The Royal Dormitory, adorned with antique wallpaper and luxurious furniture. Inside Laurent Von Wellert's room, there was currently an outsider present, not just myself. Sage Adella Shiagria sat across from me at the reception table. “...” “...” Silence. We faced each other across the table without a word, the tabletop empty and without even tea for a guest. 'It couldn't be helped.' Although Adella's expression showed not the slightest tremor, I knew she was so ashamed she probably wanted to jump out the window right this instant. This meant I had to calm her down first, without even time to offer tea. It was a situation where one hesitated to speak carelessly. Just as I was pondering what topic might be suitable to break the ice, the object Adella was fiddling with caught my eye. It was a water bottle decorated with gleaming Black Light on its surface. Adella was touching it as if she desperately wanted to use it. “What might that be?” “Yes?” Adella asked blankly at my words. Had her mind wandered off somewhere? I clarified again. “The water bottle the Sage is touching.” “Ah, you mean this.” She seemed to finally snap back to reality and picked up the bottle. Adella offered a faint smile. Seeing her look more at ease talking about the water bottle, I felt I had chosen the topic well. “This bottle is my secret tool that allows me to drink alcohol whenever I please.” “Hmm.” The term 'secret tool' she mentioned was quite intriguing, but... It would be hard to move the conversation forward without asking this first. I asked bluntly. “Do you drink regularly?” “Ah.” Hearing my words, Adella immediately clamped her mouth shut. Silence fell again for several seconds. She maintained a completely blank expression, lips sealed, and then. “By any chance, do you have a rope?” “Pardon?” She returned with a completely unexpected reply. Unable to grasp the intention behind her words, I asked again, and Adella smiled faintly once more. That smile was no different from the one before. Except for the slight tremor at the corner of her lips. “Continuing to show such disgrace, I think it might be time for me to die.” “No, no. Please calm down for now.” I quickly cut her off to regain control of the situation. “I won't ask about the drinking. However, what did you mean by 'whenever I please'? Do you carry liquor in that bottle?” “Ah. That’s not it.” As I immediately shifted the direction of the conversation, Adella thankfully calmed her trembling lips again and answered calmly. “I enchanted it so I can drink whenever and wherever I want. In short, it’s a Magitek water bottle, no, a liquor bottle.” “Is such a thing possible?” “I researched it for quite some time. It took a while to make.” 'Is it really okay to conduct research on something like that?' I suddenly became curious about the principles of the Ebony Magic Tower. Just how much did they value academic freedom there to create such an outlandish device? Indeed, the scholarly passion of mages must be unstoppable. “Befitting of the Ebony Magic Tower, and the Sage, its next Tower Master. There must have been a reason for such research.” While speaking to her with such admiration in my heart. “Huh? No, I just wanted to drink more comfortably. There wasn’t any particular reason.” Adella returned an answer that ruthlessly dashed my expectations. “...” I stared at her with incredulous eyes, but Adella looked back as if she didn’t understand what the problem was. This woman she’s so serious about drinking she doesn’t even realize how tactless her answer was. Somehow, the image of a gray-haired girl flashed through my mind, and I sighed inwardly. Why are all the classmates in the class that I represent like this? Adella continued to speak, regardless of my reaction. “It’s convenient because this bottle produces as much alcohol as I want. So I drink often, whether I’m bored, need to use my head, or when something happy happens.” “Yes. I see.” My thoughts were complicated, so I gave a noncommittal reply. Adella didn't mind my reaction and finally brought up the main topic. “Still, I’m holding back right now. Because I need to talk about that night.” “...” I fell silent at her direct statement. There had to be a reason she specifically came all the way to the Royal Dormitory where I live and waited in front of my door. She, who usually stayed put at the Bardiche Bar, had moved. I nodded. “Please speak.” At my words, Adella continued smoothly. “Your Highness.” “Yes.” “Do you know why I only talk with those who drink with me?” “...” Well. The first thought that came to mind was naturally because she liked drinking. Perhaps she liked alcohol so much she wouldn't even converse unless someone drank with her. But the fact that she was pointing this out specifically must mean there was another reason. I prompted her to continue with a glance. Then, Adella gave an unexpected answer. “Actually, I don’t get drunk no matter how much I drink.” “Pardon?” I found myself asking blankly again. I quickly controlled my facial muscles. 'Lately, I seem to be acting quite foolishly more often.' However, this was likely unavoidable, given that the people I was dealing with were so unconventional. In any case, it was an absurd statement. If she doesn’t get drunk no matter how much she drinks, then what on earth was that disgraceful behavior she showed that day? “Of course, Your Highness, having seen me drunk that day, might not believe me. But it is the truth.” “Hmm.” Again, I conveyed my intention for her to continue with my gaze. There must be a reason why the Sage was deliberately making such a statement. Finally, Adella paused for a moment, then revealed a part of her deepest thoughts. “I never get drunk when drinking with someone I don't intend to keep close.” A declaration. There wasn't a single unusual word in Adella's statement. But because of that, the emotion contained within felt genuine. I too fell silent for a moment before slowly responding. “Someone you don’t intend to keep close, you said.” “Yes.” “Does that mean it’s different for people you allow into your heart?” “That’s right.” Adella nodded. “I can only get drunk when I drink with someone I plan to keep by my side. And, although it's embarrassing for me to say it myself...” A reddish hue spread across Adella's white cheeks. It was quite fascinating how only her complexion changed without the slightest movement in her facial muscles. “I also show my drunken habits to those I've opened my heart to.” “Hmm.” I let out a short hum at those words. Showing drunken habits to those she's opened her heart to, that's what it means. 'Adella considers me close in her heart.' I recalled the words she had drunkenly conveyed to me last night. -Actually, I fell for Your Highness at first sight. How long has it even been since we met? What is this sudden development? I don't quite understand. Deeply confused, I tried my best to maintain composure, lest my expression change as well. Don't panic, Laurent. If you panic too, the relationship will become strange. While I was momentarily speechless, Adella continued. “That’s why I’m worried. Because, the drunker I get, the less I remember. ...Being completely drunk means I felt that comfortable with the person.” You didn't need to say that much. My mind is already chaotic enough. I wish she would stop saying nonsense. I managed to reply without my voice trembling. “...So that means?” “Yes.” And, again. Adella declared. “I don't remember anything about that night.” My head throbbed, making me want to clutch it. The change in the woman before me's feelings towards me was too fast to keep up with. Adella continued speaking, ignoring my reaction. “Originally, I wouldn't get drunk even after dozens of glasses, no matter how strong the cocktail. To think I got drunk after just six glasses, that means...” Then even she trailed off. The blush on her face deepened slightly. However, Adella’s eyes regained a resolute determination. It seemed she felt this point absolutely had to be addressed. “So I wanted to ask, Your Highness.” “Yes.” “Did I happen to say anything rude?” “...” I had no words to reply. You said you fell for me at first sight. Didn't you say you get drunker the closer you feel to someone? How very accurate you are. ...Even I couldn't utter such words calmly. That's simply impossible. As the silence stretched while I formulated an appropriate response in my head, Adella's expression gradually changed. The facial muscles, which had maintained a blank expression like mine, began to move little by little, until finally, the corners of her eyes and mouth drooped. She looked like she was about to cry. In the end, Adella spoke in a damp voice. “A-As expected, this girl cannot bear it without hanging herself. Please give me a rope, Your Highness, I shall depart from this world right now.” “No. Wait, please just wait a moment.” Cutting through my tormented thoughts, I somehow managed to answer. Find it, Laurent. Find an appropriate answer, whatever it takes. That's the only way to prevent the tragedy of the Sage's extreme choice. What was said in our conversation that day? Falling in love at first sight. That's not it. Saving the Northerner? That's not it either. Then, a flash of inspiration struck. Yes, this should wrap up the situation nicely. It might even turn into an advantage. “The Sage made a statement back then that's difficult for me to repeat now. Do you know what it could be?” “W-W-What might that be?” Adella asked, her eyes hoping it wasn't an embarrassing remark. To meet that expectation, I instantly changed the direction of the conversation. “Are you perhaps aware of the rumor circulating the Empire?” * “Mmm. I see.” Adella nodded repeatedly. Our recent conversation was about the rumor of my lost power, a top Imperial secret. And it ended with how Adella, who had noticed it, would conduct herself. “It certainly was puzzling. Your Highness's own body clearly couldn't handle mana well, yet you controlled another's mana.” “Hmm.” “Dodging that person’s attack with minimal movement was also possible by seeing the flow of mana.” Is that correct? Adella asked with her gaze. 'Not a single error.' Is a Sage truly a Sage? There was absolutely nothing inaccurate in her words. “Such capabilities are powers of those who, like me, have seen magic's limits. You're saying Your Highness possesses them, correct?” “Yes. And because the Sage has become aware of it, frankly speaking, it is quite a troublesome situation.” “Hmm. I see.” Adella closed her eyes briefly at my words. Perhaps she was lost in deep thought. After some time passed, she opened her eyes. “Regarding your concerns, I want to say it’s alright. I have no intention whatsoever of revealing it.” “Is that so.” “Rather, if you would permit me, I'd like to ask if it's alright to examine Your Highness’s body.” “What is your intention?” “As a mage, it’s an extremely interesting case. I’d like to investigate it properly.” Saying so, Adella folded her fingers. Then, extending her index finger, she summarized her points. “I’ll clearly state the reasons so Your Highness won't worry. First. I do not wish to make an enemy of the Empire.” Next, she extended her middle finger. “Second. More importantly, I don't want to miss out on such an interesting research topic.” And she extended her ring finger. “Third. ...I-I am even more reluctant to cause harm to Your Highness.” Despite Adella's efforts to speak calmly and maintain her expression, she couldn't prevent her cheeks from flushing redder than before. I bowed my head at her words. “Thank you for your understanding, Sage-nim.” [TL] '-nim' is an honorific suffix indicating respect. [/TL] Whatever her reasons might be, the implication was that her actions were ultimately for my sake. I expressed my sincere gratitude to Adella. “Ahem.” Adella cleared her throat awkwardly at my words. Then she managed to calm the blush on her cheeks slightly. “Then was there no further rudeness that this girl committed towards Your Highness?” “Yes. Rest assured.” “Haa.” Only after my affirmation did Adella finally let her shoulders slump. It looked as if all the tension had drained from her body. She let out a sigh, Huuuhh-, and murmured. “That’s a relief. The Owner kept shaking her head at me, acting like she couldn't possibly say anything. I was really worried.” 'That makes sense.' If it were me, I probably would have taken it to the grave for the Sage's honor too. Adella, completely drained of energy, slumped onto the table. Seeing that she was likely to remain exhausted for a while, I stood up and went to get tea. It was only natural to offer tea to a guest, but circumstances had previously prevented me; now that the problem was resolved, I should provide it. It would also help to refresh the atmosphere. I took out a teapot and black tea leaves from the cupboard. Then I prepared to boil water. Everything was magically enchanted Items [TL] 마도구 (Madogu) - Magic tools/devices [/TL], requiring only a slight infusion of mana, so they were easy for me to use. Besides, having often made tea for myself even in the Imperial Palace, I was quick. I was concentrating on boiling the black tea. Suddenly, Adella's voice sounded very close. “H-Highness-” “Yes. Did you call...” ...'H-Highness'? Recognizing the slurred pronunciation and the drawn-out words. I turned quickly, but it was already too late. Adella was already right beside me, and the sweet smell of alcohol wafted from her lips. She was completely drunk. “Highness- Why did you lie to meee?” The slurring voice of a drunkard. Glancing sideways, I could see the jet-black water bottle rolling on the floor. The bottle Adella had just mentioned, the one that allowed her to drink as she pleased. Did this woman drink again already? While I clicked my tongue inwardly, Adella pressed her body against mine and continued speaking. It was truly burdensome. “I definitely confessed my feelings to Your Highness, so how could you ignore this girl's heart so cruellyyy.” “Please calm down first. When did I ever ignore the Sage’s feelings?” “You couldn’t have forgotten that night I told you I fell for Your Highness at first sight - I know everything-” “That was not my intention.” “Then what was ittt. Are you making light of this girl's budding heart-” I didn't mention it because you looked like you were about to die of shame. ...My judgment hadn't clouded enough to actually spit those words out in front of a drunkard, so I swallowed them. Regardless, Adella kept pressing her body against mine. Trying to push her away, she clung skillfully like a mollusk and wrapped around my body. There was a limit to pushing her away without hurting her, so I tried to dissuade Adella somehow. “No, please step back for a moment. Sage-nim. This is troublesome.” However, hearing my words, Adella pouted and replied coyly. “Head.” “Pardon?” “If you pat my head... I'll stop-” “...” “Come on, hurry uppp-” As Adella rubbed her black hair against me while whining. I found myself thinking, wouldn't a good flick to the head snap her out of it?

The Smoking Saintess (10)