9 [Ch. 9] A Scholarly Festival

As we ate at the restaurant, Sylvia ordered specific dishes for me, but didn't order anything for herself. Hatsuyo naturally found this strange, "Aren't you hungry? This is the best restaurant in the city. I haven't even seen you eat since I've met you…"

"Oh… Um…" She glanced at me unsure of what to say. Since she was occupying the body of a dead corpse, it was only natural that she couldn't eat food. Her body was incapable of doing it. I motioned to her and she understood immediately. She picked up a piece of meat and moved her mask slightly so that she could place it in her mouth. She hummed, "Delicious."

He nodded happily, "Isn't it? I love their seasoning. What do you think of it?"

She forced a smile with the food still in her mouth, "It's very… Tasteful."

He chuckled, "Not too spicy?"

"...Not at all."

Of course, corpses also couldn't taste.

When he looked away, she quickly spat the food into a napkin and hid it from his sight. He placed down more food in front of her with a large grin, "Here. Have more."

If one could see her face under the mask, they would know it was twitching from revulsion. She forced herself to speak, "His Highness doesn't need to feed me. I can wait to eat until after you are finished eating. As your bodyguard, I would rather be more attentive than to indulge in food."

"Nonsense! I would rather eat with friends than eat alone. And don't call me his Highness. Call me Hatsuya. We are friends after all."

"R-Right…"

I looked out the window and changed the subject in order to rescue Sylvia, "What's happening outside?"

He glanced outside, "Ah! They are getting ready for the midnight feast."

"Midnight feast?"

He slapped his forehead, "I forgot! You don't know since it is your first time. Tonight is the Midnight Feast where we celebrate the harmony of every nation."

I chuckled darkly under my breath. Harmony of every nation? I suppose that only includes everyone except those from Old Duang. Although after they were eradicated, could you even say they were a nation? Their land was forcibly taken and a new nation was created from the ashes of the old. Old Duang became known as the Eastern nation. However, those who had lived there were no longer welcome.

But they also weren't welcomed anywhere else.

I continued to listen to Hatsuyo explain, "All the nations come together to drink and eat food. There is such a large variety of drinks and dishes from every nation. They say you aren't allowed to stop until the clock reaches midnight."

Suddenly, my throat felt a bit parched. I watched people outside of the window merrily drink to their heart's desire. I licked my lips unknowingly.

He chuckled, "After we finish, we can go out and join them."

"Mmn."

We left the restaurant to join those on the street. The night had already arrived and only the adults were left. Despite it being dark, it was just as lively as ever. Hatsuyo led us to a stall and sat down. We sat next to him as he ordered us both a drink while I stared at my surroundings in surprise.

I just couldn't believe how much things have changed in the 150 years since my death. It almost felt like another world.

At least the taste of wine was still the same.

Hatsuyo drank a glass and smiled at me, "Isn't it nice?"

"Mmn."

"This wine is imported from the Kingdom Sadon. It is one of my favorites, but it's so hard to get. Even if you have a lot of money, it is still a struggle to buy it. The quantities are limited because most of the land has been lost to the dead."

"Mmn."

He chuckled dryly, "You don't speak much, do you?"

Sylvia cut in, "He has always been a person of few words."

He turned to Sylvia, "It must be hard traveling with someone who rarely speaks. I always crave conversation partners as I travel. How do you manage?"

Sylvia shifted uncomfortably, "Ah… Well it's not so bad. Silence is not always a bad thing."

I stared at my reflection in the glass with an expressionless face. I also wished I could talk more.

I wished I could be normal.

...But I wasn't.

I suffered from a curse that no one else did. The more I talked and held conversations, the more I would be forced to remember. I already have a permanent headache from what has already happened, I don't want to add to it unnecessarily.

I swallowed the wine in one large gulp as if to shake off the image of the unknown person looking back at me.

Hatsuyo handed me another glass, "Maybe you will talk more after you loosen up. Drink up!"

The street began to spin as I stared at Hatsuyo and Sylvia. The two blurred together and I felt as if I was falling down a black hole. My head crashed into the table and I no longer moved. Sylvia jumped up in alarm and poked me.

Hatsuyo frowned, "Did he… Pass out?"

Sylvia sighed, "It appears so… I will take him to his room so he can sleep it off."

"Are you sure? Shouldn't I-"

Sylvia looked at him with a frown, "No. Just lead the way."

"O-Oh… Alright…"

....

My eyes snapped open. I soon realized that I was in my clothes from the night before and in an unknown bed. A bright ray of sunshine shone into the room, nearly blinding me. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.

...Did I not even make it to midnight?

I sat up too quickly and groaned as I felt as if needles were stabbing into my head. On top of my permanent headache, the pain was almost too unbearable...

Almost.

I miss using magic. Before I could just snap my fingers and my hangover would just disappear. However, now if I tried to heal even a paper cut, I would start coughing up blood.

I guess I will just have to bear with the pain for now.

There was a knock on the door and I groaned in response. Sylvia came inside holding a tray with her one arm as her face hid behind the mask Hatsuyo had given her. Hatsuyo followed closely behind her holding a small brown bag.

Sylvia laid out a small bowl, "The innkeeper says this helps with nausea after drinking."

Hatsuyo handed me the small bag, "I also brought a bag of medicine to help with your hangover."

I grabbed the bag and dumped the contents onto my palm. My mouth felt sour as I stared at the small capsules. I easily recognized the small pills that were a flawless imitation.

I glanced up at Hatsuyo without revealing my thoughts, "Do you know who created these?"

He tapped his chin as he thought, "Uh… No. I don't recall. Was it someone from the Dragon clan?"

I frowned as I rolled the capsules in my palm delicately, "It doesn't really matter who."

I placed them into my mouth and swallowed them. I muttered to myself, "It's better if people don't know."