***
Is that true?
I had my doubts, but it was worth a try.
"Very well."
Then, shall we toast?
I wondered if we should do that, but I bumped my glass because I thought it would be better to make it clear.
As soon as I drank it, I could imdiately feel the bitter taste of alcohol. Still, the fruity scent was strong enough for to drink it.
I wanted to drink it quickly and send Aldor away, but it was against the etiquette, so I had no choice but to drink it little by little.
Oh, by the way, I heard an interesting rumor about the Lady.
As the champagne was almost finished, Aldor suddenly brought up an unpleasant story.
I replied before he could tell exactly what the rumor was.
"No."
Aldor then chuckled.
I havent said anything yet.
Youre talking about the rumor of being the Emperors mistress, right?
Oh my, youre quick to sense.
Wasn't it stupid to not know when everyone was talking about it?
But, is it really not?
It's really not.
Hmm, I see.
Aldor looked at with curious eyes. I ignored him and concentrated on drinking the champagne.
At last, the champagne was finished. I showed Aldor the empty champagne glass.
I drank it all.
Therefore, it was a tacit expression of intention for him to go away.
As if he wasnt that slow-witted at all, Aldor looked disappointed and quietly retreated.
I was finally alone. I sighed heavily and leaned against the wall.
I already drank a whole glass of champagne, but I was still thirsty.
"Here."
I handed the servant the empty glass, took a new one, and drank it all at once.
There's no one around , so there's no need to be polite.
After drinking two or three more glasses, the drunkenness that had subsided while dancing rose again.
I felt a little shaky and my head felt dizzy. My body beca hot and I felt tipsy.
Am I so weak in drinking?
I had never drunk this much alcohol before until now, so I never knew.
Now that I knew how much I could drink, I had to be careful next ti.
More than that, I wanted to go back to my room and rest, but was that okay? The party wasn't over yet, but there's nothing more to do.
Let's go back.
It's better to do that than to hold on and then get drunk and make a fool of myself.
If I went straight out the front door, people would notice , so I sneaked out through the back door. It was good because this way was close to the annex too.
When I ca out, the slightly muggy wind blew with a salty sll.
In the distance, I could see the sparkling sea with stars.
"Beautiful."
It had a different charm than seeing it during the day. It also felt different from looking from my room.
With such a nice view, I couldn't go back to my room. So, I stood there for a mont and watched the beautiful night sea.
As ti passed, drunkenness grew more and more.
Every breath I took seed to sll like alcohol.
I'm getting sleepy, so I really have to go now.
As I turned around, my legs lost strength and I staggered slightly.
"Miss?"
In all likelihood, I was caught by a servant passing by.
Are you okay?
No, Im not.
I answered honestly without holding on to my pride.
It's better to be humiliated by one person than to be humiliated by more people for nothing.
The worst scenario was to be seen by Marquis Valdir and his remnants.
Im sorry, but could you help to my room?
Before that happened, I asked the servant for help because I wanted to return to my room quickly.
Of course, Miss.
The servant ca and supported .
I left my body immobile at will and headed to the annex.
On the way, as I was getting drunk, I fell asleep.
I can't sleep here.
I tried to endure it sohow, but I couldn't overco the pouring sleepiness, so my mories were sparsely cut off.
While I was sleeping and waking up repeatedly, I felt a soft touch on my back.
It looked like I had finally returned to my room.
The corset that tightened my waist and the accessories I was wearing were uncomfortable to sleep on, but sleeping was my priority.
"Thank you."
I said to the servant briefly and accepted the flood of sleep pouring onto .
*****
Hiltine's routine was simple.
When Leila slept, he slept with her, when she ate, he ate with her, and wherever she went, he followed her.
But after Leila entered the Marquis of Hutton, it was often difficult to do so. That was when Marquis Hutton was near Leila.
As he was the commander-in-chief of the Navy, Marquis Hutton was not an easy one. Even with a little carelessness, he could read the signs.
In that regard, he seed to be one step ahead of Philen.
Hiltine's mission was to protect Leila secretly without being noticed by anyone. So Hiltine had to keep a certain distance whenever Marquis Hutton appeared.
It would make it a little difficult to protect Leila if sothing happened, but he couldn't help it. Because it's better than to be seen by Marquis Hutton.
That was why the Marquis of Hutton was like the Impregnable Fortress. Since no one here dared to go big enough to harm Leila here, it could have looked rather pathetic.
Today too, because of Marquis Hutton, Hiltine was unable to protect Leila as usual and sat on the roof of the mansion. But that didn't an that he was just playing.
it's like that."
It's just in ti for daily reporting. Using the magic ssenger bird, he reported what had happened today to Kalian.
As soon as Hiltine finished, Kalian asked.
[so, you're saying that Marquis Hutton's second son is after Leila?]
I dont know if he is after her, but Im sure he is interested in her. Because he had co to escort her twice.
[It ans he hit on her twice.]
For so reason, there's a hint of murderous intent in Kalian's voice.
It's common for a noble lord to ask for an escort to a lady, but why is he reacting like this?
Hiltine didn't understand, but he didn't question it deeply as he thought that he certainly had a reason.
[If that guy tries to do strange things to Leila, make him can't do his role as a man.]
What kind of strange things?
[Everything that Leila hates.]
Now that he said it, it felt like sothing was wrong, so Kalian corrected it right away.
[I should correct it. Touching Leila's body without her permission.]
"I understand."
Everyone who touched Leila without her permission is suspicious.
Hiltine entered Kalian's command precisely in his head.
[Is Leila still at the party?]
Hiltine kept watching the entrance to the main building while reporting to Kalian and he didn't see Leila co out.
"Yes."
[The party is quite long huh?]
Is it? It's only been an hour though.
[It will be difficult because of Marquis Hutton, but keep your eyes on Leila as much as possible.]
"I understand."
The conversation ended there.
Hiltine put the magic ssenger bird in his pocket and jumped off the roof. He was going to make sure Leila was safe.
Using the darkness as a cover to avoid people's eyes, Hiltine slowly approached the window of the main hall and looked inside.
He could see people laughing and chatting, enjoying the party with the frantic music. But no matter how much he looked around, he couldn't see Leila.
It was the sa no matter how many tis he confird it.
Did she go to the toilet? Or the lounge?
If not that, did she go back to the annex without seeing her?
It hadn't been a few minutes since he was told to keep his eyes on Leila by Kalian, but he had already lost sight of her.
He beca anxious. Hiltine moved quickly to find Leila.
*****
As I was sleeping for a while, soone grabbed my arm.
Who is it? Is it Eria?
Does she know that I was back and co to help change?
Anyway, it's good. Because the dress is uncomfortable.
I said to Eria, half-asleep.
Just take off my dress and the corset. Ah, and the accessories
Since you don't have to take anything else off
I couldn't speak properly because I was sleepy and drunk.
"Pfft."
I was mumbling as if talking to myself, and the other person laughed a little.
this laugh isn't Erias though?
Co to think of it, the hand holding my arm was also larger than that of Eria.
Soone other than Eria?
I got goosebumps from my toes.
As if being poured cold water, I woke up and was not sleepy anymore.
LET GO, LET GO!
I shouted sharply and shook off the hand that was holding my arm.
I tried to get up right away, but my drunken body didn't move as I wanted.
All I could do was pull my body back a little.
I turned my head to see who it was, but my surroundings were dark. What I could only see was a blurry silhouette.
When I focused only on the silhouette, it was definitely not a woman.
Who, who are you?
I curled up and stared at the person who was looking at silently.
Who are you to co into my room at this late hour?
This is not the Ladys room.
This voice
Lord Hutton?"
As my eyes gradually adapted to the darkness, I could see him.
A greasy look and a an smile.
It really was Aldor.
Why are you here No, more than that, this isn't my room?"
"Yes. This is my room.
Impossible
I hurriedly looked around. It was still dark, so I couldn't see well, but I could tell that this wasnt my room.
Everything was different, the furniture arrangent and the bed I was lying on.
Why am I here?
I certainly asked the servant to take to my room.
"I'm sorry."
It was strange and absurd, but it must be the sa for Aldor. So, rather than making excuses, I apologized first.
The servant who should be taking to my room seed to have misunderstood sothing. I'm really sorry."
Well, you shouldn't be sorry.
The corner of his lips was slightly raised, and it was terrifying. His eyes flashing in the dark looked dangerous.
I felt like I had to run away, so I pulled myself back a little more.
Ugh!
As a result, I fell down the bed.
I felt a sharp pain on my bottom that hit the floor, but thanks to it, it made a little sober. I was able to move more freely than before.
Then Ill get
As I was about to leave, Aldor approached and pulled my arm.
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