Aric sat in his room, legs crossed on the bed. The room was pitch-dark, and his eyes slowly adjusted to it.

The funny thing about memories is the emotion and feeling that come with them. Sure, it's not real in a sense, but you sure as hell remember every detail.

MUNCH.

Ivy looked at him while biting a chocolate bar. [You really like talking to yourself, huh? Is that a habit you developed after the war?]

Aric glanced at her. Of course, no one else could see her, but his eyes squinted against her light.

I just like talking to myself so I can regulate my thoughts and memories. When you have a condition like mine, keeping an inner voice and juggling your thoughts is pretty important. And you know, even with perfect memory, I still need to search through my archive for it.

I've never seen the schematics of a piano—I've only played one.

He paused and decided to change the subject. Before, my magic required me to understand the fundamentals of whatever I wanted to create. But what about now? Can I just make a piano without understanding its inner workings or materials?

Ivy licked her fingers while watching him. [Short answer? Yes. Your perks in creation magic now let you create things just by imagining them. But without understanding something, it might take a few tries to get it right — and you'll burn through mana fast, despite your efficiency. When you understand something, the cost almost drops to zero.]

He nodded as he followed her explanation. Ivy raised a finger.

[Alternatively, just like you've been doing, you can create a mental blueprint — that reduces the cost. Your new perk basically allows you to create anything now with your head, provided you have enough mana.]

He snapped his fingers. Okay, got it. I was worried since I couldn't figure out the correct tune of the piano.

[Just ask Claire.]

Aric's eyes widened, and Ivy sighed. [Look, she's not terrified of you anymore. It wouldn't hurt to ask. You've been thinking about spending time with her anyway, so why not do something she's interested in? I bet she actually knows all the key sounds from the noble houses she visited with Seraphina.]

Aric jumped out of bed and conjured a plain black shirt onto his body as he opened the shades.

You're right. I should spend time with her.

He walked downstairs and saw her washing dishes beside Darius.

"Claire. Are you free for the whole afternoon?"

Claire froze mid-wash, then immediately turned to bow. Aric felt embarrassed by it.

"G-Greetings… Master Aric. I… am duty-bound to help with the chickens today…"

Aric nodded, trying to keep his face from turning red. "Uh-huh. Okay, well, today you're not playing with chickens. Today, you'll be helping me make something incredible."

He pulled out his notebook and pointed at the gift Claire wanted. Her eyes widened, and her facial expressions betrayed her composure

"I—I'm not sure if you… should be making one for me. It's expensive after all, and I'm just a maid. You mustn't…"

She's very considerate, despite her body language showing excitement. Aric thought, watching the way her shoulders curled in while her fingers fidgeted.

But I can't help but feel guilty. I know I never did it, but I saw what she went through.

He stepped closer. "You have perfect pitch, don't you?

"Pardon me, Master…Aric, perfect pitch you said? Can you elaborate further?"

"Oh, ummm, it means you can identify sounds and notes naturally. It's pretty rare. Where I come from, only 0.1% of the population can attain such an ability".

"That's…pretty interesting, Master Aric, but may I ask how you came to that conclusion?

Aric crossed his arms, "Well, the other day I saw you singing with the birds and were able to raise your pitch to match the birds' tweeting, which is pretty hard to do for a normal person."

Claire was struck by Aric's words; her eyes widened. He noticed me singing with the birds? He's now begun to notice even the little things about me. Why do I feel so comforted with the fact that he thinks I'm talented and that he pays attention to me?.

What reason does he have to be kind to me? Why am I blushing all of a sudden?

Aric smiled faintly, "Anyway, I'll craft the piano keys and you'll tell me when something sounds off. It's your piano at the end of the day. Before you ask whether I can teach you…"

He smiled. "Sorry, can't do that. I mean, I'll still teach you the basics, but I will hire an instructor for you."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Darius was chopping onions nearby and he smiled to himself. I bet he doesn't realize that hiring an instructor is a luxury most can't afford. Scratch that—he probably does, but he won't bat an eye at the cost.

Aric turned around and started walking. "Come now. Oh—Darius, if she tries to do anything besides following me, ban her from the kitchen for the day. She needs to assist me."

Darius looked at Claire, who stood frozen with soapy hands.

"Well, you heard the lord. Get going now. You're not allowed here today."

Claire blinked back to her senses, her face turning bright red.

"Um… um… are you sure…?"

Darius took off her gloves and gently nudged her toward Aric. "Go."

*****************************************

They worked together in the grand hall, the two of them alone. Claire sat at the new piano, testing each key while Aric fine-tuned its tone with magic. They'd been at it for hours now. Aric had taught her how to play, how to read notes, and even how to write them.

She picked it up like a pro, which surprised not only Aric but even Claire herself. The estate could hear the sound of the piano, and for a while, it sounded perfect.

Well, that was until Claire pressed the G minor key and it sounded like a funeral.

Still, Claire felt embarrassed but didn't blame herself for it. She was giving feedback about the sound while Aric was using his manipulation matter to make it sound better.

Claire felt happy with him. It's…strange seeing this man treating me like I'm a person…Especially with his face and all that…

Why did he stay behind? He's not the person who tormented me…is he just a nice person? Or is there another reason?

Claire kept playing her song that sounded similar to River Flows in You. She stared at Aric's glowing hands as he adjusted the wrong keys.

He's…weird…but in a good way…He doesn't like being called master or lord, but he never says it. Is that his own way of respecting us?

Everything about him is strange. The food he brings us, the soaps he makes for us, the comfort he has brought…why does he do these kinds of things? Is it because of Va….y…ne?

The song started to last longer now, and Claire's eyes were locked on the keys, her fingers pressing them with elegance. Everyone in the estate stopped what they were doing to listen. Lira and Evelyn stopped their spar and listened to the tune.

Seraphina stopped her writing and closed her eyes to tune into it. Thorin stopped running around with Junky, listening to the melody drift through the halls. The maids and butlers paused their chores.

Their thoughts were the same. It's beautiful.

Aric watched her play in awe as he stood far away. Ivy was recording this on her camera,

[You know…I think she might be a prodigy. Nobody picks up a sheet, is taught once, and understands that quickly. The way she plays as well…it's like watching a genius.]

Aric exhaled softly. You got that right.

As the melody swelled, he started to space out again and he was brought back to the fight he had with Vayne. Vayne was on the ground with a beat-up face, half of his body faded, and Aric was fuming in rage.

"Everything you ever did to her…was just because YOU WERE HURT!?"

He punched his face over and over again.

"JUST BECAUSE SHE LOOKED WEAK, YOU DECIDED TO FUCK UP HER LIFE FOREVER!?"

"I— I was hurt." Vayne croaked like a pathetic, injured animal. "He—She— they made me—"

Aric laughed brokenly, "So you decided that if you're miserable, everyone else should be too? You made her life hell because you couldn't stand your own pain?"

Vayne's lips trembled. "I didn't know how else. I—"

"You didn't know how else?" Aric barked as he broke his nose, "You destroyed Claire's trust and her body just because you were empty!? You made her feel like absolute shit! She thinks she's a whore because of you!"

He punched his mouth until his jaw dislocated, "All she ever did was try to be a good maid! All she ever wanted was basic human decency! Just because you were screwed by Callista, you decided to make her life a living hell. Just because she assaulted you, you decided to take her purity away!"

He hit him again. "She was kind! She just wanted to serve and you made her hate herself!"

Aric spat on his face, "She was just a young innocent woman, and you…you…you decided that just because you got assaulted, every woman near you should have the same trauma? You're a coward, Vayne, a pathetic coward."

"Master…"

A faint voice pulled him back.

"Master Aric…"

Aric felt a touch on his hand, and his pupils dilated back into focus to see Claire in front of him with her fingers gripping his sleeves; her eyes looked at him with concern.

"Are…you alright? Would you like some tea? Are you tired from standing?"

Aric shook his head and smiled at her, "No, no. I'm good. How's the piano, Claire?"

She let go of his sleeve, "Oh…it's very…lovely…um…surely this isn't for me? It's expensive wood and the keys are so nice to press…this belongs to a…"

Aric cut her off with a pat on her head, "Nope. That piano belongs to you, it says it right here,"

He pointed to the lid, where he engraved her name:

Claire Valentine.

She was deeply moved by the Aric as she saw that. She couldn't believe it and was holding back her tears,

"Claire, only you can play this piano perfectly. You play so beautifully, you deserve your own stage with a big audience."

Her eyes shimmered, "Thank…you, Master Aric…"

Aric headed to the bedroom as he was tired after using up his mana for the piano.

"I'm gonna head up to sleep, Claire, don't stay up too late, alright."

She bowed deeply, "Sure, Master Aric, have a good sleep!"

Aric felt flustered and speed walked, Yawn, haaa, it's been a long day, I need to rest.

As he entered the room, he was greeted by a sleeping Seraphina.

Ivy whistled, [Oo la la, we got Ms. Sleeping Beauty over here. Wouldn't you agree, Aric?]

Bugger off, Ivy. I'm too tired for this!

He quickly changed into his pajamas and got into bed. He turned to Seraphina's face and was mesmerized by her beauty. He saw a silver strand of hair covering her glimmering face and hesitantly slid it with his fingers while adoring her.

Although nobody could see it, his cheeks were bright red. His eyes somehow locked onto her lips and he couldn't stop his hand from touching them. His fingers on her soft cheek and his thumb caressing her sexy red lips.

She's beautifu-

Ivy looked smugly at him, [Too tired, eh?]

Aric retracted his hand and turned the other way in embarrassment,

Ivy!

She put her hands up in the air, [Alright, alright, I'll leave you two love birds alone.]

Aric turned the other way and put the duvet on him, What was I doing? What if she woke up? I'd better get to sleep, another big day tomorrow.

Seraphina however was fighting every fibre in her body, WHAT IN LYSANDRA'S NAME JUST HAPPENED!? Why is my heart beating faster than when I was fighting that demon? He…he touched my face and my lips. I..I..I held it the whole time, trying not to open my eyes, but for some reason, I didn't want him to stop.

I wanted to see the affection in his eyes. I wanted to see the way he was looking at me. His callused, rough hands on my cheek mhm. Did I want him to kiss me? Does this mean he has feelings for me, too?

Ughh… I CAN'T SLEEP NOW YOU IDIOT!

Aric fell into deep sleep as his heart calmed down while thinking of car blueprints while Seraphina slept much, much later. After a few touches to his back and chest.

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