CHAPTER 28………………………….
As I had expected, the bottles quickly emptied and soon began to pile up one by one.
In my life, I’d never met such a heavy drinker as Theo — though, surprisingly, Peredil wasn’t far behind. Contrary to my assumption that there was no way he could keep up with Theo, he was calmly sipping along without any problem.
Of course, I knew he liked his liquor strong, but I didn’t think he could drink this well. What was supposed to be a casual get-together to loosen the mood had somehow turned into a contest of who could hold their liquor — and it was entirely my fault.
“Hey, Joyce. How’s your father-in-law doing?”
Theo slung an arm over my shoulder, swaying so much I couldn’t tell if it was just an act or if his tongue was really that twisted from the alcohol.
“Father-in-law? What father-in-law? I told you to stop saying that.”
“The Count said the other day that you and I look too good together to just be friends.”
“Oh, Father… I told him we were just friends.”
“I said we were friends, but that the possibility was still wide open. Want to know what he said to that?”
“What? You said that? What did Father say?”
Even as I responded to Theo’s teasing, my gaze was on Peredil. I snuck a glance, but my jealousy tactic didn’t seem to be working — his expression was completely blank.
Was he really that uninterested? His indifferent stare, showing not even a hint of amusement, left me oddly disappointed.
“He said…”
Without realizing that Peredil didn’t seem curious in the slightest, Theo leaned in close to whisper in my ear, grinning mischievously. He covered his mouth with his hand like he was about to share a secret, but I knew it wouldn’t help. I was about to signal him to stop when—
“That damn whispering!”
To my shock, Peredil slammed both hands on the table and stood up abruptly. When I turned to look, he was letting out all the frustration he’d apparently been holding back.
“Who do you think’s listening to you that you’ve got to whisper all the time?! Blowing into someone’s ear while saying nothing important — if that’s not flirting, then what is?!”
“Flirting,” huh. That word must’ve really hit a nerve. Looking closer, I realized he wasn’t fine at all — he was drunk. The kind of drunk where it doesn’t show until it’s too late. And now that I realized it, I suddenly feared what kind of chaos this state might cause.
“And if it is flirting, so what?”
“What?”
Theo’s bold tone left Peredil momentarily speechless. Seeing that, Theo pushed even further, clearly enjoying himself.
“Am I not allowed to flirt with Joyce? Why does it matter to you what I do?”
“It’s not about that! You were the one accusing me of flirting before — but now that you’re the one doing it, I can’t even call it out? It’s unfair, that’s all!”
He beat his chest like a man truly wronged, while Theo smirked at him mockingly.
“Oh, I thought you were just jealous because Joyce and I are so close.”
“Jealous? Don’t be ridiculous. And of course you’re close — you’ve known each other longer. Compared to that, I’ve known Miss Joyce for a much shorter time, but I’d still say we’re pretty close!”
“Really? I didn’t know you two were that close.”
Theo’s eyes turned to me, as if to ask, Are you sure about that?
Well… honestly, I hadn’t realized Peredil and I were that close either.
Was he saying it because he actually thought so, or just because he didn’t want to lose to Theo? I wasn’t sure — but I decided it was better to play along and soothe his pride for now.
“Of course! The Duke and I have been through a lot together. I’d even say… we’re close enough to call each other friends.”
At my words, Peredil smiled smugly — but that expression didn’t last long thanks to Theo’s next jab.
“Sure, but compared to what Joyce and I have, that’s just a drop in the bucket.”
“You’re boasting over nothing. What matters isn’t how long but how deep the relationship is, don’t you think?”
“In terms of depth, I’d still say I’m winning.”
“Ha! That’s just because you two rehearse together and coordinate your lines.”
“Oh, so now the whispering bothered you before, and now you’re hung up on the fact that our lips might’ve met during a scene?”
“As if I’d care about that nonsense! I didn’t, and I don’t!”
He snapped, like someone caught red-handed. If he was going to deny it, he could at least do it without turning bright red.
“Whoa, why so angry? You sound like someone denying something a little too strongly.”
Theo didn’t miss the flush spreading over Peredil’s face either. Despite the teasing, Peredil forced himself to act calm and sat back down.
“A—A strong denial? Hardly. It was a… perfectly moderate denial. Not too strong, not too weak.”
“Sure. A perfectly moderate denial. Anyway, shall we call it a night?”
Worried that they were too drunk to remember any of this tomorrow, I suggested wrapping things up. It was definitely better to stop here before it got worse.
“Yeah, let’s go. Don’t want your father-in-law to worry.”
Everyone stood, gathering their things, and I noticed the staff’s relieved faces. Feeling guilty for causing trouble, I hurried toward the door — but Peredil was still sitting there, his head hanging low. Maybe the alcohol had finally hit him all at once?
“Your Grace, can you stand?”
Thankfully, he nodded silently, meaning he was still conscious.
“Lean on me — I’ll help you up.”
He tried to rise, leaning on me, swaying dangerously before finally managing to stand. But then he didn’t move at all.
“What’s wrong? Can’t walk?”
He still hadn’t lifted his head, but at some point, both his hands had come to rest on my shoulders.
“You said… we’re friends, right?”
“Huh?”
He suddenly lifted his head, saying something out of nowhere.
“You said earlier that it’s fine to call us friends.”
“Y-yeah, I did.”
“Then… can I do this too?”
“Do what—?”
His thumb gently brushed across my lips. Then it moved to my chin, tilting it downward with the faintest pressure. My lips parted slightly as a result.
Then, as if nothing else existed, he started leaning in — eyes closed.
Wait… now? Seriously?
It wasn’t a planned kiss scene, but since we couldn’t exactly call “cut,” I hesitated and closed my eyes too. Sometimes, an improvised moment could make for a perfect scene.
But even after waiting, nothing happened.
Thud.
Huh? That’s… not the sound of a kiss.
When I opened my eyes, Peredil’s head was resting on my shoulder.
“Your Grace? You’re not sleeping, are you? Your Grace!?”
I struggled to support him as he practically passed out standing. When I looked helplessly at Theo, he just shook his head. Sighing, he slung Peredil onto his back.
“Every time I drink with you, I end up as the pack mule.”
“You useless servants! How can you not even know why your master isn’t home?!”
The maids bowed their heads under the fury of the woman who had barged into the mansion of the absent master — the would-be lady of the house. She yelled and scolded them mercilessly.
‘How are we supposed to know what even he doesn’t tell us?’
The maids could only think it to themselves; crossing this crazy woman would be a death sentence. All they could do was pray for their master’s return to save them.
“He’s with Luna Woodville again, isn’t he? That wretched Luna Woodville!”
Unable to contain her anger, Vivian snatched the flowers from a vase and hurled them to the floor. Water spilled from the toppled vase, soaking into the carpet.
She refused to return to Vollein until she saw him come back to the mansion. Seething with rage, Vivian sat herself down stubbornly, muttering furiously:
“Peredil Seymour, where the hell are you wandering off to?!”
