âŚI'm thirsty. What time was it? A tingling headache surfaced as I slowly regained consciousness.
âUghâŚâ
Iâm very thirsty. Rather, when did I leave yesterday? I attended the ball with DiletshaâŚ
âKyuk!â
I don't recall anything after that. I opened my eyes and jumped upwards, taken aback by my blurred recollections.
âI planned to inform the Emperor I wouldnât be able to join in as a candidate⌠Huh?â
It was the unfamiliar setting that overwhelmed my vision and pulled my body forth. Where did my red canopy go, and what was this golden pillar I wasnât familiar with?
It was a foreign environment.
âHere⌠When am I?â
Hold on, I was accustomed to such situations.
When I first possessed this novel, I certainly rejuvenated in the same way as now!
Don't tell me Iâve taken over another body again.
Tuk.
As I moved my hand to wrap around my prickling forehead, something rough held onto me.
It was both rough and doughy, the thing that wouldnât let go of my palm.
As I turned my head, the bare body of a man engulfed my view.
âHyuk!!â
I was so surprised that I inhaled heavily and hurriedly pulled out.
âWhat the hell?â
Why was he undressed? I lowered my unstable gaze to confirm his body in shock.
Fortunately, he was covered in a blanket. But that didn't improve the situation in any way.
Although my dress wasnât fully confiscated, all the straps designed on the gown were loosened roughly.
âCrazy!â
A relief, or a misfortune.
This was a situation where curse words couldnât help but leave oneâs mouth. I hurriedly pulled the blanket against my chin to organize my accumulating thoughts.
Alcohol, in bed during the night. A man and I, barely covered.
Currently lying down together.
'There is no doubt about this.â
I brought the blanket to cover more of my face and proceeded to scrutinize my body. Fortunately, there were no signs we did it.
I assessed my waist and inner thighs, in case my body ached or anything of the sort. We might have had a fulfilling time, you know. However, nothing hurt, let alone was stiff.
âDid we do it, or did we not?â
It was time to check the man's face. I could easily shift my face the personâs way, but I didnât dare do so.
Alright, let's take three deep breaths.
Heave-ho, Heave-hoâŚ
âIt seems youâve scarcely returned to your senses.â
Before I could begin my third inhale, a voice snapped through my ears. It was familiar. I shouldn't be hearing this deep voice right now. I quickly turned my headâŚ
âHuk!â
There existed Lennox, his head supported with the palm of his hand as he lay down.
I was astonished to the point nothing could leave my mouth.
âWhy⌠Why are you here?â
âWho exactly are you questioning? Me? Or you?â
His voice was originally mellow, but it seemed even more hoarse as he just awakened from his sleep.
âEither way, why areâŚâ
You, here with me till the morning.
Lennox lightly ignored my question and raised his upper body. His hair was disheveled.
I couldn't remove my eyes from him.
Lennox swept his tousled hairs and stood to stretch. His naked body was revealed against the bright sunlight as the blanket fell helplessly to the floor.
âHeâs insane!â
I hurriedly lowered my head to his exposed body and cursed internally once more.
It was for a brief moment, but I could make out a figure consisting of muscles and solid buttocks.
'I'm the worst.â
I squeezed my eyes shut and sighed.
âThis is my mansion, and I brought you here yesterday.â
I raised my head in startlation at the voice resounding from above my head. Lennox was staring at me.
He pressed both sides of the bed and lowered his upper body. I was trapped between his grasp.
The silent gaze directed towards me was like that of a beast preparing to jump its prey. I swallowed my saliva.
âYou must be curious.â
His red lips slowly parted.
âAsk me.â
I was convinced this time.
âWhat happened last night.â
This man was truly aiming to seduce me.
âWhy we were in the same bed.â
Lennox's voice tickled my heart. I lowered my gaze in fright.
In the meantime, my gaze kept heading upwards, regardless of my will.
No, this is the devil's temptation. Get a hold of yourself!
Aside from what happened yesterday, nothing else mattered.
âWe⌠Did we do it?â
âWhat.â
I wet my lips, maintaining the calmest expression I could produce.
âOf courseâŚâ
What do you think men and women do when undressing in bed at night?!
âI think it would be better to ask your questions more straightforwardly. Be specific about what you are talking about.â
Lennox titled his head and grinned mischievously.
This man; he obviously understands what I am implying and yet acts oblivious.
As soon as I clasped my lips, Lennox raised himself and turned around.
âHis assâŚâ
He lifted the cup on the table and poured water.
âPlease put on some clothes.â
Let's just give up watching. I sealed my eyes tightly. When a personâs vision is blocked, other senses increase insensitivity.
Gulp, gulp.
I didn't know the sound of flowing water could be so stimulating. Was it because I'm thirsty? My dehydration seemed to worsen as time passed. I swept my tongue over my lips endlessly.
Unknowingly, my face heated up.
Let's think about something nice. Good ideas. A bright morning. Bright sunlight. A Bright body under the bright sunlightâŚ
âNo!â
I unlatched my two eyes unconsciously.
I could witness Lennoxâs smooth neck moving vigorously.
He turned his head upon emptying the cup. His moist lips were fascinating to the eye.
âPlease, put on some clothesâŚâ
I could barely spit out my words.
âOh my.â
What do you mean âoh myâ?
âAre you trying to back off after touching me in such ways?â
Who? Me?
âYou also used my arm as a pillow."
"When did I!â
I screamed in resentment and raised my lowered head. Unfortunately, Lennox was now dressed in a red gown. Still, I could see his upper body. At least his lower parts were now hidden.
As I observed Lennox in his gown, I could make out a wound starting from his abdomen, going all the way to his waistline.
âA large woundâŚâ
Almost it seemed to have happened quite a while ago, it was still painful for one to look at.
Lennox frowned as he covered himself with the red gown.
âWhat happened yesterday. How far do you recall?â
Yesterday⌠I traced my memory. Everything was faint. Pushing April, drinkingâŚ
âDamn it, the alcohol.â
It never occurred to me this body was so weak to alcohol.
I was a heavy drinker in my previous life. Therefore, I didn't think I would lose consciousness by such a small amount of champagne.
Since I had never consumed a single sip of alcohol while living in this place, this body naturally wouldnât be immune to alcohol.
âI should have considered the matter more.â
ââŚI remember until drinking.â
I mumbled in shame. I couldnât bring myself to make eye contact with him.
Among the many inconveniences of drinking was having to clean up after one.
âThat's what I remember.â
âHaâŚâ
I couldnât make any excuses. Lennox sighed.
âYou drank in front of me until you're reached your limit.â
Ah, right. I remember. I drank alone at the table⌠Then Lennox came.
âYou finished the champagne I was drinking.â
Yes, I also remember that.
My dark past.
There were many glasses, so why did I have to drink other peopleâs champagne? *Was someoneâs rice cake bigger than mine in the past?
TL/N: This is a proverb, referring to someoneâs way of thinking that other peopleâs possessions are better than their own, even when theyâre not.
âAnd you soon lay against the table.â
Did I? I briefly recall trying to lie due to my headache.
âThen you suddenly started talking about her.â
ââŚTh-that woman?â
âSerrine.â
Oh, you crazy girl.
I was so shocked by Lennox's words that I covered my mouth hard with both hands.
âWh-who⌠Did anyone hear me?â
It was mortifying for me to even think about the aftermath. It was as if I were digging my grave with my very own hands.
I would never drink with this body. Even again.
From now on, I'm alcoholic trash!
âYour expression is worth seeing.â
Hey, you punk.
âWitnessing such a situation, you truly seem different from that woman.â
Lennox leaned against the wall and glanced my way. His arms were folded.
âWho hasnât heard?â
Lennox replied calmly to my restlessness.
"If they had, you wouldn't have been resting peacefully. Youâd have been arrested immediately, charges being you impersonated a noble.â
Thank god. Iâm so relieved.
I let out a sigh of relief and stretched my shoulders.
âŚWait. We leave that at that. But,
âWhy did you bring me here?â
You couldâve left me to Diletsha. Or take me to my mansion!
Lennox replied dryly as I sent him a suspicious gaze.
âYou seem to have forgotten the conversation we just had.â
âWhat?â
Lennox frowned slightly as he approached the bed.
Startled, I retreated a step.
âI agonized for a while as you continued your drunk speech and how messed up your relationship with the woman was.â
Ah, right.
âI thought I should just leave you alone.â
I also expected as much.
âOr should I send you to Latniâs mansion?â
I wished I hadnât been drunk. He doesnât have to bring back such memories. I lowered my head in embarrassment.
âThanks to you, I transferred the lady, so you can be grateful.â
Oh, I'm ashamed.
âThis will be the first and last experience in my life.â
"Th-then, you couldâve thrown me to another roomâŚâ
As I hesitantly rebelled, Lennox clenched his molars and spoke in a repressed tone.
âI was afraid youâd do something to my mansion if I threw you in another room.â
Th-that's right.
âI decided it would be better to put you directly where I can monitor you.â
However, the more we conversed, the stronger Lennox's tone grew. I kept my mouth shut.
There were still many things I wanted to ask, but the more I did, the more I was put at a disadvantage.
âThatâŚâ
Lennox halted amidst trying to pull the string beside the bed. His expression was exactly this: âWhat again this time?â
âOne moreâŚâ
You told me to ask anything.
âWhat is it?â
âUm, what's wrong with my clothesâŚ?â
I gazed at him dubiously. Lennox swept his hair roughly. His fist clenched.
âFrom what I saw, you were hot.â
Ah⌠Is that what I did. IâmâŚ
âI am sorry.â
*There would be nothing to say, even if I had two mouths. Unlike a while ago, Lennox relaxed his expression and turned to face me.
*TL/N: From what I read, this would be used when trying to contradict the person with what they just said; even if true.
I'll never drink again. When I drink, I become a literal dog. Barking incessantly.
âIf you're done with the questions, I'll ask you this time around.â
Feel free to ask anything. As much as you like.
âWhat were you before?â
ââŚWhat?â
I tilted my head in response to his unexpected question.
âI asked what you were before becoming Serrine Latni.â