Cornered Rat (14)
The banquet has begun in earnest.
Servants moved among the guests carrying trays filled with glasses of wine.
The attendees poured themselves a drink to console themselves for their hardships. The empty glasses quickly grew in number.
The Emperor seemed to be enjoying himself as the host, as he shared a drink with each of the attendees.
Behind him, Chevio was silently guarding him. At home, he was the reckless second oldest brother, but here, he was a true knight commander.
Ian handed me a reddish drink as I glanced around, feeling slightly pleased.
"Please, It's fruit juice."
"Thank you."
Unlike the excited people, our atmosphere was calm.
That's understandable since none of us enjoyed drinking.
Ian and Rahon didn't even touch the alcohol, and Kalit and Kjer held their glasses but didn't even drink half of them.
In my past life, I was addicted to alcohol to the point of addiction, so I tried to control myself even when I wanted to drink.
The drunken attendees milled about, then shouted out the Kalit at the top of their voices.
"Our Commander-in-Chief! Come here and have a drink with me!"
Kalit smiled brightly at the attendees, his lips moving.
"You have to save me."
He turned to the attendees after being promised structure.
I know you don't want to drink, but what can you do?
There's no way the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces can avoid a drink.
Rahon, who had been watching Kalit drinking surrounded by attendees for a while, yawned. He had been giggling a moment ago, but he seemed to have gotten bored.
"Oh, I'm sleepy. Can I go home now?"
lan answered bluntly.
"There's a lounge spread out in the banquet hall garden. Take a rest there."
"It's uncomfortable here. I want to sleep at home."
"Whatever."
"Let's go."
"Are you drunk?"
Rahon pouted his lips. Then he saw something and froze.
His eyes met with Nicola's as he searched for him among the Cardinals Sancrecia.
Rahon cast a spell on Nicola, who often walked towards him with a kind smile on her face.
"Save me too."
Rahon, who had been holding on and holding on, was eventually dragged away by Nicola.
It was satisfying to see him surrounded by Cardinal Sancrecia.
I was so proud that he, who had been ignored by the cardinals at the beginning of the summit, was so welcomed.
I closed my eyes quietly.
Laughter, clinking glasses, and hurried footsteps could be heard from all directions.
Even though the Great Rift was imminent, no one was afraid. Everyone was confident.
'If I cheat to this extent, I'll win.'
In the Great Rift of the previous life, 300,000 Allied troops were deployed under the command of Oslo.
I honestly couldn't guarantee victory since so many things have changed since then.
Although I was certain that I wouId win, there was still some doubt in my heart.
I wonder if I changed the future too much and lost in the Great Rift.
But when I saw the mood of the people, I felt hopeful.
"Ha..."
I opened my eyes with a deep sigh, shaking off my anxiety.
"Youngest, can I get you a warm drink?"
"Yes?"
Kjer straightened the shawl that was halfway down my shoulders.
"If you eat a lot of cold food, your stomach will hurt."
"I'm so embarrassed. I told you I'm not a kid..."
"So I'll drink It, I'll talk."
"Isn't there just alcohol and Juice?"
"Wait."
Kjer was about to call his attendant but stopped short of doing so because the Emperor was approaching.
"The protagonists of our empire are here."
The Emperor seemed a little drunk.
Well, if we just gave one drink to each of the attendees, it would have been over 50 drinks.
But he only looks a little drunk. I don't know if he has strong willpower or if he has a high drinking capacity.
We all sat up straight and politely.
"There's no need to do that on a day like today. Come on, I'll buy you each a drink."
The servants who followed passed the glasses around in turn. Kjer stopped the glass being offered to me.
"Your Majesty, I am sorry, but Millenia cannot drink alcohol."
"Hmm, then let's go have a drink over there with the men. If I hold out, Lady Astrod will be uncomfortable. She doesn't even enjoy drinking, so I have to make her feel comfortable."
lan and Kjer hesitated, unable to answer easily.
If they leave, I'll be left alone. Of course.l, Nadia is there too.
The Emperor noticed this and laughed in disbelief...
"Are you that worried about Young Lady? She's not at the age where she'd get lost if you left her alone for a while."
There was no change in Kjer's expression, but I could clearly see that he was very displeased with the situation.
I was afraid that the mood would get worse because of me, so I quickly intervened.
"I'm fine. Brother, I can stay with Nadia. I'll order some tea."
"Thank you."
"Okay, okay, follow me."
The Emperor moved, taking Kjer with him.
Ian stared at the Emperor's back for a moment and let out a short sigh.
"Rahon will be back soon. Until then, never leave Nadia."
"Yes. I can't do anything without Nadia."
"If anything happens, scream loudly."
"Here?"
The banquet hall was filled with the noise of the drunken attendees. Would shouting be heard in a place like this?
I was so grateful for his concern for me.
But the only person who could threaten me was Oslo, and he was currently imprisoned in the palace.
Vivi is there too, but she won't be able to set foot in the banquet hall.
I couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.
"Ian, you're not going to come back today? It's only two or three hours away at most. Don't worry."
lan rubbed the back of his neck as if embarrassed, perhaps thinking that he had gone too far.
"Go ahead. His Majesty will be waiting."
"I'll be back soon."
I didn't stop smiling until Ian followed the Emperor.
"Nadia, is Ian gone?"
"Yes, Miss."
"My legs hurt. I need to sit down."
"There's a sofa over there. I'll show you to it."
I moved to the sofa with Nadia...
"When the eldest son said that the young lady couldn't drink alcohol earlier, I thought I was going to die from holding back laughter."
"My older brother is good at lying."
"You know, the young lady used to sneak out to 71st Street and drink 'Dream'. That day, the eldest son got kicked out. I understand how you feel."
"Why are you bringing that up again. I'm sorry."
"I'll do it for the rest of my life."
As we were laughing and chatting, a servant came over pushing a tray.
"Young lady, would you like me to prepare a drink for you?"
Nadia's expression suddenly distorted. It was Baba disguised as Lionel.
I knew from the beginning of the banquet that Baba was in the grand hall. That's why I was sure Vivi wouldn't be able to come in.
"Hmm..."
Before I knew it, my gaze turned to the tray.
The sight of golden champagne bubbling with bubbles makes my mouth water.
"Drinks are fine. Do you have anything light to eat?"
"I will prepare."
Baba opened the large silver lid. It was filled with bite-sized chocolates, fruits, and other goodies.
I asked him quietly as he picked it up with tongs and placed it on a plate.
"You didn't even notice me when the banquet started, but you're only coming now."
"How can I go there with so many people around you? What if I get caught?"
"Who recognizes Baba? Your face is completely different."
"The little Duke will know. Here you are, Young lady."
Nadia took the plate instead of me.
"What about Vivi?"
"She hid really well. I had a guess as to where she was going, so I was going to try to sneak in."
"When Vivi is sorted out, I will be by your side."
Baba's hands, which were tidying up the tray, stopped for a moment.
"... Next to the owner?"
"Yes."
Isn't information the most important thing in war? When the Great Rift began, it was advantageous to have Baba, who was good at gathering information, close by.
Baba looked up from his tray and looked at me.
"You had that."
"What?"
"It's on the necklace."
"Oh, this is it."
I fiddled with the small pendant on my necklace. Inside was the antidote he had once given me.
Baba, who had been staring at it quietly, turned around and pushed the tray.
His voice continued quietly.
"I will do that."
It was a voice that sounded somehow shy.
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