Chapter 8

‘What on earth is this…?’

The table that had been full just a moment ago was now completely empty. The empty dishes had been cleared away, and the glasses of those who had left were tidied up.

Perhaps it was for the best.

Earlier, it was hard to leave in the middle because there were so many people and the atmosphere was heated, but now it was different.

“Shall we get going too? It’s late at night, and everyone else has left.”

She said, adjusting her clothes.

“Could you stay a little longer?”

But an unexpected answer came.

“Pardon?”

“Are you busy? Or do you have something important?”

“Well, no, but…”

“Then I’d appreciate it if you could stay a bit longer.”

His request held her back again.

She should refuse. A request like this should be easy to turn down.

Yeah, she thought so… but…

Perhaps because of the man’s status in front of her or of the honor he held,

Among the people she met as an adult, Sir Costance had the highest position. But during her childhood, she had seen countless people higher than him. Among them, there were those praised by everyone and those despised by all.

She had never been intimidated in front of them.

“Al-alright.”

Yet, she felt intimidated in front of this man. She sat back down and drank the water in front of her.

Sir Costance was the one who asked her to stay, but he said nothing. It seemed he didn’t hold her back because he had something to say.

The jazz music playing in the shop changed its mood. The lively and exciting fast tempo was gone, replaced by a dense and sticky melody.

The lighting also gradually dimmed, reaching its peak atmosphere.

Looking around, all she saw were couples. Even the couple at the table next to hers giggled and kissed several times.

She kept drinking water, but she couldn’t get used to the atmosphere. Eventually, she pulled the glass of alcohol she had set aside closer.

After hesitating, she took a big gulp.

…Ugh. It still tasted bad.

It felt more like her throat was burning than going down smoothly.

“Don’t force yourself to drink. Even if it’s mild, it’s whiskey. Quite strong.”

“Oh…… it’s not just any drink?”

She started to feel the effects. Her body felt hot, and her stomach twisted slightly.

Her head felt a bit dizzy, and her mind was reeling. The strange and sticky atmosphere was soon forgotten.

Ah, maybe drinking isn’t so bad?

“Is the drink you’re having strong, Sir?”

She could ask more slyly than before.

“It would be quite strong for women.”

“You must be a strong drinker.”

“I don’t drink often, but when I do, I prefer strong drinks because I don’t get drunk easily.”

“Not often? When do you drink?”

“Our manager has a rather difficult personality. When that personality affects me, I tend to soothe it with drinks.”

Pfft. She couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Even though he was the heir of a marquisate, it seemed to hold no weight in the military, and he expressed his dissatisfaction bluntly.

The combination of the noble’s formal and polite speech with vulgar language was nothing short of amusing.

Yes, it was amusing.

“Indeed. Pfft.”

She knew this behavior was rude, but she couldn’t stop laughing.

“Oh, oh, I’m sorry. I laughed too much, didn’t I?”

She wiped her tears and apologized belatedly. Sir Costance said nothing.

Was he really angry?

When she lifted her head to apologize, her gaze met his in midair.

“…Sir?”

He didn’t look angry. He seemed happy, smiling slightly with a flushed face.

“It’s nice to see you smile.”

“Pardon?”

“You don’t smile much when you’re working.”

If anyone else had said that, she would have been puzzled about what they meant. But Sir Costance was different. If he said her face was glowing, it truly seemed to shine.

“Sir, you say such cheesy things so casually.”

Unintentionally, she took another sip of her drink. The alcohol that was impossible to swallow earlier now went down smoothly.

As she continued to drink, the alcohol disappeared, and she used the excuse of being thirsty to order the same drink again.

Later, she couldn’t tell whether the drink was going into her mouth or her nose.

“Now I’d like to hear your story, Vivi.”

“My story is the least interesting in the world.”

“But it would be the most interesting in the world to me.”

“Especially for you, Sir, it’s even less worth hearing.”

She conversed with him, but she couldn’t make sense of what they were talking about.

Seeing his affectionate gaze, she was relieved that she didn’t seem to be saying anything strange.

“You’ve had quite a bit to drink.”

“What? Not at all!”

“Perhaps it’s time to get up?”

“Oh? That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear! Alright!”

Ah, I misspoke again. 

His expression stiffened slightly when she responded enthusiastically.

“Was the place uncomfortable for you?”

“I don’t usually like places like this. It’s noisy and strange. And being alone with you, Sir, is a bit awkward.”

What am I saying now? 

Her thoughts and words came out differently.

That’s when she realized.

I’m drunk.

“Then if I ask you out for dinner again… would you refuse?”

“Probably?”

Oh, my crazy mouth!

“…It seems you don’t like me, Vivi.”

He let out a deep sigh. It’s a waste for someone handsome and promising to sigh like that.

Anyway, since the conversation was over, she thought she should return to her seat. But then he grabbed her wrist.

“…Sir?”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“About what?”

“Let’s talk a bit more. This time, I’ll speak, and if you’re uncomfortable, you can just listen.”

He showed signs of anxiety.

“If my stories aren’t interesting, please let me know. I’ll find stories that will satisfy you… I’ll choose and choose.”

“No, you don’t have to go that far…”

“I’ve had various experiences in the military, so there must be at least one story you’ll like.”

Why is he so anxious?

The tips of his fingers holding her wrist trembled. She nodded cautiously, feeling that if she got up now, he might cry.

Sir Costance’s expression brightened a bit.

“…Please, tell me.”

So she listened to Sir Costance’s stories. Many tales were shared.

Some were so funny she held her stomach laughing, while others were so grim and rough that her jaw dropped.

The Sir Costance she had seen until now was a man who wouldn’t easily reveal his private life. But here he was, sharing his embarrassing and happy moments with her.

She didn’t know when the stories ended. She couldn’t remember how she got home. Soon, a complete darkness enveloped her.

Her head ached, and her body felt like it was floating. As she groaned, a cold, large hand touched her forehead.

That touch was comforting. She might have even told the hand not to leave her forehead.

“Ah!”

And finally, when she opened her eyes…

Why was Sir Costance still by my side?

* * *

“Yesterday……. It was delightful. I mean, it was really good……”

He said.

He said it was really nice.

“…Pardon?”

She thought for about a minute and looked around.

There was no jazz music. There was no smell of alcohol. The room was bright and pleasant. Then she noticed the logo on the box of tissues on the table.

Clinton Meteor Hotel.

Clinton Meteor. Isn’t it the most expensive hotel in Canary Village, and the third most expensive in Toramde? Why are Sir Costance and I here…?

“It’s warm honey water. It’s water with honey, and people from the northeastern continent often drink it when they’re not feeling well. It actually works quite well.”

He offered her a cup. As she absentmindedly took the cup, the blanket she had been clutching slipped off her body.

A white sleeveless top was revealed. Since she wasn’t wearing underwear, her bare skin was faintly visible. Of course, the embarrassing parts were……

“Ow, hot!”

“Be careful!”

Startled after a moment of silence, she hurriedly pulled the blanket back up. In her daze, she let go of the honey water in her hand.

It was freshly boiled honey water. Though it fell under the blanket and didn’t directly touch her body, she felt the hot steam on her hand.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

More surprised than she was, Sir Costance quickly pulled the wet blanket away. Her legs felt cool.

‘Huh? Cool?’

She was sure she had been wearing a skirt that reached her ankles…

“Does it sting? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Uh, um.”

“I’ll get a towel soaked in cold water.”

Without listening to her till the end, he went into the bathroom. He was so quick that within a few seconds, he returned with a wet towel.

“Where does it sting?”

He knelt on one knee in front of her, who was sitting dazed on the bed.

“I’ll do it! Let me do it!”

She snatched the towel from him and turned her back. Besides the sleeveless top, she was only wearing panties below.

It wasn’t a generously sized pair but a slightly small one. The fabric barely covered her parts, so even a slight movement exposed embarrassing lines.

But the biggest problem here was why she was lying in bed dressed like this.

Could it be…… did something happen?

With Sir Costance?