Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Royal Palace (3)
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The restaurant we followed Seo Yu-ju to was incredibly upscale and had a great atmosphere.
It felt like the perfect spot for lovers.
It was located in a high-rise building, with a spacious terrace where you could enjoy the view while dining.
It seemed to operate on a reservation-only basis, and besides us, there were already people seated, chatting softly over their meals.
Naturally, in a place with this kind of vibe, most of the patrons were couples.
There were a few middle-aged pairs, but the majority seemed to be around the same age as me and Seo Yu-ju.
'...Nobles' kids? There are a few foreigners mixed in, too.'
As soon as Seo Yu-ju and I took our seats, snippets of conversation from the other guests drifted over.
"...Hey, look at that."
"Huh?"
"That emblem... Isn't that the Eternity Clan?"
'They recognize us even here.'
It wasn't because of our clan's current status, of course. It was probably from back when Goo Yeon-jeong was clan master.
"But... that guy and girl are insanely hot..."
"Hey, you... Are you crazy? What are you even looking at?"
"Ah... I-I mean..."
I caught sight of a guy immediately locking eyes with his girlfriend's icy glare.
Given Seo Yu-ju's looks, I could understand him stealing a glance, but dealing with the aftermath was his problem.
"Yun-seong?"
"Yes?"
"Something wrong?"
"No, nothing. I just like the restaurant's vibe."
"Hehe, right? I knew you'd love it here."
Honestly, I had no clue if it was any good, but seeing Seo Yu-ju happy made me happy too.
"I'll... um... go with this. What about you, Yun-seong? What'll you have?"
"Ah... I'll get the same."
We ordered food and drinks, and the conversation flowed on.
"Looking back, so much has happened in nearly a year."
"Yeah. Starting from the Tutorial, it's been one thing after another."
"...I was just thinking about the first time I met you in the Tutorial. Back then..."
"Ah... you mean when I was on the brink of death. I survived thanks to you, Yu-ju. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead."
"But... here we are together now. Back at the Training Facility, I even misunderstood and thought you were joining the Myth Clan on your own..."
"Haha... yeah. I remember the hassle from you and the other clan members misunderstanding."
Especially clearing up Seo Yu-ju's misconceptions had been a real sweat-fest. She'd kept asking if I was planning to join the Myth Clan every chance she got.
"Th-that... was your fault, Yun-seong. You kept bringing up the Myth Clan, so how could I not misunderstand..."
"True, I did mention them a lot. Can't blame you for getting the wrong idea."
Talking about the past made me realize just how much we'd crammed into such a short time.
And how quickly I'd grown close to Seo Yu-ju and the other clan members in that span.
"Come to think of it, life really is unpredictable. Dragged from Earth here, fighting monsters, and before I know it, I'm in the Eternity Clan and heading to the royal palace."
"Hehe... but it all worked out, right? They'll treat us well at the palace, too. Everything's going smoothly, so no need to worry."
As Seo Yu-ju finished speaking, the food and drinks arrived. I noticed her reaching for the bottle.
For a split second, I flashed back to the last time we'd drunk alone together, and I flinched. She caught my reaction and seemed to remember too.
"Ah..."
Her face flushed red all of a sudden.
"Ah... sh-should we... skip the drinks...?"
She must've been recalling the embarrassing scene she'd caused last time.
Still, for a night like this, it seemed best to go along with her.
"No, it's fine. Go ahead and drink."
"...Really?"
"Yes, really."
".....Really, really, really?"
"...Yes, really, really, really. Don't worry about me. Anyone can make a little slip-up after a few drinks."
"...You give permission?"
'...She's not gonna do it again, is she?'
"Haha... yeah, sure."
The food filled us up nicely, and we sipped our drinks moderately while chatting away.
Fortunately, Seo Yu-ju seemed to have a firm grip on herself.
She was probably more determined than ever. One more slip-up, and she'd want to hang herself.
'...I'm getting a bit buzzed myself.'
It wasn't just her drinking, of course. I was partaking too, so feeling tipsy was inevitable.
"Hehe... Yun-seong, cheers!"
"Haha... Isn't the pace a little fast...? We've got plenty of time, so we can take it slow."
"Aw, come on! Cheers!"
For some reason, she was insistent on pouring me drinks.
"...Alright, cheers."
Luckily, no unwanted guests crashed the party like last time. But there was one issue...
"Cheers!"
Her face flushed, Seo Yu-ju kept pushing drinks my way.
'What's her deal?'
I couldn't quite pinpoint it, but she had this steely resolve to accomplish whatever was on her mind tonight.
"......"
"Hey, are you dodging me, Yun-seong?"
"No, it's not that..."
Drinking more was starting to feel burdensome. I was already pretty wasted.
The discomfort in holding myself steady made it obvious just how drunk I was.
"Come on, drink up!"
Her eyes bloodshot, relentlessly offering more—it was starting to instill a weird sense of dread.
'What's wrong with her? This is scary...'
"Alright... half glasses only."
"Whoa... Yun-seong, are you a lightweight?"
Her words hit like a bomb, and my grip tightened on the glass.
"...Pardon?"
'Did she just... call me a lightweight?'
Lightweight. A word no able-bodied Korean guy in his twenties could ignore.
"...You shouldn't push yourself, Yu-ju. Aren't you the lightweight acting all cocky?"
"Ha... Fine, let's go all out tonight then?"
"...No take-backs later. I'm giving you this chance."
From the next table, I overheard their chatter as they watched us.
"Whoa, those two next door are nuts. How many bottles is that?"
"Looks like the guy's forcing drinks on the girl."
Listening to them, I felt wronged. It was the exact opposite.
And so began the hellish drinking race. In the end, with my tolerance not being that great, I blacked out.
"Ugh..."
The last thing I faintly heard before losing consciousness was Seo Yu-ju's voice.
"Yes...! I did it...!"
******
"Ugh... my head..."
I woke up with a pounding headache, probably from all the booze last night.
'Damn it, I shouldn't have risen to the bait...'
Being that drunk must've clouded my judgment.
'If she hadn't called me a lightweight...'
In my defense, I was already buzzed, and there was no way I could let that slide.
I waited for the throbbing to subside, then looked around and froze in shock.
'Wh-what...? Where am I?'
This wasn't a guest room in the palace.
'What the hell happened... Huh?'
Something felt off under my hand. When I looked...
'What... the? Why is Seo Yu-ju in bed with me?'
"Fuck."
The curse slipped out aloud in the sheer absurdity.
I hurriedly checked our clothes—thank god, we were both still in yesterday's outfits.
Whew, no one-night mistakes, at least.
"Phew... close call. Wait, why are my shirt buttons undone?"
Probably popped a few in my sleep because it felt stuffy.
'My clothes are all disheveled...'
And not just mine—hers too. She was clothed, thankfully, but buttons undone, clothes rumpled.
My movement and muttering must've woken her, as she stirred.
"Mm..."
She rubbed her eyes as she sat up, and our eyes met within seconds.
"......"
"......"
'Shit... what do I even say...'
I couldn't just casually go, "Morning, Yu-ju." No clue what to say in this mess.
Plus, my memory cut out midway, so maybe I'd gone crazy drunk and brought her here. Objectively, she was stunning, after all.
Before I could speak, she beat me to it.
"Ahaha... Y-you're awake?"
"......Ah... yeah, I just got up too."
"Oh... I see... ahaha..."
"...Sorry to ask, but... any idea what happened? My memory's shot..."
"Ah... your memory's... fuzzy?"
"...Yeah."
I was on pins and needles. What if I'd messed up while drunk?
But oddly, her face brightened at my words.
"N-no big deal. You were super wasted, so I was helping you along and spotted this place nearby... I was pretty drunk too, and the palace felt too far. I wasn't thinking straight, so I got a double room instead of separates..."
"...I see..."
For some reason, she gulped and asked me.
"Um... d-do you remember anything... after we got here?"
'Why's she trembling like that? Cold?'
"No. Just drinking at the restaurant..."
"I-I see... You must've been really wasted."
"Guess so. You okay, Yu-ju? You seem cold."
"...Huh?"
"You're shivering nonstop..."
"Ahaha...! Y-yeah, you're right. Hehe... a bit chilly!"
"I'll shower first then. You bundle up in the blankets; should warm you up."
"Sh-shower... Y-yeah... t-take your time."
We couldn't head back to the palace like this. Clothes were rumpled enough, but messy hair and booze stench? No way.
'Ugh... head hurts... Hope this doesn't cause misunderstandings.'
Spending the night out alone together? The clan would get the wrong idea for sure.
'No sneaking back unnoticed now...'
A whole day had passed. No chance they'd miss it.
'Sigh...'
I finished showering, threw on my clothes, and stepped out. Not my place alone, so no wandering out naked with her here.
"I'm done. Your turn if you want a shower."
"Ah..."
"...?"
"....."
"Yu-ju?"
"Ah.. y-yeah! I should... shower...!"
'What's with her? Hangover?'
Maybe grab some hangover remedy on the way back.
While she showered, I inspected the room closer. Like I'd sensed, this place screamed lovers' love hotel.
'Of all places, why here?'
Waiting for her, another headache hit: we'd ghosted the palace without a word.
'Damn... whose fault is it? Mine, for taking the bait.'
At least we hadn't gone all the way—that was a relief. Hearing her shower wasn't helping my mood, though.
Click—
Lost in self-reproach, she emerged from the bathroom.
"Ah... shower feels so refreshing."
"Ah, Yu-ju, you're—"
I couldn't finish. My brain short-circuited at the sight of her.
'Why... are you doing this...'
All she had on was a single towel draped around her.
"Y-Yu-ju... um..."
'Please, put something on.'
"Ah... s-sorry! Habit from when I'm alone..."
"Haha... no need to apologize... Just get dressed first."
"Ahaha... okay..."
Might've been my imagination, but as she saw my fluster, her lips curved up slyly.
'Damn it, you're not doing this on purpose, are you?'
...Nah, probably not.