Chapter 85: Father, Mother (Part 1)
On the first floor of Shanter Castle, in the banquet hall.
According to Lady, the entire hall is over 9,600 square meters—bigger than a football field!
The interior is a spectacular clash of black and aqua blue. Nearly all the furnishings are black: black round tables, black-backed chairs, black stone brick walls—heck, even the massive lavish chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the dozens of little pendant lights next to it are black!
Fourteen sturdy black marble columns with exquisite carvings, resembling intricate clouds and moons, stand elegantly on either side of the hall.
If it were just pure black, it’d be too depressing, so Lady added refreshing accents of aqua blue. For example, the tablecloths, seat cushions, and the delicate porcelain plates and cutlery all flaunt that color. The hollow carvings glimmer like stars in the flickering candlelight, creating a dazzling display.
At this point, it’s nearing noon, and the hall is packed—nearly a hundred round tables with no empty seats. Lady had to have the butler hastily bring in some long tables and countless chairs from the council chamber just to squeeze everyone in.
Groups of three or five are huddled together, merrily chatting with their goblets held high. In between the clinking of glasses, maids roll in dining carts, laden with all sorts of delicacies fit for royalty.
On the stage at the front, a famous band from the south plays smooth jazz tunes, filling the air with their enchanting melodies.
Across from the stage at the largest dining table, I sit upright beside Lafael, wearing a demure smile that’s not faded since I arrived—my cheeks are starting to feel a bit numb from all the grinning.
A feast fit for a king is laid before me, and the tantalizing aromas wafting into my nose have my mouth watering and my stomach rumbling like a wild beast.
“Thank you, thank you all for coming today!” Duke Skarlick raises his goblet and, with a twinkle in his eye, jokes, “I feel truly honored! Just a while ago, I was hanging by a thread, and now that you’re here? I can finally breathe!”
“Oh, not at all! I came here with my whole family just to snag a free meal. It’s us who should be thanking you!”
“Hahahaha! I bet the royal palace is emptier than usual today; it must be so quiet over there… much better here!”
“Our Duke Skarlick’s charm is truly unmatched! Hahahaha—” A short, chubby fellow, the first one I met, chuckles and raises his goblet, surveying the hall. “Look at this crowd! It’s almost overflowing—what does that tell you?”
At once, an elder pipes up, “It tells us that most folks are quite wise! At critical moments, they always make the right choices, right?”
“Right, right~”
“Absolutely makes sense!”
“The Empire has too many smart folks, especially old-timers like us! Hahaha!”
Duke raises a hand, signaling for silence.
He gestures to his goblet: “The temperature of this century-old snow wine can’t compare to your warm enthusiasm. Today is an exceptionally special day for Shanter Castle…”
His gaze sweeps over everyone at the table.
Sitting there are the short, portly fellow, Annie from Erin Castle, Bishop Hobbs from the Holy Church, and of course, Carlos—who, at this very moment, is idly drumming his fingers, his pristine white suit a bit wrinkled from how he leans back in his chair.
I bet he hates this sort of event the most!
There are also many faces I don’t recognize, but right now, all eyes are glued to the Duke, shining with eager anticipation.
“A new year, a new beginning. I won’t bore you with more words—let’s all toast! From now on, you’ll be friends of Shanter Castle forever!”
“Cheers!”
I quickly raise my goblet, thinking I’d take a dainty sip, but then I notice everyone at the table downing their drinks in one go.
This is definitely not how I imagined a Western wine party would go. Maybe it’s because we’re in this constant winter region; the Valen Empire’s drinking culture has a flavor of home. Plus, snow wine isn’t like regular wine, so in formal settings like this, it’s all about downing it in one gulp.
So, I tilt my head back and chug my drink.
Suddenly, I hear Lady shout, “Pepé, no!”
Next thing I know, a sharp, pungent sensation explodes in my mouth and surges up to my brain. It suddenly dawns on me that I seem to have lost my once-celebrated drinking prowess.
I look around, smacking my lips.
I see Lady, the Duke, Lafael, Pasifal, Annie, and even Carlos staring at me with wide eyes of shock.
So, I crack a small grin at them and blink a few times.
“Uh… has Pepé become such a heavy drinker now?”
Annie’s bewildered expression says it all.
“I’ve always been… quite the drinker.”
I glance down at the plate before me.
Lo and behold, a pile of… chicken? Lamb leg? Whatever it is, it’s definitely meat.
I’m starting to feel a bit peckish.
“Pepé… are you okay?”
Lafael asks, worry etched on his face, making me frown with dissatisfaction.
Are you looking down on me?
“I’m fine—totally fine!”
I reach my hand toward the plate… and… wait, why can’t I grab it?
“Don’t!” Lafael reacts quickly, steadying me. “Are you… are you dizzy?”
“Hahaha! Miss Peilo, is that drunkenness I see?”
“One drink and down she goes—that’s not the usual style of Winter City!”
“Girls are like that…”
“Haha, how could I have forgotten that…” The Duke chuckles helplessly and looks up at everyone. “I apologize, my daughter’s drinking capacity… isn’t the best, we usually don’t let her drink, so please don’t tease her.”
“Oh, no worries! Miss Peilo knew she couldn’t handle it but still took such a big drink—what a show of sincerity! How could we tease her for that?”
“Absolutely!”
“Miss Peilo, you’re adorable!”
“Pepé, are you really okay?”
Even Pasifal on my left is questioning me, making my frown deepen.
How dare you treat me like this?
It’s not directed at anyone, but when it comes to drinking, you’re all amateurs compared to me!
“Pepé, eat something to take the edge off.”
Lafael offers me a fork with a piece of… sniff sniff.
I lean in, my little nose wiggling, and realize it’s a piece of meat. “Nom!” I gulp it down.
“Chew… chew… mmm…”
I want to speak, but my mouth is still full, and I can’t get any words out. I feel a wave of urgency and quickly increase my chewing speed.
“Maybe you should rest for a bit?”
Lafael suggests, and I angrily shake my head.
I haven’t even eaten a few bites yet—no way you commoners are going to stop me!
“Hahaha! My silly daughter is probably about to drop—should I get someone to take her down to rest? Let’s have a proper chat here.”
“Mmm!!”
Hearing the Duke say that, I glare at him with wide eyes and flail my little hands.
“Hahahaha!”
“Miss Peilo says she can still drink a few more!”
Laughter erupts around me, making me feel flustered as the alcohol rushes to my head again. Everyone’s faces start to spin, and my consciousness begins to blur.
In the next moment, I slam my hand on the table.
Smack!
The sound surprises everyone, and all eyes turn to me.
I spring to my feet.
Feeling my two tails swaying wildly behind me, I grab them with my hands.
Oops, wobble!
“Chew… chew… gulp, listen to me, let me say something.”
