Chapter 163

Chapter 163
Chapter 163: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“……The room number? Why?”

“There’s a reason.”

To this brief response, the Second Prince appeared to hesitate for a short while, but…

“Understood.”

He surprisingly agreed right away with a simple nod.

That reaction left Lion bewildered.

‘No…….’

Of course, getting his approval was a good thing.

Still, wasn’t he giving in a bit too easily?

‘It doesn’t seem like he lacks worldly experience.’

His answer had been astonishingly direct.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Lion finally voiced his question.

“How can you trust me and grant permission so effortlessly?”

“It’s just intuition.”

“…….”

He had walked right into that one.

The Prince was echoing the exact words Lion had spoken moments earlier.

“Even if I am a future emperor, shouldn’t I at least be capable of reading people?”

“……Understood. Then I will stop by tomorrow evening.”

“At what specific time?”

“That is my decision to make.”

“Hmph.”

The Prince let out a dismissive scoff, resting his chin on his hand as he studied the individual before him.

He certainly felt like he was being steered, yet oddly enough, it did not bother him.

Part of that was because the arrangement itself was far from disadvantageous.

‘I haven’t offered him anything, yet he is the one addressing my chronic affliction….’

Though the visitor’s initial objective was clear, an underlying sense of genuine goodwill was palpable.

True. Perhaps he truly is a messenger sent from the temple, as people often claim.

‘It is a peculiar sensation, but… it is not unpleasant.’

Still, evening it would have to be.

For the time being, he would have no choice but to conclude his daytime duties and return to his quarters.

If so, would he be forced to delay his check-in with Lion Asteri?

‘Well, it likely does not matter much.’

After all, he had just crossed paths with someone far more intriguing.

With final instructions delivered, Kyle watched the man stand up and prepare to depart.

However…

*sway, sway*.

Perhaps due to the alcohol, his steps were markedly more unsteady than before.

“I will see you tomorrow, then.”

Though the man himself seemed entirely oblivious to his own sway.

“…….”

Finding the fellow remarkably eccentric and unique, Kyle offered a quiet chuckle to himself.

—

Fortunately, Lion managed to make his way back to his room before dawn broke.

“Hic.”

……This particular hiccup had nothing to do with intoxication.

And unfortunately, that very detail created a complication.

“Brother.”

“…….”

Rikschel was already awake, waiting for him.

He certainly had not anticipated anyone waking up quite this early.

The sun had barely begun to peek over the horizon…

‘Ah, right, meditation time.’

Mages typically rose at daybreak to meditate while absorbing the purest streams of mana.

Rikschel would be no exception.

Which meant… he had been caught red-handed, much like a stray cat scavenging for fish.

“Th-this is.”

Lion stammered, frantically searching for an acceptable excuse.

The current dynamic felt precisely like a newly of-age youth sneaking out for the night and getting caught upon return.

To make matters worse, his disguise was still intact.

Lion fumbled blindly with his face until he managed to pull the mask away.

That revealed a face thoroughly flushed from an evening of heavy drinking.

“You are drunk.”

“Little brother. There is a reasonable explanation for this, you see…”

“The stench of alcohol is appalling.”

“Allow me to elaborate…”

Lion cast a cautious glance toward Rikschel.

The younger mage looked genuinely displeased.

And rightfully so.

‘He told me to get some rest, so I went to sleep, only for him to slip out for a night of leisure.’

*sob*… No, resentment under the circumstances was entirely justified.

‘Wait, would telling the truth only escalate the situation?’

How could he possibly explain that, beneath his disguise, he had run into Rikschel’s colleague—or rather, the Second Prince—and proceeded to toy with him?

Please understand, it was all for a noble cause.

Even if he were to voice that reasoning…

‘Hmm, I wouldn’t appreciate hearing that either.’

As those thoughts crossed his mind, his excuses naturally died in his throat.

“I have no desire to hear explanations right now.”

To his relief, Rikschel seemed willing to let the matter drop for the moment.

Or perhaps he was simply too exhausted by the late hour to pursue it further…

“For now, please get some rest.”

Rikschel hoisted Lion’s arm over his shoulder, supported him to his bed, and drew the blankets over him with familiar care.

“Th-thank you.”

Plagued by a guilty conscience, Lion complied and settled quietly beneath the covers.

Only then did the ceiling begin to spin above him.

The full weight of the alcohol had finally taken effect.

‘My mind is still functioning…’

As his heavy eyelids drifted shut, a soft chuckle escaped his lips.

“What is so amusing?”

“Nothing, it is simply comfortable.”

Back when he lived on his own, even when thoroughly intoxicated, was there ever anyone to tuck him into bed like this?

In his past life, he would routinely collapse near the entryway after barely kicking off his shoes, never even making it beneath the sheets.

Being carried and laid to rest with such gentleness felt exceptionally comforting.

That warmth was what had coaxed out the unexpected laugh.

“As expected, my younger brother is the best.”

“……Rest well.”

Rikschel kept watch over Lion for a brief moment before extinguishing the room’s light.

The instant darkness enveloped the room, Lion plunged into a heavy slumber.

…….

…….

…….

How many hours had passed while he slept?

“Ughhhhh.”

Lion groaned, waking up with a splitting headache.

‘What time could it be….’

Although the heavy curtains remained drawn, the bright ambient light suggested it was well past midday.

“Oh dear…….”

Because of that Second Prince, he had consumed potent spirits continuously, leaving both his head and stomach in complete disarray.

Blinking against the heavy fatigue, Lion reached into his inventory for a hangover remedy.

He had brewed several extra batches during the Dwarf Village incident, and he was immensely grateful for foresight now.

The obstacle, however, was physical.

*thunk*.

He lacked even the strength to pry the container open.

Lion let the potion bottle he had retrieved slip through his fingers back onto the mattress.

It felt precisely like the morning after a grueling corporate dinner.

In those days, he might have dropped a smartphone, but today it was a potion vial…

“Peep.”

Sensing his plight, Nature fluttered over, nudged the bottle with her beak until it rolled into his palm, and then…

Flapping her wings to steady herself, she clamped her beak around the tightly sealed cap and yanked upward with surprising force!

*Pop!*

The crisp sound of the seal breaking echoed through the room, followed immediately by the cool, refreshing aroma of the herbal remedy, clearing his sinuses and helping his eyes snap open a fraction wider.

“Thank you…”

“Hmph!”

Seemingly disgusted by her master’s pathetic state, Nature let out a series of sharp huffs and chirps.

She was clearly lecturing him about what on earth he had been up to during the half-day he left her behind!

‘Honestly…’

Being scolded by a chick was a new low.

“Peep!!”

“All right. All right…”

Lion laughed weakly and downed the hangover potion in a single gulp.

Alongside the invigorating aroma, a sweetness akin to honey-water spread across his palate.

Within moments, the lingering headache and heavy intoxication vanished entirely.

“Phew!”

His faculties returned in an instant.

Amidst Nature’s ongoing scolding, Lion sluggishly rose from the bed and padded over to pull back the curtains.

As anticipated, brilliant sunlight flooded the chamber.

Accompanied by a gentle, refreshing breeze, it was the definition of a peaceful afternoon.

“Did Rikschel… step out to run an errand?”

Neither the bedroom nor the adjoining sitting area showed any sign of life.

Instead, a neat slip of parchment lay centered on the table…

-I have stepped out briefly to run an errand.

-I ordered meal service for you, so please ensure you *actually* eat it.

-P.S. I will spare you from a report to the Family Head this time.

“…Ah. I am deeply grateful.”

An official complaint reaching his grandfather’s ears would spell genuine trouble.

Lion chuckled quietly, set the note aside, and turned his attention to the sitting room table.

A luxurious silver dome covered a tray he had not noticed the previous day, evidently containing breakfast.

“Let us see what is on the menu.”

Lifting the cover revealed a steaming bowl of creamy clam chowder, fluffy hotcakes, crisp bacon, and perfectly fried eggs.

Calling it a proper brunch would hardly be an exaggeration.

The dishes even radiated a subtle warmth, as if temperature-controlled magic was at play… though.

“Sip.”

Lion stared at the spread and placed both hands on his hips.

The food itself was faultless.

It appeared remarkably appetizing.

In fact, he had never laid eyes on such immaculately golden, fluffy hotcakes before.

Moreover, the small pitcher of maple syrup on the side carried a rich, decadent fragrance.

The sole complication was the sheer volume of alcohol Lion had ingested the night before.

‘…What I truly crave is bean sprout soup.’

Not just any variation, but one loaded with fiery chili peppers and a bracingly clear broth.

Failing that, something spiced with kimchi to lend it a reddish tint would have worked wonders.

A piping-hot broth to settle his churning stomach, accompanied by the crisp, satisfying crunch of tender bean sprouts releasing their juices…

*Gurgle-!*

Merely imagining the soup made his stomach rumble in protest.

Even so, the brunch waiting before him looked enticing in its own right.

‘Well.’

Shouldn’t he consider himself fortunate not to have to cook it himself?

‘Let us eat first.’

After all, finding traditional bean sprout soup in this region was likely a lost cause.

Lion lifted the heavy tray and carried it out to the terrace.

“Still, meals like this do taste best in the open air.”

The sunlight was almost blinding, framing a serene, expansive view.

Settling into a chair, Lion began with a spoonful of the clam chowder.

A velvety, savory cream melted across his tongue, complemented by the tender chew of fresh clams.

The briny juices of the seafood blended seamlessly with the cream, creating a rich flavor profile devoid of any fishy undertones.

‘Better than I anticipated?’

The warmth was so comforting it felt as though it were physically soothing his inner organs.

Come to think of it, Westerners often relied on hearty dishes like this to conquer heavy mornings…

Lion followed it up with a bite of the sweet pancake, alternating by dipping the crispy bacon into the runny egg yolk.

Washing it down with a sip of hot black tea, he gazed out at the scenery, deciding the experience was remarkably pleasant.

*Slurp.*

The slightly bitter astringency of the strong tea cut through the richness, balancing his palate.

“Phew.”

Magnificent.

It was a moment of true afternoon languor.

It felt almost as though the chaotic events of the previous night had been nothing more than a fever dream.

“Yet, it remains reality.”

Finishing his tea, Lion lingered for a few moments, letting his gaze wander while he organized his thoughts.

‘The mistake has already been made.’

Now, the only task left was damage control.

Fortunately, the situation was far from insurmountable. Lion was well-practiced in cleaning up accidental spills.

Had he not spent years tidying up the various messes left by corporate superiors?

This time, he had simply generated the mess himself.

Besides…

‘Provided I remain focused, this can be resolved swiftly.’

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, and the evening was still hours away.

With that in mind…

‘Let us clear this away first.’

Lion stood up and scanned the room.

-I have left a special gift inside your quarters. Do inspect it when time permits.

He recalled the Prince mentioning a parting token.

Sure enough, a neatly wrapped gift box rested securely beside Lion’s bed.

‘This feels rather like unboxing an online delivery.’

Squatting on the floor, Lion untied the decorative ribbon and lifted the lid.

And revealed within…!

“What?”

A Luminis Deer keychain.

‘Special….’

A box containing twelve assorted chocolate bonbons.

‘Gift….’

Admittedly, items of that sort usually only surfaced around festive seasons…

Something felt slightly amiss.

It was certainly intended as a gesture, but… should he classify it as somewhat trivial?

Lion licked his lips, then noticed a second, longer container nestled beneath the first.

“…! This is.”

Mushroom Berry Liqueur.

And tucked inside was the authentic recipe the Bartender had dedicated a lifetime to perfecting!

The exact moment Lion’s fingers brushed against the parchment.

『 You have acquired ‘Bartender’s Recipe’! 』

『 Cooking Proficiency has reached Lv. 2. 』

『 You are now capable of crafting specialized cocktails. 』

An entirely new branch of culinary skills unlocked, accompanied by a surge of proficiency experience points that pushed his level upward.