The Morning After
“Ugh, my head.”
My head felt like it was splitting open. After groaning for what felt like ages, I finally managed to sit up. The headache was so intense that even the slightest movement sent stabbing pains through my skull.
“Urk... Me, who was a heavyweight drinker in my past life...”
I muttered in a dejected voice. Before possessing this body, in my previous life, I was known at the office as someone who could hold her liquor. I wasn't an alcoholic or anything, just the type to sip a little alone on weekends. But company dinners were another story—dealing with the bosses meant I had to drink a lot, and my tolerance came in handy then. That section chief bastard always pushed drinks on everyone. Still, no matter how much I poured down, I'd wake up fine the next day and head to work.
And me—the one who could casually chow down on pork cutlet for lunch while everyone else nursed their stomachs with rice porridge!
“Me, a total lightweight now. Ungh.”
I felt utterly betrayed by Abigail's body, which I'd trusted. Northerners are supposed to handle their booze! What a load of crap. Total bullshit.
I pressed my throbbing temples, cursing under my breath.
[Master, you're awake?]
“Eek!”
[Water's here.]
Pel pushed a glass of water toward me in his usual emotionless tone. I grabbed it and gulped down the cold water.
“Phew, that's better.”
I'd thought handling mana would toughen my body inside and out, but who knew it wouldn't even detox alcohol. No point in exercising if I can't flush out a little poison like this.
I clicked my tongue in frustration, but Pel was staring at me with a look of utter pity.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
[You don't remember?]
“Remember what?”
Pel sighed deeply at my baffled expression.
[Sigh... I didn't think you'd forget completely.]
“What happened? Why are you being so ominous?”
I furrowed my brow, racking my brain. Yesterday, we definitely held the banquet. The hall was packed with knights, and I gave a speech praising their hard work as the representative... Then I took the first shot as an example. And after that...?
Nothing. My mind was a total blank.
“Did I mess up or something?”
Suddenly, a memory from my past life flashed up—the time a nervous new hire got drunk at a company dinner and committed lese-majeste against the section chief. I'd sweated bullets cleaning up that mess as a mid-level manager. For some reason, it kept nagging at me.
Uneasy, I forced an awkward smile.
[Is that what you'd call it—a 'mess'...?]
“What? You're freaking me out!”
[Hm.]
Pel hesitated, then averted his gaze. He was only making me more anxious; my memory was still zilch. I felt like I was dying.
[Well, good luck.]
“Huh?”
His out-of-left-field encouragement made me glare. That's when the headache surged back.
“Ow ow ow!”
[Take some medicine first, at least.]
“Y-yeah, good idea.”
I fumbled for the medicine box. But someone who'd been too busy even as an adult to really drink wouldn't have hangover pills on hand.
“Ungh, guess I need to see Xavier.”
[Go ahead.]
“Not coming with?”
[......]
Pel rolled into a ball, avoiding my eyes. What the hell was his deal? I wanted to grill him more, but the pounding in my head forced me to my feet. First things first—get some meds from Xavier.
“Urgh, my stomach's killing me too.”
In Korea, I'd just scarf down some rice porridge. But here? No spicy food in sight. Northern tastes are so bland and salty. Suddenly, I felt homesick. Ah, kimchi stew sounds amazing. Tteokbokki too.
I sniffled to myself as I left the room and shuffled along. Then I ran into some knights.
My body still felt awful, so I gave a half-hearted greeting and tried to pass.
“Good morning...”
“Lady Abigail! Last night was epic!”
“...Huh?”
Their eyes sparkled way too brightly. I stopped dead, frowning. What did they eat to get like this?
“We're totally on your side, Lady Abigail.”
“We believe in you. You'll keep putting those southern bastards in their place, right?”
“...What are you talking about?”
“The North! Forever!”
“Forever!”
“......”
They cheered among themselves, then hooked arms and sauntered off like besties.
“What the...?”
Left alone and baffled, I shrugged it off as nothing and kept walking. But every group of knights I passed spouted similar nonsense, and I started to realize something was up.
“Ah, Sir Jade!”
“Lady Abigail.”
Spotting Jade—someone I could confide in—I hurried over.
“Hey, did I do something yesterday? Why is everyone acting weird?”
“...You don't remember?”
Jade's shocked expression confirmed it. If I remembered, I wouldn't be this worked up. I nodded anxiously.
“Yeah, nothing.”
“Haa...”
He sighed in disbelief, then muttered something that made me jump.
“I thought we'd be at war with the imperial family.”
“What? The imperial family?”
No way, the crown prince? Did I do something to Michael?
That new hire's face from my past life overlapped in my mind again. He'd slunk around the office, too ashamed to show his face after the boss's rage and the whispers.
With dread pooling in my gut, I forced the words out to Jade.
“Did I, by any chance, do something to His Highness...?”
“There you are, Lady Abigail.”
“Eek!”
I jolted like I'd seen a ghost. But Michael approached with his usual serene smile.
“You seemed quite drunk last night. Feeling alright?”
“Uh, well, you see...”
Flustered, I couldn't meet his eyes. He was smiling like always, but something about it felt chilling.
I swallowed hard without thinking.
“J-just a little headache... haha.”
“Tsk.”
He clicked his tongue like he was genuinely concerned.
“Have you taken any medicine?”
“Not yet.”
“You should do that right away.”
“Yes...”
I sneaked peeks at him. He insisted on escorting me to Xavier's room and led me down the hall. I trailed silently beside him.
“By the way...”
“Y-yes?”
He turned, eyeing me suspiciously. His icy blue gaze scanned me up and down, ratcheting up my nerves.
“Do you remember last night?”
“Eep.”
I dodged his stare involuntarily. Heart shrinking, I confessed.
“N-no, I don't.”
“Hmm.”
I couldn't see his face since I'd turned away, but he sounded incredulous. My pulse raced. What if I'd spewed curses at him? Ever since the original story kicked off and I possessed the villainess, I'd inwardly ripped into him nonstop for not breaking off the engagement. If I'd blurted that out drunk... disaster.
“I see. You don't remember.”
“D-did I mess up somehow...?”
“......”
He didn't answer, just smiled enigmatically. It felt loaded with meaning. I could only stare back like an idiot and laugh awkwardly.
“Even if you don't remember, I hope you'll keep your promise.”
“Huh? Promise?”
He turned away without replying. Dazed by him, I realized we'd reached Xavier's door.
A promise? What the hell did I promise him drunk?
I smacked my palm against my forehead and sighed. Then, a scene flashed in my mind.
* * *
Michael sat right next to Abigail. Everyone could feel the knights' and soldiers' morale soaring after back-to-back victories. So they'd prepared a banquet tonight where everyone could eat and drink freely.
The hall held only knights, but the regular soldiers were no doubt enjoying rewards of food and booze elsewhere.
“Eat and drink without worry tonight! I permit it in the name of Lady Abigail Carpoem!”
Her exhilarated voice rang through the hall. Tonight's star was none other than Carpoem's little duchess, Abigail. No one could deny it.
In the first battle, she'd saved the nearly fallen Volta Base. In the second, she'd repelled unexpected flying monsters for a flawless win.
Crown Prince Michael and the imperial knights hadn't shone on the ground. Carpoem's 3rd Knight Order under Agni, and the Belio Knights, had torn through the beasts like fish in water. The imperial knights struggled just to keep up.
Even the holy knights on their debut handled it smoothly, while the imperials lagged behind them too. At least they hadn't gotten in the way.
For the prideful imperial knights, sky-high in self-esteem despite less experience, it was humiliating.
So Michael's seat felt subdued amid the festive hall. Sensing the knights' gloom, he kept up a calm facade. There'd be plenty of chances for the imperials to shine later—no need to show impatience now. He took the first outing's monster rout as a win.
Thud!
Abigail slammed her full glass down triumphantly after downing it. Cheers erupted nonstop.
She slowly lifted her head.
“...Huh?”
“......?”
Only Michael seemed to catch her soft mutter. Her body swayed slightly.
“......!”
Startled, he half-rose. But she lifted her head again.
“Hey, more booze over here!”
“Wahahaha!”
“......”
As if brushing off his worry, she bellowed. Her flushed face, unfocused eyes, unsteady stance. But no one else noticed anything off. The banquet had just begun; knights laughed and shouted.
Only Michael, seated close, eyed her suspiciously.
“...Lady Abigail.”
“Huh?”
Sighing, he leaned closer. She'd been playing with her summon wolf but looked at him puzzled.
“......”
“Lady Abigail?”
She just stared blankly, saying nothing. As suspicion grew and he frowned, she finally moved her lips.
“You...”
“...You?”
“You punk!”
“......!”
Michael froze in place.