7 Chapter 7 - Hooked

The next day the butler measured Rio and I's proportions so he could bring us clothes. We couldn't wear the inn's uniform while we were there after all. What a nice king.

The owner was fine with us leaving for Saturday, after all who could say no to the king.

Saturday quickly arrived. And me and Rio were getting dressed in our room.

"I'm nervous!"

"Why?"

"There's going to be a bunch of nobles aren't there!?"

"Oh, now that you mention it, I'm kind of nervous."

"Right!? What if they hit us or something!?"

"Nah, I'm more nervous that one of the nobles is going to try to marry you to his daughter or something. If they ask you something like that then tell me, I'll piss them off really quick."

"You can't! And none of them would ask that to me."

"..."

"Dummy."

"What?! Why are you calling me stupid?!"

"You'll learn quickly."

We both finished getting dressed and we looked stunning. Like real nobles. What unfair genetics.

We both went downstairs and said goodbye to the owner who looked at us with surprise.

The butler was waiting at the entrance and helped us on the carriage.

"I'm nervous... This is my first time on a carriage."

"You'll be even more nervous in the castle."

"Ahh, that doesn't help!"

"Rio."

"Yes?"

"You'll probably be asked a lot of questions while your there."

"I know..."

"Do you know how to answer?"

"Maybe..."

"Should we practice?"

His eyes perked up.

"Yes!"

"Alright."

On the way there I asked Rio a bunch of questions and taught him how to answer the ones he didn't know.

We arrived.

"L-L-Leo... This place is big..."

"Yeah, it is."

"I-I-I- don't know if I could do this..."

"Should I teach you a magic spell?"

"Huh?"

"Think of something that gives you strength. Then you'll be fine."

"Something... That gives me strength?"

"Yes."

The butler opened the carriage door and helped us off. He led us to the ballroom.

We had arrived earlier than the other guest so I could practice. In the ballroom there was a massive open area, and they had a stage. There was also a microphone and piano with some amplification magic attached to it.

The king came and greeted us before anyone else arrived.

"Good to see you, Leo! Rio!"

"I do hope you can put on an excellent show today."

Rio somehow got more nervous when the king arrived.

"Thank you for giving us the opportunity, Your Highness."

I bowed, and Rio bowed as well.

"Your skills gave you this opportunity, haha."

"I'm honored."

King Vandersun went back up the stairs and disappeared from sight.

"L-L-Leo..."

"Remember the magic spell I taught you."

The butler brought me to the stage and Rio kind of just stood around near the stage.

A song for a birthday? Did I have any of those? The regular happy birthday song wasn't my cup of tea, so I rummaged through my head for a song to sing.

Soon the guests started to arrive and a lot of them noticed me and Rio immediately and gave us a little wave and smile.

I had written the novel where the nobles weren't all complete scum like in most. They were human.

Some of the guests came to talk to Rio and me before I started to sing. They asked us some basic questions like who we were and what not.

It seemed like Rio was doing a great job answering questions, though I could still tell he was nervous it looked like he was doing great.

I was asked to sing a bit after the king's daughter, Kathlyn Vandersun arrived. So, in the meantime I would be playing the piano. Did I know any piano songs? Hell no, did I still play it? Yeah.

This 'Music' talent was pretty useful, I could play instruments even though I've never touched an instrument in my life. Yesterday, I also learned from the boss that the 'Music' talent was pretty rare, and even though some other people had it they couldn't do everything like I could. They also didn't know the songs I knew, which may have been a key factor for my success.

When everyone had finished arriving the entrance door opened. I stopped playing the piano and everyone became silent. The King was entering with the Princess and Crown Prince. All eyes were on them.

They entered and headed up the stairs then the king cleared his throat and started to make a speech.

"Thank you all for coming!"

"We are here today to celebrate the 16th birthday of my precious daughter, the princess, Kathryn Vandersun!"

After the king finished his speech, there was a few minutes of conversation between everyone there. Some people were congratulating the princess, and some continued their conversation with one another.

The butler came up to me and asked me to start singing. The ball was starting.

The song I chose to sing didn't have a piano in it, but I thought I might as well try it.

I started to play the piano again and began to sing. The guests weren't all quiet like how it was at the inn, at least before I started to sing.

"Hot tongues in the mix in the inn at night

In the lobby, I will change for my Cinderella

It all changed when I thought about the you and I

It all changed six months ago come this mid September"

The Princess and Prince danced together whilst I was singing. After they finished dancing some of the other guests began to dance as well. At least two of them asked Rio to dance though he was able to politely say no with my help from earlier.

I had to sing three songs but then I was able to stop and enjoy the party.

I went up to Rio.

"Hey, how's it going?"

"Leo! I'm still nervous but I think I can do it."

"That's good. Anyone ask you any strange questions?"

"Nothing strange, I don't think."

We talked for a bit before some nobles came up to us.

"Your singing was brilliant! My name is Count Beato, are you perhaps available for commission?"

A lot of other nobles asked something similar.

I had hooked them, an easy way to make money.

I smiled

"Of course."