The Esteemed & Elegant

The door to Randolph's hotel suite swung open as he exited it, but before he could make it even a step out of the entrance, he paused in surprise.

"Hm?" What paused his steps was a man standing out his door, the sight eliciting a surprised mumble from him.

In front of Randolph's door, exactly three feet to the left, was an old man.

The man's hair was stark white, a testament to his sheer age, but his chiseled facial features and sturdy build spoke of anything but. His eyeline was deep and narrow, making it seem like he was stuck in a permanent glare – as if he had the gaze of an eagle. On his face was a similarly white mustache.

He was dressed immaculately1, probably even by a rich person's standard. 

He wore a black and white butlers uniform, but one of a style much more old-fashioned than the modern age. He had a long suit that covered his entire body, a gold-inlaid tie on his chest, a white dress undershirt, and pure-white gloves. His black suit overcoat even had a tailcoat, something that Randolph had only ever seen in movies.

He was bowed at a perfect forty-degree angle, one arm to his chest while the other was behind his back.

His form, combined with his good-looks and manner of dress, shocked Randolph with a single look. He had never seen a man so charismatic before.

"You are?"

"My Lord. In response to your inquiry2, my name is Archibald. I lack a family name, so Archibald is my usual form of address."

"Archibald? How long have you been standing here?"

"In response to my Lord's question, I have been waiting for your exit for twenty minutes now."

The man's tone was incredibly polite. It was a manner of speaking so formal that Randolph had forgot it had even existed.

As the old man spoke, he remained bowed. His eyes were closed and his facial expressions didn't change even a millimetre.

"…" Crossing his arms, Randolph's brow furrowed in thought. "First of all, who are you?"

"In response to my Lord's question. My station is as your butler, or personal assistant, in all aspects of life. Though, you may use me as whatever you would like if it so pleases you."

Personal assistant? Ah, a personal concierge. He was probably sent by the hotel, huh. How luxurious.

Slightly lost for words, Randolph pinched his brow.

"I see. Archibald, you don't have to be so formal with me."

"I understand, my Lord." Giving a single deep nod, the old butler straightened his back fully.

He was quite a tall man, and combined with his large build, one could imagine how valiant he had looked in his youth.

"Casual, you understand? Casual."

"I understand, my Lord." Giving another deep nod, the butler bowed his head again.

"…" Frowning slightly, Randolph pinched his brow again. "You don't have to call me lord, and you don't have to bow, you know."

"I apologize, my Lord, but I have no choice. I must show at least the very basics of respect, whether casual or not."

The change was so small Randolph would have had to squint to see it.

"Well, I guess there's no helping it." Shaking his head, Randolph dropped the topic. "It must be difficult being a butler."

Archibald acknowledged the young man's words with another bow, although this time, he leaned slightly less forward.

But I thought that the manager said he wouldn't provide me with a personal concierge? 

The thought crossed Randolph's mind for only a second before he shook it off. Perhaps the manager wanted to get in his good books, or something. It didn't matter.

"As my butler, what sort of help can you provide me with?"

"Anything you desire, my Lord. Merely give the word and I will spare no effort."

"Anything? Huh, is this how rich people live?" Randolph couldn't help but sound his thoughts out verbally, causing Archibald to give him a curious glance.

"Alright then. For starters, are there any clothing stores nearby? Also, tell me about the hotel and its amenities, and is there a beauty resort or gym nearby? One for rich people. Hm… also, where can I get a bite to eat around here? I'm famished."

***

On the High-Ring suite's fourth floor, its restaurant, overlooking the city, Randolph sat in a corner of the room. He was currently in the midst of devouring a steaming helping of ribs and steak.

Archibald stood to the side of the table, his hand in front his body and behind his back as he stood waiting with a trolley of food, prepared at any moment to replace Randolph's meal.

"Ugh." Polishing off the steak on his plate, the young man set the cutlery to the side before reclining back in his chair.

As he did so, he gave Archibald an extremely appreciative glance.

Figuring that he should make his money's worth, he had listed off as many demands as he could think of, but Archibald had met all of them in stride.

The young man was currently completely refreshed. The hotel manager probably wouldn't even recognize him if he saw him. His previous injuries had all but vanished, and his good-looks were brought out in full.

He was wearing a brand new suit which had cost him $600. He didn't even need to go out and risk anyone recognizing him as the old man had gone out in his stead to buy it for him.

He also had a haircut, also courtesy of Archibald. The old man had sat him down on the spot to trim his hair upon hearing that he needed one, working magic with only a single pair of scissors and a comb. 

As he did so, he monologued to Randolph about the many services of the Hotel, informing him of his previous naivety of how it worked. Then, he had brought him down to the restaurant to eat.

The butler had even taken the initiative to inform the chefs of Randolph's preferred tastes, picking out his meals and delivering them to him.

Is this how rich people live?

The thought couldn't help but repeat in his head through the entire sequence. Though, he did realize that Archibald was slightly abnormal. While he did see people who looked to be personal assistants to the other guests, none of them were as well dressed as Archibald, and none of them waited on them like the butler did. But he could easily chalk it off as a man just good at his job.

The process had cost him a fair amount of money, but Randolph had figured it was more than worth it as an investment to his future.

The two attracted no small amount of gazes as they sat there. They looked like a painting, one mature and elegant while the other was charming and youthful. Only, the multiple messy plates of empty food ruined it somewhat.

"Hah…" Letting out a sigh of satisfaction, Randolph leaned back in his seat.

The view outside made Randolph appreciate his meal even more than he otherwise would have.

"That was absolutely delicious."

The words he spoke were genuine ones. Whether it was because of the sheer luxury, the meticulous cooking, the fine ingredients, or how refreshed he felt, he could safely say that it was the best meal he had ever had.

"I am glad you enjoyed it, my Lord."

"Hrm… yes." Randolph responded awkwardly. "You know, you don't have to call me that."

"I apologize, but a clear divide of respect must be kept."

He still wasn't used to the antiquated form of address that the butler used, but he quickly shrugged it off.

"Whatever, back to business."

"Yes, my Lord. The beauty parlor and gym, correct?"

"Yeah. You had mentioned that there were facilities for both located within the hotel?"

"Yes, sir. They are both fairly high-end in quality as the Hotel is located near the entertainment district here, downtown. This hotel would likely be considered five star if not for the noisy and disruptive scenes that often happen outside, to be expected of such a neighbourhood."

"Do you know a lot about those two facilities? I don't care about the big stuff, what I want are the minor details, like how many people go in and out on a daily basis. Or what sort of visitors attend the place."

"My apologies, my Lord, I do not."

"Hm… you said you'd do anything right?" Randolph rested his chin on his hand in thought.

"If you command it."

"Would asking you to scout out the two facilities over the next few days be too much to ask?" Perhaps realizing the demand may have gone against hotel policies, Randolph quickly backtracked. "Ah, when I say scouting, I don't mean to ask for any sensitive information. I just mean what I mentioned earlier, such as how many people use both facilities and if anybody seems like a big spender or not."

"If that is your desire, I will do so." Archibald bowed his head slightly to acknowledge the order.

"I have to go somewhere for a while, so you don't have to bother attending to my room or whatever you do. I'll probably be back in a couple days. Don't worry about the payment, I've already paid for a week's stay in advance from the hotel."

Randolph had asked the question because he had deemed it of utmost importance. Both the gym and the spa of the Hotel were crucial to his current plans, and they represented two options for the current paths he could take.

He had been unwilling to ask the butler due to fear of any information leaks, but the growing pressure he felt bearing down on him demanded him to do so.

As long as he didn't ask for anything questionable, it should have been more than alright. Seeing as to how there was a suitable servant given to him by the Hotel, he would be a fool not to make use of it. 

"If you would like, my Lord, I can drive you and accompany you to your destination."

A chauffeur on top of all of his other duties? 

"No, no that won't be necessary. Thank you though."

Archibald's gaze turned to the floor for a split-second, as if in thought, before he turned his eyes back up.

"Are you certain you would not like me to accompany you, sir?"

"Hm? I am, why wouldn't I be?"

"I see. Very well then, I will arrange for someone to drive you with the hotel's staff." As if satisfied by his response, the old man dropped the topic.

"Fantastic."

Wiping his mouth off with a napkin, the young man stood up before heading towards the floor's elevator.