Before reading the butler's card story, please be aware that this story contains spoilers for the "Wine Valentine" event.
We recommend reading up to episode 10 of the event story first. If you wish to avoid spoilers, please return using the button in the upper left corner.
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Episode 1: A Sweet Awakening
The day after the Valentine's Day party ended successfully, when we received the ambassadors.
As I rested in my room, I was reminded of the time I spent with Nac during the party preparations.
A few days before the party was held at the Grovaner family's main residence...
Nac: Well. The preparation for the party is practically finished.
Boschi: Ah. Only the final touches to the decoration are missing. So, I bought chocolate yesterday.
Boschi: After all, the name of the event is a Valentine's party. It would be better to put out some chocolate, so a better atmosphere will be created.
Flure: I see. By the way, why are there two identical boxes of each?
Boschi: One is for the event, and the other is for testing them. Even if it is not the main dish, I cannot leave something that tastes bad.
Haures: Testing them first... Certainly, that is important.
Nac: Then, what do you think if we test the chocolates among all of us.
Nac: Hmm... The taste is not bad at all. Although, a little below Lono-kun homemade chocolate.
Haures: Ah. If we have time, perhaps we could prepare chocolate ourselves.
Flure: ............... Haures-san's handmade chocolate...
Boschi: Haures. Don't say terrifying things suddenly.
Look. Flure has been paralyzed by fear.
Flure: Eh! No, it's nothing like that...
Nac: Fufu. But, preparing chocolate also seems fun.
If we are going to make them, let's make beautiful chocolates. For example, like chocolates molded in the likeness of our Lord.
"Chocolate in my shape...?"
Nac: Yes, exactly! Because there is no more beautiful motif than our Lord. Surely it will have a sweeter and more exquisite taste than any other chocolate.
Ah, but! If I had to point out a single flaw, it would be that it would be a waste and I don't think I would be able to eat it... Yes, it is absolutely impossible!
Ah, but! I am also the one who most desires to taste our Lord chocolate...
Flure: ...It seems like Nac-san is in a very good mood today.
Boschi: Do you think so? Being lively is usual for him, isn't it?
Haures: No... Certainly, it seems to me that today he is even more cheerful than usual.
Flure: It seems to me that everything was as usual, at least until we tasted the chocolate.
Flure: Y-yes?! What's wrong...?
Nac: Flure-kun. What is that outfit you are wearing?
It is, simply, a masterpiece by a genius! It is of such beauty that I thought my heart would stop.
Flure: Eh... Th-thanks...
Nac: Thank you very much for always creating such wonderful outfits for us and for our Lord. You are, truly, an indispensable existence for the mansion.
I must do something to thank you... Ah, I know! I will give you my glasses. Come on, go ahead!
Flure: Ah, hahaha... Thank you very much...
Haures: Mmm... Clearly, his behavior is strange. Perhaps, could it be this chocolate...?
Indeed... It has whiskey.
"Did he get drunk just from that?"
Boschi: Ah. Nac is someone who is very sensitive to alcohol, after all.
Wow... That is why I don't like whiskey.
Haures: Hey. Whiskey is not to blame for anything. In any case, is this not the chocolate you brought, Boschi.
Boschi: Ah? Don't blame me.
Nac: Haures-san, Boschi-san! Don't fight, please.
Losing composure in front of our Lord. It is something that should not happen as a butler.
Haures: Mmm... I-I'm sorry...
Boschi: ............... Don't say that to me, you who are drunk.
Nac: Fufu. But, that is also part of the charm of both.
Both, who normally reject each other. When they face a crisis, they come together to act... There is no show that moves the heart more. Ah, what a beautiful friendship...!
Boschi: ....... Haures. Quickly, do something about this guy.
Haures: Although you ask me to do something, it is not that simple...
Flure: Well... Nac-san, calm down for a moment. Look... Inhale deeply, breathe deeply...
Nac: Fufufu. What are you saying, Flure-kun?
I am always calm. Look, observe. Like this........ My heart is always, like the calm sea.
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"He is sleeping standing up..."
Boschi: Yareyare... For now, it will be better if I lay him down so he can sleep.
Haures: Besides... Let's look for water, a pillow, and a blanket.
My Lord, excuse me, but could you watch Nac for a moment, please?
Thus, while the rest of the butlers left the room, I was left in charge of taking care of Nac.
Nac: Fufu. Magnificent. Normally, I tend to have nightmares, but today's dream is... Having my beautiful Lord before my eyes, right here.
I wish I could stay like this forever and never wake up.
Nac: Ah... My Lord, you say exactly the words I wanted to hear. Without a doubt, this is a dream, an illusion that my desire has created.
Then, at least just for now, I want to lose myself in this dream...
Nac: No, no. I am not drunk, my Lord.
I do not drink alcohol. Especially, in front of my Lord.
If I get drunk, I lose my memory. I don't want to waste something so valuable. I wouldn't want to forget a single instant of the memories I spend together with my Lord.
Nac lies back, reaches out his hand, and holds mine delicately.
Nac: Ah... Thank goodness this is a dream. If it were reality, something like this... Holding my Lord hand for no reason would be inadmissible.
Hehe... My Lord hand is warm.
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........................ Oya?
Nac seems to come to his senses, gently lets go of my hand, and sits up. Apparently, he has finally realized that this is not a dream.
Hmm. I have no memories since I was testing the chocolates... What has happened...?
I told Nac that he had eaten a chocolate that contained liquor.
Nac: I see... So, that means I got drunk.
I am very sorry. I have shown you an embarrassing side of myself.
Nac stood up, without showing embarrassment for what happened a moment ago, he remains self-confident, as always.
Seeing that attitude, it seems that I am the only one who feels conscious of what happened. Feeling embarrassed by the contrast, I decided to change the subject to hide it.
"You are really very bad with alcohol."
Nac: Yes... It is a matter of constitution, something I was born with.
Even so, since this interferes with social life and family business. For a long time, I have been subjected to performing various types of training since I was young.
I was served wine at every meal, I even tried bathing in wine, and I even tried sleeping next to wine...
Well, the result... It is just as you can see.
Nac: Fufu. But, to tell the truth, it is not that I dislike the "taste" of wine.
A few decades ago, Lucas-san taught me about a non-alcoholic wine that is extremely delicious. It seems that not many units are produced, so getting the new arrivals is also quite difficult.
But that wine was the perfect wine to accompany an orangette.
"I didn't know such a wine existed..."
Haures: My Lord. I have returned.
Flure: Ah! Nac-san, you had already woken up.
Boschi: You have been faster than I thought. My Master, are you okay?
.......... The "newly awakened beast" has not appeared.
Nac: Yes. Today's awakening was excellent. Thanks to my Lord, I had a sweet awakening.
Boschi: .......................
Hey. Are you perhaps still drunk?
Nac: No, no. In my current expression, there is no exaggeration.
While I was thinking, "wow, that also happened," I was turning the pages of the wine catalog. It is my turn to attend to Nac, who tried so hard to host me during the pre-party.
I decided to choose a non-alcoholic wine for him, since he gets drunk easily, and for Nac... I prepared orangettes, his favorite sweet.
To convey, in the form of a gift, the happiness I feel being able to be by his side...
Nac: Excuse me, my Master. As you asked, I have come alone, but...
The moment he entered the room, Nac could not hide his surprise. Because on the table were the orangettes I made and the non-alcoholic wine that he said he liked; the brand of which I asked Lucas.
Nac: My Lord, this is... Did you make this especially for me?
Nac: My Lord. What a touching gesture.
Understood. Just for today, I will take advantage of your offer... I will accept your invitation, my Master.
Nac: Ah... What a wonderful taste. The exquisiteness, the nostalgia, and your feelings, my Lord; everything is condensed here. Just by letting it sit on my tongue, I am intoxicated with happiness.
Expressing this taste would be impossible even for the best sommelier.
Because...! No words are enough to express this happiness!
Ah, I curse my lack of vocabulary.
If heaven had granted me the talent for poetry... I would have been able to dedicate at least a thousandth part of this joy in verse!
It seems that the wine has made Nac tongue much looser. Without a doubt, it should be a non-alcoholic wine.
Nac: Hehe... Yes, perhaps you are right.
I find myself... intoxicated by your kindness, my Master. But... I have never lost my sanity, I assure you.
Because this moment of happiness is real, and I am fully aware that I am your butler.
If I were plunged into a dream, or perhaps between reality and fantasy. My self-control would also have fallen asleep.
Regarding "between reality and fantasy," Nac is probably referring to when he was drowsy after getting drunk.
If that time, when Nac took my hand gently, that gesture was the result of his self-control being asleep. What is it that I can do for him...?
...I placed my hand gently over his, which was resting on the table.
Nac: ¡.....! Ah, my Lord...?
Is something wrong...? Why did you do this suddenly?
"...Perhaps I am also intoxicated with happiness..."
Nac: ... My Lord... Thank you, you have gone to the trouble of thinking of me.
My Lord... I have never been ashamed of my low tolerance for alcohol. But, if I am to be honest... Sometimes I have wished I could drink alcohol too.
If I could enjoy alcohol with my companions and with you, my Lord, I think I could have seen an even more wonderful landscape than the one I contemplate now. But... That restlessness has vanished completely today.
I have an important person before my eyes and there is delicious wine, full of your feelings. There is no happier landscape than this.
Thank you for showing me this wonderful landscape, my Lord.
"You're welcome, thanks to you."
While I felt the warmth of our intertwined hands, I contemplated the expression of happiness on Nac face.
Seeing that scene, where the most important person to me smiled at me from across the table, I too let myself be intoxicated by happiness.
