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Chapter 27
Radian said nothing in response and simply stared at him. The man, who had been smiling and spinning his expression like a carousel since earlier, gave no clue as to what he was thinking. At the very least, it didn’t seem like the bet was poker.
However, what he had just said was undeniably tempting. If the Crown Prince—Avenian Irhen—personally helped her, it could bring her great advantage. Depending on the situation, even divorce could become easy. But he was also staking the name of a prince. If he lost, there would be a corresponding price to pay. Trying not to show her tension, Radian asked,
“If Your Highness is staking your name, it can’t be a small bet. What do you want from me?”
“I want you to eat delicious food and see nice things with me on days when our schedules match.”
In other words, a date.
For something involving the Crown Prince’s name, it was absurdly ordinary. Was that really all he wanted?
“For a bet involving your name, the risk on my side seems rather low.”
“I feel like I can only even speak to you if I stake something like this… since it seems you find meeting me a waste of time.”
His words flowed effortlessly. After some deep thought, Radian finally spoke.
“Alright. I accept Your Highness’s bet.”
“Thank you. What should the bet be?”
Radian tapped her fingernail against the cocktail glass on the bar. Tinggrang. The sound of nail meeting glass rang out, and moisture spread along the outside of the glass gathered onto her fingers. Seeing Avenian’s puzzled expression, Radian smiled.
“Since this is a place like this, let’s make it a drinking bet.”
—
“Are you alright? Do I look like two people to you?”
“Your Highness, you’re the one who seems to be looking everywhere. That’s my afterimage.”
Their sharp exchanges and locked gazes made the remaining customers sigh in exhaustion. At first, the duel between the handsome man and woman had been entertaining, but by dawn, there was still no end in sight.
The pub was located beneath an inn, so it was open 24 hours. Even as the bartender changed shifts and customers went off to sleep, the two of them remained seated at the bar.
Radian was glad she had chosen a dress without a corset. Her stomach was bloated with alcohol, but the loose clothing hid everything.
“Why don’t you give up? You look rather exhausted.”
“Oh my, I’m perfectly fine. You, Your Highness, look like you’re barely holding back sleep.”
Radian smiled brightly, and Avenian made a troubled expression.
“You got me there.”
“I didn’t realize you drank this well. I’ll step out for some fresh air.”
“Very well. Let’s continue after a short break.”
“Going out for fresh air” was a euphemism for going to the restroom. Avenian nodded.
“Yes. Just don’t collapse on the way.”
“Your Highness should also rest your eyes if you’re sleepy.”
Radian stood up gracefully, brushing off the chairs. She carefully made her way through the scattered bottles toward the restroom—but instead of going in, she leaned against the wall.
Her head was too foggy from alcohol to properly form equations. As she tried to write formulas on the wall with her hand, her body swayed.
“W-whoa…?”
She was clearly about to fall. She desperately reached out, but it was useless. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact.
But the floor she landed on was surprisingly soft. Opening one eye, she took in the situation.
“Michael?”
A pair of light-colored eyes looked at her with concern.
“What on earth are you doing?”
“How… how are you here? I didn’t even touch the bracelet…”
Seeing her dazed expression, Michael sighed.
“I told you that bracelet also has a location spell, didn’t I? I need to know your location when a signal comes in to teleport.”
“Oh… right.”
Honestly, she didn’t remember well. But trying to dig information out of her brain now felt like it might overheat and melt.
Without hesitation, Radian leaned into Michael’s arms. She wanted to say many things, but her head hurt too much.
“Michael… you’re refreshing…”
“Refreshing? I’m burning up inside.”
Michael placed a hand gently on her head while still holding her. Soon, Radian’s mind felt as if she had inhaled fresh forest air. Her intoxication vanished instantly, and she looked at him clearly.
“Huh? What kind of magic is this? It’s so refreshing.”
“I combined healing magic with a meditation-support spell. But you’ve already used magic?”
“Yeah… a bit of Cure…”
Radian was rich in magical power but lacked control. Because offensive magic could backfire on her, the first thing she learned was healing magic.
The Clony family was famous for heavy drinkers, but Radian herself wasn’t particularly good at alcohol. That was why she ended up using her magic in a bar for the first time. Cure magic, a 1st-class spell that removes status ailments, was perfect for sobering up.
However, using magic also increased fatigue, so after drinking all night and casting spells, she was getting increasingly exhausted.
Avenian was a monster. How could he drink so much? She even wondered if he was using magic. Yet he never went to the restroom and kept smiling at her in circles.
Each time, Radian desperately relied on Cure magic. When she finally hit her limit, Michael’s arrival felt like a miracle.
“So now… shall we go back?”
“Where do you think you’re going in that condition?”
“Michael. See that person? The red-haired one at that table.”
Radian pointed at Avenian. Michael nodded. The prince was calmly drinking another beer while waiting for her. Radian clicked her tongue.
Could she even win?
“You see him, right?”
“Yes.”
“That man is Prince Avenian Irhen.”
Michael froze for a moment and looked at her, disbelief in his eyes.
“You don’t believe me either, right? But it’s true. He suddenly showed up yesterday and proposed a bet using his title, saying he’d help me.”
“So what did you stake, madam?”
“I? I staked a day’s…”
She stopped and looked away awkwardly. Should she even say this? Still, they were basically married…
After hesitating, she finally spoke.
“…A day of dating.”
Thud. A crack seemed to form in Michael’s usually expressionless face.
“A day of dating?”
“I mean, not really dating. Just eating good food and seeing nice things.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“…Fair enough.”
Even she thought it was a weak excuse. Michael looked slightly hurt. Why did he look like a abandoned puppy? She felt a bit guilty and gently brushed his silver hair.
“Michael, I’ll win this. It seemed like a good opportunity, so I accepted it. And I was confident.”
“If it’s the royal family, you could be punished for insulting them if you’re caught.”
“Then I just won’t get caught.”
Michael looked dumbfounded.
“I wondered what you were doing instead of coming home…”
“I told him at the ball that I wanted a divorce. I won’t be returning there anymore. I’m going to file for divorce and go to trial.”
At this bombshell, Michael’s tightly closed mouth finally opened slightly.
“I’ll explain everything later. I need to go now. If I stay too long, it’ll look suspicious.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Michael grabbed her hand and muttered something. A bright light burst from his hand.
The light wrapped around Radian briefly, then faded back into darkness.
“It’s Recovery. Since it’s come to this, make sure you win.”
Recovery was a 6th-class spell that could revive someone from near death in minutes. Using it for a drinking bet… that was so Michael.
“Thanks. I’ll definitely win.”
Radian waved and walked back with confident steps. Her mind felt refreshed and energized, like she had just taken a vitamin drip. She sat back down.
“You took your time.”
Avenian had nearly finished the beer he ordered earlier. Radian didn’t blink.
“The fresh air outside was nice. Another beer, please.”
“Same as before?”
“No. A White Whip this time.”
“Understood.”
Soon, another glass was placed before her. Sunlight now streamed through the only window in the bar. Avenian’s bright face stood out clearly. He was undeniably handsome—anyone would look twice.
Radian lifted her glass.
Glug, glug.
A refreshing feeling washed away all fatigue as she drank. Earlier she had been drinking bitter dark beer to stay awake, but now that she felt better, she chose a smoother White Whip.
“Mmm.”
She sighed in satisfaction after finishing half the glass. It felt like coming home after a long night shift and eating fried chicken with beer.
“You’re impressive.”
“It’s nothing.”
“There’s a strength in you that turns a casual bet into something serious.”
“I was serious from the beginning.”
“Do you want anything from me, as a prince?”
“I’d be grateful even for a cat’s help just to survive alone.”
“Why don’t we live together? I’m quite a good person.”
“Oh my, that’s exactly what Count Iriot said at first too.”
