“That’s not my point,” I replied. “I can’t drink a whole lot, but if I miss this chance, I’ll never get it again! Hello? 2000-year-old liquor!”
“I’m guessing that this liquor is very strong,” Mr. Julius answered. “And Chloe, yesterday, you…”
He trailed off as he cast a meaningful glance my way. Right. I don’t remember much, but I became black-out drunk last night. I even had a hangover this morning, and it was awful.
“Wait… So, do I become awful when I’m drunk?” I asked. “Did I do something rude to you? Did I really dance while drunk?”
“You’ve got a habit of stripping…” he admitted.
“Oh, what’s wrong with that? Live a little! Strip a little!” Layla exclaimed, encouraging me. “Don’t be such a stiff, Julius. I like taking off my clothes too. I don’t drink because I’m not fond of it, but I’m perfectly capable of stripping while sober.”
And why does she want to do that? Does she like taking off her clothes? Do people with perfect physiques have the need to show off their bodies?
“All right… Then I’ll give it to you, Mr. Julius,” I reluctantly said.
“You’re not drinking, Chloe?” King Faisal asked.
“Are you sure?” Jahala added.
“Really? You’re not drinking?” Lambda asked.
The three of them looked at me with pity.
“I don’t mean anything nefarious!” Faisal hastily added after he was kicked by Layla. He followed it up by apologizing profusely.
Mr. Julius took the two glasses of super expensive ancient liquor and downed it in one gulp. Aw… I wanted at least a sip. But I’d much rather lose this opportunity than strip in front of others. If I did something that scandalous, I’d never be able to show my face around the Holy Palace again. But I didn’t think that he’d drink it so quickly. It’s a 2000-year-old, treasured liquor. And he drank it just like that.
While Mr. Julius had chugged down two glasses, Ms. Natalia had emptied three. They both seemed to be enjoying how easily the alcohol went down rather than savoring the flavor. I could only stare at him in shock as he drank the treasured liquor like he was drinking a pint of wine at Ms. Roxy’s diner.
While I couldn’t blame Ms. Natalia for her tendencies, Mr. Julius was a former nobleman. I felt like he should’ve taken more time to savor, or savor, or you know, savor the flavor of the precious wine.
“What did it taste like?” I asked. “It’s a treasure that you can never drink ever again! You should’ve drunk it more preciously.”
Mr. Julius placed his glass on the table and looked down pensively for a moment. “Alcohol tastes like alcohol.”
“Wait, is this my fault? Is it because I’ve only been feeding you pea soup, so you can’t even differentiate the taste between cheap and expensive liquor?” I asked.
“I’ve never been too interested in eating. I can tell that your cooking tastes good in spite of the cheap ingredients, though.”
“Please don’t praise me so suddenly!”
That wasn’t what we were talking about! Stop praising me out of nowhere. You’re scaring me!
“There’s no need for you to get angry, Chloe,” Faisal said, impressed. “In fact, I’m quite amazed that they’re so bold and grand that they can down one of the royal family’s treasures in one gulp. It’s very intriguing to see how Julius and Natalia exhibit no hesitation. I must learn from them.”
“Even so, perhaps they should’ve waited for you to say a toast or something,” I insisted.
“I understand very well that they aren’t the type to wait for my words. In fact, meaningless speeches will only tone down the celebratory occasion.” The new king raised his glass in the air before downing it like the other two.
“It’s very rich and smooth with depth in its flavor,” Ms. Natalia noted, waving her empty glass around. “I guess it really was made quite some time ago. But this one glass is strong enough to compete with a cask of wine. Faisal, it might be best if you didn’t finish it in one gulp… Oops, I’m too late.”
The men surrounding her produced a new glass and handed it to her. Their movements were very refined. One handed Ms. Natalia a new glass while another filled it with more liquor.
“Oh dear, I wonder if King Faisal is all right,” Layla said with a troubled expression. “He said that he was going to have a drinking contest with Julius, but he’s not as strong with alcohol as he thinks.”
“Dragon Knights all generally have high alcohol tolerance,” Lambda said. “Hosting a drinking contest is a rite of passage between the new recruits.”
“I see,” I replied. “Are you not going to drink, Lambda?”
“This is a celebration, but I’m still on the clock. And I’m far too timid of a man to place a treasure of the royal family to my lips. I cannot possibly do so.”
Seeing his earnest and serious side, I realized he was completely different from Mr. Julius, even though they were both Dragon Knights. Not that I’m saying Mr. Julius isn’t serious or anything.
“Mr. Julius, a drinking contest is apparently a rite of passage for Dragon Knights,” I said.
“Dragon Knights aside, soldiers drink a lot, even on the battlefield,” he replied. “They’re drinking to forget their fears.”
“Can you fight while drunk?”
“Those who drink know they’re going to die. Do you want to hear more about it?”
I shook my head. It was a rare opportunity to hear about his past, but war wasn’t an ideal topic during celebrations. And it’d be even worse if this was about the Dystiana Empire.
“King Faisal, are you all right?” Layla asked, looking up at her beloved with worry.
His cheeks weren’t flushed, and he looked like his usual, diligent self, but all of a sudden, tears filled his eyes.
“Layla, I’m the happiest man in the world,” Faisal sniffled. “A useless guy like me was able to protect the nation, and I’m surrounded by all of these comrades…”
“You’re right,” Layla replied. “And I’m so happy for you. Why don’t we call it quits with the liquor for tonight?”
“No, not yet! I’m going to have a drinking contest with Julius! I promised him. Julius, my friend! A man of your caliber approved of my Ares! I couldn’t possibly be any happier!”
The king’s eyes were misty as he passionately vocalized his friendship, but Mr. Julius crossed his arms and averted his gaze. He totally ignored the king, as usual. Oh my gosh. Mr. Roge might be fine with that treatment, but King Faisal’s a sensitive man. You can’t just ignore him. This didn’t mean that Mr. Roge should be ignored either, of course.
“Why don’t you respond?” I asked him. “He called you his friend, didn’t he?” I tugged on his arm, but there was no reply. Mr. Julius was ignoring this entire scene so spectacularly that I wondered if he was asleep.
“Don’t worry, Chloe, I understand,” Faisal cried. “He may be unfriendly, but underneath that exterior is his kindness. It’s crystal clear when I see him expressing his love for you. I can tell! I can tell when a man is in love. Why? Because I love Layla very much!”
“King Faisal, do calm down,” Layla said. “Here, a handkerchief. Don’t cry, please. Don’t cry.”
“Julius, your black dragon is so beautiful that it encroaches on divinity!” Faisal exclaimed, his voice growing louder. “But my Ares is very loyal and brave as well! Yet, when a man such as you, who undoubtedly detests mixed breeds, approved of my dragon, you saved me from the darkness! I’ll keep my promise, of course. I swear that our kingdom will protect pure-blooded dragons, but even so, I was so moved by your kindness! I really, truly was!”