“I-I can still drink!”
After saying this, El collapsed onto the table, on the verge of passing out.
This situation was actually within Nia’s expectations.
After drinking so much, anyone else would have been sprawled on the floor by now.
Yet somehow, he was still able to rest his head on the table.
Pressing down the hand that was trying to lift him, Nia pushed her chair back and stood up. She glanced around and said,
“El can’t keep drinking anymore.” Her voice was low but clear. “I have to take him to rest.”
Felt spoke up at the right moment.
“I’ve already prepared the room. Just go upstairs, take a right, and it’s one of the two rooms at the very end of the corridor.”
“Alright, thank you, Mr. Felt.”
After expressing her thanks, Nia looked at El, slumped over the table, then bent down.
“Miss Nia, do you need any help?”
Seeing her action, Felt put down his wine glass and asked.
“No, I can manage on my own.”
Nia declined Felt’s offer and with a bit of effort, easily lifted El into her arms.
The men in the tavern were all stunned by this scene.
The once noisy tavern suddenly fell silent.
Only after Nia’s figure disappeared at the staircase did whispers start up again.
“Did you see that?”
“Yes. Crystal clear.”
“My goodness, that noble lady sure is strong, huh?”
“But come to think of it, a woman carrying a man is kind of funny.”
“True enough.”
“Ha ha ha ha.”
Joyful laughter echoed throughout the tavern.
None of this reached Nia’s ears.
She carried El upstairs and headed for the room at the end of the corridor.
El, drunk as he was, wasn’t exactly compliant.
He tilted his head, rubbing against her chest.
The foul smell of alcohol wafted from him, causing Nia to barely frown before she disdainfully pushed his head away with one hand.
She turned and entered the room.
Without much hesitation, Nia tossed him onto the bed.
Watching him sprawled out in disarray, she thought for a moment, then reached out to help him take off his coat and shoes, pulling the blanket over him.
At this point, her task should have been complete, but Nia felt as if nails were driven into her feet, pinning her to the floor.
Inside her heart, it felt as if a devil whispered.
Good opportunity, Nia!
A fierce internal battle ensued.
When Nia finally regained her composure, she found herself sitting on the edge of the bed.
Not to mention, the bed was actually pretty big…
Was now really the time to think about this?
Or maybe, just once more?
After all, El was drunk and wouldn’t know anything. His complexion had looked quite good these past few days, too…
Nia’s hand lingered, clutching a corner of the blanket.
Just as she was about to make her move, El suddenly opened his eyes!
Startled, Nia leaned back.
“Nia, I’m thirsty, get me some water…” El’s mouth smacked as he spoke, clearly feeling parched.
“Oh, alright.”
Still uncertain, Nia replied and quickly found a cup in the room, filling it with water.
El gulped it down and then laid back without another sound.
“El?”
Nia tentatively called his name but received no response.
To be safe, she leaned over and gently patted his face.
“El, can you hear me?”
This time, the only response was his steady snoring—he was fast asleep.
Nia tightened her grip on the blanket corner, then carefully peeled back a corner of the covers.
Her intent was clear.
She believed her movements were gentle enough not to wake El, but the moment her hand reached out, something grabbed her arm.
That was…
Nia’s breath hitched, and her eyes involuntarily lifted.
Then, a pair of bright eyes met hers. His expression was half-smiling, half-mocking, completely different from his earlier drunken state.
“Nia, what are you trying to do?” His smile was ambiguous, like a cunning old fox.
“I…”
Nia felt her breath grow shallow. Her gaze darted away, unwilling to meet El’s eyes.
Why was he acting sober after drinking so much?
“Are you wondering why I’m not drunk?”
Seeing Nia’s expression, El knew what she was thinking.
“That’s because I used to drink liquors much stronger than this. This sweet rice wine—just a little of it won’t get me drunk at all.”
“As for why I acted drunk earlier, it was only because my stomach was full and I had to fake it to avoid drinking more.”
She hadn’t expected that.
Now what should she do?
Nia’s mind raced but no solution came to her.
She just stood rooted in place.
“So, Nia, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?” El said with mock severity. “This kind of chi girl behavior isn’t what a good child should do.”
“You’re so skilled, it must not be your first time, right? No wonder I’ve been having those strange dreams lately. I thought it was just my overactive imagination, but turns out it’s you…”
The elf’s face flushed with embarrassment.
Nia lowered her head, wanting nothing more than to bury her face in the floor.
After a long pause, she stammered out an apology.
“S-Sorry, El.”
The flickering light in the room swayed as Nia waited, but no reply came.
Her heart grew anxious.
Could El be angry?
Understandable.
If the roles were reversed, and someone did that to her, she’d be angry too.
Not to mention he was bound by the so-called “code of male virtue.”
She had actually done this to her very first friend.
It was an unforgivable sin.
Thinking this, Nia bit her lip.
She drew her sword from the ring and set it in front of the bed.
“If it will ease your anger, stab me through and through. I won’t hold a grudge, only ask that after I die you look after the lady for me.”
“Hey, hey, what are you doing? It’s not time for self-sacrifice yet!” El finally spoke, his head aching. “Put the sword away.”
“Do you really think I’m angry over something so trivial?”
“Not at all!” Nia’s voice faltered.
“Of course not!” El said. “I just hate the feeling of being kept in the dark. Aren’t we friends? If you have difficulties, just tell me. Do you think I wouldn’t help you?”
“Sorry.”
“Forget it, it wasn’t a big deal to begin with.” After speaking, El’s eyes scanned her. “Nia, are elves really all that passionate?”
“Of course not!” Nia quickly denied. “If that were true, with their lifespans, elves would be the most populous on the continent by now… Elves are actually a low-desire race.”
If not the race, then it must be personal.
El studied the female knight before him thoughtfully.
He had the feeling Nia was still hiding something.
Seeing her fall silent again, Nia grew uneasy and subtly moved back two steps.
But El noticed immediately.
“Where are you going?”
Nia forced a sheepish smile. “I’m disturbing your rest.”
“Don’t be in such a hurry to leave.” El called out. “See this guy? It’s all your fault.”
“You want to leave, but did you ask him first?”
Today, he was determined to reclaim his manhood!