CPSMBD Chapter 45

Chapter 45

The Drinking Competition

​The Crown Prince downed his freshly poured drink in one go, setting the glass down with an audible clink. The corner of his mouth curved up in a crooked smile.

"Don't jump to conclusions. You never know who's won until the very end."

What I thought would be a quick contest dragged on without a clear winner. As I waited for their duel to end, I found myself dozing off in an empty chair, head bobbing up and down.

I snapped awake when one of the spectators who had been voluntarily serving drinks called out loudly:

"We're out of alcohol! This is the last of it."

My eyes flew open in disbelief. They'd finished all that liquor?

The Crown Prince drained his final glass in one swift motion and waved the empty cup. "Bring... more alcohol. This contest... isn't over yet."

I approached the Crown Prince, who was now slurring his words incoherently, and shook his shoulder.

"Your Highness, that's enough. You've had far too much to drink today."

The Crown Prince raised his eyes to me and shook his head. "Nooo. Hurry... pour more... I can still driiink."

Anyone could see the Crown Prince was thoroughly intoxicated. While his face showed no flush, his eyes were completely unfocused. Plus, so unlike his usual self, he was dragging out his words.

Lord Brooke was clearly worse for wear. Not only was his face red, but the flush extended all the way to his fingertips.

"I can still drink too! hic!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lord Brooke's upper body collapsed onto the table.

Seeing this, Prince Friedrich pointed at Lord Brooke and looked around. "Did you seee that? I... I wooon."

At these words, Lord Brooke suddenly jerked upright from the table.

"What nonsense, Your Highness! I won! I can still! Drink more! hic!"

"No way. I... drank muuuch more than you."

"Then I'll take that as Your Highness's permission regarding Miss Violetta! hic!"

Lord Brooke's body slumped back onto the table.

The Crown Prince, half-slouched in his chair, muttered, "What are you talking abouuut! I'm the one who wooon..."

Haah...

A sigh escaped unbidden from between my lips.

Head Chamberlain Dominic whispered in my ear: "It seems Lord Brooke really struck a nerve with His Highness. I've never seen His Highness so determined."

"Head Chamberlain Dominic, this can't go on. Please end the competition and take His Highness home."

"Yes. We couldn't continue anyway since we're out of alcohol. Though we could borrow some from the neighboring establishment..."

What nonsense was this?

The amount these two had already consumed far exceeded what would be lethal for a normal person.

I couldn't help but shoot Head Chamberlain Dominic a contemptuous glare.

Avoiding my eyes, Head Chamberlain Dominic mumbled,

"Yes, yes. You're right. You're right. Any more would be disastrous."

"If they drink any more, they might both end up crossing the River of the Dead."

"The Chief Aide is correct. For His Highness's health, we should end it here."

Head Chamberlain Dominic clicked his tongue regretfully.

Men, really.

What an impossibly reckless lot they were.

"Regrettably, I declare this contest a draw."

The announcement was met with jeers from the spectators who had been watching with great interest.

Not that it mattered.

'Why risk dealing with walking corpses? Absolutely no more drinking.'

The Crown Prince left the tavern, supported by Head Chamberlain Dominic.

Of course, he made quite a scene even while leaving.

"Let go! I can still drink! I wooon!"

"I can still drink too, Your Highness! Where are you going? Are you running away because you're afraid you'll lose to me?!"

Lord Brooke shot up from the table to shout at His Highness before collapsing again.

I looked down at my potential suitor, now half-sprawled across the table.

Lord Brooke, so drunk he could barely control his body.

Sighing, I shook him and spoke. "Lord Brooke. Please get up."

"Yesss..."

"Can you remember where you live?"

"Of course."

Somehow understanding my words, Lord Brooke stood up and staggered toward the exit.

The thought of having to support his large frame all the way home made my head spin.

"Let me go with you. I'll help you home."

"No need! I can find my way home by myself!"

Before I could stop him, Lord Brooke strode out of the tavern with surprising steadiness.

'Will he be alright?'

Well, he was much bigger than me and one of the empire's finest swordsmen, so he probably wouldn't run into trouble.

As I was about to leave the tavern last, someone who appeared to be the owner blocked my path and held out his hand.

"The bill."

"Pardon?"

What was he talking about? I'd already paid for what I ordered when the food came out.

The tavern owner snapped with an irritated expression.

"Weren't you with those two who just left?"

"Yes, I was."

"If you drink, you need to pay, don't you? How can they drink all the establishment's alcohol and leave without paying?"

"What? You mean neither of them paid for all the alcohol they just drank?"

"That's right."

Ah, damn it.

In the end, I had to empty my purse to pay for all the alcohol the Crown Prince and Lord Brooke had consumed.

***

The next day, I headed to the Crown Prince's office to get some documents approved.

"Good morning, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince, looking exhausted, could barely manage a nod in response.

Yesterday's aftermath seemed quite severe.

It was impressive that he was even managing to work while seated.

As he was reviewing the documents I'd submitted, the Crown Prince suddenly covered his mouth.

"Urp."

Then he dashed out of the office.

A moment later, the Crown Prince returned.

"Haah. I feel like I'm dying. It's like my head is being split in two."

"You should have drunk in moderation. Why did you drink so much when you rarely drink at all?"

Just then, Head Chamberlain Dominic visited the office with honey water, good for hangovers.

The Crown Prince downed the honey water in one go and spoke.

"You should be grateful. If it weren't for me, you might have ended up with that manner-less fellow who takes you to a noisy tavern on your first meeting."

"I was fine with it. Does the location really matter? Isn't the person more important?"

"How can you say that?"

Head Chamberlain Dominic, who had collected the empty cup from the Crown Prince, spoke up.

"Since Your Highness didn't win, we don't know how things might turn out, do we?"

The Crown Prince turned to Head Chamberlain Dominic with a frown.

"Didn't I win?"

"No, you both tied."

At my words, the Crown Prince's face contorted.

"Damn, what a monster. I have to admit his mental fortitude."

That's when it happened.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the office.

Then came the sound of trumpets and percussion instruments.

"What's that sound?"

"I wonder the same."

Head Chamberlain Dominic tilted his head in confusion, apparently not knowing either.

As if a military band had arrived, the Crown Prince clutched his head at the loud music.

"What on earth is this noise? My head is pounding. Tell them to stop immediately."

Just as I was about to go out to check the situation, Brahe called from outside the office in an excited voice.

"Senior, Senior Violetta. Please come out quickly!"

What could possibly warrant such a fuss?

I stepped outside the office.

The Crown Prince and Head Chamberlain Dominic followed behind me.

An extraordinary scene unfolded before us: Imperial Knights lined up along the corridor outside the Crown Prince's office.

As I appeared, one of the lined-up knights called out in a loud voice.

"Attention! Salute!"

Following the command, the Imperial Knights bowed their heads toward me and shouted in resounding voices:

"The Third Imperial Knight Division pays its respects to Chief Aide Violetta, our future sister-in-law!"

The sight of the knights in formal uniform moving with precise angles and disciplined posture was truly magnificent.