SCT-Novel Chapter 154:
Chapter 154:
Chapter 154:
Drink Up (1)
***
Alcohol boasts a history as long as humanity itself.
Many ancient brewing methods have survived for thousands of years, and the production process is largely similar across cultures.
In the past, due to the scarcity of clean water, people often drank alcohol instead. It brightened moods and elevated atmospheres.
However, as the saying goes, “Too much of anything is bad.” Drinking excessively often leads to mishaps.
Even those who are usually composed may act out, and in severe cases, crimes can occur.
Thus, alcohol plays various roles in human civilization, both positive and negative.
“...Sivar?”
“Hmm?”
“You seem a bit drunk. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Is he really okay? Luna thought as much.
She had been aware of Sivar’s arrival at the banquet hall. She was simply late in greeting him due to mingling with various people.
During a brief moment of respite, Kara had approached her, asking her to look after Sivar as she needed to meet others.
Initially, Luna didn’t understand why, but upon spending time with him, she realized.
“It’s delicious.”
“Aren’t you drinking too much?”
“I’m not drunk. I’m fine.”
Sivar was drinking an alarming amount, enough to make onlookers worry.
After finishing one glass, he’d refill it in no time, chat a bit, and then drink again.
The banquet offered a variety of drinks, but Sivar chose only the sweet ones.
He claimed he disliked the bitter kinds. Luna was also drinking but not nearly as much.
“Isn’t he going to get really drunk at this rate?”
“I don’t know... I’m a bit worried.”
Ellie voiced her concern as she approached. Luna agreed with her.
Regardless, Sivar was holding a bottle in one hand, occasionally pouring into his glass.
Sometimes, he would even try to drink directly from the bottle, which Luna managed to prevent.
With rumors about him being a wildling, people might overlook it, but he still needed to maintain some decorum.
“You drink too. Here.”
“Oh... thanks.”
“And you too, Ellie.”
The amusing part was that he wasn’t just drinking alone; he was sharing with others.
With a tipsy face, he offered drinks, looking adorably funny. Ellie laughed and accepted.
“Luna, is this your first time drinking?”
“I once secretly drank some after seeing the adults do it. I had a terrible headache the next day. What about you?”
“It’s my first time. So, I’m trying to drink moderately. My mom said if you get drunk at places like this, you always wake up in bed the next day.”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“With a man.”
“...”
Luna was taken aback. She immediately understood what Ellie meant.
After all, that’s the nature of alcohol. It excels at drawing out one’s true feelings and desires.
Moreover, Ellie is not only beautiful but also has a great figure. Surely, some would approach her with ulterior motives.
“Hello, beautiful ladies. May I interrupt for a moment?”
Just like now. Luna looked at the man who approached them out of nowhere.
His cheesy line and appearance suggested he was a noble.
His expression was as pleasant as he could muster, but Luna knew. His gaze was fixed on Ellie.
‘His focus keeps shifting.’
While it’s natural for men, it was too obvious. Knowing Ellie was a commoner, he was probably plotting something.
Moreover, he blatantly ignored Sivar standing there. Did he think he was better than Sivar?
Just as Luna was about to politely decline, Sivar intervened.
“Maybe you should stop now...”
“No.”
One of Sivar’s traits: sheer stubbornness. Especially when it came to food.
Luna sighed, watching Sivar walk off with a bottle in hand.
If left unchecked, he might cause a scene, which would be troublesome. Especially since many attended this banquet.
An embarrassing incident would be mortifying, and opinions of Sivar might worsen.
“Ellie, stay here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay. I’ll just visit the restroom.”
Luna hurriedly followed Sivar as he headed straight for the drinks.
As she followed, she noticed the nearby Hwan Empire princess, who didn’t seem to pay much attention to them.
‘But where’s her escort? Is she alone?’
Usually, princesses are accompanied by guards. But perhaps it was because they were at the academy.
There seemed to be no one around her who appeared to be a guard. There was one person, but even they were distant.
For a moment, Luna doubted if she was truly a princess, but her attire, simple yet luxurious, confirmed it.
‘Well, it’s not my concern.’
Luna watched as Sivar arrived, picking up a bottle from the table.
Since it was still sealed, it was corked. He’d need an opener.
“Sivar, you’ll need an opener for that...”
Pop!
But Sivar simply pulled it out with his hand without using an opener. Luna was momentarily speechless.
They say if you’re strong, your brain doesn’t need to work hard, but how would one even describe this?
While Luna momentarily paused in thought, Sivar poured the drink into his glass.
The reddish hue of the drink made Sivar’s mouth water just by looking at it.
“Just finish that and stop. Okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. Now... what’s he looking at?”
Fetching the drink was fine. But Sivar was looking elsewhere.
If he were looking at Kara or Grace, it would make sense, but he wasn’t. Instead, he was fixated on an unexpected figure.
Following Sivar’s gaze, Luna turned her head. There stood the Hwan Empire princess she had seen earlier.
‘When did she arrive?’
Was she here for a drink? Luna was a bit taken aback.
The Hwan Empire princess bit her lip and muttered softly.
“Hah, damn it. I can’t stand this crap.”
“...?”
She muttered in the eastern language, so Luna couldn’t understand.
Being from the Matra Empire, Luna only knew its language and the common language.
Even uages were fundamentally different.
“Is it crap?”
“...Huh?”
“Hmm?”
But Sivar was different. For some reason, he understood every word the princess said.
It would’ve been fine if it ended there, but the more dangerous part was that he spoke to her.
At that moment, not only the Hwan Empire princess but also Luna turned to look at Sivar.
“Want a drink?”
“What?”
“Drinking makes you feel good.”
Sivar confidently offered her a drink.
“Hehe.”
His face had a silly grin, slightly intoxicated.
End of Chapte