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Chapter 13
Erno glanced back over his shoulder because it was strangely quiet behind him.
Diana looked clearly downcast. Her shoulders were slumped, and her head hung low between them. She looked pitiful.
Seriously? She’s sulking over something like this? Erno sighed inwardly.
“You don’t look well either.”
In his mind, it was better for her to rest somewhere warm and cozy than to be stared at like a caged animal by people with no manners or decency.
Just as Diana was about to lift her head, a large hand touched her forehead. Erno sighed out loud this time.
“You’ve got a fever too.”
He could clearly feel the burning heat radiating from her skin through his palm.
“T-This isn’t a fever—!”
“Then what is it?”
Erno suddenly moved in close, and Diana stiffened. No matter how hard she tried not to think about it, memories of the previous night kept flashing in her mind.
“I took some medicine, so I’m fine. At least let me greet everyone.”
Since she insisted she’d only say hello and leave, Erno had no choice but to let her attend the banquet.
‘I wonder what a northern banquet is like.’
She thought of the harvest festival back at the Lapin estate.
After harvest season, the villagers would light bonfires and throw parties. If it was a good year, bards would come to perform too.
With flushed faces—either from the fire or the alcohol—people sang, danced, and spun around holding hands to the sound of violins. It was a happy scene, even if she only ever watched from afar.
Excited and a little nervous, Diana opened the banquet hall doors.
And right in front of her, a huge mug of beer flew through the air.
Diana stared in shock, mumbling blankly.
Was this really a banquet?
“Oh! The new bride is finally here!”
“A toast to the new bride!”
“Cheers!”
Wooden mugs clashed loudly, sending golden beer flying up like a fountain.
The sound of people gulping beer cut through the brief silence like arrows. Then the entire hall exploded with noise.
People drank nonstop, tore into giant chicken legs, sang, wrestled with each other, and even bet money on the fights instead of stopping them.
“Welcome to a northern-style banquet, Your Grace. Are you happy now?”
Erno led her to the head table. His tone was clearly sarcastic, but Diana, too dazzled to notice, nodded excitedly.
She had never seen anything like this before. With all the strange things happening in just one day, she felt like she had married into another world entirely.
As soon as she sat, a maid filled her pewter cup with golden liquor.
Can I drink this? I guess they gave it to me for that. The color reminded her of Erno’s golden eyes—it was beautiful.
She brought the cup close to her nose and sniffed. The sharp scent of alcohol tickled her nose.
Glancing sideways, she locked eyes with Erno, who was drinking his as if it was nothing. He smiled smugly at her, clearly amused.
Feeling a sudden urge, Diana lifted the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
“Your Grace!”
Erno reached for her in shock, but it was too late—the golden liquid had already gone down her throat.
“Are you crazy? You drank that all at once?”
“…It’s good!”
“What?”
Diana genuinely meant it. She wasn’t much of a drinker, which made her sure of it—
It was really good.
Her hazy head cleared up, and all her anxiety and worries were washed away by the sharp, refreshing burn.
But there was one problem.
“But it’s… cough… it’s so strong!”
The strong alcohol made her mouth, nose, and even her eyes sting.
The golden drink burned like molten metal as it went down her throat and into her stomach.
As the intense heat spread through her body, Diana’s face twisted up in discomfort.
“W-What is this stuff?”
“And who told you to drink it before I could explain?”
“Whoa! You drank that in one go? Your cup’s empty—can’t have that! Here, drink another!”
Just as Erno scolded her, a drunken man suddenly appeared, interrupting.
Before Erno could stop him, the man lit a flame above Diana’s cup.
The red fire turned blue as it touched the alcohol.
“Don’t be scared! If you hesitate, your lips and tongue will burn—just gulp it down all at once!”
Though slurring, the man sounded oddly serious. But his hiccups ruined any sense of importance.
Diana stared blankly at the blue flame dancing above her drink.
It wasn’t the usual red—it was blue, and she was mesmerized.
Drawn in by the strange flame, she reached out to take the cup.
But just before her fingers touched it, a large hand smacked hers away.
“Don’t even think about it. Only fools looking to prove their courage do that around here.”
“…Oh.”
Then, as if it had always been his, Erno took the cup and drank it himself.
“That was mine…”
Diana stared at him, shocked and upset, as if someone had stolen her prize.
“You got to greet everyone, so you’re satisfied now, right? Go back and rest, Your Grace.”
Erno downed the flaming drink in one gulp and gave her a chilling glare.
The drunk man who had offered her the drink ran off the moment he saw Erno’s face.
“…Can’t I just sit and watch?”
Diana’s cheeks were flushed, and she smiled shyly as she tilted her head.
“Do you think that’s going to happen?”
Erno smiled back—but his answer was firm. No.
Just as he was about to try and convince her again—
“You bastard! There are things you just don’t say!”
A loud crash and shouting erupted from one corner of the hall.
Erno sighed and ran his hand through his hair, clearly annoyed.
Of course people would pick a fight even today… Maybe I really should ban alcohol.
Muttering under his breath, he walked away to deal with the disturbance, completely forgetting what he was about to say to Diana.
Left alone, Diana stared awkwardly at her food, poking at it.
It all tasted too salty—clearly made to go with drinks.
Naturally, it made her thirsty, and she waved to a maid.
If she had just taken a moment to ask herself “Do I even like drinking?”, she would’ve made a different choice.
But she was already tipsy—and drunk people never know they’re drunk.
“Um, do you have something… a little weaker than this?”
“…I see. Fine. I’ll check into it. But ease up on the drinking—you’re in front of the new Grand Duchess.”
Erno had quickly broken up the fight. Only then did he remember Diana and rushed back to her.
He barely acknowledged the people offering him drinks as he returned—only to find something ridiculous happening.
“Ah, there you are!”
“You…”
Diana’s voice was slurred. Her words flowed like melted chocolate.
She spread her hands out toward Erno, like she wanted something.
“Erno, give me… my prize.”
“Prize? If you’re drunk, go lie down. Don’t make me regret choosing you as my wife.”
She looked kind of cute, but Erno didn’t even smile. He answered coldly.
Diana, looking heartbroken, clapped her hands together in protest.
“I won the bet! I lasted three days!”
“…Oh.”
Only then did Erno remember the bet.
