Chapter 050
In the past, I was known as a heavy drinker. My body was optimized for alcohol metabolism, and my experiences from socializing contributed to that.
But.
“Ugh, my head.”
It was clear that this body had no such immunity. My memories were fragmented, my stomach was churning, and my head felt like it was splitting. With every breath in and out, it felt like everything inside me was rising.
“Are you okay?”
“…Ah, I don’t think I am…”
“Here’s a hangover remedy.”
I gulped down what the maid offered.
“The Crown Prince said you would need it.”
The Crown Prince. Alejandro?
The moment I recalled that name, a memory I thought I had completely forgotten suddenly resurfaced.
‘I’m an adult! I want to do something other than that tantalizing stuff!!’
What, what kind of memory is this?
My face went pale as I pulled up the blanket. Fortunately, I was still wearing my pajamas.
“Um, um, um, do you happen to know if anything happened yesterday?”
The maid stared at me with a strange look.
“You don’t remember anything at all?”
“……”
“Really not even a single thing?”
For some reason, chills ran down my neck, making me tremble.
“Well, it might be better if you don’t remember, miss.”
The maid awkwardly smiled. It felt like the effects of the alcohol were wearing off all at once.
“Wh-what did I do?”
“Well… you did various things, but honestly, I don’t know much. The Crown Prince would know better, since he was the one with you yesterday.”
L-Lehan was with me?
No, why?
How did he get in? I was fine in the banquet hall, right?
“I’ll be going now, miss. I think it’s best for you to rest a bit more today.”
The maid smiled and left the room.
Wait a minute!
“Why are you leaving me feeling so uneasy…”
I collapsed onto the bed. How could I make such a mistake? Please, someone tell me that nothing happened yesterday…
* * *
While Evelina was lost in her self-destructive emotions.
Alejandro greeted the morning with a fresher face than ever.
“You seem to be in a good mood, Your Highness,” Emil said with a frown.
“Well, sort of.”
Emil had witnessed what happened yesterday.
When Evelina was excitedly mixing drinks and sharing them with those around her, Alejandro spotted her as well. Evelina noticed Alejandro too, and what she shouted at that moment was truly memorable.
“Hey! Little fox!!”
Everyone in the banquet hall who was listening must have heard that. Calling the Crown Prince a little fox!
If Evelina hadn’t been Alejandro’s fiancée and had been completely drunk, she would have faced harsh criticism from the crowd. In fact, people were lenient towards Evelina’s remark precisely because it was directed at Alejandro.
People said that even if Alejandro were stabbed, not a drop of blood would come out, yet he was treated like nothing more than a “little fox” by Evelina.
People were enjoying themselves.
Especially Iliana and Rebecca.
Anyway, the drunken Evelina returned to the mansion with Alejandro, but after that, Emil had no way of knowing what happened.
However, it was clear that Evelina had done something to lift Alejandro’s spirits.
‘That icy man is smiling. He’s grinning like a fool!’
Alejandro, who usually smiled crookedly, coldly, or in a way that sent chills down people’s spines, was now smiling like someone dazed.
Curiosity surged within him, but he didn’t have the courage to ask Alejandro.
Meanwhile, Alejandro was reflecting on the previous night. Even after her bold remark of calling him a little fox, Evelina had said many things that were incomprehensible. Things like “favorite character” or “fan of the game.”
Given that she was drunk, he could let that slide. Moreover, Evelina’s eyes, as she spoke those words, were filled with undeniable affection.
And then.
After Alejandro personally took Evelina back to the mansion.
What happened next, after he brought her into the bedroom, was the most important part. Alejandro grinned.
‘I’m an adult!! I want to do something other than that tantalizing stuff!’
Evelina, saying that, was incredibly cute.
‘Actually, I’m older. You should call me “older sister” from now on.’
‘Oh, you’re older. Then, you must know better than I do what to do in this situation?’
‘Of course! I’ve made so many men cry!’
‘Ah.’
He almost felt a twinge of irritation, but he decided to bury that past. After all, Alejandro wouldn’t exist in that world, so he chose to understand with a generous heart.
‘Then teach me, Evelina. What should we do in this situation?’
The maid, who had come in with a wet towel to wipe off Evelina’s makeup, was so shocked to see her boldly climbing onto Alejandro’s thigh that she hurriedly left.
‘Curious about what to do? Should I teach you?’
That overly close distance was truly delightful.
The way Evelina grasped Alejandro’s cheek and pressed her body against him was so affectionate. He held back from swallowing her whole because he was curious about what Evelina would do next.
Evelina was bold.
She kissed him all over his face and whispered with a grin.
“You’re really handsome. I’ve known for a long time that Lehan is handsome. What’s it like living with this face?”
‘I’m not just a pretty face, you know. Aren’t you curious?’
‘…I know too.’
‘What do you know?’
‘That Lehan is all handsome.’
Alejandro narrowed his eyes. Has he ever shown his naked body to Evelina?
‘His heart is beautiful, and his thoughts are beautiful… It’s just that others don’t know.’
‘Ah.’
So that was what she meant.
‘I was talking about something else.’
Evelina, seemingly not wanting to say more, boldly pressed her lips against his. She was skilled, just as she had said. The way she opened his lips and dug inside, and the way her body moved with finesse.
Even when he felt like things were going south, remembering whose arms Evelina was in made him forget everything.
Evelina kissed Alejandro as an “adult,” just as she had said. It wasn’t a playful peck on the cheek; it was a deep, soul-stirring kiss.
“Keep going, Evelina.”
“…I’m sleepy.”
If Evelina hadn’t suddenly collapsed and fallen asleep in the middle, Alejandro couldn’t even guarantee how far he would have gone with her.
Evelina, his extraordinary fiancée, fell asleep, leaving him in a daze.
“Haha.”
“…Your Highness?”
Emil took a step back, fear written all over his face. What’s wrong with him, really?
* * *
Though it was slightly overshadowed by the Duke of Sidney’s incident, Alejandro and Wormtail also drew attention. This was especially true for the commoners, who were more concerned about their livelihood than the private lives of the nobility.
The collapsed bridge was closely tied to the livelihoods of the common people. They crossed that bridge to go to work, to shop at the market, and to return home.
Many had suffered inconveniences during the repair period after the bridge was destroyed by the flood.
“Isn’t Wormtail the Empress’s nephew?”
“I thought the Empress was a good person, but it was all just a facade!”
“How can we know the true intentions of those in high positions!”
The fact that Wormtail was related to the Empress had a significant impact among the commoners, and the spark of discontent grew larger.
A crowd began to gather in the square, united with candles in hand.
“This matter cannot be overlooked! We must punish him, regardless of him being the Empress’s nephew!”
“Exactly! What kind of bridge was that! The Empress is our mother! Parents should take care of their children!”
“We must impeach that Wormtail! He has no qualities of a noble!”
“Waaaaaaah!”
Among the crowd, there were instigators mixed in. Alejandro had planted his people to observe how things were unfolding.
Once the fire of discontent spread, it did not die down but continued to blaze fiercely.
That voice would reach the imperial palace and touch the Emperor, who was lost in his own world.
