Chapter 53

Here’s the translation into English using first-person point of view:

—

Let me see…

Even though it wasn’t yet noon, Claudia’s actions as she headed towards the shelves looking for alcohol surprised me for only a moment.

‘Even if there’s no one inside, she’s going to fetch it herself.’

Seeing an emperor-level person who was accustomed to ordering others around by gesture or glance actually walk to the shelf where his drink was kept with his own feet, I felt my surprise soften slightly.

The human-like behavior I witnessed in this private room, where the emperor acted more like a regular person, softened my initial shock.

“Hmm, sherry is perfect for celebrating a reunion!”

Claudia’s cheerful voice as she picked out wine to share with her friend reminded me more of a noble enjoying drinks with friends than the ruler of an empire.

“Oh! Not whiskey but a sweet grape wine!”

Asulin’s grumbling about not getting whiskey also seemed more like that of a drinker complaining to their drinking buddy rather than the sole heir of the Empire’s only ducal family.

Though I found it endearing how these two could show affection without formalities in front of a small audience, and despite the fact that their conversation seemed to revolve around alcohol, I couldn’t help feeling a little worried. However, knowing that these two often dispel concerns with their skills and expertise, I decided not to worry too much.

“You learned from me, but now you’re giving me advice.”

“More like reminding me of my初心, handing over a question because I seem to have lost it. Before, you used to avoid sherries because they left an unpleasant sweetness on your tongue.”

“Taste changes. You yourself started off refusing all other wines except sherry when you first began drinking.”

“Hmm.”

…I really put in the effort.

Still, it’s surprising how freely they argue about something as trivial as taste preferences.

In Blood Haven, if someone buys alcohol, they just drink whatever is given. But here, the one holding the alcohol is in charge, right?

It’s surprising to see such a scene in the Imperial Palace’s private rooms, which would be rare even in cheap taverns in Blood Haven. Should I laugh at this?

“Sherry.”

“Whiskey.”

“Sherry!”

“Whiskey!”

…Will we make it back to the villa safely?

I watched as these two, who were bickering over what to drink almost nose-to-nose, chose their drinks. Unlike their growling, both had faint smiles on their faces.

It seems that this is how these two usually talk while arguing.

The long, tedious standoff finally ended with Claudia giving in and fetching the whiskey Asulin wanted, due to the basic rule of serving the guest’s desired drink.

This decision led to actions that made up for the time spent choosing the drink.

Seeing the cream-colored sherry—whatever that was—placed back on the shelf, His Majesty remarked,

“Well then, let’s go with this.”

The brief moment it took to select a bottle from the shelf was barely noticeable.

Considering I’ve developed a discerning eye for expensive whiskeys since spending time with Asulin, I noticed that the whiskey His Majesty selected didn’t seem much different from the ones Asulin cherished so much.

“…So you’ll go with that?”

“Yes. If you don’t use it, what’s the point? You should drink with someone you can enjoy it with.”

“Our Majesty, you truly have a big heart.”

As soon as Asulin saw the bottle, her left eyebrow twitched slightly in admiration. Given her penchant for collecting expensive, delicious wines, this must be quite a valuable bottle.

A few days ago, during my first visit to the villa, the Royal Oak or something similar might have been considered precious.

The whiskey in the transparent glass bottle, which clearly had considerable value, looked impressive even just by looking at the bottle.

While gazing at the bottle, His Majesty prepared to host me and Asulin in the reception room.

The setup was simple. He placed the bottles on a table between two sofas facing each other.

He also brought three straight glasses designed specifically for this whiskey.

All of this was done using psychokinesis, a natural ability His Majesty possessed since birth, thanks to his queen, Claudia.

Although I briefly wondered if using psychokinesis for such a minor task was wasteful, I immediately dismissed the thought.

‘I shouldn’t interfere.’

With this realization, I shifted my focus to the bottles and glasses that had been precisely moved by psychokinesis.

“Then…”

Claudia used psychokinesis again to open the bottle and pour the whiskey into the glasses with graceful movements.

She poured just the right amount, not too much or too little.

…It was a skilled movement, evident from the way she poured the contents of the bottle into the glasses with psychokinesis.

After filling the last glass for herself, Claudia raised hers, and Asulin and I followed suit.

“To our reunion after so long.”

At Claudia’s words, we gently clinked our glasses.

It was a light collision, and the whiskey filled the three glasses just right.

I hadn’t even thought about drinking before noon until these two women, who are the most respected in the Empire, made me do so.

Honestly, it would be impossible to refuse the Emperor’s friendly invitation to drink.

The whiskey itself isn’t at fault; it’s just the timing that’s inappropriate.

I settled my thoughts as I felt the fiery warmth of the whiskey sliding down my throat.

The aroma and taste of the whiskey surpassed even the premium silk wine I had shared with Asulin just a few glasses earlier.

The first sip stimulated my nose and tongue with its sweetness.

The high-class sweetness reminiscent of vanilla, processed from the precious vanilla grown in the southern regions of the continent, delighted my ears and nose.

As I swallowed the whiskey and regulated my breathing, the rich flavor of alcohol and the heavy texture and smoky aroma tickled my senses.

Finally, the refreshing aftertaste lingering in my mouth confirmed that this was indeed a great premium wine.

…If I hadn’t remembered the etiquette of serving tea and snacks to guests in the reception room, I might not have enjoyed this wine as much. However, seeing the two most respected women in the Empire savoring the wine so naturally made me think,

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have come.’

Following Asulin out of a sense of obligation, I briefly regretted my choice. However,

“After a long absence, let’s celebrate our reunion with this one drink.”

Claudia, who had been savoring the taste, suddenly put down her glass and suggested discussing the events of the morning.

“What, there doesn’t seem to be much to talk about.”

Asulin’s expression changed abruptly, returning to her work mode, and her cold voice echoed.

I felt relieved that our reunion would only involve one toast. At the same time, I felt a strange sympathy for the Emperor and Asulin, who couldn’t avoid talking about work even during their personal time with a close friend on New Year’s Day.

The sole heir of the Empire’s only ducal family.

And the Emperor, who ranks higher than even that.

Despite receiving the respect and admiration of everyone, seeing them diligently working even on their days off made me understand why they were drinking so early.

Yes, even on their days off, they’re busy with work. It’s not like they’re bragging; having just one drink shouldn’t be a problem.

“The results weren’t particularly fruitful. These mercenaries didn’t even know they were hired by the League and were just running around aimlessly.”

Listening to the Emperor calmly recount his findings, Asulin and I finished the first official engagement of the new year by meeting the supreme ruler of the Empire.

—

Please note that the translation has been adjusted to maintain the flow and context of the original text while adhering to the first-person perspective.