Chapter 41
“Drink up, Layla.”
Sibera poured a large cup full of amber-colored rum, though Layla had no idea when she had even prepared it.
“Isn’t that much dangerous?”
“This much should be fine. Right, Layla?”
“Ah, yeah.”
It seemed Sibera was trying to get Layla drunk enough to put her to sleep.
Layla felt strange looking at the tumbler-sized glass brimming with rum.
She answered, but she wasn’t entirely sure it was safe to drink all of it. The cup was so big she thought she might as well be told to drink straight from the bottle.
But in the end, everything took time and effort.
That was what she decided to think.
“Should I drink it for you instead?”
“No, Sonnet. Thanks.”
Layla smiled at Sonnet and took the glass Sibera handed her.
“It’s nice, playing games like this with you, sis. Feels nostalgic.”
She smiled as she lied—because she needed Sonnet to think well of Sibera.
“I feel the same, Layla.”
Sibera pretended to be nice, but Layla felt queasy just from the act, even before touching the alcohol.
She forced herself to steady her churning stomach and downed the drink.
Oddly enough, drinking it all in one go turned out to be easy. It went down so smoothly it was like drinking some strange-tasting water.
It was only the second time Layla realized she actually liked alcohol, and she was accepting it naturally.
She even thought that if she were truly healthy, she might have become a regular drinker.
Once the cup was empty, Sibera, acting impressed, offered her some snacks. Layla popped the chocolate into her mouth and said,
“I hope either of you wins first place.”
She said that and sat quietly at the side.
No matter how much she liked alcohol, drinking so much at once was apparently not a good idea—the dizziness began to creep in.
Seeing Layla frown slightly, Sonnet naturally guided her head to rest on his shoulder.
“I feel a little dizzy.”
“Just lean on me.”
Sonnet smiled, and Layla smiled back.
“Won’t I get in the way?”
“You won’t. I’ll use my right hand.”
Layla leaned quietly on Sonnet’s left shoulder. Maybe it was the tipsiness, but she just felt good.
Still dizzy, though.
“Sonnet, you have to win.”
Just moments ago, she’d said she didn’t care who won, but now Layla leaned in as if whispering to Sonnet—really to provoke Sibera. Sibera had been glaring at them with crazy eyes for a while now.
“Mm.”
Sonnet replied with determination, brushing his thumb across her lips where the rum had been and smiling.
“I’ll go first, Sonnet.”
Sibera, having finished stacking her tower, smiled. Her eyes were back to normal now, calmer.
Layla could now read that kind of expression on Sibera’s face quickly. Maybe it was the alcohol, but her head felt sharp.
She hugged Sonnet’s firm arm and let her hand trail down it. Sonnet seemed a little startled but didn’t move away.
Sibera’s reaction was priceless—she was trying to pull a block, but her gaze flicked toward Layla when Layla touched Sonnet’s arm.
Layla decided not to push any further, thinking things would be easier if Sibera won.
If Sibera won, she’d probably make some wish about making a move on Sonnet.
“Your turn, Sonnet.”
Sibera smoothly finished her turn and took a drink.
Since she had already lost, Layla was now in charge of refilling their glasses. Then she figured she could drink some herself, so she filled that large cup halfway and sipped.
“Think I can drink more?”
“This is too delicious. Don’t you think so, Sonnet?”
When Layla said this with a bright smile, he nodded and touched her cheek. She chuckled and returned the gesture.
“Next.”
Sibera’s face was smiling, but her voice was brisk, almost curt.
“Ah, yes.”
Sonnet casually pulled and stacked a block.
How many turns had passed like that?
By now, there were hardly any blocks left aside from the ones they’d recently stacked. Layla was getting bored, wondering how long these two lunatics would keep going.
Neither wanted to lose. Sonnet moved with delicate precision, slowly stacking his block before drinking leisurely.
Then Sibera went even slower and more precisely, her concentration almost frightening, stacking her block precariously.
The tower looked so ragged it was like it had missing teeth. Layla even thought she should just blow on it and end it.
Time dragged on.
At this point, the tower looked like it could fall if anyone so much as breathed too hard. Layla finally spoke as Sonnet reached for a block.
“What wish will you make if you win first place?”
She softly took Sonnet’s left hand and whispered.
“…The one I’d receive if we decided to get engaged.”
Layla instantly realized he meant a kiss.
So despite thinking Sibera had to win…
—CRASH!—
Sibera, tipsy, moved too abruptly and toppled the tower.
“Oh, so I won. Lady Sibera.”
“Ah…”
Sibera grimaced, drunk and in a foul mood.
“Drink up.”
Sonnet, smug in victory, filled Sibera’s glass to the brim.
Forcing a smile, she took it and downed it in one go, then looked at Sonnet.
“What wish will you make of second place?”
“I’ll pass. I’ll only take a wish from third place.”
Sonnet looked triumphantly at Sibera.
“Oh, I’ve changed my mind.”
At that, Sibera’s annoyed face instantly brightened as she looked at him.
“Please leave the room. I want to be alone with Layla.”
“…It’s dangerous for a man and woman who’ve been drinking to be alone together.”
“We’re engaged.”
“I’m Layla’s sister.”
Layla, feeling languid from sipping her drink, had little strength left.
“Let’s just stay as three.”
When Layla said that, Sonnet looked dejected and asked,
“Can I make my wish later, then?”
The way he spoke politely made Layla chuckle.
“It’s today or never, Sonnet.”
Sibera said this and flopped onto the bed, clearly not planning to leave.
Sonnet stroked Layla’s cheek, as if torn. Playing dumb, she asked,
“What is it you want when we’re engaged?”
“I’d rather tell you when we’re alone.”
He sighed softly, sounding like he’d forgotten their deal to speak casually—probably from the alcohol.
From that, Layla felt certain his wish was what she’d already guessed.
Soon, Sibera began snoring drunkenly. Sonnet stared blankly at her and said,
“On second thought, I guess it’d be fine if no one’s watching.”
“What?”
“Our first kiss.”
Sonnet’s face was flushed from the alcohol as he gently cupped Layla’s chin, leaning close.
And then—
—THUNK!—
Sonnet crumpled sideways, struck on the back of the neck.
Layla instantly saw who had done it.
“Hahaha.”
She couldn’t help laughing.
“Rain.”
“Ha.”
Rainier sighed and slung Layla over his back.
“Ah…”
Being carried made her feel even dizzier. She stared blankly at her hand dangling near his waist.
Once they reached the hallway outside the room, she asked,
“Did I cry again?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Her eyes felt dry, but she decided to accept his answer.
“I’m dizzy.”
He seemed to lower her, but her feet touched the floor for only a moment before she was lifted again. It took her a second to realize he was just carrying her more steadily.
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You’re the one crying, Rain.”
“Yes.”
She smiled faintly at him, feeling oddly giddy from the alcohol.
“What about the item?”
Resting her chin on his shoulder, she asked. He let out a long sigh.
“The item will be ready soon. The place is prepared.”
Relieved, she hugged him tighter. Soon she could get her revenge on Hugo—
and even play a trick on Crown Prince Anasis.
“Then why were you crying, Rain?”
Now that she felt everything was going well, she asked another question. But he didn’t answer.
Soon, she was taken to Sibera’s room and laid on the bed.
“You’re not going to answer?”
Because she didn’t let go, he hovered close, faces nearly touching—almost as if he would kiss her.
“If I answer, will you grant me my wish?”
His breath tickled the fine hairs on her face, making her giggle.
“I’ll hear what it is first.”
If she could get her own wish—the “Blood”—in exchange for granting his, it would be good for both of them.
