt like I was about to fall. He left the building shortly after.

I clenched my chest and felt out of breath. What the fuck…?

Who the hell is he? I never wrote such a character… Isaiah Saber? It doesn’t ring a bell…Did he notice me checking his status? Haah…That felt worse than meeting the king…I guess the trope of an overpowered butler writ itself… ‘Memory Touch’ and ‘Perfect Fitting’? I can tell what they did by their names, is that why I felt the chill when he touched me?

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“Leo, are you okay?” I heard a sudden voice behind me, turning around, it was Rio, he continued, “You’re sweating…”

“Am I?” I wiped my forehead before continuing to speak, “Yeah, I’m fine. No worries. Oh yeah, when you take your break, they’ll be an old butler dude here to take your measurements, it’ll only be a second.”

“Okay!” He nodded his head, “I have to go bring a pancake meal for Mr. Halen now, talk to you later!” He quickly scurried off.

He was definitely getting more comfortable, even getting to know the customers by name. Completely different than how he was just a few days ago. And that brought a smile to my face.

“Alright. I should do my best too, then.” I mumbled to myself before heading towards the microphone and starting to sing.

…

And eventually the day finally came, the princess’s birthday. Rio and I woke up even earlier than we usually did and after we got ready, we waited in the staff canteen after eating breakfast. Surprisingly, the butler also knew how to cut hair and gave us a little trim on Saturday.

Rio also asked to take Sunday off, and Jennette happily obliged. She didn’t seem to mind.

“You okay, Rio?” I asked, I could see him visibly shaking nervously.

“Um…Y-yeah.” He tried to sound fine, but his voice trembled.

“It’s alright-” As I started to speak, Jennette’s voice could be heard as she entered the canteen, “Ah-Good morning, boys, you two look fancy.” She took a seat near us.

“Morning.” I replied.

“G-good morning…” Rio replied.

“Hm? You’re a bit nervous, Rio. Where are you two going anyways?” She asked.

I didn’t exactly tell her ‘I’m going to sing to the king’s daughter, hehe!’ I just asked for Sunday off so I could do a little side-gig.

“We’re going to a noble’s place.” I replied.

“Oh-I see, I understand your nervousness now, haha. I remember the first time I did a deal with a noble, I nearly peed myself! It’s normal to be nervous, but you’ll be a-okay! Nobles aren’t as scary as you think.” She commented, it seemed like she was trying to ease Rio’s nerves.

“O-okay!” Rio replied, still nervous which made me chuckle a bit.

“They provided you suits? This much be some kind of rich noble then.” She spoke towards me.

“Yeah, I guess. I think he’s a little rich.”

“Do you think he’d need some catering in the future? The Moonlit Inn do in fact offer that service!”

A business woman is a business woman I guess.

“I’ll mention it as casually as I can.”

“Sweet! You may just get a raise if it goes well.” She smirked.

“That’d be appreciated.”

Shortly after, Rachel entered the room and spoke, “Leo, sweetheart, you’ve got some company out front.” She looked at our outfits before continuing to speak, “Ah-That’s today, huh? Good luck you two! Kick er asses outta the park!”

“I don’t think that’s the right thing to do, haha.” I replied before standing up, Rio following.

Before we left, Rachel started to speak, “Rio, darling, good luck!”

Rio looked at her and mustered up the courage to smile, “T-thanks!”

Outside of the inn, there was a carriage and a butler standing in front of it. It was the butler who drove me back to the inn when I left the castle. He opened the doors for us, and we got on before he closed the door and started to drive.

As we got closer to the castle, I could see Rio start shaking more and more.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Y-ye…No…I’m scared…” His voice trembled and his body shook.

I moved to a seat next to him before putting my hand on his head, “It’s fine. It’s alright to be scared, I’m a bit nervous myself.”

“R-right? W-what if I say the wrong thing…What if they hit us or something and want to execute us…?”

“Calm down. You should be more nervous about one of them asking you to marry their daughter. That’s way more realistic. If one of them do, let me know and I’ll piss them off.”

“H-huh? No-you can’t! None of them would ask me that anyways!”

“I beg to differ. They’ll be on their hands and knees pleading for you to marry into their family, but you just have to reject them…Or are you leaving me already?”

“Huh-? No! I wouldn’t!”

“Then keep your head up and make sure you reject all of them.” I smiled before ruffling his hair. “Hey, Rio.”

“Y-yes?”

“You’ll be asked a lot of different questions, they’ll be a lot of people acting formal and make some sort of gestures that you’ve never seen before, you know that, right?”

“Yes…”

“Do you want to know a secret?” He tilted his head and I continued, “Just smile and say ‘Yes’ or ‘No, thank you.’ To all of their questions and you’ll be fine. You can stand as still as a statue if you want.”

“R-really? Is that it?”

“Yup. If they ask you anything you don’t know how to answer, direct them to me.”

“O-okay! Thank you!”

We soon arrived in front of the castle and the carriage door opened. When we stepped out, Rio’s eyes widened as he looked at the massive structure in front of us.

“L-L-Leo?”

“Big, isn’t it?” I replied, and he nodded his head before replying, “I-I-I don’t know if I can do this…”

“Should I teach you a little magic spell, then?” He looked at me with curious eyes and I continued, “Think of something that gives you strength.”

“That gives me strength…?”

“Yup, it’s that easy.” I replied before the butler started to speak, “Right this way.” He led us to the ballroom, and it was bigger than I thought. It looked grand and had marble everywhere, the chandelier was massive, and everything looked more expensive than anything I had ever seen.

“L-Leo…?” Rio sounded nervous and I didn’t know how to reply, the ballroom was over twice as big as all of the Moonlit Inn.

“I…don’t know what to say…” I mumbled before a butler greeted us, it was Isaiah, “Good morning, Mr. Leo, Mr. Rio. I’m glad you two could make it.”

“I wouldn’t dare miss such an experience.” I replied.

“Is that so? That’s good, then. Please follow me.”

He led us towards a stage with a piano and microphone on it, the piano was a pure white color with the symbol of a lion at the top of it, “This is where you’ll be when you’re singing, Mr. Leo. If you wish to practice before it starts, you can use it freely. Now, come this way.”

The next place he led us too was where the food would be, “The food will be out when the guests have arrived, you two are free to go anywhere within this ballroom. I’ll be taking my leave now.” He bowed before heading up some stairs.

“Huh…That was a short tour.” I mumbled before looking towards Rio and patting him on the shoulder, he was still slightly shaking, “Hey, here follow me for now.” I spoke.

I headed back to the stage and took a seat in the chair in front of the piano, “Take a seat with me.” I said as I patted an open area next to me. He sat down.

Mm…I’ve never played a piano before…It’d be kind of awkward if it sounds completely terrible.

“Leo?” I heard Rio’s voice as I closed my eyes.

When I touched one of the piano keys, it felt like something had changed in me as I instinctively knew the next key to press. My hands glided across the keys and a beautiful sound came out.

This is…fun?

Eventually, I withdrew my hands from the piano before looking at them. Did I really just do that? I had never touched a piano in my life before this moment, just what is the ‘Music’ talent? It was something I had never written about…

I looked towards Rio, and he looked towards me with a shine in his eyes, his body had stopped shaking. I put my hand on his head before speaking, “How do you feel?”

“Good! Thank you, Leo.” He smiled.

---