And so, the Game of Appearances began. At first, the statements were innocent, almost trivial, accompanied by easy laughter and knowing glances. No one seemed to take it too seriously; after all, it was just a game among family, a fleeting distraction.
Guinevere, her eyes somewhat glazed, was the first to stand up and speak: "I once got an honor degree in math."
The room erupted in laughter. "Liar! That's impossible," Marcus remarked with a mocking smile. "You don't even know what a square root is. Now drink!"
"You could've spared yourself that comment, idiot…" Guinevere, her pride wounded, took a sip of her drink and sat back down.
As the game progressed, the revelations started to become bolder and more extravagant. Each player sought to impress or deceive the rest, trying to outdo the previous statement with something more scandalous or ridiculous.
Cedric, with the confidence of someone who had already drunk quite a bit, claimed to have climbed to the top of Mount Fuji. "It was an incredible adventure" He said, leaning forward as if recounting a heroic feat. Of course, it was false. "Okay! You caught me. I didn't reach the top. It was too cold... but at least you could've doubted it for a second."
Next, it was Marcus' turn. He claimed to have gone skydiving with a famous singer, which, surprisingly, was true—though only partially. That person wasn't an idol yet when they went skydiving, but it was still true.
Each statement seemed more unbelievable than the last, and the laughter mixed with the sound of clinking glasses and the steady flow of alcohol.
⟦ "Fortune Parasite" activated. Target: Beatrice Cross. ⟧
⟦ "Fortune Parasite" activated. Target: Marcus Cross. ⟧
⟦ Luck Points (LP): 3 → 11 ⟧
Naturally, Julian didn't miss the opportunity to use his [Fortune Parasite] ability on Beatrice and Marcus during their turns, making them lose miserably while he earned some Luck Points.
⟦ 45 MINUTES LATER. ⟧
The living room table was littered with half-empty bottles and semi-conscious bodies. The game had advanced faster than Julian had planned. Guinevere and Marcus had fallen into their own arrogance, losing and drinking in nearly every round. Cedric, with his head resting on his hand, was already asleep, arms sprawled across the table.
The effect of the [Silver Tongue Pill] had been more useful than Julian had anticipated. His lies had passed effortlessly, and every one of the family members had fallen into his traps again and again. He hadn't had to take a single drink.
Guinevere, her eyes half-closed and her makeup slightly smudged, tried to say something but only managed to mumble incoherently before collapsing into her chair. Marcus wasn't much better. He was trying to pretend he was sober, but the gleam in his eyes and his silly laugh betrayed him. "I'm… I'm the best at this" He slurred before taking another awkward sip from his glass, only to slump heavily onto the table seconds later.
Beatrice, however, was a different story. She had been drinking, but in moderation. Though the alcohol affected her, she was still awake. Her hair, normally perfectly styled in a bun, was now disheveled, and her wrinkled clothes clung carelessly to her attractive figure.
Beatrice did not have a particularly beautiful face; in fact, it was quite plain, with hard, serious features. Her face not attract much attention from men. However, her body was another story. Despite being 45, she had an hourglass figure, with well-defined hips and a slim waist. Her bust was gigantic, disproportionately large for her frame, making her extremely tempting.
With a sly smile, Julian slowly rose from his seat, observing the deplorable state of the family. "It seems… the game is over" He said calmly, showing no hint of tiredness. "I think I've won. I haven't taken a single drink."
Beatrice looked at him with disdain. She didn't like Julian in the slightest. "Congratulations, I suppose. This must be the first time you've ever won anything."
Julian narrowed his eyes. A spark of anger flashed in them, but he quickly composed himself. *The real game hasn't even started yet, bitch.*
"I didn't know you were such a sore loser, Mom" He said as he approached her. The living room was now completely silent, except for the soft snores of Cedric and Marcus. "You remember the rules, don't you? The winner gets to ask for a favor. And the loser can't refuse."
The word "Mom" left his mouth with a note of irony that Beatrice miss because the alcohol.
"I'm not in the mood for this" She said coldly, rising from the table. "I'm going to bed."
But Julian wasn't going to let her leave that easily. "No. You made a promise and I won. So I can ask you a special favor" His smile widened as he took another step closer to Beatrice. "Do you want to know what it is?"
Beatrice tensed, sensing the danger in his tone. "Stop beating around the bush. What do you want?" Her voice was cold, defensive. She was used to being in control, to setting the rules. But somehow, Julian's newfound confidence and eloquence made her feel uneasy.
"I want you to be my girlfriend" He finally said, with the calm of someone asking for an ordinary thing.
The impact of the words left Beatrice frozen for a moment. Then, her face immediately hardened, and she let out a short, incredulous laugh.
"Don't be ridiculous, Julian. You're crazy if you think I'd ever agree to something so absurd."
Julian remained calm, his gaze locked on hers, challenging her. "I meant what I said. I want you to be my girlfriend. At least for a while. That was the promise of the game, wasn't it? You have to keep your end."
"I'm not going to be part of your ridiculous games. You're a child. Don't provoke me, Julian." Beatrice faced him, barely able to stand, but not afraid. Her tempting body seemed small before Julian, who was big as a bear.
Julian didn't back down. He had anticipated that response. He knew perfectly well that she would never accept such a thing. "Fine, I understand" He paused, as if considering something. "But then… I want something smaller. A kiss. Just one."
Beatrice looked at him in disbelief, the silence in the room emphasizing every second that passed. She was the lady of the house, she liked to have everything under control. But now, with the alcohol clouding her thoughts and Julian's words, she hesitated.
Julian noticed the hesitation and stepped a little closer, shortening the distance between them. "It's just a kiss. It's nothing special. We are not kids"
Beatrice pressed her lips together, her cold eyes scanning Julian's greasy face. She had never considered Julian a threat; she had always seen him as a secondary presence in her home. But now, she felt an unexpected pressure.
Finally, she let out a long sigh. "A kiss. Just that. And after this, don't ever mention it again."
Julian nodded, his eyes gleaming with triumph, though his expression remained calm. "Of course. Just that."
Beatrice, maintaining her dignity, slowly leaned toward him. "Don't get used to this" She whispered, before brushing her lips against his. The kiss was brief, just a touch, but enough to settle her debt.
However, Julian was far from satisfied.
"You call that a kiss? Let me show you"