Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: What Happened Last Night?
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"Ugh..."
A nauseous stomach and a pounding headache.
Suffering from the classic symptoms of a hangover, I opened my eyes to a dimly lit room and an unfamiliar ceiling.
Even from a noble's perspective, the ceiling was exquisitely ornate, and the bed cradled my back with luxurious softness, immediately telling me I was in the imperial palace. Still, when something like this happened, I wanted to say something clichéd like, "Ah, what an unfamiliar ceiling."
"Urgh..."
But when the moment actually came to say "unfamiliar ceiling," my throat was so parched that no proper words came out.
It was a perfect chance to say it like a real baby babbling, but alas.
"Groan..."
Regrets aside, passing out drunk in the palace wasn't a good look at all, so despite the splitting headache, I forced myself to sit up.
I had no idea what I'd done, but my back was stiff and screaming in protest, and my toes and fingers ached—probably because the alcohol hadn't fully cleared my system yet.
"Yawn... Ow!"
Trying to wake my heavy body even a little, I yawned and brushed my hand against my lips, only to feel a sharp sting along with a rough, swollen texture at the tips of my fingers.
"Huh..."
What the hell did I do while I was wasted?
I could understand bumping into something and getting hurt, but why my lips...?
"I don't remember a thing..."
I racked my brain, trying to recall if I'd done anything stupid in the palace, but there were no memories left to sift through.
My last recollection was downing that shot glass, its surface tension beautifully curving the liquid.
"I'm screwed..."
Getting blackout drunk in front of Crown Princess Her Highness— the only thing worse would be throwing a tantrum in front of His Imperial Majesty.
Though, on second thought, His Majesty might actually laugh it off and enjoy the spectacle.
Of course, he'd let it slide once as a funny mishap, but normally you'd be out on your ass right there. Surviving even once is a win.
"And I blew the promise too."
But even worse was that I'd ruined the promise with Elizabeth.
I'd made a fool of myself in front of two of the empire's most exalted figures.
"You idiot..."
It wasn't my fault.
It only happened because of the Crown Princess's insistence.
But in a way, it was my fault.
I should've puked it up instead of drinking it. I couldn't.
Vomiting in front of Her Highness would've been rude enough, but at least I could've prostrated myself in apology right there.
Not knowing what I'd done because of the blackout was even more terrifying.
"Haa..."
With my future already in ruins, I let out a sigh laced with alcohol breath and lightly swept a hand over my face.
"Sniff... Sniff sniff..."
What was that?
A subtly appealing scent.
I couldn't quite describe it, but it had that alluring pull on my nose.
If I had to compare it to something familiar, maybe citrus?
But there was a faint, unique undertone mixed in, making it hard to pin down as purely citrusy.
At least, I'd never smelled anything like it in my experience.
Must be the palace—they had a knack for exquisite, unique perfumes.
Even the attendants were higher status than me, after all.
"I should ask one of the attendants later..."
It might be hard for me to get my hands on something from the palace, but I wanted to know what it was.
That way, I could find something similar and satisfy the craving.
"Fuu..."
Maybe because of the pleasant scent, my throbbing head eased up a bit.
Now that I was somewhat recovered, I needed to see Elizabeth's face before heading back.
My body wasn't in any shape for action, but leaving like this would make my future a living hell.
Even if Elizabeth was incredibly forgiving, she wouldn't overlook me blowing our promise because I got smashed.
Getting chewed out by just the Crown Princess was better than both of them—basic math even academy dropouts could do.
So, I needed to call an attendant quick and meet Elizabeth.
"Hmm... Where is it?"
But I couldn't spot anything to summon one.
Usually, there's a bell on the bedside table, but no matter how I craned my neck, there was no bell around the bed.
I checked the floor thinking it might've fallen, but all I saw were neatly placed shoes someone had removed, nothing else.
"Urgh~"
I grimaced and let out a groan.
In a regular noble's mansion, I'd just step out and find a servant, but this was the palace.
Wandering into the hallway without thinking could land me in a dungeon.
Sounds extreme for just strolling the corridors, but in the palace, stepping outside designated areas without a knight or attendant escort gets you labeled an assassin.
Makes sense—it's where the empire's most important people live.
"This is bad."
Should I just pretend to still be out cold from the booze?
The rudeness was already done, and someone would come by in the morning anyway.
Plus, tomorrow was the weekend.
Maybe I could brazen it out and meet Elizabeth then?
"...Huh?"
As I pondered while rubbing the back of my neck, my eyes caught something in the corner of the room.
A small tea table and a mana lamp softly illuminating the space.
"Elizabeth...?"
And there sat Elizabeth, dressed in a jet-black, simple gown, at the table.
Her usual adornments stripped away for a more casual look, no jewelry in sight.
Her eyes dulled and vacant with focus.
She tapped her lips with her fingers, staring blankly into space, seemingly oblivious that I'd woken up.
Beautiful.
So breathtakingly beautiful that, if I hadn't made a fool of myself, I'd have rushed over to shower her with compliments.
"Ah..."
But separately from that, I felt the blood drain from my head.
Our Elizabeth had been sitting here watching over me while I slept like the world was ending, dead to the world from drink.
This lunatic had committed a grave sin.
Would she forgive me if I slammed my head on the floor right now?
No, for this, action before overthinking.
"Highness..."
Mussing my hair wildly as I scrambled out of bed, ignoring shoes, I padded barefoot over to Elizabeth in a panic.
"Eek..."
The sudden movement made my churning stomach scream and twist violently, but I gritted my teeth and stood by her side.
"Um, Elizabeth?"
I gently shook the shoulder of Elizabeth, who was still gazing vacantly into the void.
"...?!"
She didn't notice me until I touched her shoulder, startling with a jump before turning her head and meeting my eyes.
"William, you're awake."
A stiff tone and a frozen expression.
She's definitely mad.
"Yeah... Sorry. Crown Princess Her Highness offered the drink... no, the grape tea, and I just... I should've paced myself, but I didn't."
I immediately bowed my head deeply, offering an apology stripped of any excuses.
"It's fine. How could you refuse something offered by my aunt?"
"Still, if I knew it was alcohol, I should've stayed sharp and careful..."
"That's not on you, so don't beat yourself up. If anything, my aunt was the one being pushy—it's her fault."
"Yeah, thanks for thinking that way..."
Her tone was still stiff, her face still set, but she gave off a vibe that said she didn't want to dwell on it, so I dropped the apologies.
"By the way, Elizabeth, while I was drunk, I didn't do anything weird, right...?"
Instead, I cautiously probed to check if I'd committed any blunders.
"Of course you didn't do anything like th— Ah."
Elizabeth nodded reflexively at first, but midway, as if realizing something, she let out a short sigh, her ears and cheeks flushing pink as she whipped her head away and covered her face.
"Th-that's... um..."
She fidgeted with her fingers, stammering in a voice full of embarrassment.
"......."
100% something happened.
If I thought nothing did after seeing that reaction, I'd be an idiot.
But what was really scary was Elizabeth's reaction.
If I'd done something horrific, she'd have grimaced; if pathetic, she'd have smirked with one corner of her mouth raised.
Blushing shyly and averting her gaze?
Stammering?
What the hell did I do, me from a few hours ago, you madman...?
What could make our Elizabeth act all girlish like this...?
"Hey, Elizabeth? I really, really didn't do anything, right? Yeah? Nothing weird at all?"
I shook her shoulders, urging an answer that wouldn't come.
Please say I did nothing, just a simple mistake.
Desperately hoping for that, I shook her vigorously.
"I... I didn't mind. No, it felt good..."
W-wha... What...?
Felt good? What nonsense is this?
What could drunk-me possibly do that makes her say it felt good?
"Wait, Elizabeth, what did I do? What did I do that felt good? No way, right? It's not that, is it? Not what I'm thinking?"
In my bewilderment, I shook her wildly, hoping for any explanation to clear up this misunderstanding.
"What are you trying to make a lady say?"
But Elizabeth ignored my desperation, glaring sharply and snapping curtly.
"Oh God..."
I'm done for now. For real.