As usual Hill, Leyrian, Buer, Marcus and Barden were there.
âWow, even Barden is here.â
âIf heâs at the mansion, he needs to have his welcoming ceremony!â
âWelcoming ceremony?â
âYes. Apparently he hasnât had grilled intestines before.â
âReally? This amazing stuff?! Barden youâve truly not lived.â Amethyst said to the flustered Barden.
âWhat? My lady, have you had this disgusting looking stuff before?â The fellow asked in surprise.
âHa, look at this lad,â said Buer, chuckling. âOur lady canât have enough it! She loves it so much.â
âWhat?!â asked Barden, perplexed.
âHaha, Barden once you try it you wonât be able to get over this dish!â
âTada, I brought some alcohol to go along as well!â Marcus revealed a bottle from his arms and shook it.
âMy man! You sure know how to enjoy!â Buer wrapped his arms around Marcusâ shoulders in excitement.
Amethyst clapped her hands and cheered as well. âNow hurry and flip it! Be careful, donât burn it.â
âHaha, donât worry, my lady. We have mastered the art of grilling, thanks to you.â
âAh, donât forget to grill the onion! And the potatoes!â
âOf course.â Leyrian quickly put the vegetables on the grill.
Just as the intestines were turning golden brown, Marcus opened the bottle of alcohol and poured everyone a glass. Amethyst took this as the opportunity and grabbed a glass for herself.
âNow, cheers!â
âCheers!â
How exciting! Itâs been a while, thought Amethyst. She knew that her current body was low on tolerance when it came to alcohol. So, instead of gulping the whole thing up, she sipped at it. But even with such a small amount, she got tipsy after a while. She felt great. Her body felt light. She was full of energy.
âOne shot!â
âMadam you canât even down your first glass!â
âHaha, count me out! Iâm already quite drunk already!â
âAlright, just this once!â
âYes! Now, cheers!â The food was cooking, and the atmosphere was cheery.
Alexcent spotted Pon the moment he returned. Pon looked worried. âWhat is it?â asked the duke.
âAh⦠itâs nothing, my lord,â said Pon.
Alexcent was about to turn and head to his study when Roman came looking for Pon. âPon!â she called and then she saw Alexcent, âMy lord.â She bowed.
âYou are Ashâs maid, arenât you?â asked Alexcent.
âYes, my lord.â
âThen why are you here?â he asked.
âSorry?â asked Roman, confused.
âShouldnât you be by her side?â asked Alexcent.
âI was just running an errandâ¦â
âAn errand?â
âYes, my lord.â
âYou have a skill of making me ask twice. I donât quite like that.â
âI-I apologize, my lord,â said Roman, terrified. âMadam asked me to get some more liquor from Pon, my lord.â
Pon looked nervous. With Roman, blurting out everything, he thought that the damage had already been done.
âLiquor?â asked Alexcent. He turned to Pon. âWhy is that, Pon?â
âThey are having a mini party in the training ground, my lord,â said Pon, hurriedly, âWith grilled meat and some alcohol. I think they much be low on the latter.â
Roman looked at Pon. Pon swallowed his nervousness. âI apologize, my lord,â said Roman.
âLead the way,â said Alexcent.
âYes, my lord.â Roman led the way to the training grounds, terrified.
Alcohol! Alexcent seethed. She canât hold her liquor and yetâ¦. Even though Alexcent had promised himself that he wouldnât care about her too much, the word âalcoholâ broke his resolve. Because he knew better than anyone else how she had the lowest tolerance for it. With every step he took towards the training ground, he felt his rage growing within him.
âDrink, drink!â
âDrink what? Weâre out of alcohol!â Marcus complained.
âHaha, donât worry. Roman will be back shortly with more!â
âMy lady! you are so generous!â
âWhile we wait, why donât we play a game of truth or dare?â Lunia, who had joined them just a moment ago, suggested. She should have been stopping Amethyst, but here she was, encouraging her instead.
âTruth or dare? That sounds fun. Whoâs going to go first?â
âBarden of course!â Leyrian and Buer shouted at the same time.
Barden tried to refuse but it was too late.
âNow, now, if you refuse to question, you will have to drink a whole glass!â
âWhat the hell? Since when was that rule created?â
âJust now!â
This is so fun! Amethyst laughed as she sipped on her glass.
âNow, tell me honestly. Whoâs the one you moon over every day?â Buer asked with a smirk.
âWhat?â
Oh my, how did they know that? Amethyst almost spilled her drink. She looked at Lunia, who shrugged her shoulders. Haha. Sorry, Barden.
Amethyst looked away as Barden looked at her with resentful eyes.
âAre you going to drink? Or tell the truth?â
âWellâ¦â Barden, who couldnât drink, seemed to be in a dilemma.
Oh no, should I help him out? But I canât drink as well. What should I do? I canât believe Lunia did that! She promised to keep it a secret!
âThis wonât do. Fill the glass! Two times!â Marcus emptied the bottle; the glass was full.
âYou might die if you drink this. You better tell us. Itâs quite strong.â
âHey and you never know, we might be able to help you out. Even though he looks like that, Leyrian is pretty popular with the ladies.â Buer leaned into Barden and whispered devilishly, trying to get him to spill the beans.
Barden must have been nervous. âWell⦠the person I like is⦠Loââ
âWhatâs going on?â A furious voice boomed in the air. It felt like a thunderclap that shook everyone sending cold shivers down their spine.