Party

The ceremony was pretty simple and short. There was honorifics, speeches, stuff only politicians would be interested in.

I was given the noble title of baron, the lowest rank of nobility. Though it's the lowest rank, I am still a noble. I found out that Marth possessed the title of Earl which was a higher rank than mime. So he basically had more power than me.

But after we were done and heading back towards the room, the king spoke out many things that would allow me to raise my status.

"If you want to raise your nobility status, you'll need to perform chivalric actions. Though it'll have to be recognized by a majority."

"Chivalric? As in?"

"Oh you know, eliminating a major threat, saving a city, anything major really."

"I see…"

When we got back to the room, everyone stood up and looked at us.

"Now, shall we go down and join everyone?"

***

It was a familiar sight, watching everyone chatting with each other and drinking.

It was very peaceful… until I heard Ordos calling my name.

"Hey, Seiya!"

I turned my head and Ordos was walking towards me. He was wearing a gray vest and a white dress shirt under. Good thing he didn't choose a flashy outfit or else he would've embarrassed me by now.

"I heard the party gets even more exciting in the evening. I can't wait to see what happens."

Why is this man talking to me again? I expected him to stalk his sister in a dress. Speaking of his sister-

"Where's Manami? Aren't you gonna watch over her?"

"I am, she's right there."

I looked around and eventually spotted Manami chatting with other girls. She was wearing a yellow dress which revealed her slender arms. Her hair was also tied in a side ponytail and to be completely honest, she looked kind of cute…

That's when I felt an ominous glare coming from Ordos and when I shifted my eyes to look at him, he was staring straight at Manami.

…

"Or-"

"Hey Seiya, do you think I have a chance with one of those girls?" He asked me and I just stared at him… and shrugged.

"Go ahead, I'm not gonna stop you."

When he walked away, a server walked up to me and offered me a drink. I took the glass in my hand and stared at it. Then I looked around and spotted the king's gaze. He rose his glass lightly. Guess he's the one offering me a drink.

I stared at the drink longer.

…

I gulped. To be completely honest, the most alcoholic beverage that I've drunk is sake and I barely gotten drunk from it. Any alcoholic beverages under 20 percent is the best I can take, anything higher than that will get me sloshed.

But since the king offered this to me, I'm guessing it's not that strong. After all, who gets drunk this early? Maybe in the evening they'll be serving stronger drinks.

I took a quick sip and judging from the taste, this must be wine.

I'd finish it in under a minute and placed the glass on an empty table. I'd idle around for a few minutes. Then I looked over in Ordos' direction and he was failing… hard.

The girls he tried to flirt with weren't interested in him but he continued. I think I should stop him. He's gotta accept it when a girl rejects him.

I'd walk over and placed my hand on his shoulder and he looked over. I shook my head but he smiled back.

"Ordos, just stop."

His smile faded away right after and immediately looked down.

"If you want to drink your problems away, just wait till the evening."

"Man... I'll just wait till the food comes out."

I'd pat his shoulder as he walked away. Welp, there are plenty of opportunities for him to take. Just not today I guess.

"H-h-hello!"

I turned and the girls that Ordos was just talking to had flustered looks on their faces.

"Hello?"

The girls began to blush and I just looked at them with a puzzled expression. Why are they acting so flustered?

"Seiya..."

I turned around and Ordos was scowling at me.

"Yeah...?

"Let's have a talk."

"Uhh, sure?"

Hmm, why do I feel a bit of hostility from him? Actually, I feel multiple glares set on me. Almost all of them coming from other boys.

Weird...

***

It was now the evening...

...and there was obnoxiously yelling everywhere.

It seems that the drinks offered during the evening makes everyone really drunk and for some reason even makes them high.

I can tell because Ordos was talking in a high-pitched voice and he was spouting nonsense.

I was offered a glass of... whatever it was but I refused because I don't want to end up like everyone else here.

"Seiya~"

Aurelia was wobbling up to me with a woozy look. Christ, not her as well.

"Seiya~... why aren't you drinking?" She'd ask me before letting out a hiccup.

"I don't think I... want to drink right now... Am I even the right age to drink... whatever that is?"

"Hmm...? You became 16 weeks ago so of course you are! Wait... your birthday was a month ago... that means you're younger than me! Hehe, you're younger than me."

"Ye-yeah..."

Jeez, is this what drunk Aurelia is like? I'm a bit afraid to see how the others act.

Actually, I can already see that. I just hope they don't come near me.

Ordos was messing around, chasing after any girl he sees. When he fails, he just goes to Manami and hugs her until he spots another girl to mess with.

I looked around and eventually spotted Marth who was surrounded by women. He had his arms over their shoulders and he looked like he was having a great time. Then there is Katelin.

Well, I think it's pretty obvious what a girl would do if she saw her boyfriend or fiance in this case, hanging out with other women.

I think I should stay away from other girls from now on or Aurelia would do the same.

Speaking of Aurelia, she was sneakingly trying to have me take a sip but I quickly refused.

"Aww, why won't you drink!?" She pouted as she took another sip.

"Ehh... I'm pretty weak to alcohol, so I'm not gonna take my chances. I'd probably pass out as soon as I take a sip."

Not only that, but the smell of the drink is making me a little dizzy.

"Oh? What's happening here?"

Ordos who was being carried by Manami right now was looking at us with a curious look.

"What's happening here?"

Next was Marth, followed by Katelin.

"I'm just trying to get Seiya to drink," Aurelia replied, and Marth scratched his chin. Then he let out a grin.

"Come on, Seiya, refusing a request from her highness herself?" Marth ribbed.

"Or are you just afraid you can't drink?" Ordos teased.

"Disrespectful, how could my rival have such a... disrespectful lover? Hick-" Katelin chided in.

We were eventually getting more attention and I felt several glares set on me. Oh great, now I'm being looked down on as a criminal.

"Please~?" Pleaded Aurelia once more.

I sighed, "No Aurelia, I wo-"

Immediately I felt intense malice directed towards me. I looked around; everyone was glaring at me, including the king himself.

I gulped. Christ, this is like feeding an underage child cocaine.

Fuck it, they want to see me drunk? Then I'll let them.

"Fine. But only one sip."

Aurelia handed me the drink and I held the glass in my hand. I was hesitant to drink. I was... a bit afraid to be honest.

I stared back at the others and they all looked at me, telling me to just drink it.

What could go wrong? It's just one sip.

Just one... one sip...

I'd tip the glass so the liquid would enter my body. Only a little amount entered though. Nothing major.

After that, I handed Aurelia the glass and stood there. My body began to feel a little weak and I almost fell to the ground.

"Oh shi-"

Catch!

I looked up and my doppelganger had come out. Everyone stared at it as it got me onto my feet. Then it walked away and even I was a bit confused.

I didn't summon it, so why the hell is it out?

I began to hear music being played and my doppelganger stood still. And what my doppelganger did next really heightened the party.

It... started dancing...

It... it's dancing?!

Wait, why is my doppelganger dancing?

Everyone didn't even think it was strange and they just joined.

Wait, is no one gonna question why a 9-10 foot shadow beast is dancing right now?!

My head was beginning to hurt and I just couldn't think about it anymore. I'll just leave it to do whatever.

Minutes later, my doppelganger was dancing with Aurelia. I was a bit angry and jealous to see it do that but I didn't have the energy to withdraw it so I just let it do whatever.

...I need water, I feel like I'm going to throw up.

***

Remind me to never drink alcohol like that again. I felt like shit.

It was eventually midnight and most people had already left. The only people that were still here were those that could hold their alcohol. Surprisingly, one of them was Aurelia. But of course, we all have limits and she was leaning against the wall drowsy.

I was still hanging around at the bar, downing some water. After I was sober, I was met by the queen.

"Your majesty." I'd greet her and she chuckled.

"No need to be so formal. If you want, you can call me mother."

"Mo- wait, what?"

"You are going to be engaged with Aurelia, right? It would be best if you called me mother since we will become family, eventually."

"Uhh..."

Sorry lady, but there is a bit of a problem calling a loli... mother.

Wait...

"But I haven't even proposed to Aurelia yet."

"But you will, will you not?"

"I will but I don't think it's the perfect time. I mean, we only just started dating a month ago. Isn't it a bit too early to propose?"

"So you are saying you want to wait?"

"Exactly what I am saying."

"You say that but you are already holding the ring in your hands."

I looked down and I was clutching onto the small black box containing the ring.

"I-"

"Go and bring Aurelia back to her chamber. It's on the 15th floor in the central tower. She is already sober but she won't have the strength to walk. Maybe you can use this chance to propose."

"Her... chamber? Y-you really trust me to bring her back, alone?"

"I trust you, and so does my husband."

***

How did I get into this situation again?

I was currently walking up the stairs while carrying Aurelia on my back. I didn't even try to do this, my body acted on its own.

I could feel her breathing onto my neck as I walk up the stairs. Crap, I can even feel her breast touching my back. Though they aren't big, they were around B-size.

Eventually, I reached the 15th floor and walked down the hall.

"That one."

Aurelia pointed to the room all the way down the hall. Guess that's her chamber.

I realized that I could just do it right here. Propose to her while I have the chance.

"Aurelia... I have something to say to you."

"...yeah...?"

"Will... will..."

I wanted to just back down immediately but this was the perfect chance and I couldn't waste it!

"Will you mar-?"

"Zzz..."

I heard snoring and I looked over my shoulder.

...

She was passed out. Her sleeping face made my heart skip a beat.

...

I sighed and walked towards her chamber. I knew that this wouldn't be a good time to do it. Especially after she's drunken who knows how many drinks.

I'm a bit relieved that I didn't accidentally show my drunk side. Seems that the effects somehow moved over to my doppelganger which is a bit strange but I'm not gonna question what would've become of me if it hadn't been shifted over to it.

After I placed Aurelia on her bed, I immediately snuck out and left the palace.

Along the way, I could hear the loud cheering coming from the inn.

As much as I don't want to admit it, it is a bit glad to hear their annoying ruckus. I think I'll just stick with the parties at the inn, though I don't join in.

.

.

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