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Chapter 08
‘What on earth is this….’
Just a moment ago, the table had been full, but now it was completely empty. The cleared dishes were gone, and even the glasses of those who had left had been tidied away.
Maybe this was for the better.
Earlier, there were too many people and the atmosphere was overheated, making it hard to leave midway—but now it was different.
“Shall we get going as well? It’s quite late, and everyone else has already left.”
I said, straightening my clothes.
“Could you stay a little longer?”
But an unexpected response came.
“…Pardon?”
“Are you busy? Or do you have something important to attend to?”
“It’s not that, but…”
“Then I would appreciate it if you stayed a bit longer.”
At Sir Costans’ words, my feet seemed to be rooted in place again.
I should refuse. A request of this level should have been easy to turn down.
Yes, that’s what I believed…
Was it because of the man’s status? Or the honor he carried?
Among the people I had met as an adult, Sir Costans did hold the highest position. But when I was younger, I had seen countless people of even higher standing. Some were praised by all, while others were despised by all.
I had never felt intimidated in front of them.
“Th-then… alright.”
Yet, in front of this man, I felt intimidated. I sat back down and simply gulped the water in front of me.
It was Sir Costans who asked me to stay, yet he didn’t say anything further. It didn’t seem like he had something specific to say.
The jazz playing in the establishment began to change. The lively, upbeat tempo disappeared, replaced by a rich, sticky melody.
The lighting dimmed gradually, intensifying the atmosphere.
Looking around, everyone was in couples. The pair at the table next to me even laughed brightly and kissed several times.
My throat felt dry, so I kept drinking water, but I just couldn’t get used to the atmosphere. Eventually, I pulled the glass of alcohol I had set aside closer.
After hesitating, I took a large sip.
…Ugh. It still tasted awful. Rather than going down smoothly, it felt like my throat was burning.
“Please don’t force yourself to drink. Even if it’s considered light, it’s still whiskey. It’s quite strong.”
“Oh… this isn’t just regular alcohol?”
The effects were starting to kick in. My body warmed up, and my stomach twisted slightly.
My head felt a little dizzy, making everything feel faint. The strange, sticky atmosphere quickly faded from my awareness.
Ah, maybe alcohol isn’t so bad after all?
“Is the drink you’re having strong, Sir Costans?”
I asked more casually than before.
“It would be quite strong for women.”
“You must have a high tolerance.”
“I don’t particularly enjoy drinking. I only drink occasionally, but since I don’t get drunk easily, I tend to choose stronger drinks on purpose.”
“Occasionally? When do you drink?”
“Our section chief has quite a nasty personality. When that temperament spills over onto me, I tend to soothe myself with alcohol.”
Pfft. I burst out laughing without realizing it. No matter that he was the heir of a marquis family, it seemed that didn’t matter in the military, as he spoke bluntly about his dissatisfaction.
There was something incredibly amusing about mixing crude language with the stiff, polite speech of a noble.
Yes, it was amusing.
“Right. Hehe.”
Even knowing it was rude, I couldn’t stop laughing.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I laughed too much, didn’t I?”
I wiped my tears belatedly and apologized. Sir Costans didn’t say anything.
Was he actually upset?
As I lifted my head to apologize again, our eyes met midair.
“…Sir Costans?”
He didn’t look angry. Rather, he smiled faintly, his face slightly flushed.
“It’s nice to see you laugh.”
“…Pardon?”
“You don’t smile much when you’re working.”
If any other man had said that, I would have been dumbfounded. But coming from Sir Costans, it felt different. If someone said his face was glowing, it would feel like it truly was.
“You say such embarrassing things so casually, Sir Costans.”
Without realizing it, I took another sip of alcohol. Earlier, I couldn’t even swallow it, but now it went down easily.
Sip by sip, the drink disappeared, and under the excuse of being thirsty, I ordered the same drink again.
Eventually, I couldn’t even tell whether the alcohol was going into my mouth or my nose.
“I’d like to hear about you, Vivi.”
“My stories are the least worth hearing in the world.”
“Even so, they would be the most interesting in the world to me.”
“Especially not for you, Sir Costans.”
We continued talking, but I couldn’t even tell what I was saying anymore.
Judging by the affectionate look on his face as he gazed at me, it seemed I wasn’t saying anything too strange.
“You’re quite drunk.”
“Pardon? Not at all!”
“Wouldn’t it be better to get up now?”
“Oh? That’s exactly what I’ve been waiting to hear! Great!”
Ah, my words slipped out again. As I reacted happily, Sir Costans’ expression stiffened slightly.
“Were you uncomfortable here?”
“I don’t really like places like this. It’s noisy and strange. And being alone with you, Sir Costans, is a bit awkward too.”
What am I even saying right now? My thoughts and words didn’t match.
Only then did I realize.
I’m drunk.
“Then if I ask you out to dinner again… will you refuse?”
“Probably?”
Ah, damn this mouth of mine!
“…It seems you don’t like me, Vivi.”
Sir Costans let out a deep sigh. It didn’t suit someone so handsome and promising to sigh like that.
Anyway, since the conversation seemed over, I thought about returning to my seat. At that moment, he grabbed my wrist.
“…Sir Costans?”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“About what?”
“Let’s talk a little longer. This time, I’ll speak, so if you’re uncomfortable, you can just listen.”
He seemed anxious.
“If my stories aren’t interesting, please tell me. I’ll do my best to choose something… something that will satisfy you.”
“There’s no need to go that far…”
“I’ve experienced various things during my time in the military. I’m sure there’s at least one story you’ll like.”
Why does he seem so uneasy?
The hand holding my wrist trembled slightly. It felt like if I stood up now, he might cry, so I nodded carefully.
His expression brightened a little.
“…Please go ahead.”
And so, I listened to Sir Costans’ stories. There were many.
Some were so funny I clutched my stomach laughing, while others were so brutal and harsh that my mouth fell open.
The Sir Costans I had known until now was not someone who would easily reveal his personal life. Yet here he was, sharing both his embarrassing moments and his happiest ones with me.
I don’t know when the conversation ended. I don’t even remember how I got home. Soon, everything went dark.
My head hurt, and my body felt like it was floating. As I groaned, a large, cool hand touched my forehead.
That touch felt comforting. I think I even told him not to take his hand away.
“Ah!”
And when I finally opened my eyes…
Why was Sir Costans still beside me?
“Yesterday… I was happy. I mean, what I said was very good….”
Sir Costans spoke.
He said it was very good.
“…Pardon?”
I thought for about a minute and looked around.
There was no jazz music. No smell of alcohol. The room was bright and pleasant. Then I noticed the logo printed on a tissue box on the table.
Clinton Meteor Hotel.
Clinton Meteor. Not only was it the most expensive hotel in Keneri Village, it was also the third most expensive in Toramd! Why were Sir Costans and I here…?
“This is warm honey water. It’s just honey mixed with water, but people from the northeastern continent often drink it when they’re unwell. It’s actually quite effective.”
He handed me a teacup. As I took it absentmindedly, the blanket I had been clutching slipped down beneath me.
A white sleeveless top was revealed. Since I wasn’t wearing any undergarments, my bare skin was faintly visible. Even some embarrassing parts…
“Ah, it’s hot!”
“Be careful!”
After a brief silence, startled, I hurriedly pulled the blanket back up. In my daze, I let go of the honey water in my hand.
It had just been boiled. Although it fell under the blanket and didn’t touch my body directly, I could feel the heat on my hand.
“Are you hurt anywhere?!”
Even more startled than me, Sir Costans quickly pulled off the wet blanket. My legs suddenly felt cool.
‘Huh? Cool?’
I was sure I had been wearing a skirt that reached my ankles…
“Does it sting? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Um, excuse me—”
“I’ll bring a towel soaked in cold water.”
Without even listening to me finish, he rushed into the bathroom. In just a few seconds, he returned with a wet towel.
“Where does it hurt?”
He knelt on one knee in front of me as I sat blankly on the bed.
“I’ll do it! I will!”
I snatched the towel from him and turned my back. Not only was I wearing a sleeveless top, but below, I had only panties on.
They weren’t even loose ones—slightly small ones. The fabric barely covered me, and even the slightest movement revealed embarrassing lines.
But the biggest problem here was—
Why was I lying on the bed dressed like this?
Don’t tell me…
With Sir Costans…?
