* * *

A towering pile of firewood was engulfed in flames.

Surrounding the roaring fire were three tables, each filling with attendees in their designated seats.

These were the scions of 11 prestigious families, all participants in this year’s hunting competition.

“For the peace of the royal family and boundless glory!”

One of the nobles at the table raised his voice, prompting everyone to lift their glasses in unison.

Among them, the only royal eligible to participate in the hunting competition, Haywards, sat at the head table, gazing at the heirs of the 11 families who had sworn allegiance to him.

Or rather, it might not be accurate to say he was surveying them. His gaze had distinctly stopped at Remy.

“How’s Allen doing? Is he okay?”

“Well, according to the physician, it seems to be a ligament strain. It doesn’t look like he’ll be able to participate in the competition.”

“Oh, dear.”

Ashton found himself answering countless inquiries about Allen’s condition.

It was only natural for people to ask about someone who was injured.

Remy could understand that much. However…

“Do you think someone might have pushed him? You know, on purpose?”

The accusatory glances that followed were beyond Remy’s comprehension.

Why were they looking at him when Allen was the one injured?

‘Oh, come on. Is it me again? Everything’s always my fault, huh? I’m the one who saved Allen, for crying out loud.’

At this point, he wondered if he should’ve just let Allen tumble all the way down.

Forget the original story and all that nonsense—maybe he should’ve let him be.

‘No, stop it. Calm down. This time, I promised myself I’d follow the original story without any mistakes. I can’t let something like this shake me.’

Nodding to himself, Remy gnawed on the baby pig roasted over the fragrant firewood, barely filling his not-so-empty stomach.

“It’s not like that. If it weren’t for Remy, Allen could’ve been seriously hurt.”

“…What?”

“Allen fell by accident, and Remy helped him. If it hadn’t been for him, Allen might not even be here right now.”

Cough!

The words from Ashton caught Remy off guard, making him choke on the tender piece of pork he was quietly eating.

As he desperately tried to clear his throat of the lodged meat, the person Ashton had been talking to left with a skeptical expression.

“Here, drink this.”

Ashton handed Remy a goblet filled with wine as he coughed uncontrollably.

Without hesitation, Remy downed it in one go, too distracted to think about what it was.

“Phew. I can finally breathe. But wait, what is this? It’s so sweet. Is this grape juice?”

“…It’s not grape juice. It’s wine.”

“Oh, wine. Yeah, I knew that.”

Sure. Wine. Vino in Italian. Wein in German. I know that much, okay?

“Does today’s food suit your taste?”

“Well, yeah. It’s pretty good today.”

It was no wonder—the baby pig, roasted over the fire for hours, had absorbed the smoky aroma, which eliminated any gaminess.

Its crispy exterior and juicy, tender meat made it incredibly delicious to Remy.

And the wine paired with the meal? It was an unexpected delight.

‘What’s with this wine? Why is it so good? I thought wine was supposed to be bitter and sour. At least, that’s how I remember it. But this… it’s sweet and amazing.’

Since coming to this world, Remy had actively avoided wine, but now…

“Hey, don’t you think you’re drinking a bit too fast? You’re downing it pretty quickly.”

“Come on, it’s fine. This isn’t even alcohol. It’s practically a sweet drink.”

With that, Remy kept gulping down the wine, pairing it with more of the succulent roast pork.

The tender pork, the sweet wine—it all made him feel fantastic.

Like the blazing campfire before him, Remy felt as though he could soar into the sky at any moment.

“Oh, wow. The flames… They’re so pretty…”

Face flushed, Remy murmured, his words heavily slurred.

“Remy, are you drunk?”

“Huh? Who’s what now?”

“I asked if you’re drunk.”

“I’m not drunk. I’m fine!”

Unbeknownst to Remy, his body had a remarkably low tolerance for alcohol—essentially, he was a lightweight.

“No, you’re definitely drunk.”

“What are you talking about? Who gets drunk off just two glasses of wine? That’s ridiculous.”

“Well, apparently, you.”

Having experienced too much that day, Remy was struggling to process everything.

“Anyway, Remy, how about heading back to rest? I’ll tell anyone who asks that you weren’t feeling well.”

“What? No way, Ashton. The dinner banquet has just started. Why would I leave now?”

“Listen to me. Don’t be stubborn.”

“Nope. I’m still hungry!”

“It’s not hunger. It’s the alcohol.”

“Alcohol? What alcohol? I didn’t even drink any!”

“Then what’s that in your hand? Is that not alcohol?”

“Uh… no? It’s a drink. Grape juice or something.”

“Right. And you’re tipsy from grape juice?”

“I told you, I’m not drunk!”

Cute. Absolutely not cute.

Ashton clicked his tongue, watching the thoroughly drunk and entirely uncooperative Remy.

Despite spending so much time together, Ashton had never realized how bad Remy’s drunken antics could be.

While adorable, he couldn’t leave him like this.

Who knew what kind of rumors people might spread?

Ashton stood and hoisted Remy to his feet, intent on getting this stubborn kitten back to the lodge.

“Hey, what’s going on? I told you, I’m still hungry!”

“Okay, fine. I’ll bring food to your room. Just come on.”

“Why are you being so weird? Why do you keep trying to take me to the lodge?”

“Because it’s the best place for you right now.”

“To do what?”

“What do you mean, ‘to do what’? Nothing weird!”

Reeking of alcohol, Remy leaned in close, his big, glassy eyes glaring up at Ashton.

“You just want to show me that thing, don’t you?”

“…What?”

“That big thing… in your pocket…”

“…??”

Completely caught off guard, Ashton let out a hollow laugh.

Did this brat even know what he was saying?

Daring to provoke an alpha like this?

Drunk or not, this kind of challenge couldn’t be ignored.

If Remy was going to toss the ball, Ashton would catch it.

“If I show you, will you let me use it?”

He whispered low, his hand sliding to rest on the back of Remy’s neck, his fingers brushing over the soft, pale skin exposed beneath his short blond hair.

The subtle touch made Remy’s already flushed body grow even hotter.

“Ah…”

Normally, Remy would’ve jumped up and screamed at such a suggestive tone.

But with two glasses of wine completely flooring him, he wasn’t even aware of the sounds slipping out of his mouth.

“Tell me. If I show you, will you let me?”

Ashton’s teasing voice lingered as his hand continued its lazy strokes along Remy’s neck.

Drowsy and warm from the wine and gentle touches, Remy’s eyelids began to droop.

This… feels kind of nice…

“Hey, Remy. Answer me.”

“I don’t know… things like that… how to use it…”

“Then, should I teach you? If you want, I can teach you as much as you’d like.”

As Ashton’s hand slid down Remy’s nape, tracing the line of his spine, it came to rest on his slender waist.

When Ashton playfully encircled his waist with his hand, Remy flinched and straightened his back.

The innocent young man, who had never had his first experience, blinked his wide, rabbit-like eyes and stared at Ashton.

Through his drunken haze, Ashton’s dazzling appearance seemed even more striking than usual.

“Answer me. Should I teach you?”

Drunk, his thoughts muddled, all he could see was the handsome man leaning closer.

The long, soft fingers teasing his waist only made things worse.

Remy couldn’t think straight.

Something felt off, but his drunken state kept him from grasping what exactly was wrong.

* * *