It always feels nice when you get treated to food by your friends. But when you get treated too much, you feel slightly guilty about it. That's why it's important to be the one who treats too to balance it out.

***

It took me a while to convince the princess that I'm not hostile towards. But with the help from the clue less Wiz and Felin, I was able to convince her one way or another.

I also asked her the real reason why she came here in such a place with only one guard and in a shady carriage. It turns out that she was trying to help Zetta because she was her childhood friend. However, I feel like she's hiding something from me. But I'm not a guy without tact, I won’t pry on a girl’s secret.

Currently, I'm watching Felin playing with the other kids while I sit on a log. Wiz on the other hand, he's just sitting beside me watching his little sister.

Zetta and the princess are inside the building having a private talk so they’re not here.

The knight, well the knight is trying some things to lift his sword. I haven’t dispelled my enchantment so there's no way he'll be able to so it.

“You're amazing, big bro. Not only you saved Felin, you also beat the princess's knight.”

“You're talking like he's some big shot.”

Wiz looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“He is. He's one of the Kingdom's strongest knights. His name is Victorum the monster neck cutter. No one has seen him getting defeated by knights other than his superiors.”

If he has a nickname like Monster Neck Cutter, it explains why I was almost beheaded. Nothing like treating a human a monster, huh.

Speaking of the devil, he came to us and for some reason. But he's just standing there without uttering a word. It's kind of creepy.

“Uh… what do you want?”

“Lift your curse over my sword!”

Okay… did he just call it a curse?

“There are a lot of swords out there. Why don't you use another one? I'm not planning to dispel it anytime soon.”

When I said that, he bowed on one knee with his head facing the ground.

“Please! I beg of you. The sword is given to me by the king himself. If I cannot wield that sword again, I'll lose my credibility as a knight. If that happens, not only that I'm going to be executed, I will not be able to protect the princess! I’m good as nothing if I don’t wield that sword. So if you're not going to let me hold it again, please, just kill me!”

He sounds really desperate. But isn't he doing it in reverse? The Princess first before self?

I'm suddenly feeling pity towards him. Maybe it's just because he's begging with his life on the line. But I can’t get too soft on him. He might kill me if he gets the chance.

“Do you expect me to grant your request after you tried to kill me? Don't get too full of yourself.”

“I know that what I'm asking is too much, but I can see that you are a good person. I'm sorry for trying to kill you. I was just doing my duty.”

“You're annoying!”

He's getting on my nerves. Fine! I'll fucking do it.

I went and picked up his heavy sword. Of course, I did not dispel my spell. I can just lift it normally in my boosted state like it's nothing.

Hmm… Now that I noticed it, this sword isn't simply a sword. It's actually a magic sword. No wonder I was able to enchant it effortlessly.

“Please don't destroy the sword. It is given to me by the—”

“I heard you the first time.”

Hmm… Maybe I'll try tampering this something funny and cringe worthy magic. Hold on a minute.

“What's your name again?”

“Victorum, sir.”

“Okay, Victorum, listen closely. This sword is a very strong weapon and only the strong and worthy can wield it. No one will be able to lift this sword unless they are noble and just in their hearts. Each swing of this sword can cut even the strongest magic. But if your heart becomes clouded, the sword will become dull and will not cut anything even a bird's feather.”

I offered the sword's hilt to Victorum. Because of the conditions that I gave him, he think twice before holding it. But I sure had a hard time enduring the pain of cringe of what I just said, why didn’t it affect him?

“If you're not sure whether you're worthy or not, the sword will not accept you.”

And also, I made some counter measures when I upgraded his sword so that the next time he attacks me, well, he'll get a shocking experience.

Since he's talking too much time thinking about it, I struck the sword on the ground and leave it to his devices. There's no way I'll be wasting my time with you.

I look at the time in my watch. It seems to be lunch time already for me.

I need to go now or I won't be able to do some sightseeing around the royal capital.

Just when I was about to say my goodbye to Wiz, Zetta and Princess Thema walked out the house with some children with them. Perfect timing!

“Zetta, I'm thinking of going now.”

“Are you, sir? I haven't really expressed my gratitude in saving Felin yet.”

“Like I said earlier, the gesture is already enough to me.”

Zetta really wanted to repay me no matter what. I really want to crack a joke about wanting her body, but the princess is here. She will misunderstand.

On a serious note, I can't really expect something from a caretaker of an almost rundown orphanage.

“You are really weird for a traveler. Are you sure that you don't want anything?”

It looks like princess has relaxed around me a bit. She's not using a superior tone, but a respectful one instead. I like this version of her. She knows her place. I wish she could have acted like this from the start.

“None, your highness.”

But when I turned my head towards the exit, I saw the carriage that the princess was using. After that, an idea struck me.

“Maybe not necessarily…”

***

Currently, I'm in the carriage the princess rode in. Surprisingly, the carriage isn't actually a cheap one. In contrast to its outwardly appearance, it's actually a high-end quality carriage that only Earls above could use. It only looks like a common one because it was enchanted with a disguise spell. Who knew?

“I never expected that in exchange for all that trouble, you only want to have a tour guide around the royal capital. What a weird person you are, really!”

“Oh come on, your highness. It's not like you hate it, do you? Besides, I want to make it up to Felin for stealing her first kiss. Young or not, she's still a girl. And as a man, I want to leave a good impression to her.”

“That's a lot of complicated words you’re saying. Just admit that you’re actually into young girls.”

“You know, I could turn this carriage and your clothes to dust in an instant right? Or you prefer returning to the castle butt naked.”

“I didn't say anything.”

“S-sir Key! That's too harsh!”

In front of me are Princess Thema and Zetta. Obviously, she's here to be my tour-guide around the royal capital. And because she's reluctant to do it, its twice the fun. Next to her is Zetta who was feeling giddy just a while ago after I decided to start the conversation.

As a side note, I actually gave Zetta 2000 gold coins for the refurnishing and rehabilitation of the orphanage. I did it out of pity since I can't stand the sight of this place getting treated like a barn. I might have been too meddlesome on this part but, I also gave another 3000 gold coins for this place’s maintenance and food stock for a year. This also serves as “Investment Interest Tax” to the nobles that will help these children and the ones that needed to be taken back. I'm expecting the princess to help her with this.

I did this for the sole reason of not wanting to see kids still stealing if I ever get back to the royal capital. I hope some nobles would notice this benefit and help these kids.

Speaking of which, we left the rest of the children in the orphanage along with Wiz. Wiz is one of the eldest there so he's expected to look after them. I may have become too over protective, but I gave him > as protection against possible enemies that will do something bad to them. Paternal instincts perhaps?

“Ehehehe.”

“You seem to be enjoying yourself, Felin.”

And lastly, Felin is sitting on my lap while smiling from ear to ear. Of course, it wasn’t me who suggested such a thing. It was her who asked me if she could in a cute way. And since Cuteness is my weakness (I think I had this when I had Marie), I wasn't able to say no. She's only almost as light as Marie anyway so it's not a problem.

“You seem to be close to children, Sir Key. Do you already have a child of your own? Just kidding! I thought it’s was just an appropriate joke for our current situation.”

So Zetta has her own sense of humor huh. Well, it would have been funny if it weren’t for the princess glaring at me while gritting her teeth. How unbecoming.

Anyway, should I answer her question seriously or not? Nah, what's the harm. We're only going to see each other for today anyway. Meeting them again has only a slim chance of happening. Especially the princess, she and I are bridges apart in the political society.

“In fact, I actually have a daughter.”

When I said that, the three of them have their eyes grew in surprise. Apparently, they didn't expect me to be already married. Well, not yet actually.

“Are you serious?”

“This is quite surprising.”

“Sir Magician is already married?”

Well, I guess everyone has their own reaction.

“I will not say anything about myself aside from the fact that I already have a daughter.”

Then all of a sudden, the princess said something in low tone but was still audible us.

“Well, of course you would. The mother probably was still young.”

“First strike, cloak out.”

With a snap from my finger, I immediately used > on her cloak turning it I to dust and revealing her expensive yellow dress. And since this was still her first offense, I'm going to be gentle. But on the second one, it shall AND will escalate accordingly to what her offenses are.

“Didn't I tell you what would happen if you get on my nerve, PRINCESS?”

“I'm sorry!”

So this is what it feels like to have the sadist gene triggered in you huh… It's nice. I feel so dominant!

“P-please sir magician, don't bully the princess!”

Ah, Felin is taking her side. I guess it can't be helped. I've been bullying her for some time now. I need to reflect on that later.

“Okay, if little sweetie here says so. And I forgot to mention, that's one lovely dress. I guess it’s what to be expected from a princess?”

“T-thank you. This was made by the best tailor in the Royal Palace.”

I can see some of her tears by the edge of her eyes. I guess she's totally scared of me now. For some reason, something's telling me to bully her even more. Is this what they call the “Devil's Whispers”?

All of a sudden, the carriage goes to a sudden halt. I thought that there was something blocking us, turns out we just arrived at our first stop.

“This place is called [Plaza Salvedor Wymmyr]. This is to honor the House of Salvedor whose founding father was a knight who defeated the dragon Wymmyr that terrorized the capital many years ago.”

If I remember correctly, this Salvedor guy was also recorded in the archives about the [Immortal Sword of Giants]. He was also able to pull the sword out and used it to avenge the death of her wife against a poison dragon. Though he was able to defeat the dragon, he died with it because of a wound infected with the dragon's poison.

It was hero-like and all, but according to the records, the real reason of his death was that he tripped after striking a pose above the dragon's head. And by pure chance, his hand accidentally got grazed on the MOST poisonous tooth the dragon has which was peeping out of the mouth.

“I've read stories about him. It was said that he was a gallant and brave man that never backed away from evil.”

“But was a clumsy guy.”

“What?”

“I didn't say anything.”

I just inadvertently said that, but if Zetta heard it, it would probably ruin Salvedor's image.

Them moments later, I hear a cute growling stomach.

“Are you hungry Felin?”

“No.”

“That wasn’t me either.”

Then that leaves us the princess then. She's looking away from me with her cheeks glowing in pink from embarrassment.

“Would you be interested in having lunch with us, princess cute tummy?”

“PLEASE DON'T CALL ME SUCH NAMES!”

Hehe, I love playing the bully.

***

“A-are you sure this would work?”

“It's perfectly fine! I use it a lot (a lie).”

Since the princess is hungry, we decided to go to a fancy restaurant.

But before that, a lot of objections arose from Victorum, Zetta, and especially Princess Thema.

The first problem is the carriage. Because the carriage is disguised as a commoner's carriage (or so how they call it), it will not be welcome to the noble and rich merchant streets. Unless it was a supplier’s carriage, it will be an exception. I wanted to dispel it, but according to Victorum, the real appearance of the carriage will cause a political conflict between two dukes. So in order to fix this problem, I overlapped another illusion above the disguise. Now, it looks like a carriage for wealthy merchants, and Victorum doesn’t see any problems with it.

The second problem was Zetta and Felin. Since they are both commoners they will be looked down upon the rich merchants and nobles. Just like the carriage, I gave them a very special kind of illusion. Because of them I was able to test one of my non-combat spells, the >.

For the > spell, I used as a template was the > spells. I removed all the combat related magic scripts and replaced them all with >, >, and a few defense related spells.

So even they look like dresses, they're as hard as normal armor of the guards.

Now, Zetta is wearing a high-class orange dress with a skirt looking like a bowl upside-down. She was really happy about it so her teary eyed thanks really warmed my heart. Is this what it feels like being a fairy godmother?

Well, for Felin, it's just a simple pink dress. Though simple, she's really happy about wearing one. Maybe I should buy clothes for the kids in the orphanage? I sill have a lot of money to spare anyway.

And lastly, the Princess herself. Because of obvious reasons, the princess must not be seen with a commoner, much more a man, as this will cause some controversies and the flow of politics of this kingdom. It's probably the same old trope where the princess is actually engaged to the prince of a neighboring kingdom kind of shit. I'd hate it if I get wrapped up with those kinds of trouble. Please, the gods are enough headaches already.

So in order to fix this, I put illusion magic on her too. Her red hair has become orange now, her dress changed to something on par with Zetta's quality. Not only those, I also added a mole on the edge of her left eye which completely changed her beauty. But I think it's the sharp eye illusion actually. She looks like she more make up for me.

But in the other people's eyes, she'll probably look like a different person.

Going back to the present, Her, Zetta, Felin, and I are walking up the stairs of a very high-class restaurant in the inner parts of the RC (Royal Capital). Victorum is acting coachman so he's staying with the carriage outside. He's also disguised too.

“I still can't believe I'm going to eat in such a very luxurious restaurant. I've never dreamed of it once before.”

“Well now you will, Zetta. And please don't raise your voice, the people might find us suspicious.”

Switching my sight from Zetta to the Princess, I notice that she looks somewhat, shaken.

“I told you already. No one will be able to recognize you.”

“B-But, what if another magician sees through your illusion?”

“You're just overthinking things. And even if they did see through it, they wouldn’t be able to dispel an advanced level illusion magic.”

That only counts though if they could analyze Runes. I doubt that they could.

We already went pass the receptionist’s desk. According to the receptionist, dining here will require an early reservations. But according to the 20 gold coins I gave him, I already did made reservation. Also, it seems to be that this place's dishes are priced the same. I only have to give the receptionists another 30 gold coins so that we can dine and leave immediately if we want to.

When we finally got above the stairs, we were greeted by 10 lined up maids and butlers. It's quite fancier than I expected. I guess I became a premium member with the 20 gold bribe—I mean, reservation.

And I almost forgot to mention, I didn’t need to use illusion magic on myself. I just took off the cloak I’m wearing because my clothes are actually for business men.

*Random character's point of view*

My name is Melody. As my name suggests, I really like singing and music. However, the things I like are totally unrelated to my current work.

I’m a servant here in a five-star restaurant in the Royal Capital called “Vellie Surguesa”. I have to go through harsh training just so that I could be hired in this place. I went through all that trouble all for the sole reason of being able to pay my rent and to be able to send some money to my family who are living outside the capital.

Today, it seems to be that we have an important guest today. Demil the receptionists came into the staff room running. According to him, the guest is a very rich merchant with two wives and one daughter. Not only that, he bribed us to fake a reservation. Moreover, he overpaid us just so that he could get some great service.

I honestly thought that this merchant was a fat person like the rest of our visitors, but when we were able to meet him, our usual smiles almost broke.

We didn’t expect him to be someone very handsome. When I look at him, he looks like a prince from a faraway kingdom. The way he walk, the way he talks to his wives, and even the way he smiles, it’s making me feel funny on the inside.

If I look at him any further, I may fall for him. I better look pass him to resist his charm.

“Oh? This one looks out of place.”

For no actual reason, he suddenly stopped and walked towards me. Everyone looked at me with an expression of dread and shock. Since I’m standing in front of a very important costumer, I can’t check what’s wrong with my appearance.

Then out of the blue, the handsome man suddenly reached out towards me. I thought that he was going to do something weird to me so I closed my eyes in panic.

While my eyes were closed, I felt a gentle sensation on my head.

“I guess I’ve panicked the staff of my arrival. Your headpiece is slightly disarrayed. You don’t mind me fixing it, right?”

I slowly open my eyes to see what he was doing, only to see a very kind smile facing me. I was a loss for words. His handsome face is very close me. I could even feel my heartbeat rising and my face burning.

“Okay, it’s fixed now.””

After saying so, he steps away and then mutters “now it’s cute.” He intended to say that in a low tone, but I managed to hear it.

When they left, every one of my female co-workers looked at me with envious eyes.

*in the staff room*

“I’m so jealous with you Melody! You made that handsome merchant notice you.”

“Please don’t say that. He only came to me just to fix my headpiece. If only you know how mind wracking that was…”

All of the female staff that doesn’t are on a break now are flooding in front of me. They really are envious the treatment I got from sir merchant.

“Okay everyone, orders are up! Melody! Since you made a good impression on one of our costumer, I’ll be counting on you to serve him.”

Our cook/manager is appointing me to such duty. I wanted to reject it, but I don’t want to lose my job.

But please oh gods! Guide my heart not to be astray from my duty.

*In the Dining Hall*

I’m currently carrying the dishes the important Costumer had ordered. Though I expected that he was a really rich merchant, I didn’t expect that he would order the most expensive dishes available. No wonder our manager was yelling out a battle cry in the kitchen while cooking.

When I got to their table, I got to see him laughing for some reason. H-his laugh sounds so genuine like someone said something funny, it’s really making everyone blush. It can’t be helped since his smiling face accompanied with his long and luscious semi-violet hair is really making him more attractive.

Suddenly, he noticed me coming towards him with the food he ordered.

“Oh, it’s you again. I thought you were going to get fired after what I did. I guess I was just getting paranoid over nothing.”

What did he say?! He was worried about me?! I really thought he was looking at the food, not me.

“T-thank you for your concern, sir, but it’s actually the opposite that has happened.”

“Then that’s great! Sorry for touching you without permission though. Your headpiece was bugging me at that time so I inadvertently…”

While saying so, he winked at me while smiling from ear to ear. It made my heart flutter and I could feel the heat burning my cheeks.

“I-Its fine sir! No—I mean, thank you!”

I immediately put the dishes in panic and rushed back to the kitchen. I can’t show him or everyone how flustered I am right now.

When I got into the kitchen once again, everyone is looking at me with smirks on their faces.

“What is this, Melody? Did that merchant just steal your heart away?”

“D-Don’t be like that! I just got nervous that’s all! It’s the first time I’ve met such a friendly rich merchant. Who wouldn’t get nervous from that wink of his? NO!”

Because of the words that slip through my mouth, everyone started laughing while covering their mouths. I’m so embarrassed and angry at the same time!

“I’m going out for a sec!”

***

After ten minutes of relaxing myself outside of the restaurant, I started heading back. It’s just two alleys before I could reach the back door so it’s close.

“Please! Can you please spare me some food?”

“No! Just scram kid, I can’t give you anything. This food is not mine to give!”

While walking back, I suddenly heard a child’s voice. By the sound of it, it seems the child is begging for food to the supplier of our restaurant.

“Please! Just a small piece of food! I don’t care what kind of food it is, I’ll eat it.”

“Sorry kid, I can’t do that.”

When I got to see the child, the child is actually a young girl around seven years of age. She looks really weak. I’m guessing it’s from hunger.

I’m not so heartless to ignore the state of the child. Moreover, I also have siblings in the same state which is my reason for working here. So immediately, I rushed to the man carrying the crates of food stocks.

“Mister! I’m a servant of this restaurant. I don’t have much to offer, but can you please spare the child some food?”

“Oh? A servant of this restaurant yet doesn’t have much to offer? I don’t believe you. Even so, I can’t give the kid what she wants. I’ve been given orders from my employer not to give anything to the strays. I don’t want to lose my job, young miss.”

“Please?”

“I’m really sorry.”

No matter how much I beg, the man doesn’t show a bit of mercy and continued carrying the crates inside.

“Please? I’ll do anything that—”

“I was wondering where all these noises came from. Turns out, it’s just in the kitchen’s back door.”

Out of the blue, a man suddenly popped out of nowhere interrupting me. Not only that, this man is actually the rich merchant from inside the restaurant. How did he get here?

“What seems to be the problem here?”

“Ah, this kid keeps on begging for food mister merchant.”

“Begging? The kid’s already passed out.”

While saying so, he rushed towards me—err, to the little girl who I didn’t notice passing out. After that, he touched her neck like checking for something. Is he a doctor too?

“Ah, good. She’s just unconscious. She’s probably become too weak from hunger.”

“Can you help her, sir?”

I know that nobles are greedy and prideful people. I’ve met a lot of them so I can tell their personality. However, for some reason, I can’t sense any of that greed and pride from him that it made me ask him inadvertently.

“Well, young or mature, when a lady’s in need, I come in my noble steed! Wait a minute! That came out wrong.”

“What?”

Even though the situation is slightly tensed, he still managed to make a joke. But it wasn’t funny though. What was he trying to say anyway?

After laughing at his own joke, he pulled out a small vial with a reddish liquid inside it while letting the little girl rest on his arm. If I’m not wrong, that thing is a [Magic Healing Potion]?

“This isn’t a poison so don’t be alarmed. It might be inferior to the regular healing potions, but this is what we need for this kind of situation. The healing isn’t too strong so it’ll just heal whatever’s the anomaly inside her carefully. Using a stronger healing potion might—no, it will be dangerous for her and could kill her.”

“I-is that so?”

He’s using too many words that I can’t catch up to what he’s saying, but I do understand that the little girl is getting help from him. And after making the little girl drink, the girl coughed a bit which somehow made sir merchant smile in delight.

Slowly, the girl’s eyes open up. She looked around her in puzzlement. When she noticed sir merchant in front of her, her eyes grew with her cheeks glowing pink.

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel fine. But I’m hungry, but I can’t feel my stomach burning anymore too. What happened?”

When the girl replied with a small voice, the merchant fixed her hair a bit and then made her stand up on her own. After that he went to the man whose carrying supply crates.

“Hey, can I ask you a small favor?”

“Look sir, I can’t—”

Just when the huge man was about to reject mister merchant’s request, for some reason, he turned quiet while handshaking.

“Just some fruits will do and a few vegetables will do, won’t it?”

Sir merchant winked at the huge man. After that, the huge man made an annoyed smile but put his hand on his pocket. Did he just bribe him?!

“I guess I can spare her some this time.”

After the little girl was given food, she was told to go to an orphanage in the second walls of the Royal Capital. Because of that, I heard what his name was.

Later after the little girl disappeared into the streets, sir merchant looked at me and put his finger on his lips with his left eye closed.

“Let’s keep that as a secret.”

“Uhuh…”

After that, he jumped really high—no, he flew right into a window. If I’m not mistaken, that’s the men’s restroom’s window. So he was also a magician?!

“Key… He’s such a good man…”