Lanche strolled around the house, casually browsing with an air of ease while those two maids weren’t chattering away in his ears.
Of course, he avoided the "off-limits" areas. Boredom simply drove him to examine paintings and vases he’d normally ignore—always feeling watched.
Wandering into the kitchen, he spotted several barrels of malt liquor stacked in a corner. Goods delivered just two days prior.
He pried open a rubber-sealed barrel, dipped a finger in, and tasted it. His tongue shot out instantly. *Absolutely awful.*
He disliked alcohol in this world—all rotgut swill. He’d hoped the stuff they used for business might be decent. Nope. Same garbage.
"What are you doing?!" Lekui’s sharp voice cut through the air. She stood in the doorway, glaring.
After leaving the study, she’d searched everywhere for him. Nearly thought he’d pulled some stunt—only to find him sneaking drinks in the kitchen?
Lanche ignored her. Zero trust.
He hoisted a barrel and walked off. Lekui didn’t block him, just snorted, "Fifteen years old and already drinking? Weak skills, bad habits galore."
"Mind your own business," Lanche shot back, sticking out his tongue. Seeing her face freeze with cold anger sparked a flicker of satisfaction.
*Maybe flirting isn’t impossible… just needs a different approach?*
Humming softly, he carried the barrel away.
"Don’t make a mess I’ll have to clean up," Lekui warned, fist raised, eyes blazing. "Or I’ll beat you to a pulp."
Lanche waved dismissively and left.
He didn’t actually want to drink. Just needed something to do—like improving this swill.
He’d picked up distilling tricks from random videos back in his old life. Trial and error would take time. Good thing he had nothing *but* time.
Days passed. Lekui often caught him fiddling with glass bottles—useless tinkering that annoyed her. She eventually stopped looking.
Lanche started venturing out more, visiting glass workshops for proper equipment. That ate up most of his hours.
Lekui had almost believed he was onto something serious. Then he smashed a bottle on the floor. She nearly lunged at him.
Lanche shrugged innocently. "Faulty glass. Shattered when heated. Not my fault."
"You’re testing my limits," Lekui hissed, icy stare locked on him.
Lanche just shrugged again. *Think what you want.*
She itched to hit him—but couldn’t. She was a maid. He was still the princess’s consort.
Lanche knew when to back off. Teasing only worked as boredom relief.
Finally, after days of work, he’d distilled one barrel of malt liquor into a clear glass bottle.
He took two sips. Better… but still mediocre. The base brew was trash. Nowhere near the premium Chinese liquors he remembered.
He set it aside somewhere visible. Let them try it if they wanted. Definitely better than this world’s swill.
If they hated it? Toss it.
He headed out for another stroll.
Liya arrived to clean. The sharp alcohol scent hit her nose. She frowned. "Who left liquor here? Seriously—"
She picked up the bottle, then paused. Sniffed again. Surprise flickered across her face. She took a cautious sip.
"Mmm—" Her eyes flew wide. A dragon tail burst from beneath her skirt, thumping against the floor.
"Drat! My tail’s showing! I need to show this to Her Highness!" She dropped her cleaning tools and dashed to Kestia’s study, bottle clutched tight.
"Your Highness! You *must* try this!" she blurted.
Kestia took the bottle, sniffed—and didn’t even need to taste it. "Where did this come from?"
"N-not from a merchant… I found it at home," Liya admitted awkwardly.
Kestia poured a measure. The liquid was a clear, pale gold—like sunlight on a lake. Nothing like the usual murky brews.
"What incredible aroma!" Sileus appeared, drawn by the scent, bewildered.
"Sileus, try this," Kestia offered the cup.
His eyes lit up. He took a sip.
"Good, right?" Liya grinned.
"Exquisite! Absolutely exquisite!" Sileus breathed, awestruck. "Better than any wine I’ve ever tasted!"
He closed his eyes, savoring. "This depth of flavor… I’ve only smelled its equal in the Human Empire’s royal court. Crafted by an Archmage. Even their emperor hoards it."
"Imperial court? An Archmage?" Kestia and Liya exchanged shocked glances.
"This is *that* valuable?" Liya scratched her head.
"Worth far more than you imagine," Sileus said gravely.
"But how did it end up in our home?" Kestia pressed Liya.
Liya squirmed. She had no clue.
Sileus frowned. "In *our* home? Not from a merchant?"
"No merchant could source this," he muttered. "Liya, find Lekui. She might know."
Liya rushed out. Returned moments later with Lekui.
Lekui eyed the bottle skeptically. Took a sip—and nearly choked. "What’s so special about this?" She couldn’t stomach it. Too harsh.
"Those unused to fine spirits won’t appreciate it," Sileus chuckled, sipping his cup like a child guarding candy.
"Lekui," Kestia asked firmly, "where did this liquor come from?"
Lekui hesitated. She knew Lanche had taken it. But no way that slacker could’ve worked magic.
"It’s from those barrels in the kitchen," she said flatly. "The ones Fizk the merchant delivered."
"Fizk?" Sileus frowned. "His malt liquor is cheap swill. We returned his stock—it wouldn’t sell."
"Must’ve aged strangely," Lekui shrugged. "That’s where it came from." *Definitely not that guy’s doing.*
Sileus turned to Kestia. "Your Highness, we must visit Fizk’s brewery immediately. Securing this liquor could open markets—even in the Royal Capital. The Empire itself."
Kestia considered it. Nodded. "Agreed. No delay. We leave now."
"Exactly my thought," Sileus said, excitement crackling in his voice. A turning point at last.
Kestia felt hope stir. Perhaps her patience *would* pay off.
They departed by carriage, leaving Lekui to guard the estate.
Watching them go, Lekui’s brow furrowed. Their urgency worried her. *What if they find nothing?* She needed answers—from Lanche.
She searched the entire manor. No trace of him. Her expression turned glacial.
"He’s gone out again without permission."
*(If Lanche heard that, he’d protest: I’m free to come and go! Unfair accusation!)*
Lekui gave up. Went back to cleaning.
Meanwhile, Kestia’s carriage rolled toward Fizk’s brewery.
