Chapter 343
Chapter 343
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 343
Chapter Title: Chapter 8-1. The Country of the Beastkin, Reillysa.
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'Is that Celine?'
The first person who came to mind was no one else but her. She had even said it was fine to come over in the middle of the night if being alone felt burdensome, and if it wasn't her... there really wasn't anyone else who'd visit at this hour.
Knock knock...
Was it a sign to open up herself? The knocks came insistently, urging. Even so, it felt a bit too early, and Judah let out a small sigh as he thought so. He walked to the door and opened it. Well-maintained as it was, the door slid open smoothly without a sound.
'Huh?'
Huh? But what do you know.
Standing at the door wasn't Celine, but Arhil. She was dressed exactly as she had been at dinner earlier.
A neat jacket in a clean color that revealed only her neck and collarbone, layered skirts reaching her ankles, and silk slippers. Even her elegant hairstyle was unchanged, suggesting she hadn't washed up. Had she been wrestling with some worry? Judah quickly observed her hesitant figure and flashed a bright smile.
"Come on in. What's up?"
"Sorry. I hope I didn't wake you?"
Arhil asked cautiously, glancing at him with an apologetic expression. Even if he had been sleeping, he figured there must be a reason for her visit, so it wasn't an issue. Judah nodded as if it were natural.
"Of course not. I couldn't sleep anyway, so I was still up."
"Um... well..."
Arhil rolled her eyes side to side, avoiding his gaze as she tried to speak. It seemed difficult for her to bring it up. Looking closer, she had her hands behind her back, holding something.
"If you're okay with it, come inside. We can talk there."
"I-Is that alright?"
"No reason it wouldn't be."
Amused by her honest reaction, Judah gestured for her to enter, feeling a fondness for her. She sidled into the room sideways, keeping her back turned as if refusing to reveal what she held, still not letting go.
"Lead the way."
Curious but obliging, Judah followed her words. He suggested the small table in the room and sat down first.
Thud!
What Arhil placed on the table was alcohol.
"Huh? Booze?"
He hadn't expected the hidden item to be liquor at all. It was incredibly surprising—he truly hadn't imagined Arhil bringing any. She set down the two glasses she held and took a seat. Her face was already beet red, though she hadn't drunk a drop yet.
"I thought we'd have a drink together. I got some."
"From who?"
"I asked one of the maids in my room, and she brought it over? Oh, but don't you have a maid here?"
"No, I did. But I sent her away since I didn't really need one."
"Wh-Why?"
"Because... I didn't need her?"
Having one around would just make him self-conscious and uncomfortable. Arhil looked at him with surprise.
"Well, isn't that for the best? No one's around to worry about, so we can just drink freely."
Arhil nodded.
"You got some good stuff. The maid brought something that looks expensive. Not sure about the taste, though."
Judah reached out while watching her, still not very talkative. The bottle was finely made of glass with a colored coating, very luxurious. Lifting the glass stopper produced a pop as the cork came free.
'Huh, it's got a pretty strong scent?'
The aroma was nice, but the more he inhaled, the stronger it seemed. Judah worried if she could handle it. He poured some into her glass, then his own.
"I never thought you'd suggest drinking, Arhil. It seems pretty strong, so sip it slowly. What do you want for snacks? Just say if there's anything—I've got most things..."
Before Judah could finish, Arhil, staring at her filled glass, downed it in one go.
"Kyahhh!"
She scrunched her brows and let out a groan from her lips. Was she okay? He'd vaguely anticipated it from the scent, but it hit her hard—her face flushed red instantly. Arhil didn't stop there. She grabbed the bottle and chugged straight from it.
Gulp gulp—the sound echoed as her throat bobbed. Watching her squeeze her eyes shut and force it down, Judah knew it was rough. Snapping out of his daze, he jumped up and snatched the bottle from her.
"Wait, Arhil. What's wrong? Is something up?"
Shocked by this uncharacteristic behavior—the first he'd seen despite traveling together—Judah grew genuinely worried. What was going on? What had gone wrong?
It was strong stuff. He'd known from the scent it was high-proof, yet she'd downed a good amount in one go. No, a good amount? In the brief moment he'd stared, she'd polished off half the bottle. Even with high magic resistance, it hit her hard—she swayed in her seat.
"Come closer."
She wiggled her finger teasingly at Judah. He set the bottle on the table and approached.
"Sit. Right in front of me."
He complied without protest. Satisfied, Arhil beamed.
"Hehe."
Then she spread her arms wide and pulled him into a hug. She nuzzled her nose against the nape of his neck, rubbing her face against him like a cat and mumbling.
"Aaah, this booze is seriously strong...! Guess liquor and I really don't mix... Tastes bad too..."
"Mm."
As he tried to speak, she sank her teeth into his nape. Ow—a small whimper escaped him.
"Wait, I wasn't done talking! Mm... mm. I asked if something was wrong? Nothing... Nothing at all. The booze was just an excuse."
Arhil pulled back from his neck and met his eyes. Her gaze pierced sharply, almost glaring, but soon softened into a carefree smile.
"The world's spinning right before my eyes. Must be the booze—feels hot too. Hehe. I asked for something strong, and they really brought the strong stuff. Haa—still, it's just right."
"......"
Arhil extended her index finger and pressed it firmly against Judah's lips.
"About to say something else? Yeah? I knooow~ all of it. Being drunk... isn't bad. Lets me act bold like this! Will I remember this tomorrow morning? Everyone else forgets..."
She hadn't removed her finger yet. Tilting her head side to side, she continued.
"So! Why! Did I drink? I'll tell you now! I... like you, Judah. No, this Arhil! Likes you, Mr. Judah! So... uuum!"
"......"
She tried for a serious expression, but the alcohol ruined her control. Her lips curved toward her ears, baring white teeth; her cheeks burned red from booze or embarrassment; her eyes curved gently with unfocused pupils swaying softly.
"I-I like you! No, uuum. L-love you? Kyaaah! I said it! Said it! You heard? You heard, right, Judah?"
Judah's eyes widened round at her clumsy confession. His heart skipped a beat. Arhil removed her hand from his mouth.
"I can like you, right? Love you, right? Might not remember, buuut! Earlier! Lady Gabriel said it's okay too? Ah, even if she says no, too late. It's my heart—don't need permission, right?"
"Right. It's your heart. But it's so sudden—why the rush all of a sudden? Nothing's wrong, is there?"
Arhil shook her head, then exaggerated her gestures. The alcohol seemed to have fully taken over her body and mind.
"Nothing at all! ...Lies, actually. I'm scared Celine might beat me to it."
"Huh?"
At Judah's question, Arhil shot him a look like he was clueless and grumbled "uuu." He knew she was lively, but hadn't realized her expressions could be this vivid.
"Not just Celine. Iris seems to like you too. Makes me anxious. I like you... but do I even have the right to tell them to back off...? Nobles in kingdoms and empires often have multiple wives anyway... Wait! Got a question."
"?"
"Anyone else besides me you've slept with? Be honest!"
Judah hesitated, wondering if he should say, but knowing she'd mustered courage with the booze, he nodded.
"How many?"
"Two."
"Who?"
She asked with utmost seriousness.
"Isabel, the chieftain of the Black Tree Tribe, and Tiah, my first love and childhood mentor."
Arhil knew Isabel. When had he and Isabel...? She'd thought they were always together. A pang hit her chest.
"So... you still love Isabel and that Tiah?"
"Isabel was just a passing fling, but Tiah—I still like and miss her."
"Ah... you're so honest. Uuuum."
Arhil sighed. The strong booze seemed to be wearing off. Should she apologize and back out? After a brief hesitation, she started to sniffle.
"I like you too, Judah. Love you. Even if you love someone else, I'm okay. Can't you love me back? I like you this much..."
Judah swallowed hard. Rejecting her now would be too cruel. And though guilt toward Tiah gnawed at him, he couldn't ignore the bond built traveling with Arhil. This world allowed men multiple wives anyway, and some kingdoms like Lizen even permitted women multiple husbands.
"...Not sure if this feels sincere to you, Arhil, but I like you too."
"Then you'll love me as much as that Tiah?"
Her damp eyes gazed at him. Judah nodded. A smile bloomed on her lips. Tears welled up and spilled over.
"I'm so happy. So I'm second to receive your love? But will she accept me?"
"...Who knows. If not, I'll beg forgiveness and convince her."
Judah gave a wry smile. Truth be told, with the slave crests on not just Arhil but Celine and Iris too, he'd half-expected they'd end up liking him. It was only a matter of time.
He'd sometimes envied seeing multiple women love one man, but now in that spot, guilt weighed heavy—yet oddly, his heart raced with joy. He worried if he could face Tiah later.
This world embraced polygamy in most kingdoms and empires if you had the power, even polyandry in some—so it'd work out somehow...
'No, that's just an excuse.'
Judah felt a headache coming on. But excuse or not, it was too late. Leaving Tiah at Selenia Castle when he departed this world might have been the start. Coming here had changed so much... So very much.
Oblivious to Judah's turmoil, Arhil smiled radiantly.
"Judah... I'm really happy. So happy I could die. And I really... love you. Like you. Sorry. For coming suddenly and saying this... But if not tonight, I felt there'd never be a chance. So, we're lovers now. No need to be shy about... sharing love, right?"
Judah nodded, and the moment Arhil saw it, she covered his lips with hers.