CH 20.2

“Thank you, Lecter. I haven’t seen you in a long time. How have you been?”

“We had something to deal with after we returned, but I’ve been doing well on my own. How’s the North?”

“I’ve adjusted quite well, but it’s cold here. It would be nicer if the snow would sometimes melt just like the rest of the region.”

“That’s a relief. Perhaps, are you born in the North?”

“Ha-ha. It’s just that I get used to it quickly.”

The Balkan men, including Lecter, had emptied their plates early and waited for the next dish.

One wore a dissatisfied countenance, his chin resting on the table.

Sure enough.

It wasn’t long before the man started to grumble.

“It’s annoying  for the food to come out little by little like this.”

“They’re all going into our stomachs anyway. The manners of southern aristocrats are all about image and reputation. How bothersome!”

Lecter glanced at Cherryl and scolded him. “Be quiet! If you are in the presence of a southern aristocrat, you must follow their etiquette.”

The wild-lings categorize all humans living far from the borders as southerners.

It was true.

To Cherryl, the Blkanov estate was located in the far north.

It was interesting to see it from a different perspective.

“Hello. Your brother told me a lot about you.”

The grumbling man gave her an insincere nod.

“Nice to meet you. You don’t have to be respectful to me because you’re the boss’ woman.”

The boss’ woman?

That embarrassed her, for some reason.

“Nice to meet you too, Axel. I’ve always wondered what kind of person you are.” She spoke gently.

Axel’s sullenness faded a little.

“You must have heard a lot of good things about me.”

“I was told that you often butt heads with Lecter because of how mischievous you are.”

“What do you mean butting heads, Lecter? It’s all because I care about you.”

Lecter bellowed, “If you’re going to do that, spare me from all that care!”

Eyes widening in surprise, Axel aimed his clenched fist at him.

“How dare you shout at me? Do you want to get in trouble?”

“You need to be scolded. You don’t know how it feels to be me. You always joke around, and nothing works out for me because of you.”

“It’s not a joke. I did it out of love. Aren’t you aware of that?”

“Aren’t you aware that I don’t need your love?”

Cherryl laughed out loud as the boys continued to argue.

She couldn’t believe she was trembling not too long ago, fearing this would escalate into a full-blown fight.

Then, the man sitting in front of her woke up and picked the wine bottle up.

It was Cole, who had never correctly called Cherryl’s last name ‘Milrose.’

“Sister, please give me the honor to pour wine into your glass this time.”

“Oh, of course. Thank you, Cole.”

“You remember my name.”

He appeared emotional as he put his right hand on his chest.

“How can I forget it?”

“You gave me food the other day, but I didn’t expect you to remember my name. You’re an angel from heaven, My Lady.”

Memorizing a name with only one syllable and filling a basket with food for Cole to eat wasn’t that big of a deal.

Maybe Cole never expected a noblewoman to do it for him?

As Cherryl smiled graciously at his pleasant compliment, her eyes suddenly collided with Cade.

His face didn’t show emotions, but the way he scrutinized her had a dangerous edge.

Why was he staring at her this time?

He was a man beyond comprehension.

Cherryl, craving more alcohol for no reason, stared at Axel while eating her salad.

“By the way, you said you didn’t like the full-course meal because it was bothersome, right? I understand how you feel.”

She grabbed the goblet’s round body and lifted it.

It was more comfortable than holding its slender stem, but it was an act that would have made nobles flash her a grim smile if they ever saw it.

“I’m not fond of etiquette, high status, and good reputation.”

“That’s unexpected. I guess not all aristocrats from the south are the same.”

“Sometimes, I want to fill my wine glass to the brim… or put my dessert in a bowl and eat it. I’ve never done those things before.”

“Huh? Are those things wrong?”

“It’s completely against society’s etiquette.”

After emptying her remaining liquor with a gulp, she beckoned the servant and asked for a beer mug.

The cup, which the servant had brought, was about the size of an adult man’s three fists placed on top of each other.

“I don’t have to care about other people because I have you, guys, by my side.”

Cherryl opened the wine bottle herself and began to pour it into her large mug.

The bottle was emptied quickly, and she drank everything without hesitation.

“Wow! You’re so cool, sister!”

Lecter and Axel’s eyes shone with admiration.

They were amazed to see an innocent noblewoman, akin to a soft spring flower, drink a lot.

Excited, the young men immediately asked for huge beer mugs from the servants, but Schiff stopped them immediately.

“You two are minors, so drinking is prohibited.”

“But why? The Balkan tribe doesn’t have that rule!”

“It’s cold beyond the border. That’s why you warm yourself with alcohol. But, this is now the domain of the Empire. We must comply with society’s laws to which you belong.”

Meanwhile, Schiff bowed politely to Cherryl.

The food, coming out in a row, was so delicious, and the wine’s subtle fragrance led her to drink it like water.

The men around the long table treated her as if they had known each other for a long time.

After eating and drinking for a while, Cherryl’s vision gradually blurred despite having a solid capacity to consume alcohol.

The same was true for her mind.