…I’m thirsty. What time was it? A tingling headache surfaced as I slowly regained consciousness.
“Ugh…”
I’m very thirsty. Rather, when did I leave yesterday? I attended the ball with Diletsha…
“Kyuk!”
I don’t recall anything after that. I opened my eyes and jumped upwards, taken aback by my blurred recollections.
“I planned to inform the Emperor I wouldn’t be able to join in as a candidate… Huh?”
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 wasn’t familiar with?
It was a foreign environment.
“Here… When am I?”
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 I’ve 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 wouldn’t let go of my palm.
As I turned my head, the bare body of a man engulfed my view.
“Hyuk!!”
I was so surprised that I inhaled heavily and hurriedly pulled out.
‘What the hell?’
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 wasn’t fully confiscated, all the straps designed on the gown were loosened roughly.
“Crazy!”
A relief, or a misfortune.
This was a situation where curse words couldn’t help but leave one’s 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.’
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.
‘Did we do it, or did we not?’
It was time to check the man’s face. I could easily shift my face the person’s way, but I didn’t dare do so.
Alright, let’s take three deep breaths.
Heave-ho, Heave-ho…
“It seems you’ve scarcely returned to your senses.”
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 head…
“Huk!”
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.
“Why… Why are you here?”
“Who exactly are you questioning? Me? Or you?”
His voice was originally mellow, but it seemed even more hoarse as he just awakened from his sleep.
“Either way, why are…”
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.
‘He’s insane!’
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.’
I squeezed my eyes shut and sighed.
“This is my mansion, and I brought you here yesterday.”
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.
“You must be curious.”
His red lips slowly parted.
“Ask me.”
I was convinced this time.
“What happened last night.”
This man was truly aiming to seduce me.
“Why we were in the same bed.”
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.
“We… Did we do it?”
“What.”
I wet my lips, maintaining the calmest expression I could produce.
“Of course…”
What do you think men and women do when undressing in bed at night?!
“I think it would be better to ask your questions more straightforwardly. Be specific about what you are talking about.”
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.
‘His ass…’
He lifted the cup on the table and poured water.
‘Please put on some clothes.’
Let’s just give up watching. I sealed my eyes tightly. When a person’s 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 sunlight…
‘No!’
I unlatched my two eyes unconsciously.
I could witness Lennox’s smooth neck moving vigorously.
He turned his head upon emptying the cup. His moist lips were fascinating to the eye.
“Please, put on some clothes…”
I could barely spit out my words.
“Oh my.”
What do you mean ‘oh my’?
“Are you trying to back off after touching me in such ways?”
Who? Me?
“You also used my arm as a pillow.”
“When did I!”
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.
‘A large wound…’
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.
“What happened yesterday. How far do you recall?”
Yesterday… I traced my memory. Everything was faint. Pushing April, drinking…
‘Damn it, the alcohol.’
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 wouldn’t be immune to alcohol.
‘I should have considered the matter more.’
“…I remember until drinking.”
I mumbled in shame. I couldn’t bring myself to make eye contact with him.
Among the many inconveniences of drinking was having to clean up after one.
“That’s what I remember.”
“Ha…”
I couldn’t make any excuses. Lennox sighed.
“You drank in front of me until you’re reached your limit.”
Ah, right. I remember. I drank alone at the table… Then Lennox came.
“You finished the champagne I was drinking.”
Yes, I also remember that.
My dark past.
There were many glasses, so why did I have to drink other people’s champagne? *Was someone’s rice cake bigger than mine in the past?
TL/N: This is a proverb, referring to someone’s way of thinking that other people’s possessions are better than their own, even when they’re not.
“And you soon lay against the table.”
Did I? I briefly recall trying to lie due to my headache.
“Then you suddenly started talking about her.”
“…Th-that woman?”
“Serrine.”
Oh, you crazy girl.
I was so shocked by Lennox’s words that I covered my mouth hard with both hands.
“Wh-who… Did anyone hear me?”
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!
“Your expression is worth seeing.”
Hey, you punk.
“Witnessing such a situation, you truly seem different from that woman.”
Lennox leaned against the wall and glanced my way. His arms were folded.
“Who hasn’t heard?”
Lennox replied calmly to my restlessness.
“If they had, you wouldn’t have been resting peacefully. You’d have been arrested immediately, charges being you impersonated a noble.”
Thank god. I’m so relieved.
I let out a sigh of relief and stretched my shoulders.
…Wait. We leave that at that. But,
“Why did you bring me here?”
You could’ve left me to Diletsha. Or take me to my mansion!
Lennox replied dryly as I sent him a suspicious gaze.
“You seem to have forgotten the conversation we just had.”
“What?”
Lennox frowned slightly as he approached the bed.
Startled, I retreated a step.
“I agonized for a while as you continued your drunk speech and how messed up your relationship with the woman was.”
Ah, right.
“I thought I should just leave you alone.”
I also expected as much.
“Or should I send you to Latni’s mansion?”
I wished I hadn’t been drunk. He doesn’t have to bring back such memories. I lowered my head in embarrassment.
“Thanks to you, I transferred the lady, so you can be grateful.”
Oh, I’m ashamed.
“This will be the first and last experience in my life.”
“Th-then, you could’ve thrown me to another room…”
As I hesitantly rebelled, Lennox clenched his molars and spoke in a repressed tone.
“I was afraid you’d do something to my mansion if I threw you in another room.”
Th-that’s right.
“I decided it would be better to put you directly where I can monitor you.”
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.
“That…”
Lennox halted amidst trying to pull the string beside the bed. His expression was exactly this: ‘What again this time?’
“One more…”
You told me to ask anything.
“What is it?”
“Um, what’s wrong with my clothes…?”
I gazed at him dubiously. Lennox swept his hair roughly. His fist clenched.
“From what I saw, you were hot.”
Ah… Is that what I did. I’m…
“I am sorry.”
*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.
“If you’re done with the questions, I’ll ask you this time around.”
Feel free to ask anything. As much as you like.
“What were you before?”
“…What?”
I tilted my head in response to his unexpected question.
“I asked what you were before becoming Serrine Latni.”
***
HELL YEAH!! You go tell him!! Idk why but I just love these types of cliches, I’ll probably get tired of it one day but not now heh
P.s. I didn’t proofread this cuz I’m lazy so there might be more mistakes than usual lol