Chapter 68
“If anyone should leave, it’s those gossiping loudmouths, not me!”
BAM!
I slammed my brimming beer glass onto the table. The man and woman who had been whispering about me startled and looked up. I glared at them, my eyes like daggers.
“Wh-what?” the woman squeaked, clearly feeling the sting of my gaze.
“And what if I am glaring at you? What are you going to…” she started to snap back, but the man quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
“We… we apologize,” he stammered, hastily pulling her out of the pub.
Their swift retreat couldn’t have been because of me… could it? I glanced over my shoulder. Looming behind me like a statue was Helion, his eyes fixed on the retreating couple with an icy intensity.
Of course. Who would be intimidated by little old me? I scoffed, lifting my beer glass. The two drinks I’d already downed were starting to take effect; my tongue felt noticeably numb. The beer tasted less bitter now, too.
Taking another sip, I nodded towards the empty seat across from me. “Sit.”
His rigid posture seemed to falter at my words. “Are you… sure?”
“You’re making me stand out even more, and I can’t enjoy my drink.”
“Oh… right. But you should stop drinking now…”
Ignoring him, I called out, “Two more beers, please!” The barkeep, who had been watching the scene unfold, scurried over.
“I thought you looked familiar! My apologies for not recognizing you sooner.” He practically bowed as he placed the drinks before Helion, clearly recognizing one of the most popular men in the empire, perhaps even more so than the royal family.
I figured my chances of a quiet evening were gone. I nudged the fresh beer towards Helion. “Drink. And explain how you knew I was here. Did I do something to make you angry again…?”
“I would never,” he said, his expression a picture of wounded innocence. He shook his head vehemently. “Lady Jayna… uh, His Highness’s fiancée, came to see me. She was worried because I’ve been cooped up at home. She said she saw you entering the auction house, so I came to tell you.”
So Helion’s future sister-in-law happened to be nearby in this busy district. “The Crown Prince has forbidden both Reynard and me from entering the palace. I was worried sick, wondering how you were. You were so unconscious, and I…” Helion’s eyes began to glisten. His genuine concern made me burst out laughing.
“Ha… haha!”
“…Lina?”
“No. Pfft.” Even as I gulped down more beer, I couldn’t stop laughing. Damn it. That worried look is unfair, Helion Zig.
I’m practically dying because of you lot. Why are the ones responsible pretending to care? You and Clovis, of course, but even Seikan and Reynard… You’re the ones who did this to me, and yet one of you was willing to lose an eye to wake me up, and now you’re saying you’re worried sick. How does that even make sense?
I needed more alcohol to soothe the burning in my chest. I grabbed Helion’s untouched beer and downed it. That made five. My vision started to blur.
If you hadn’t touched me, I… I would…
“…Lina?”
“Hmph…”
“…Lina, are you crying?”
“I am not crying!” I’m already dying because of you, and now I’m supposed to cry too? My tears are precious, you jerk!
“Bartender! More beer!”
“Lina, you should stop…”
“Shut up!” I flailed my arm, intending to wave down the barkeep, but instead, I grabbed Helion by the collar. “Who are you to tell me what to do?! I’m paying, so you just drink what you’re given!”
“Okay, okay. Just calm down. But you drank mine, too.”
“Are you complaining?!”
“No! I’m not. Just please lower your voice…”
“Are you embarrassed of me? I was mortified back then, because of all of you!” Remembering the public confession, resentment surged through me. I tightened my grip on his collar and shook him, his simple yet expensive clothes crumpling in my hands.
Helion glanced around with an embarrassed look, giving a slight bow as if to apologize to the other patrons. The way he tried to smooth down his disheveled collar only fueled my anger.
“You think this is funny?”
“What?”
“Take it off, you b4stard.” I yanked at his shirt, ready to rip it to shreds. His violet eyes widened. I sneered at him. “What’s wrong? You enjoyed stripping me bare, but you don’t like it when it’s your turn? I didn’t like it either!”
Helion frantically looked around. The other patrons, who had been staring, quickly averted their gazes.
“Lina, you’re drunk… so drunk. Ha… I knew you shouldn’t have chugged it down like that.”
“I’m not drunk! I’m not drunk, I’m angry! Take it off! You deserve to be embarrassed too!”
“Calm down. I’ll take it off. But can we go somewhere else first?”
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