Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Satisfaction
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Standing in front of Luna's room, I felt a wave of dread.
Yesterday, I drank a ton here and got completely wasted too.
Later, I heard from Luna that when northerners talk, it's rude not to drink a lot.
Some tradition about opening up and sharing heartfelt stories, huh?
Why didn't you tell me about this? Damn you, Jeff.
Because of that, my face paled at the thought of having to drink again today.
The liquor here is strong as hell.
I ignored the knights glancing at me warily and knocked on the door.
-Knock knock.
Her voice responded to the short double knock.
"Come in."
With her permission, I opened the door.
-Creak.
Luna, dressed more casually than yesterday.
My heart raced at the sight of clothes resembling the pajamas she wore after her coming-of-age ceremony.
Isn't that... a bit too thin?
A thin, light dress.
No, it's more like sleepwear than a dress.
Just two shoulder straps holding up the long skirt, and the faint outline of her figure showing through the white fabric.
"What are you doing?"
"Ah... It's nothing."
Wasn't she way too defenseless today compared to yesterday?
Such provocative clothes.
Of course, it's fitting for her own home, her own room, but not something to show others.
She probably just threw it on for comfort...
But to me, who had only recently lost my virginity, it was quite stimulating.
Did she think she could subdue someone like me anytime because she's a Swordmaster?
"Alright, drink only as much as you can handle today. Don't pass out like yesterday."
Luna filled my glass with vodka and handed me the bottle.
"Yes. I was very rude yesterday..."
I said as I filled her glass.
"It happens. Cheers."
She raised her glass, and so did I...
-Clink.
The glasses chimed softly as I took just a sip.
Ugh... the aroma is so intense. Really.
The strong alcohol scent hit hard, so I hurriedly popped some caviar in my mouth to chase it.
A brief silence flowed between us.
Honestly, it felt awkward.
But why does she want to drink with me so badly?
Is it that important? Enough to drink two nights in a row?
She doesn't even get drunk from alcohol, so why insist on drinking with me?
If it's for an open conversation, isn't it just me opening up?
Even in the novel, it was hard to read her thoughts from her actions.
At least the third-person perspective showed her inner thoughts, so I could understand.
But face-to-face like this, I had no clue what she was thinking.
Maybe because of her cold personality that always prioritized efficiency and spoke curtly.
Always with that expressionless face, saying only what needed to be said.
I glanced at her face now and then, took another sip, and asked what was on my mind.
"By the way, Your Grace. I have a question... may I ask?"
But Luna just smiled faintly at my question.
"Sure, ask away."
"I've heard that you don't get drunk on alcohol. So why do you want to drink with me so badly?"
Her red eyes wavered slightly.
Did she just flinch?
"How did you know that?"
"Just a rumor I heard before. Swordmasters have strong resistance to poison and alcohol."
I popped another piece of caviar and continued.
"I don't get why someone who doesn't get drunk wants to drink with me like this."
Maybe because I was a little buzzed, I felt bolder than usual.
"Your Grace might be tough enough to drink like this and work from tomorrow morning, but... I'm not that sturdy. I don't understand why you're doing this."
Luna flashed a bright smile.
But was it my imagination that it felt forced?
"Because I want to know more about you. I don't know what you're thinking."
"Why do you want to know about me?"
Her smile deepened at my question.
The more it did, the more awkward she seemed.
"I'm curious why you follow me."
"Why? Why are you curious about why I follow you, Your Grace?"
I wasn't thinking straight from the booze...
Her words didn't make sense.
Our relationship was employer and employee.
I wasn't even a noble of the Grand Duchy; I was just hired for money.
But she's curious why I follow her?
Is there something else?
As I pondered her words, Luna dropped her fake smile and replied with a blank expression.
"Because I want to fulfill what you desire and keep you by my side."
"Pardon?"
Her unexpected words froze me solid.
"M-Me? Why?"
"You've brought economic growth to the Grand Duchy recently, haven't you? That's more than enough."
Her unforeseen statement sent chills down my spine.
Was she going this far because of the economic plans changing the Grand Duchy?
This time it went well by luck, but next time?
As her secretary, I'd handle big and small tasks.
And if she overvalued me like this, her expectations would skyrocket next time.
But... I...
"I think there's a misunderstanding... I'm utterly ordinary. Not worth it. Not worth Your Grace's attention."
Luna smiled softly at my response.
It felt natural, maybe because she was a bit drunk.
"Hehe, I've seen plenty claim they're exceptional in front of me, but you're the first like this. So... what do you want from me? Money? Honor? Tell me what you desire. Whatever it is, I can give it to you."
Why did the way she licked her lips feel so erotic?
Anything? Really possible?
-Gulp.
A crazy thought flashed, but I shook my head.
Saying that would get my head chopped off.
Her words probably meant something else.
And the Luna I knew wasn't one to say such things lightly.
I took a sip from my glass to cool my head and escape her provocation.
I ate a piece of cheese from the pretty green porcelain dish and recalled her description from the novel.
[She trusts no one. Betrayed by the regent she trusted most, Luna fought fierce political battles to reclaim her rights.]
[After the long struggle, victorious, she could no longer trust anyone.]
So... she wants a deal?
Luna probably wanted to give me what I desire in exchange for lending her my abilities.
"Hmm..."
I rested my chin on my hand and gazed steadily at Luna.
Money and honor.
Things she could give, but they didn't appeal to me.
I didn't plan to live my life in this frozen northern backwater.
I heard the empire's south was warm, with good weather and livable.
Northern winters were so cold they said you could piss outside and it'd freeze midstream.
Even autumn here was colder than most winters elsewhere.
I didn't want to live in this hellhole, so I needed to refuse politely...
I mulled over ways to reject her offer, but the alcohol dulled my thoughts.
The buzz was hitting hard now?
I had to refuse, but nothing came to mind.
"Tell me what you want. I'll do anything within my power. In return, swear eternal loyalty to me."
Luna smiled at the corner of her mouth.
The novel described her smile as goddess-like beauty.
It wasn't wrong.
Damn... she really is stunning.
Her natural smile was truly beautiful.
I decided to be honest with Luna, who awaited my answer.
No reason to lie anyway.
At most two years? One at least.
I planned to leave by then.
"Well? I have no intention of staying here long-term. Sorry, but... I think I have to decline your offer, Your Grace."
Did she not expect this?
Her smile crumbled, turning icy instantly.
"Why?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Well? I have no intention of staying here long-term. Sorry, but... I think I have to decline your offer, Your Grace."
Luna's face hardened at Aiden's completely unexpected response.
"Why?"
"It's too cold here. If I'm settling down, I want the south."
She gulped down her drink to calm her boiling anger at Aiden's alcohol-fueled words.
-Thud.
Luna slammed her glass down roughly.
'Does he think I'm a pushover? That I can't satisfy one guy like you?!'
Though cursing Aiden inwardly, she forced herself to ask calmly.
"Why? Don't I seem like I can give you anything?"
But Aiden just shook his head.
"No? Surely you can give me plenty. But there's no reason for me to stay here."
"Reason?"
He leaned back on the sofa, face flushed deep red, and spoke.
"Yes, no reason. But until I leave, I'll serve Your Grace to the best of my ability. Isn't that enough?"
"When do you plan to leave?"
"Well? Thinking about one to two years from now."
'One to two years...'
Luna mulled over Aiden's words.
'That's plenty of time to persuade him.'
With that thought, she let out a deep sigh and said,
"Haa... You're not leaving right away, so... Aiden, do you know something?"
He speared a sausage with his fork and asked,
"What?"
"I'm obsessive. When I want something, I get it. Don't forget that."
Her eyes blazed as she spoke, but the drunk, fearless Aiden just shrugged.
"Doesn't matter."
His casual reply irked her, and she downed her drink, showing her annoyance.
After that, they poured for each other, and Aiden got even drunker.
As they traded silly jokes,
Aiden, face fully red, grinned and called to Luna.
"By the way, Your Grace?"
"What?"
He smiled with his eyes at her curt reply.
"Were you satisfied that day?"
"Huh?"