#aknk

The day after giving the butlers their Valentine’s sweets, I had been planning one more surprise.

It was a plan to give the butlers Valentine’s gifts personally from me.

Even though I said I would give them gifts… the concern of money naturally came up, but there was no need to worry about that.

As a reward for angel hunting, I had also received payment from the butlers.

According to the butlers… they said, “Because you’ll need it in order to live in this world,” but…

Since I had been living comfortably without any particular inconveniences… I decided to use this money for the butlers.

[Devil's Palace Private Room]

Then I called Nac… and decided to ask him what he wanted.

Nac:

What I want?

Choices:

I want you to tell me anything you want

I want to thank Nac for everything he does for me

Nac:

Master, you truly are a kind person. However… Your feelings alone are more than enough. Please use your money for your own happiness, Master. If I can see Master’s happy expression… That alone is enough for me. 

Choices:

I want to give Nac a gift

I don’t feel like that’s enough

Nac:

Master… Are you really sure? 

Choices:

Of course

Because I owe Nac so much

Nac:

Understood. Fulfilling Master’s wishes is my duty as a butler. I am deeply grateful… I humbly accept Master’s feelings. Now then… As for what I want. I apologize. Would you allow me one night to think about it? I don’t have much experience receiving gifts… so I’m a little unsure… 

You:

Okay

Nac:

Thank you. 

Then Nac and I made plans to go shopping in the town.

[Central Land Espoir]

- The next day -

I had come to the town with Nac.

Nac:

Master, this is the shop we’re looking for.

Nac had brought me to a stationery store.

You:

Is there something you want here...?

Nac:

Yes. Um... I think it was on this shelf… Ah, there it is. This is it! This is what I wanted.

Nac held a beautiful quill pen.

You:

Why a quill pen?

Nac:

I usually use a quill pen to write, but… The pen I’m currently using is already worn out and in poor condition… I was actually wondering if I should buy a new one soon. 

You:

I see

Nac:

Besides… If it’s a gift from Master… I thought it would be better if it were something I could use every day… 

Choices:

I see

I’m happy that you’ll use it every day

Nac:

Fufu… By the way… The quill pen I chose is actually a very inexpensive one. It shouldn’t be a burden on Master… so please don’t worry.

Choices:

You don’t have to worry about something like that

There are much better ones too

Nac:

No, this quill pen is more than enough for me. Besides… To me, it is already special simply because it is something that was bought for me by my beloved Master… It is worth more than anything expensive could ever be. 

Choices:

Nac… 

I see

Nac:

Fufu… Then, Master, could you please buy this quill pen for me? 

You:

Alright

Then I purchased the quill pen and handed it to Nac.

Nac:

Thank you very much. The quill pen that Master gave me… I will treasure it dearly. 

[Devil's Palace Private Room]

- And the next morning -

After finishing shopping with Nac, I returned to the mansion and fell asleep in my room.

Choices:

Ugh... ngh… 

I woke up early today… 

I rubbed my sleepy eyes and sat up… 

I noticed something unfamiliar sitting on the bedside table.

You:

Is this a letter...?

“[Name]-sama”

My name was written on the envelope in very beautiful handwriting.

Chapter 2

Seeing the handwriting on the envelope, I immediately knew who the letter was from.

You:

It’s a letter from Nac

Nac:

“Master, thank you very much for the wonderful gift you gave me. You must be surprised to receive a letter from me so suddenly. Actually, ever since I thought of asking Master to buy me a quill pen… I had decided that the first thing I would write with it would be a letter to Master.”

The letter was filled with Nac’s heartfelt gratitude toward me.

It felt as though every single word had been written with all his heart… 

It was such a heartwarming letter to read.

Nac's Letter:

“P.S. Could you please come to the third floor hallway at midnight tonight? I would like to invite Master to my favorite place.”

You:

My favorite place...?

Nac's Letter:

“Even if Master is late, I will wait for you as long as it takes. I would be very happy if you could come.”

The letter ended there.

You:

Midnight tonight… 

[Devil’s Palace Third Floor Hallway]

- Midnight -

When I arrived at the third floor hallway, Nac was waiting, gazing out the window.

You:

Nac

Nac:

I have been waiting for you, Master. I’m sorry for asking you to come at such a late hour. 

Choices:

Thank you for the letter

I was really happy to receive your letter

Nac:

Fufu, I’m honored that you read it. I wrote it with all my gratitude for you, Master. I’m used to writing letters… But when it came to writing a letter to Master, I was still rather nervous. 

You:

I see

Nac:

Well, standing around talking isn’t ideal, so… I’ll take you to my favorite place now. Please put on this gown so you don’t get cold. 

You:

Thank you

[Devil’s Palace Lookout Tower]

- A little while later -

When we opened the door at the end of the third floor hallway… there was another staircase beyond it… 

At the top of the stairs was an open space where we could look out at the scenery outside.

You:

I had no idea there was a place like this… 

Nac:

Fufu, Master. What do you think? This is my favorite place. Master. Come closer to the railing and look outside. The stars look beautiful from here.

As Nac instructed, I looked outside… A sky full of stars stretched out before me.

Choices:

Beautiful… 

Amazing… 

Nac:

This isn’t exactly a way of thanking you for the gift, but… I wanted to give Master this view as a gift. Do you like it?

Choices:

Thank you!

I really love it!

Nac:

Fufu… Your smile is always lovely, Master. To me, among all these countless stars… Your smile shines the brightest of them all. If it were possible, I'd love to keep this shining star all to myself… 

Choices:

N-Nac… 

You're saying something strange again…

Nac:

Fufu. Master, this is the kind of man Nac Stein is. In my own way… I’m expressing my feelings to the Master I deeply admire. 

Choices:

It would be embarrassing if the other butlers heard you

What would you do if someone heard you?

Nac:

Don’t worry. No butler would come to a place like this at this hour. Right now, it’s just the two of us. Please, rest assured.

Nac spoke in a suggestive way, as though he was teasing me.

Choices:

(What is this feeling...? )

(I-I’m starting to get nervous... )

Nac:

Master… Could you please hold out your right hand?

You:

Y-yes… 

Then Nac gently took my right hand and knelt before me.

The next moment, something soft touched the back of my hand.

Choices:

Huh!?

W-wait, Nac...!

Nac:

In the Stein family… a kiss on the back of the hand is considered the highest expression of devotion. That means… It is a vow to protect you at all costs, even with my own life… It is something I would bestow upon only one person in my entire lifetime. 

You:

S-so that means… 

Nac:

Master. I swear my loyalty to you.  I promise that I will always protect you from any danger. My feelings… Will you accept them? 

Choices:

Of course… 

Y-yes… 

Nac: 

Thank you. Fufu, a sudden kiss like that… I suppose I may have startled you a little. But this is simply my way of expressing my feelings. I hope you can forgive me. I hope we’ll remain together for a long time to come.