Alchemy Conference (12): The Banquet's Deceptions

While the lecture at the Alchemy Conference was underway, I sat in the hotel lobby with a vacant expression, lost in thought. The events from just moments ago wouldn't leave my mind. Terria's performance in front of Clechia and Cain. And the two of them falling for it completely. I never imagined watching that would feel like this. It was different from strangers being deceived by Terria's act—those had no connection to me. It felt like my very existence was being erased from the world.

Is this what Terria wanted? Did she want me to drown in endless loss and despair? To force me to keep ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠watching as she stole my people, my memories, and all the experiences I'd build in the future? Is that why she makes no special demands of me, just keeps me by her side like some pet?

It had been a meeting of less than ten minutes, but I could already predict everything that would unfold next. All I could do was watch it happen. Nothing more.

The alcohol coursing through my veins softened my head like dough. With my filter gone, I couldn't stop the words spilling from my mouth.

"Master... did the presentation... go well...?"

I took a sip of red wine. It was just my usual amount, but I'd forgotten that my mouth wasn't as large as it used to be. The wine had nowhere to go and trickled out, running down my lips. The deep crimson, blood-like hue stained my scarlet lips alluringly.

"Why ask something so obvious? It's Ariel's lecture—there's no way it could've failed. That said, Ariel, isn't she drunk?"

"Who knows. If she says she's fine, what does it matter?"

"It's still weird no matter how you look at it. Why bring a slave to the banquet?"

"She's been a big help so far, so I figured it was time she enjoyed herself too. Besides, everyone else thinks she's an assistant, not a slave, so no issues there."

Clechia answered my question in my stead, then furrowed her brow at Terria. Terria wore that same inscrutable smile as always. Suppressing the urge to curse at that face—and speaking formally to it besides—was harder than I'd thought. Frustrated, I kept downing wine, but it didn't help. The drunker I got, the harder it was to hide my true feelings. I just kept repeating to myself that I wasn't drunk.

Of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠course, it was true. Ariel wouldn't get drunk on this little.

"Still... it's bothering me. What if she messes up from being drunk? Then Ariel would be in trouble."

"Then just scold her then. More importantly, focus on me, won't you? It hurts a bit when you worry about Terria more than me."

Terria poked Clechia's cheek. The spot dimpled cutely under his finger, flushing red in an instant. Clechia ducked her head in fluster, fanning herself frantically. Cain shook his head at the cringe-inducing display. I felt the same—watching was unbearable.

Cain refilled my empty wine glass.

"Couples should stick to themselves, and we'll have a drink on our own? Makes me wanna puke watching this."

"Y-yeah... To Cain, hehe."

I flashed a brief smile and extended my slightly trembling hand to clink glasses with him. I couldn't tell if the mysterious tremor was from the alcohol sliding down my throat or something else.

We were enjoying the evening banquet hosted by the conference. With the event wrapping up smoothly, the hotel had put on a lavish affair fit for the imperial court. Alchemy was misunderstood as a fringe discipline, but everyone agreed it was flush with cash. Mages in this field were generally wealthy.

From Terria's expression, the lecture had gone off without a hitch. Chatter about the body swap potion filled the air all evening. My first goal—convincing everyone that body swaps weren't fiction—seemed achieved. I toasted that small victory alone, downing more wine.

"Um, Ariel... if you're okay... wanna dance?"

Clechia asked hesitantly. Ariel had never danced with her before, so her reluctance was natural. But seeing Terria—Ariel to her—act so kindly today must've given her courage. Even to me, he'd been unusually gentle with her.

"Sure."

"R-really? Ahaha, let's go quick!"

Terria's easy agreement made Clechia blink in disbelief. As if afraid he'd change his mind, she hurriedly offered her hand. Soon, they headed to the center of the hall, joining hands and beginning to dance. They moved in perfect sync to the elegant melody, like a single body. Terria must've learned dance in childhood too.

"Did your master dance that well?"

Cain asked. He and I were still sipping wine at our seats.

"It's my first time seeing it too."

"Has Terria ever danced before?"

Cain turned to look at me. I couldn't read his intent.

"...No."

I stared back blankly. Cain was a man, and we'd spent so much time together that it felt natural. If he were a woman, I might've reacted differently.

"......"

Cain's gaze was gentle, like sunlight warming frozen earth. It seemed to say, You've been through a lot. I finally understood what it meant to be soothed by a look alone. We stared at each other for a good while. Then I realized how close we were—close enough to see the golden-haired woman reflected in his turquoise eyes.

I jolted back in surprise. Cain paused, then said,

"Shall we dance too?"

"Wh-what? With me?"

The unexpected words made me bite my tongue. Lately, I seemed to do that whenever startled. My beastkin body healed fast, so it mended quickly—which meant I wasn't breaking the habit.

"No issue, right? Everyone else sees you as an assistant anyway."

"True, but..."

Cain extended his hand.

"You said you've never danced. I'll teach you."

I instinctively glanced at Terria. He was too absorbed in dancing with Clechia to notice us.

"But Master..."

"Just say I suggested it. What could he say about a little dancing? He wouldn't have brought you if it were a problem."

I knew Cain was sharp. Like Terria, he had a way with words. His persuasive tone almost made me take his hand—until I remembered who he was. I'd never danced, let alone with a man. A woman might be different, but same-sex dancing felt off. But Terria? Suddenly, I faltered. Just three weeks ago, he was a woman. Yet the Terria captivating the hall in couple's dance was unmistakably male now. I started seriously wondering about his sexual identity. Was he a lesbian? Bisexual? Or just oblivious?

"If you really hate it, no choice."

Cain withdrew his hand. I stared at it blankly. A pointless surge of defiance rose in me. I wanted to show I could act as naturally as him. Maybe the alcohol-soaked brain's whim. Anyway, that's what I thought.

"...No, it's fine. Shall we dance?"

Cain grinned. "Yeah." He took my hand and led me to the opposite side of the stage from Terria. I second-guessed myself for a moment but went with instinct. Holding Cain's hand felt fine—we'd roughed around together countless times since childhood.

We began with slow steps. Luckily, the music was a slow tempo, perfect for beginners. Cain taught with gestures alone. A light pressure in our joined hands meant move that way. Follow his turquoise eyes; shift with his gaze. Dance was learned with the body. By conveying steps through motion instead of words—avoiding tangles—we danced quite convincingly.

My heart pounded. My hair swayed with each movement, rippling like golden waves. My wide-legged pants fluttered lightly. The other mages gradually fixated on the mysterious beautiful blonde's dance, entranced.

My first dance was surprisingly fun. It felt like battlefield close combat—which even mages trained in lately. I'd scrapped a few times. When Cain pressed our hands downward, I dipped—like dodging a punch. Just slower; that made it dance.

Dancing with a man wasn't a big deal. I'd hated dancing anyway, so gender was secondary. But now I felt cheerful. Probably wanting to escape my gloom.

Yet when my eyes met Terria's mid-dance, my body twisted. I stepped on Cain's foot. He looked at me questioningly. Speechless, I just tugged his hand and fled the floor. Head down, I returned to my seat. Terria had already looked away. He continued his flawless dance. I sat like a criminal, though I'd done nothing wrong. Cain eyed me with concern. Why was I minding him? God knows. Well, the old Terria never would've danced. Was it because this felt like dropping the act?

Soon, Terria returned with Clechia. He showed no reaction at all—like he didn't care. We resumed drinking, chatting as if nothing happened. Cain didn't mention the dance. I forced down my funk and enjoyed the banquet.

But the awkwardness didn't end there. Midway, Clechia fidgeted shyly and approached Terria.

"Later... tonight, can you come to my room?"

"What's up?"

"Just... wanna have a drink or something..."

"Sure. Let's do that."

Terria's immediate reply flustered Clechia, like she'd never expected it. But she soon beamed happily. I stared at him in shock. He seemed oblivious. Did he even grasp what she meant? The banquet continued. Clechia looked happier than anyone, her bright smile charming. She stopped snapping at me too. But I felt conflicted. What was he thinking, agreeing like that? I stopped drinking. I just sat quietly till it ended.

We returned to our rooms. Cain left first, telling me to visit if bored and giving his room number. When Terria said we'd share a room, Clechia seemed a bit thrown but said "See you later" and headed off. Suddenly, only Terria and I remained.

Terria said nothing. We slowly rose and went back. Late hour—the room was dark and empty, cold air nipping my cheeks. Terria changed out of his suit into light clothes. I sat on the bed, watching silently.

"Not washing up?"

I didn't answer. Something more important. I needed to ask, but words stuck.

Clechia had invited him to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her room this late. He must know ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what that meant. No man alive wouldn't. It was a booty call.

I asked,

"Are you going?"