Paid For in Silver Tongues

From the moment Blaine put on his borrowed suit and walked into the foreign atmosphere of Charlemaine Hill, he could feel the sweat at his sides. Lutegarde's home was difficult to miss. On a scale from 1 to 10 on lavishness, her estate sat at roughly a 11, though it was much more modest than the 15s that Blaine wouldn't dare walk near. He skirted around the fountain, walked past the stone busts, and approached the grandiose entryway, staring at second door knocker he's ever seen in his entire life. The two guards glanced at the newcomer as some halfling servants opened the doors.
"...You're quite early." Lutegarde sternly looked down from the mezzanine at her guest. After seeing the lyre in his possession, her face softened. "Much more than expected."
"H-hello, Ms. Whitfoot." Blaine silently cursed his housemates, jeering that he would be late. They must've changed the time on his clock. "I was simply so... eager to be here and perform."
A hint of a smile escaped Lutegarde's stoic expression. "Now now, no need to be so formal with me. You may feel free to call me Lutegarde, alright Blaine? Virian, be a dear and help him freshen up before the performance. Perhaps you'll have time to bathe."
Blaine nodded before the servant led him away as Lutegarde retreated back to her quarters. Virian showed him to a bathroom, handed him a towel, and shut the door.
...This is the largest bathroom I've ever seen in my life.
Figuring that the best thing to do would be listening to Lutegarde (and realizing that perhaps he wasn't up to upper-class standards,) Blaine decided to take a bath. As he slipped into the heated water, Blaine felt the past weeks of grime and sweat properly release off of every square inch of his body. This was the first time he's ever been able to take a private bath that wasn't in a shared bathhouse, and it was magnitudes more effective than any bathing he could've done anywhere else he had access to.
As he bathed, Blaine's mind ran rampant. He was optimistic, but he wasn't stupid. He's heard the rumors about the origin of Lutegarde's success, along with the disappearances of the people that spoke against her. Why did she go to such lengths for a commoner play? Was he simply that good of a musician? What were her ulterior motives?
After exiting the bath, Blaine felt unbelievably clean and fresher than he's ever been. He gave off a pleasant floral aroma that he would've never been found outside of Charlemaine Hill. After cleaning up, he left the bathroom to be greeted by Virian, holding a brush. He motioned toward a chair, which Blaine then promptly sat in. Virian proceeded to tidy Blaine's hair before escorting him back to Lutegarde.
"Much better," Lutegarde noted with a nod of approval. "Feels quite different, being completely clean, does it not?"
"It... does," Blaine replied sheepishly. "I'm sorry I wasn't as presentable before. I..."
"No no, not a worry! Living outside of Charlemaine Hill must be quite the burden, but, I understand." Lutegarde smiled slyly. "Now... right this way. You have guests to entertain."
-----
Posh applause filled the room as Blaine finished his final performance. He had a night filled with singing, lyre-playing, and piano-playing. Some of the upper-class audience walked up and shook Blaine's hand, asking him various questions. After divulging his life in Daggerford and answering "possibly" to more performance offers, Blaine took to the food table in anticipation.
All kinds of shrimp, bite-sized servings of steak, exotic sauces, and delectable foods of the like filled the table. As he tried each one, Blaine had to restrain himself from gobbling up everything at the table. Sweet, salty, and savory flavors of all different kinds entered his palate and put his taste buds into euphoria.
"You remind me of my younger self, you know," Lutegarde remarked, appearing next to him.
Blaine nearly choked as he swallowed his food in surprise. "Sorry! Sorry. I do?"
"I was poor once myself. And, just like you, I left my old home to make a name and fortune for myself," Lutegarde spoke, twirling her wine glass. "It took an odd amount of years, but... here I am now, at Mythrite, living the dream I've always hoped for. I only wish my master were here to see it." She paused briefly. "You're a talented boy. I think you could be well on the same path and reach for wealth quicker than I did."
"Oh, thank you! Though, I'd be amazed if I ended up as successful as you in my lifetime. I think finance trading might end up with a bit more coin than the arts," Blaine replied. He could've sworn he could hear silver laced into her words. He might be better off financially after this particular performance, but he couldn't help but feel that he intertwined with a world beyond his comfort.
"Nonsense, you'll surely reach the same success in time." Lutegarde grinned. "Blaine, you are like none other, and you've already made quite the name for yourself. Do consider playing at Charlemaine Hill from now on, will you? You could easily land yourself as a personal musician. You'd be quite welcome at my estate as one. Now, here's your payment."
"Well, I believe-" Blaine nearly choked again as Lutegarde handed him 5 gold pieces. The equivalent of a year's worth of farmwork savings in Daggerford had been placed in his hands, and it would certainly pay off the debts he had been accruing. "Th-thank you kindly, Lutegarde!"
"Not a problem, dear. Keep moving up in the world, and I'll be watching from the front. Of course... I'll help along the way."
As Lutegarde left Blaine to his new food and new experiences for the rest of the night, he realized that the door of opportunity he opened wasn't one he could close, and there was something lurking that he couldn't comprehend. But for now: dessert.