Chapter 8 - Scammed?
There were a lot of people who came to the party. Making 20 gold was looking hopeful.
I had asked everyone to send me invitations to discuss this at a later date. The party was still going, and I wanted to eat.
"Let's go eat."
I took Rio's arm, and we grabbed some food, sitting at a table where we ate and talked.
"Rio, it's looking hopeful for us."
"Yeah, thanks to you."
"You're doing plenty by just existing."
"Ah, Thank you."
"We should probably start training though, how about some stamina training?"
"Stamina?"
"Yeah, ignore everything else for now. Every morning we should go run around for a few."
"Okay."
The King came up to us with the Princess and Prince.
Rio had a shocked look.
Quickly getting up I bowed. Rio followed.
"Greetings to His Majesty, Crown Prince, and Princess."
"Your singing was great earlier."
"I'm honored, Your Majesty."
"My daughter wanted to talk to you."
What? The hell did the princess want to do with me? Were the songs not to her liking?
In the novel I had written it so that the Crown Prince and Princess were misunderstood. The prince had a mean look on his face and barely talked, which made his classmates think he was mean, though he was actually very nice. He just had a hard time speaking.
And I had made the princess look very innocent and naïve, when in reality she was as ruthless as a loan shark. She used her innocent looks to get people to agree to some unfavorable deals. Now she wasn't rude by any means, in fact she was very nice. But when it came to business, she didn't play around.
"Greetings."
"Greetings to the Princess."
It was getting annoying having to talk respectfully like this, but what could I do. I'm working.
"I actually had a favor to ask of you."
"Huh?"
Was she about to scam me? Was she going to ask me to sing at a party for free?
"Can you sing that song you first sang? The one about Cinderella?"
"...Sure."
After I finished singing, she started to clap.
"Thank you! I couldn't really hear it before! It sounds really nice! Your singing eases the soul!"
"Thanks."
Rio looked at me with a shocked expression
Ah, fuck, I might get executed. I forgot to talk respectfully.
"Do you happen to be doing commissions?"
What?
Oh. I forgot for a second. She is definitely a businesswoman.
"I am."
"Can we talk about it in private?"
I really didn't want to talk about it right now, but I didn't want to be executed.
"Rio, I'll be back."
"Goodluck, Leo!"
The princess took me to an office. The King seemed to want to talk to Rio.
After we each sat down, she immediately began to speak. Her face switched from the cute, innocent, naïve kind to one that was about business.
"What do you think about a contract with me?"
Right off the bat, huh? Ruthless.
"I'm sorry, I can't be in a contract."
"Oh? You haven't even heard the details yet though?"
"Rio and I will be applying to Heavensward in 2 months. I'll be unavailable after that."
"A contract for those 2 months would be fine would it not?"
"I also have to train."
"I think I could make that work."
"...I already have a deal with Ms. Cloudsly."
"I can take care of that."
"...Why are you going so far?"
"Do you wanna know?"
"...What do you want me to do?"
I really didn't want to accept this deal. She was a businesswoman, constantly looking for profit. Who knows what she'll make me do.
"Sing for me."
"What?"
"I'll give you the 20 gold, you just have to sing whenever I ask."
"Are you scamming me?"
"No."
She smiled
"30 Gold."
"Huh?"
"I'll do it, no questions asked for 30 gold."
"25 Gold."
"Deal."
We shook hands
"Why do I feel like I just got scammed?"
"Pleasure doing business with you, Princess."
Making the 20 gold would've been hard anyway even with doing all those commissions. If only doing this one job would make me that much, there was no reason to decline.
I feel bad for Ms. Cloudsly, but the Princess said she'd take care of it. I'd probably have to give the inn uniform back, so I planned on stopping at a store on the way back.
Heading back to the ballroom it seemed that Rio and the King were still talking. I grabbed some more food then headed to Rio's table.
"Well, if you're interested than let me know."
The king said before going to talk to the other guests.
Rio had looked down.
"Hm, what happened, Rio?"
"Do I need to curse him out?"
"Ah! No, you can't."
"Huh? So, you're saying I should?"
"No!"
Rio began to look happier and smiled
"He was just asking me if I had any plans on being a knight."
"Why?"
"He said I had a special talent."
What? Could he see people's talents with his skill? That motherfucker is broken.
"What'd you say?"
"I told him no."
"Oh? But would it not be a good idea?"
"I don't think so."
"Then that's, that. Let's eat."
I slid a plate of food in front of him.
"What did you talk about with the princess?"
"She just offered me a deal."
"Deal?"
"Yeah, I got us the gold."
"Wait what!? That easily?"
"Yeah."
"Are you okay!? Did you sell your body!?"
Why was he thinking like this?
"No, she just asked me to sing whenever she wanted."
"Phew... That's a relief..."
"But why'd she give you 20 gold for that?"
"25 Gold, and I don't know."
"25!?"
"Yeah."
Well, I could only hope she doesn't work me to the bone.
The party ended shortly after we finished eating and we all began to leave.
"Ah, Leo, come here tomorrow."
It was the princess.
"Okay."
Rio and I started to walk back to the inn. While having a casual conversation, I saw a clothing store.
"Ah, wait, Rio."
The king had let us keep the suits, but I still wanted to get us some casual clothes.
"Huh?"
"Let's buy some clothes."
---
I bought a simple black long-sleeved shirt with some pants, while Rio bought a regular shirt with some pants.
After arriving back at the inn, I thought I would have to explain the situation to Ms. Cloudsly, but it seemed like the princess already did.
Now I had to pay for the room and because 1 night was 10 copper coins, I had just given her 5 silver coins. That would last us until the academy started. I also gave her the uniform back.