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Chapter 123: After Three Rounds of Drinks~

On the way home, Reiner stopped by a tavern and bought a barrel of beer.

He intended to deepen his relationship with Junice.

“Yay, booze!” Martina shouldered the barrel and skipped toward the house.

As soon as they arrived, she pried off the lid and ladled beer into a wooden mug on the table.

After one sip she smacked her lips and said, “The taste is a little weak, but it’s not bad.”

Reiner retorted, “Since when did you become a connoisseur? Put the lid back on… we’ll drink with supper.”

Instead, Martina raised her voice and shouted, “Daisy! Reiner says he’s starving, start dinner county!”

“You little mutt.” Reiner rapped her on the head, but she just grinned shamelessly.

Before long, Daisy carried out a steaming platter of white bread from the kitchen.

Then she set out honey and smoked chicken.

Reiner called everyone to the table, only to turn around and see Martina feasting while hugging the barrel.

She had poured only half a cup of beer for everyone else.

Luckily, Reiner had been farsighted and secretly filled two mugs before she went to change clothes.

“Idiot! Leave some for the rest of us!” Nora leaped onto her head, and the two beast-eared girls began to wrestle…

After dinner everyone returned to their rooms.

Once Reiner settled the tipsy Martina, he knocked on Junice’s door.

He was still carrying two mugs of beer.

A faint floral fragrance drifted through Junice’s room, and it smelled delightful.

She had obviously bathed already and was lying on the bed reading a grimoire.

Seeing Reiner enter, she closed the book and asked casually, “What is it?”

“Want some beer?”

Junice propped herself up slightly and peered into the mug. “There is still some left? I thought Martina would have finished the whole barrel.”

“I planned ahead and drew two mugs before supper,” Reiner said with a small smile.

But Junice shook her head. “If I get drunk it will be a hassle, and you’ll have to look after me again.”

“A little won’t hurt. You seem to like drinking, you just get drunk easily. Let’s have a chat while we sip.”

“Sure.” Junice agreed readily, took small sips, and then complained to Reiner, “You are always so secretive. We’ve known each other for so long, yet I still know nothing about you.”

“That’s normal; everyone has a few secrets of their own…”

They chatted happily.

No one knew how much time passed, but both of them felt tipsy.

Junice, whose tolerance was poor, had already started to sway.

Her words grew bold. “Reiner… be honest, do you think I’m pretty?”

Junice’s eyes sparkled, and her breathing became rough.

In the candlelight her golden curls looked noble and beautiful.

Put her in a gorgeous gown and she would be no different from a princess in a fairy tale.

“Beautiful inside and out; flawless.”

A sly look flashed in Junice’s eyes. “Compared with Nora, who’s prettier, her or me?”

Reiner swallowed hard.

He truly did not dare answer.

For all he knew, Nora could be next door with her ears pressed to the wall.

Reiner replied softly, “Nora is shy and tsundere, while you are intelligent and gorgeous; each of you has her own charm.”

Junice chuckled and spoke in a delicate tone. “What a diplomatic answer, sly Reiner.”

To hide his embarrassment, Reiner lowered his head for a sip, then asked with concern, “Are you drunk?”

Junice’s lips curved. She leaned closer and asked, “Why ask? If you want me drunk, one mug isn’t enough.”

Damn Martina…

With that she narrowed her eyes, leaned sideways against the headboard, and her expression shifted subtly.

Obviously the alcohol had begun to hit her.

He had to admit her tolerance was truly lousy.

Liquid courage worked wonders; Junice’s nerve clcounty increased.

She spoke slowly. “Reiner, we haven’t officially kissed yet, have we? Want to try?”

She hooked a slender finger at him, eyes alluring.

Reiner joked, “You won’t throw up in my mouth again, will you?”

“Of course not, that was an accident. I’m not that wicked.”

Seeing that Reiner still did not move, Junice leaned in first, using the alcohol to vent her grievance. “Back in Cannon you invited me to live with you, and I thought you had finally wised up…”

Reiner pinched Junice’s cheeks and closed his eyes for a kiss.

The taste of beer was strong.

Junice let out a few soft hums, gripped his shoulders hard, and only after a long while did they part.

Delicious…

Reiner murmured, “Tell me honestly, have you been thinking about me for a long time?”

“Yes, but you never revealed your feelings, and I didn’t dare speak up for fear of ruining our friendship,” Junice said, tugging lightly on Reiner’s countobe. “When you came looking for me I pretty much confirmed it… When my brother came I even used the chance to test you; you agreed back then, but nothing followed, which really upset me.” Junice’s eyes held a trace of grievance.

Reiner chuckled and went on, “Are you drunk or not? You are awfully coherent.”

“Half drunk, half sober.”

Junice yawned sleepily and pulled the quilt up. “It’s late, the kiss is done, you should go.”

“Is this another of your tests?”

Junice froze for a second, then realized and protested anxiously, “What are you saying? I… I’m not that kind of woman!”

Reiner took a deep breath and sat gently on the edge of the bed.

A man needed a thick skin; being forward risked a trap, but not being forward risked missing a chance.

“Martina and Nora are asleep, and I don’t want to wake them. Kind Teacher Junice, please take me in for the night!”

Junice’s face turned as red as a kettle on the boil. She pushed his shoulder and tried to stay reserved. “Stop it! Our relationship may be special, but this is too soon… and it’s my first time; I’m not mentally prepared.”

“It’s fine. In magic you’re my mentor, but in this I’m yours; leave it to me.” With that, Reiner blew out the candle and the room went dark.

Junice let out a cry. “W-wait! Reiner, if you do that I’ll get angry.”

Reiner lit the room with Fireball. “Shall I light the candle then?”

“T-that’s not the point! I…”

Junice clutched the quilt more tightly around herself.

Reiner took her hand, gazed into her beautiful eyes, and said tenderly, “Be my woman, Junice. I’m serious.”

Silence filled the room.

Junice’s eyes darted away; she panicked completely. “What… what if I accidentally get pregnant?”

Reiner answered solemnly, “Then I’ll be a competent father.”

Junice closed her eyes and said nothing more.

After a long time, a pair of slender arms wrapped tightly around Reiner.

Junice whispered, “Remember what you just said…”

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