Nero glanced at Carlos, steadily working his way through his third glass. Despite his flushed face, he seemed unfazed as he rambled about his days on the road, playing with the half-filled glass of booze.
He looked at his glass, which was only three-fourths finished and couldn't help but reassess his opinion of Carlos. The man could certainly hold his drink.
The darn thing wasn't hard on taste. Rather, it was so sweet and delicious. He would've drowned in it if not for the insane rush of frenzy that hits the brain after just one sip.
Nero could sense his body becoming warm and blood pumping through his veins.
Every place the drink passed through, from his mouth to his stomach, felt scorched. But all he could think about was drinking more of the delicious liquid in his hands to cool everything down.
However, doing so would ruin his plans, and he could say goodbye to his SP points from Sharron.
Looking up, he saw Carlos still speaking calmly, with no slurred speech or loss of coordination, as he neared the end of his third glass.
At first, he hadn't planned on bringing a sedative. His intention was simply to get the man drunk with strong booze before making a move on his wife. However, now he was certain that even if they finished the entire bottle with him drinking the bare minimum, Carlos would stand tall like a pine tree while he would hit the floor blackout drunk.
Nero praised himself for revising the plan and including the sedative as a fail-safe.
What would go down today would depend entirely on how well he could persuade Sharron and what she would choose.
Of course, he didn't have to play this in hard mode and could've spiked the guy himself, but he had reasons not to. He wanted to know whether this was the best way to advance bloodline progression faster and test if his assumptions about what it means to be a Charm demon were accurate.
As Nero struggled to maintain interest in Carlos's stories while sipping his single glass of booze, Sharron came to the rescue and announced that dinner was ready.
Everything happened quickly, and before he knew it, Nero found himself seated at a table packed with dishes that would fill the stomach just by looking at them. Carlos sat at the head of the table, with Nero on his right. Sharron sat across from him, and Jacob sat at the other end of the table.
Carlos refilled his glass for the fourth time and then neatly poured the booze into Nero's. He then placed the booze bottle in the center of the table, within everyone's reach.
Looking warmly at everyone at the table, he raised his glass and declared, "It's time for a toast! Our Nero has proven that the Goddess watches over him by successfully passing the Ascension ceremony and gaining the path of Alchemist. Let's applaud and cheer him on his path. Welcome to adulthood young man, and may your path help you ascend to greatness."
Sharron and Jacob immediately lifted their glasses in unison, and the sound of applause filled the room in celebration of Nero's achievement. He sat there smiling, accepting their well wishes before raising his glass to thank his host.
"Thank you, Uncle Carlos, for inviting me to this fabulous dinner and taking time out of your precious holiday to spend it with me. Thank you, Mrs. Sharron, for allowing me to taste your superb cooking. And Jacob, thank you for always being there for me, my little buddy."
Everyone cheered and drank in response to his toast, filling the table with laughter and the warmth of celebration.
He noticed that Sharron and Jacob were drinking regular refreshments instead of alcohol. It made sense for Jacob, as he was not of drinking age, but Nero wondered why Sharron was abstaining as well.
"Mrs. Sharron, why not have a drink from the bottle?"
"Don't bother Nero. You are asking a person who just discovered that drinking even a sip of alcohol should be considered a sin that deserves capital punishment." Carlos chimed in to answer the question. The strong alcohol seemed to be finally getting to him, as his voice was slightly slurred and contained an unusual taunt for his wife.
"It's not like that. Alcohol is bad for health, and I simply believe that consuming it serves no purpose other than indulging in pleasure," Sharron explained, with a hint of pride.
"Oh really? Are you an impostor, or am I still talking to my wife, Sharron? The same Sharron who used to walk all day on the Harvest Festival of Blossom Peak with a bottle of rum at her hip, party so hard, and get blackout drunk by the night? Since when did you become a puritan, honey?" Carlos' response was sharp, sounding provoked by her words.
"I just believe in making healthier choices and being responsible, that's all. People change, Carlo. It's called growing up." Sharron said unhappily, not pleased by his words.
"Is that what you call it?" Carlos shot back with a chuckle. "Some of us still know how to have a good time. We're responsible adults too, you know"
"It's just my principles," Sharron said, eyes flashing with irritation.
"Principles, huh? Don't forget, I'm still the one who knows you best, Sharron," he said, a hint of ridicule in his tone. "Not that I mind you playing the Puritan wife when it suits your fancy."
"Come on, Carlo. Don't take it as me patronizing you. It's just my thing, and I have nothing against you drinking. Even I drink on special occasions, just not today," she exclaimed to appease him in the heat of the moment, seeing him escalating the argument. But only when the word left her mouth did she have the conscience to realize they were sitting in front of a guest.
In her defense, she was just not used to picturing her secret lover as a stranger and her words came out as she would with someone comfortable.
The poor husband, who didn't know, thought his wife was rude to the guest and was already in damage control.
"What do you mean not today? This is a special occasion. We are here to celebrate a major milestone in our guest's life. Sheesh, you've been getting clumsier lately. Luckily, it's Nero and he might forgive you if you apologize sincerely. Isn't that right, Nero?" Carlos shook off his drunken stupor and reprimanded in a subdued manner.
Sharron immediately took his cue and apologized to Nero in a sincere voice. Carlos hoped Nero would follow suit and overlook his wife's slip of the tongue.
Unfortunately for him, the wolf at the table saw an opening.
Nero grabbed an empty glass from the table and smoothly poured the strong alcohol into it. He took its stem between his fingers and said, holding it out to her.
"Mrs. Sharron, today might be the last day we see each other. Tomorrow morning, I'll be leaving the village, and the chances of us running into each other before you guys move out are almost nonexistent. I'm not here because I achieved a path in the Ascension ceremony, but because this is my last opportunity to spend time with Uncle Carlos, Jacob, and you. To me, our connection is special and our time together is invaluable. If you feel the same way, take the glass now. Today, just for today, I am requesting you to indulge in pleasure for me?" His voice was mushy as his eyes bore deep into hers.
Suddenly startled, Sharron jerked in her chair and glared at him.
The table fell into a strange silence, with all eyes either on Nero or the glass of alcohol in his hand.
Carlos couldn't understand why Nero was suddenly pressuring his wife to take the glass. There was something off about his choice of words, and the atmosphere between them created a weird sense of unease inside him. However, he pushed those aside to deal with the matter at hand.
"Honey, Nero is going for Crafts Wood to be under the tutelage of Guardian Alvin and their priestess, Mrs. Rafealla. He'll be there until he enters the academy the next year. And Nero, remember that our door will always be open to you, even if we are in the city. Just don't forget us and drop by when you become a famed alchemist," he said in a playful tone to lighten the tension between the two.
Nero nodded and smiled gratefully, but didn't put down the glass he held out for her.
"Sharron, why don't you accept the drink? There is no reason to reject him on his big night when he asks this kindly, right?" Carlos said, siding with Nero. He believed the young man was stubborn because he felt offended, and as a host, he was responsible for treating his guest better.
Sharron gave him a stern look that told more than her words would have before staring right back at Nero.
Nobody at the table, except for her, knew what Nero was doing under the guise of a seemingly innocent request. It wasn't just about the drink. The jerk was pulling the same shenanigans from the kitchen and was asking her again to sleep with him in front of her husband and child.
And it didn't end there.
The moment he made the request, Nero brazenly tried to feel her up with his leg under the table, right beside her husband. She kicked Nero's leg back and glared at him, which at least for the moment made him pause.
His boldness stunned her, as his antics had almost given them away.
"I can't say I'm not hurt, Mrs. Sharron. On my special day, when I would see you for the last time, I believed you would choose me over your principles. I apologize for thinking I meant something to you," he said pitifully, placing the glass on the table.
"You know that's not true, Nero. I love you like I love my family, but I can't choose this because, as a mother and a wife, it just wouldn't be right." Sharron replied unhappily, clearly showing his words hurt her.
"Come on, Mrs. Sharron, we're not sitting at a table with pretentious nobles. Let's be honest with ourselves. Our seemingly peaceful life, which we believe we have control over, is merely an illusion. All it takes is a sudden rampaging weather or a powerful monster to set its sights on us, and we could lose everything and everyone we hold dear. Moving to a city might increase our chances of survival, but it won't eliminate the threats we face. Ultimately, the true treasures we have in our lives are the fleeting moments of happiness and lasting memories like these. Why ruin it all by clinging to notions of right and wrong?" Nero said smoothly, trying to change her mind.
"Then why don't I see you drowning yourself in alcohol all day?" She retorted, dismissing his words with a snarky question.
"Hehe, if I could, I wouldn't just drown myself in the best alcohol under the sky, I would pamper myself with the finest cuisines of this world, travel on the best mounts, explore the world, meet new people, and experience everything nature has to offer without a care in the world," Nero said enthusiastically, as if he was excited just from the prospect of imagining it all.
Then he shook his head and continued bitterly, "Unfortunately, life is unfair, and people like us from the outskirts aren't born with such privileges. We have to live a dull and monotonous life, working tirelessly just to make ends meet, while also striving to climb the ladder of success, all hoping for a better future. And before we know it, we'll be counting our grey hairs, regretting all the things we missed out on pursuing what others already gained by their birth. Worse yet, if we ever grow weary and begin questioning the absurdity of it all, we might yearn to give it all up. But we can't, because our loved ones rely on us for support, and our responsibilities demand that we keep going."
Noticing everyone at the table attentively listening to him without rebuking, he sighed deeply and continued, "That's why we shouldn't deny ourselves these occasional moments of pleasure. They keep us sane and remind us that we are more than mere mindless workers, so why deny ourselves that? We must live fulfilling our little selfish desires and needs, regardless of how others perceive them as immoral or dark."
Towards the end, his voice grew deeper and more persuasive, and he locked eyes with Sharron, hinting at something with his intense gaze. She sat rigidly in her chair, struggling to meet his gaze with her racing heart.
"That's great a view of life," Carlos said, unknowingly breaking the rising tension between his wife and Nero after his monologue.
He gulped down the entire drink and continued in a bitter tone, "It took me years to come to terms with the fact that all our struggles and achievements amount to nothing if we weigh them down with people who were born with it. So it is better to do your best and enjoy the journey to the fullest without getting yourself tied with inflexible principles. Hehe, no point in being perfect in an imperfect world. I'm glad you worded my thoughts better than I could," Carlos patted Nero on his shoulders and said with a laugh, "And props to you for figuring it out this early."
"You agree with him?" Sharron asked her husband in disbelief, finally regaining her composure. "He's saying everything we've done so far is in vain and that our lives are meaningless compared to others, so we should indulge in pleasure."
Watching her not giving in, Nero chuckled softly and replied, "No, Mrs. Sharron, I think you've misunderstood. The accomplishments you both have achieved are far from meaningless. They may appear smaller when compared to others, but that's because you're using the wrong measuring stick. True success should be measured by how much you've enriched the lives of those around you and brought them happiness, not by how much you've amassed compared to others. Just look at the effort you've put in as parents; those struggles will ensure little Jacob's future happiness. What I am trying to say is don't get so caught up in your responsibilities that you forget to prioritize your happiness. If you spend your best years clinging to dogmas and putting others before yourself, you may feel resentment and regret against the same people when you are old."
He was sure the last words had some effect on her. And to test it out, he slowly stretched his legs and rubbed them against hers. Sharron stared at the drink, weighing his words. Though surprised by his actions, she didn't resist or withdraw her leg this time.
While he couldn't do much, the mere act of feeling up someone's wife right under their nose was giving him a sort of euphoria that the high-priced alcohol could never provide. Unfortunately for him, that moment was short-lived as Sharron pulled her leg back when Carlos opened his mouth.
"He is right, honey. I don't know why you stopped drinking after our marriage, but I want you to know I am never on board with the idea of you giving up happiness in the name of being a perfect wife or mother."
"Carlo?"
"Sharron, I have been an absent father and a terrible husband who has never been there to meet your needs. I am sorry for burdening you and leaving you alone here. No one knows better than me how much you have done for our family, so the last thing I will do is hold you down from having a good time," Carlos said, in an apologetic tone.
"See, Uncle Carlos wants you to have a good time, Mrs. Sharron. Let loose and have fun. If you're worried, consider it a one-time indulgence and seek forgiveness from the Divine. Nothing stops you from going back to being the Puritan wife tomorrow." Nero chimed in, his voice teasing, but with a hint of seriousness.
"Come on, Sharron, take the glass. It could be like old times, fun and carefree!" Carlos broke the silence, nudging her toward the glass.
"Just for today?" she finally whispered.
"Just for today," Nero affirmed confidently, with a reassuring smile.
Looking down at the glass filled with blood-red velvety alcohol, Sharron hesitantly reached out her hand, fully knowing what the person sitting across from her would take it as an answer for.
"Oh, what about you, Jacob? If Mama decides to be happy, will my precious still love me?" Sharron paused and turned her attention to her son seated at the other end of the table.
Jacob, who had been silently listening, suddenly felt overwhelmed as all the adults at the table focused on him.
He stared at them, unsure of how to respond.
"Why would he care about what you do, honey?" Carlos asked, not understanding why his opinion on her drinking was such a big deal.
"Carlo, what if he asks to have a drink himself? Would you deny our child that experience for his well-being? And if you did, wouldn't that be admitting it's bad for us, too?" Sharron tapped her chin thoughtfully, then playfully turned her head and posed the question to them.
Carlos was taken aback by her sudden question. While he might be more accepting of his son drinking later in life, as a father, he didn't want him to start at such a young age. Carlos deep down believed that a life with vices was best left untouched. But admitting that to Sharron would undermine everything he had said so far.
Realizing that Sharron was slipping away from him with second thoughts, Nero hurriedly interjected, "Little Jacob cannot drink because he is not grown up yet. It's best to approach these things with maturity and caution, which comes with age."
"So you're saying he needs to grow up to make bad choices, huh?" Sharron responded sarcastically.
"Mrs. Sharron, whether it's a bad choice or not, depends on the person making it. When Jacob is an adult, he can make the same choice, considering his needs and other factors involved," Nero calmly replied.
"The word you are looking for is consequences," Sharron said to Nero mockingly.
Carlos, growing frustrated, argued, "Come on, honey. Can't you see we occasionally buy him things appropriate for his age to make him happy? Isn't that the same thing? Besides, he has no serious responsibilities yet and hasn't faced the harshness of life that would warrant him things an adult enjoys."
"So you're telling me that if we were to die tomorrow, because 'our peaceful life is an illusion'," Sharron said, accentuating the phrase to jab at Nero, "my eleven-year-old son, burdened with new responsibilities and harshness of life, would suddenly be old enough to drink?"
Nero and Carlos opened their mouths to respond, but the words got caught in their throats.
"Humph, if having bad takes was a competition, both of you would win by default. Sigh, you stinky men, jumping around and pushing poor me just to prove your fragile egos," Sharron said, shaking her head in defeat.
"Carlo, you felt called out for your drinking when I chose not to. Isn't that why you're making such a fuss?" she asked, looking at her husband before turning to face Nero. "And as for you, I won't even bother with what got into you to annoy me this much. Just know this will be the last time I ever do something like this for you."
Carlos shifted uncomfortably in his seat, feeling guilty. On the other hand, Nero plastered a fake frown on his face, pretending to be wounded by her words, while inside he was practically dancing with glee over his success.
After observing them for a moment, Sharron picked up the glass. She brought it to her lips and took a small, deliberate sip.
"Ah, too strong," Sharron remarked, feeling the warmth of the potent alcohol tingling her senses with a mix of sweetness and burn.
"Feels great, right?" Carlo laughed, encouraging her, and little Jacob even clapped excitedly, neither husband nor son realizing what she had just agreed.
Watching from the corner, Nero chuckled before slowly stretching his leg towards her under the table. This time, he didn't bother with her legs and went straight to her secret triangle.
Sharron, who just took a sip, felt something in her chair. She flinched and instinctively closed her legs together, trapping his foot between her soft thighs.
When Carlos next to her raised his eyebrows at her questioningly, she playfully waved her glass and said with a laugh, "Geez, Nero, you can't be doing something this nasty to me."
The husband who thought his wife was referring to alcohol said to her tauntingly, "Sheesh Sharron, after years of not having a drink, you even forget what the best one tastes like. The nastier it is, the better it feels."
"I see. Thank you for reminding me~," she responded with a smile and subtly moved her chair closer to the table. Once she was near enough, she made sure the tablecloth concealed her waist down and slowly spread her legs, releasing Nero's foot.
Nero, who just got free rein, started taking full liberties with her. He rubbed his foot along her soft thighs, pushed it into her panties, and even brushed his toe against her slit. More than anything, how she perfectly masked it all at the dining table with her husband and son was what truly kicked him.
While enjoying the wife and the dinner she prepared for him, all Nero could think about was how she would tuck her husband and son into bed, and how he should eat her afterward.