episode_0184

This was the second time that Gwyn had visited Seraphine’s guest room.

Of course, the extravagant building of the noble dormitory was still unfamiliar after only two visits.

From the massive stained glass window that seemed to have cost dozens of gold coins to create, to the chandeliers hanging every ten steps, and the various jewels adorning every corner of the house, it was a place that did not quite fit with Seraphine, who rarely indulged in luxury aside from maintaining her dignity.

Of course, since it was a space used by the entire nobility, it didn’t necessarily have to align with Seraphine’s personal modesty.

“As expected, the guest room… It truly is a magnificent building, just as I heard…”

“I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for someone of my status to visit a place like this. Perhaps I shouldn’t have intruded into the nobles’ gathering without being mindful…”

“What are you talking about, Gwyn? Everyone was invited in the name of the nobility, so who would question the qualifications of those present?”

“Ah, I misspoke.”

“…Indeed, even the accommodations of the aristocratic families are different.”

Even the rooms with bathrooms for the aristocratic families within the dormitory were at most the size of a single room, but the guest room, reserved exclusively for two nobles, was a structure that undoubtedly sparked interest upon first sight.

Seeing Regina Edan, who was not envious of the noble ladies, express admiration, it was even more impressive.

“Please come in, everyone. Seats have been prepared inside. Please make yourselves comfortable and let me know if there is anything you need.”

As they entered the guest room, Luke, who had prepared in advance, guided the guests in a traditional maid outfit instead of his usual formal attire.

Nevertheless, dressing him in a maid outfit, albeit unintentionally, may have been an excellent choice to make him a full-time maid.

“Today, just think of it as a normal social gathering and enjoy yourselves without any pressure, everyone.”

“Thank you for creating such an event, Chairman Seraphine.”

“You don’t have to praise me too much. This event was created for all of you who worked hard throughout the semester.”

…Well, that’s a nice thing to say. Everyone did go through various struggles to bring the student council together during the semester.

However…why did Seraphine’s remarks feel so formal today?

And why did she organize such a mediocre event like an afterparty during this ambiguous time? It raised suspicions in various ways.

It might seem ridiculous to doubt her motives just because she organized a small afterparty, but that’s something that people who don’t know the character of Seraphine could say.

As mentioned earlier, Seraphine was a character who didn’t indulge in luxury.

So, she wouldn’t have personally organized an expensive gathering like this. Perhaps if she had extra money, she would donate it to a poor person or an orphanage.

Yet, if there was a reason for her to host this event, it likely had something to do with the knights…

“Please also take one, Miss Lillis. It’s a Blue Quiraso cocktail.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you, Luke.”

As Luke brought a cocktail glass in front of me, I carefully accepted it.

Seraphine’s toast followed immediately after she noticed everyone holding their glasses.

“Thank you for your hard work this semester, student council members. I look forward to working with you next semester, and perhaps even in the years to come. …Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Amidst the slightly rowdy atmosphere, the sound of several glasses clinking in succession could be heard.

It was a peaceful atmosphere to the point where one could not imagine any problems arising.

And, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered in less than 30 minutes.

Due to the unexpected drinking habits of a character that never appeared in the original game.

“Lilith… Mia…”

“Miss Auguste, it would be best to maintain your dignity.”

“I didn’t know Lilith was such a cool lady… sniff!”

“Please….”

From the second cocktail onwards, Lizzie suddenly lost consciousness and clung to my arm.

From the first drink, the atmosphere seemed strange, but by the second drink, she completely passed out.

‘…If I had known, I would have stopped her after the second drink.’

I never expected that after just two cocktails, she would pass out. Even if her alcohol tolerance was trash, it was still unbelievable.

This isn’t a novel or a game… come to think of it, it is a game, yeah.

Even though this was my first experience having a drinking session with Lizzie, predicting this outcome was too harsh.

“Lizzie, it would be best for you to take a rest. There’s a bedroom for the servants in the next room where you can rest your eyes for a bit…”

“Quiet…! Let go…!! Don’t interfere with me and Lilith’s relationship…!”

“Lizzie…”

Rejecting Luke’s touch, Lizzie clung to me even more, her tears staining my uniform.

‘…I really want to just knock her out on the floor.’

No, maybe I should just secretly give her a good punch to the back of her head? If I do it right, maybe no one will notice.

Since there was no one to stop me, should I just do it? Push her away?

‘…No, let’s refrain. There’s no need to ruin the good mood for no reason.’

After all, I owed Lizzie a lot in many ways, from helping me get a book on understanding magical flow in the first semester to getting me coffee.

In the second semester, I was able to end it with Ethan with a decent score by using the potion I got from Lizzie.

Since we were in the same grade, we would have to see each other for the next 4 years. If I made things awkward now, the remaining 3 years would be exhausting.

And well, even in my past life, this level of drunken behavior was somewhat tolerable.

Annoyingly clinging to me and whining around me didn’t cause any material harm.

If two people of the opposite sex did this, it would obviously be a problem, but between the same sex, hugging and rubbing faces was somewhat acceptable.

And in this world, among the characters, there were only two who should never be given alcohol.

Natalie from the Swordsmanship Department and Agnes from the Magic Department.

The former became a crazy swordsman who demanded a duel from anyone after just one sip of alcohol, and the latter turned into a hysterical Chihuahua, screaming and cursing my family and ancestors until the alcohol wore off.

Well, compared to those two, Lizzie’s drunken behavior was mild. …I never thought I would witness their drunken antics in my lifetime.

…Wait a minute, am I getting annoyed? Even though I am Ethan’s exclusive maid, today I came as a guest just like Lizzie, right?

But should I neglect my maid duties to deal with someone else’s drunken behavior in this situation?

I might not punch her in the back of the head, but I might just give her a good poke in the ribs…

“Seraphine, the guests have arrived.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll handle the introductions, so Luke, please guide them.”

‘…Huh?’

…Guests? Right now?

Although the conversation between the two was spoken quietly, the moment I heard that the guests had arrived, it was clear to my ears.

Certainly, the conversation about another guest arriving at the gathering made me naturally curious, even though it was an excuse made under the guise of a student council after-party.

I briefly wondered if Orion had belatedly joined, but if it was his nature to join late, he would already be wandering around the party venue, hiding his presence.

If it wasn’t Orion, then who on earth would suddenly join this after-party gathering?

“Lil, Lis~! Just call me by my name… you can forget about titles and formalities!”

Every time I tried to think of something else, Lizzie would cling to me and disrupt me with her loud voice.

I had to resist the urge to punch her and calmly replied, “I’m sorry, Miss August.”

“Is Lilith still holding a grudge from back then?! You said you would accept my apology, but are you still resentful that I dirtied your clothes?!”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

…Cancel what I said earlier. This woman was just as trashy as Natalina Agnes when it came to drinking.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Natalina and Agnes’ drinking habits in this world, so relatively speaking, the woman next to me must be the number one drinker in my book.

Realizing this fact, I started to cry and whimper sincerely, while Ethan, who had been trying to avoid interfering in women’s affairs, cautiously began to restrain Lizzie.

“Lizzie Lynn August. I’ve tried to overlook your behavior because you’re a member of the August family, but I can no longer tolerate your constant harassment of Lilith…”

“Lilith, take this. Sprinkle this on me quickly!”

“…What?”

“I’ll turn all the cocktails upside down like Lilith did back then! Sprinkle it on me as much as Lilith’s anger allows!”

…Is this woman for real?

Does she really think that’s possible?

As a nobleman, I’m supposed to sprinkle cocktails on a commoner?

Is she still holding a grudge against me from back then, trying to create an excuse to send me to ruin by pretending to be drunk like this, and then shamelessly demand compensation later?

I had tried to overlook and forgive her, but no matter how much I thought about it, it seemed quite impossible to become friends with this crazy woman.

-Sigh.

“Ugh, ugh….”

In the midst of this, Ethan calmly held Lizzie’s arms behind her back, preventing her from causing any more trouble.

As the somewhat chaotic atmosphere continued, a party-like atmosphere began to unfold.

When Seraphine, who had heard something from Luke, turned her gaze towards us and delivered a slightly rushed impromptu speech.

“Everyone, the reason I organized this after-party today is not just for the end of the semester with the student council members.”

‘…Huh?’

“In fact, besides all of you, I have separately invited guests to this event. They are none other than the heroes who made the greatest contribution in this year’s final hunting festival.”

‘…Oh, really?’

“Please welcome the hero of Gethmyrjoshekigwot and the party members of the hunting festival! Come on in~!”

With Seraphine’s somewhat exaggerated welcome, the hero party entered from outside.

As I saw the hero and the others entering, I couldn’t help but quietly sense something in my heart.

…The aftermath of this party, no matter how much I think about it, doesn’t seem like it will end as smoothly as I hope.