Rachael slid into the empty space beside Kyle with a flash of a bright—if slightly forced—smile.
She had rehearsed this moment a dozen times in her head, but now that it was happening, her throat felt dry and her heart thudded like a war drum in her chest.
Kyle turned his head slightly, casting her a curious glance. His gaze was steady, unreadable as always.
But Rachael didn't let herself falter. Instead, she slid a small clay bottle toward him, its cap still sealed with wax.
"I thought you looked a little lonely. And you looked like you needed something good to drink."
She said, voice lighter than she felt.
She offered the bottle with both hands like it was an offering to a god.
Kyle's eyes drifted to the bottle and then back to her face.
"Trying to get me drunk? That's bold, Rachael."
He asked with the smallest of smirks tugging at the corner of his lips.
Her eyes widened, and she immediately waved her hands.
"What? No! I didn't—That's not why I brought it! I just thought you deserved a break, that's all!"
Her flustered expression only deepened as she realized how that sounded. Kyle chuckled, clearly amused.
"Relax. I was teasing you."
Rachael stared at him, cheeks flushed, lips pressed in a tight line.
"Well, it's not funny."
She mumbled, only half meaning it.
Kyle took the bottle, unsealed it without hesitation, and raised it to his lips.
"Let's see how nice it is, then."
Rachael watched with barely concealed anticipation as he downed the entire bottle in one long pull.
The moment he lowered it, she waited—for a grimace, a chuckle, a sway of his head, something.
But nothing happened.
Kyle set the bottle aside with a soft clink, entirely unaffected.
He said mildly, as if commenting on the weather.
"It would take more than that to get me drunk. Mana accelerates how fast my body burns through the alcohol. I'd have to drink three times that just to get a slight buzz."
Her shoulders slumped before she could stop herself.
Kyle glanced sideways at her, clearly catching the flicker of disappointment in her face.
"Were you hoping I'd start dancing on tables or something?"
Rachael shot him a half-hearted glare.
Before she could snap back, Bruce—who had been listening nearby—grinned.
"Did I hear that right, young master? You need three times the drink just to feel a buzz?"
Melissa perked up too, clearly enjoying the developing scene.
"Sounds like a challenge."
Another soldier nearby slapped the table.
"Bring the barrels! Let's see if our lord bleeds wine!"
"I don't think that's how it works."
Kyle replied, raising a brow. But the growing noise made it clear that the challenge had been accepted on his behalf.
Within moments, a few more bottles were produced, and someone was already clearing space on the table.
Kyle turned back to Rachael, expression tinged with dry amusement.
"Look what you started."
"Don't worry. It's the most fun they've had in weeks. Let them try."
He leaned a little closer.
Rachael's breath hitched slightly as the warmth of his voice washed over her.
"And what about you?"
Kyle leaned back, casually catching one of the bottles tossed to him.
"I'm just curious how long they'll last."
The drinking began in full force. The crowd roared every time someone managed to finish a bottle.
Kyle drank with quiet ease, unmoved by the amount, while soldier after soldier turned red and began slurring their words.
Bruce tapped out after two bottles. Melissa lasted three and a half before quietly pretending she wasn't dizzy. Others fell in varying degrees of glorious defeat.
But Kyle remained perfectly calm.
Rachael, who had stayed beside him the whole time, found herself laughing freely for the first time in a while.
Every time someone declared they'd take him down, Kyle simply nodded and let them try. Every time they failed, he offered a polite word or smirk.
When the final challenger collapsed, groaning about seeing double, the common hall was filled with laughter and spilled wine.
Kyle glanced at Rachael.
"Still disappointed?"
She grinned at him, a soft, genuine curve of her lips.
"A little. But this was fun."
His gaze lingered on her for a heartbeat longer than usual.
"Good. That was the point."
And for that night, surrounded by warmth, laughter, and flushed faces, Rachael didn't think about the fiancée on her way.
She only thought about how close she was sitting to Kyle—and how, even if just for a moment, it felt like she belonged there.
As the night stretched on and the warmth of the common hall gave way to the gentle chill of evening, Kyle finally rose from his seat, the laughter and chatter around him slowly fading.
"Alright. That's enough for one night. Everyone, head back to your rooms."
He announced, voice slightly heavier than usual.
A collective groan of disappointment echoed around the room, but no one dared argue. With lingering glances and half-finished drinks, the villagers and soldiers began to disperse, one by one.
Soon, the hall grew quiet, leaving behind only the clinking of cups and the soft shuffle of chairs being tucked away.
Kyle remained standing by the table, his gaze steady for a moment—until his body tilted slightly to the side.
He blinked slowly, then muttered.
"Huh… guess it finally hit me. Should've stopped two bottles ago…"
He took a step forward, but his balance betrayed him. Just as he teetered, a firm hand grabbed his arm, steadying him.
"Young master, you shouldn't push yourself . I'll help you back. I can't just watch you stumble around"
Melissa's voice came, tight with concern. She seemed to have recovered from her drunken state….for the most part.
Kyle turned his head to look at her, his eyes glassy from the alcohol but his usual calm still flickering underneath.
"Melissa…You're a good girl, you know that? I'm proud of you…"
He slurred softly, his hand reaching up to pat her head.
Melissa froze, her eyes wide. The soft ruffling of her hair made her cheeks burn scarlet.
"Y-Young master! Please don't say things like that out loud…"
She stammered, glancing around to make sure no one else was around to hear him speak like that.
But Kyle only chuckled, the sound warm and a little breathless.
"You've grown up well. Always watching out for me… Always loyal…"
Melissa bit her lower lip, heart pounding in her chest as she tried to process his words while holding onto a man who, just moments ago, had effortlessly defeated every drinker in the room.
She tightened her grip on his arm and led him gently toward the door.
"Come on, let's get you back before you embarrass both of us."
Kyle didn't argue. He allowed her to guide him, his steps heavy and slower than usual.
As they walked under the cool night sky, the village quiet around them, Melissa focused on the warmth of his body leaning slightly against hers.
No words passed between them for the rest of the walk. But for Melissa, the silence didn't matter.
Her young master had called her a good girl.
And in her heart, that was more precious than any title or reward.