Episode 32

I looked at Baron Eden, who was making jokes that even a neighborhood uncle wouldn’t tell, with a face full of dismay.

However, his joke seemed to be a hit.

“Ha-ha-ha! My goodness! Who knew there was such a magical drink!”

Viscount Solair’s reaction was explosive.

His speech had become much sloppier, and he began to laugh uproariously, clutching his belly. It was more like the sound of a pig being slaughtered than laughter.

Soon enough, even Captain Creedman let out a chuckle.

Viscount Solair, half-rising from his seat, addressed Creedman.

“Sir Creedman is laughing! This must be incredibly funny!”

No, that’s not it.

I shook my head in disbelief, looking at Creedman.

There was no way Creedman found such a silly joke funny. He was probably laughing at the absurdity of it all.

I looked at Creedman, hoping he would respond with a sharp retort.

But what came out of Creedman’s mouth was quite unexpected.

“Yes. It is amusing.”

Huh?

I was stunned to hear the amusement in his voice.

‘Are you out of your mind?’

I had to resist the urge to tap his cheek and ask him if he was in his right mind.

It seemed clear that not a single person at this table was completely sober.

“Young people these days find humor in the most nonsensical jokes, something even my peers wouldn’t laugh at.”

Commented Viscount Idneus with a hint of disdain.

I looked at him with a glimmer of hope. It was a relief that at least one person remained sensible.

“Sir Idneus, you’re just too stiff.”

Viscount Solair pouted in response.

Viscount Idneus smirked at Solair and then clapped his hands once, drawing everyone’s attention. Not that there were many left to draw in.

The sound of the clap startled Apollion, who tried to sit up, but I firmly pressed his forehead down, making him sink back into his puddle-like state.

“Everyone seems quite inebriated. It looks like getting up tomorrow morning will be difficult.”

Viscount Idneus said, his words like a refreshing rain in a drought. I quickly chimed in.

“It looks that way to me too. It would be best to wrap things up now if we want to avoid headaches tomorrow.”

“Indeed.”

Viscount Idneus smiled and nodded. The servants brightened, while the remaining guests, including Baron Eden, looked disappointed.

“But isn’t there a lot of wine left?” Creedman asked, glancing towards the back. There were several large barrels of wine there, some already empty and set aside, with one half-full barrel left open.

“The servants will take care of the remaining wine, so there’s no need to worry,” I responded quickly, catching his intent.

The wine in the barrels wasn’t beer, so there was no need to worry about it losing its carbonation. If stored properly, it could be enjoyed later.

‘Don’t even think about finishing that barrel, you fool!’

I glared at Creedman. But he couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“Wine shouldn’t be left unfinished.”

“Right, but… huh?”

I turned my head, surprised by the sudden absurd comment. There was Viscount Idneus, wearing a serene smile.

I forced a smile and addressed him.

“Viscount, what exactly do you mean…?”

Suddenly, I recalled a phrase I had heard countless times during my university days from my seniors.

‘Never leave alcohol unfinished.’

My seniors, who detested leaving any alcohol, would continue to force down bitter soju even while constantly retching.

Why did I feel a familiar nostalgia from Viscount Idneus?

“I was taught that wine should never be left unfinished, Your Grace.”

“…”

It wasn’t a mistake. This elderly man felt like a nostalgic reminder of Korean university students.

“Also, it’s troublesome to reseal an opened bottle of wine.”

“…Don’t worry about that. Our skilled servants will seal it well.”

“But then… the wine’s quality will diminish.”

“…”

“Wine is a maturing beverage, changing flavor over time. Since we’ve already opened the barrel, even sealing it well won’t preserve its original flavor.”

“…Then I’ll divide it and store it properly.”

“The deep flavor of wine comes from aging in those wooden barrels. Dividing it and storing it will only make it lose its taste.”

…What an eloquent speaker.

I had almost no knowledge of wine. So I couldn’t judge the accuracy of Viscount Idneus’s words.

In the end, I resorted to my last option.

“Alright then.”

I said, standing up and addressing the remaining guests

“Let’s all take one last drink together and then call it a night. We’ll finish the rest of the wine together another time. For now, it’s best if everyone gets some rest.”

The guests looked around at each other, some disappointed but mostly relieved. The suggestion of one last drink was a compromise everyone could agree on.

“Very well,” Viscount Idneus said with a nod, lifting his glass.

Everyone followed suit, and we made a final toast, clinking our glasses together.

“To health and good fortune,” I said, raising my glass high.

“To health and good fortune!” the others echoed.

We all drank deeply, and I watched as the remaining wine was poured into glasses, shared among the guests. It wasn’t the ideal solution, but it would do for now.

As the last of the wine was drunk and the guests began to depart, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.

The evening had been chaotic, but at least it was finally over.

I looked at Apollion, still slumped over, and sighed. It seemed I would have to deal with him too.

“Alright, time to get you to bed.”

I muttered, and with the help of the servants, I managed to get Apollion up and heading towards his room.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but think about the night’s events and the unexpected turn they had taken. It seemed that even in a world of nobility and romance, there was always room for a bit of chaos and humor.

“Then let’s just throw it all away. Isn’t there an abundance of alcohol stored in the Grand Duke’s cellar?”

“Your Grace, one does not simply waste good wine.”

“……”

“What’s the difference between leaving it and discarding it?”

“……”

I looked at Wilson, who was supporting Apollion’s slumped body. Wilson silently shook his head, signaling that there was no other solution.

“……If that is your wish.”

At my words, Viscount Idneus and Creedman both brightened up. What a bunch of alcoholics, drowning in their drink like hippos in a mud pit.

Gritting my teeth, I said, “No one leaves until we’ve emptied that barrel.”

Immediately, Viscount Solair and Baron Eden straightened up.

Thus began my lonely battle against the drunken retainers.

 

＊＊＊

 

“Ugh…”

I groaned as I sat up in bed. The movement intensified my headache.

It felt like someone was hitting my temples and the back of my head with a bell.

“Umm…?”

The light streaming through the window was dim.

Sensing something off, I rushed to the window. The sun peeking over the horizon illuminated the dim surroundings.

“…Is it evening or dawn?”

I hurried to the door to check the time, each step sending echoes of pain through my head.

The clock hands had just passed 5. Considering how dark it was, it must be 5 AM.

I poured myself a glass of water from the jug and gulped it down, then checked my state.

The glittering dress had been replaced with a negligee, and my makeup had been thoroughly removed.

It seemed the maids had taken care of me, helping me wash and change into nightclothes.

“Sigh…”

I sighed, wishing the ground would swallow me up, even though I knew it wouldn’t.

I had no recollection of what had happened. I remembered intending to defeat the drunken retainers…

But after Creedman collapsed into his plate, my memory was blank.

The sun was setting, and I remembered Viscount Idneus smiling warmly at me.

‘It seems Your Grace has a natural talent for drinking.’

‘Indeed! I’ve always wished for a drinking companion… I’m so glad to have met you, Viscount.’

‘The honor is mine. If it’s not too presumptuous, may I be your drinking friend?’

‘Of course, no need to ask! Absolutely!’

Viscount Idneus and my boisterous voices echoed in my muddled mind.

I covered my mouth with my hand.

“Absolutely, what nonsense…”

Did Viscount Idneus understand what ‘absolutely’ meant?

More importantly, how did I end up becoming drinking buddies with someone who looked at least forty years older than me? What kind of etiquette was this?

How much had I drunk…?

I bit my lip and pounded my pillow with my fists. The headache forced me to collapse back onto the bed.

I wanted to call the servants and ask what happened last night, but I didn’t dare.

I was afraid I might have crawled on all fours or vomited on the floor. Trusting in Petunia’s amazing alcohol tolerance had been a mistake.

“What was my drunken behavior like…?”

I’d been in this world for a few months, and it had been ages since I’d gotten drunk. I couldn’t recall.

‘Did I have any drunken antics? I don’t think so.’

As I racked my brain, a video my friend had taken came to mind.

“……”

In the video, I was hugging a tree, belting out a pop song at the top of my lungs. It was a masterpiece, a perfect trifecta of my loud singing, my friend’s stifled laughter, and a neighbor’s angry shout, “Hey, let us sleep!”

“…. Jesus.”

Though I wasn’t religious, I knelt on my bed, hands clasped in prayer.

Viscount Solair, face-planted in his plate, Baron Eden, clapping mindlessly, Captain Creedman, and Viscount Idneus, smiling benevolently like a father…

Remembering only fragments made my anxiety grow. I hoped I hadn’t done anything terrible.

“Ugh… my stomach hurts.”

I decided to ring for some honey water. Soon, Selena and Renée entered the bedroom.

“Your Grace…”

“You all seem…”

I intended to ask if they had slept well, but seeing their exhausted faces, I stopped. The dark circles under their eyes showed just how tired they were.

“…You didn’t get any sleep, did you…?”