The Upscale Club

Riyao had just approached a berry pie stall with a honey pie in hand, but before he could ask the price, a strong, steady voice suddenly came from behind him, carrying an unmistakably formal air.

"Mr. Riyao, His Majesty the King requests your presence."

He spun around, half a pie still clamped between his teeth, and saw a dark-faced knight in silver-white armor standing at the entrance to the alley.

An emerald emblem adorned his shoulder armor, his eyes were sharp as a hawk's, and he stood straight as a pine. It was Arcadios, the knight who would later become Princess Hisui's most trusted subordinate.

Riyao had no time to chew the pie properly. He gulped it down in a few hurried mouthfuls, stuffed the remaining dried strawberries inside his clothes with one hand, and shoved the last half of the pie into his mouth with the other. His cheeks bulged as though he had two walnuts in them as he gave a muffled reply.

"Ah, sure, sure! Lead the way~"

The moment Riyao followed Arcadios through the palace gates, he was utterly dumbstruck.

Crystal chandeliers studded the ceiling like clusters of tiny diamonds, their light spilling across the crimson carpet and making the gilded pillars on either side gleam.

Gold-framed oil paintings hung on the walls, and even the railings along the corridors were inlaid with tiny colored gems. A faint scent of incense drifted through the air, utterly unlike the smoky aromas of street food.

He raised a sleeve to wipe the icing and crumbs from the corners of his mouth, brushed the snack crumbs off the front of his clothes, and hurried after Arcadios.

In his other hand, he held a handful of dried berries he had grabbed from a vendor offering samples as they passed a stall. He popped them into his mouth and crunched away.

"Holy shit..."

(´⊙ω⊙`)

Riyao cursed under his breath, his eyes wide and round. In his previous life, he had never even been for a foot massage, much less to an upscale club, yet in this life he had walked straight into such a luxurious palace.

His steps slowed. With his left hand, he touched the carvings on a gilded pillar, his fingertips brushing over the cool, smooth metal as he muttered inwardly.

How much must this be worth? His right hand crept toward the colored gems on the railing. He tried to pry one loose with a fingernail, but it wouldn't budge. He used a little more force, but it still didn't move an inch.

"Tsk, it's stuck on pretty tight."

He muttered quietly, then his gaze fell on the frame of an oil painting on the wall. He reached out to touch the cool gold trim, still mumbling to himself.

"What should I take back as a souvenir? This frame looks valuable..."

Walking beside him, Arcadios felt a vein throbbing at his temple. His handsome face darkened completely, and his lips twitched as he fought the urge to hold his forehead.

In all his life, this was the first time he had seen someone treat a visit to the palace like a trip to a general store, touching everything and talking about prying things loose. But the brat was an honored guest the king wanted to see, so he couldn't simply stop him.

"Mr. Riyao."

Arcadios took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady, though his tone carried an unmistakable note of exasperation.

"His Majesty is waiting in the main hall. Please hurry, and do not be discourteous."

"Huh? Oh, right!"

Riyao came to his senses and reluctantly withdrew his hand, though he didn't forget to rub the gilded carving he had just touched with the pad of his finger. He made plans in his head.

After I meet the king, maybe I can find a chance to help myself to something small?

As he thought, he hurried after Arcadios, though his eyes kept darting around like a little mouse scurrying through a granary, afraid of missing some "treasure."

Arcadios watched him looking around, itching to get his hands on everything. The dark lines at his temple nearly reached his chin, and all he could do was sigh inwardly.

Fairy Tail's mages were just as the rumors said... a headache.

Riyao hurried after Arcadios, his gaze still roaming over the palace's carved beams and painted rafters. Chewing the last of the dried berries, he leaned closer and spoke indistinctly.

"Hey, Mr. Knight."

He poked Arcadios's gleaming armor.

"Who exactly did you bring me here to treat? His Majesty himself, or some prince or noble?"

Arcadios kept walking, the lines of his profile taut, his voice as steady as ever.

"Mr. Riyao, His Majesty will personally inform you of the patient's identity when you meet him."

"Oh, come on, there's no harm in telling me beforehand!"

Riyao refused to give up. He hurried a couple of steps to keep pace, his eyes shining.

(✧ω✧)

"Is it an acute illness or a chronic one? Are there any strange symptoms? Like glowing all over, being unable to sleep, or... a pet that suddenly starts talking?"

As he spoke, he threw out wild guesses, already imagining all sorts of bizarre ailments. After all, the guild's requests were rarely normal.

The dark lines at Arcadios's temple deepened, but he answered patiently.

"Forgive me, but I cannot disclose the details of the illness. I only know that the patient has been bedridden for many days, and that various Healing Magic spells and medicines have been tried to no effect. Only then did we hear that Fairy Tail had a young mage skilled in Healing Magic, and we sent specifically for you."

Riyao rubbed his chin and smacked his lips, then continued questioning him.

"Is the patient old? Are they good-tempered? They won't be like some old men and lose their temper if I can't cure them, will they?"

He hadn't forgotten his earlier concern about being "killed to keep him quiet." It never hurt to ask a few more questions.

"Rest assured, Mr. Riyao,"

Arcadios finally turned his head to glance at him, a hint of exasperation in his eyes, though he still maintained a knight's courtesy.

"The patient is a person of high status and a gentle disposition. You were invited here because they sincerely seek treatment, and they will certainly not make things difficult for you."

He paused, then added, "The illness is rather unusual, however, so please be sure to do your best when the time comes."

"Of course!"

Riyao patted his chest, making the bag of dried strawberries inside his clothes rustle.

"When I, Riyao, take the field, the only thing I can't cure is 'poverty.' I can handle just about everything else!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help glancing at a gilded vase nearby, making more plans in his head.

Once I've cured the illness, maybe the king will reward me with gold, silver, and jewels as thanks? Then I can help myself to all these pretty little things and take them home.

Arcadios seemed to see through his thoughts. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he quickened his pace.

"The main hall is just ahead. Please collect yourself. You must observe proper etiquette when you meet His Majesty, and please do not..."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them. He simply couldn't bring himself to say "touch and pry at everything," so he put it another way.

"... Please do not behave improperly."

"I know, I know!"

Riyao readily agreed, but still took advantage of the moment Arcadios turned around to quickly touch a jade ornament beside him, his fingertips gliding over its warm, smooth surface.

(✧ω✧)

He sighed inwardly. This is really fine material. If only I could pry off a little piece and make it into a bracelet.

Arcadios caught his little movement out of the corner of his eye. He took a deep breath, his eye twitching, and forcibly suppressed the urge to hold his forehead. He felt that leading Riyao here was more exhausting than dealing with ten monsters. Fairy Tail really did live up to its name.