I was already feeling sleepy, but there were still too many people around.
I remembered the spot Tavik mentioned earlier, where he was supposed to leave the alcohol. I had already checked it three times, but there was nothing there.
This time, however, it was finally there.
Three ceramic bottles, each around 500ml.
I quickly thought of a way to sneak them out. I grabbed a trolley and placed in it the used plates I had been collecting. Then I casually walked past the hidden area where the bottles were placed, pretending I was just clearing up.
I moved carefully toward the kitchen, keeping my steps steady even though my heart was already racing.
Once I reached the kitchen area, I immediately started looking for an opening. I waited for a moment when no one was paying attention.
Then I acted.
I quickly slipped the bottles out, one by one, hiding them under the trolley's lower tray. My eyes kept darting around the room. There were still a few people inside, and I avoided every single one of them as much as I could.
Then suddenly...
"Hey. What are you holding?"
I almost jumped out of my skin.
"Almi! You scared me!" I whispered sharply, nearly losing my grip on the bottles. "I could have dropped everything!"
Almi stood there with a calm expression, arms slightly crossed, watching me like he had already figured everything out.
"I know what those are," he said slowly. "Do you want me to tell them..."
"Hey!" I immediately stepped on his foot before he could finish.
"Ah! That hurts!" he hissed, hopping slightly in place.
"Keep your voice down!" I snapped at him. "Do you want me to get caught? I will seriously hit you on the head."
He rubbed his foot but his expression softened.
"I am not trying to expose you," he said calmly. "But if you tell me what you are going to do with those bottles, I will not say a single word to anyone."
I stared at him for a second, then sighed.
"Just follow me."
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and followed behind me.
We walked quietly through the corridors until we reached the hidden place.
Yes. A hideout.
There was no way I could keep the bottles in our sleeping quarters.
Almi looked around as we entered.
"So this is here…" he murmured, scanning the area with curiosity. "There is actually a place like this."
"Yeah," I said flatly. "Tavik owns this spot. Happy now that you know?"
I placed the bottles carefully on the ground.
Almi crouched slightly, inspecting them.
"What are you going to do with this alcohol?" he asked. "Do not tell me you are all drinking together?"
I raised a brow.
"Of course we are," I said casually. "Drinking alone is boring."
Without warning, Almi picked up one of the ceramic bottles.
"Hey, wait!" I reached out, but he already opened it.
He drank directly from it.
No hesitation.
No pause.
Just straight alcohol.
My eyes widened.
"Are you insane?!"
But after about two minutes, his movements slowed. His shoulders slumped. Then he slowly sat down on the ground, head lowering.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" I knelt beside him and shook his shoulder lightly. "Are you asleep already?"
His eyes stayed half-lidded, unfocused.
"Rahina…" he suddenly muttered.
I froze.
"What did you just call me?"
He didn't answer properly.
Instead, he asked in a low voice,
"What is Tavik to you? Why are you always together?"
I frowned.
"Why are you even asking that? It is none of your business."
He lifted his head slightly, eyes hazy.
"Rahina…" he said again, softer this time. "Tell me honestly… what do you think of me?"
I clicked my tongue.
"You are drunk. Stop talking nonsense."
But Almi suddenly stood up unsteadily and stepped forward.
Before I could react, he pulled me into a tight hug.
"Hey!" I stiffened. "Let go of me!"
"I do not want to," he murmured.
"Let go, I said! I cannot breathe!"
His arms loosened slightly, but instead of letting go completely, I felt his body tremble.
Then I heard it.
Soft sobbing.
My expression changed immediately.
"Hey… are you crying?"
He slowly released the hug, then suddenly collapsed forward.
I barely managed to catch him.
This idiot… he fell asleep.
I sighed and carefully adjusted his body, helping him sit properly.
"Just wait here," I muttered. "I need to go back for a moment. It is dark here. You will get bitten by insects."
I stood up quickly and rushed back toward the main area.
When I arrived, I immediately spotted Tavik.
I tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"Follow me. We need to talk somewhere quiet."
He frowned but followed.
Once we were alone, I explained everything quickly.
That Almi followed me.
That he drank the bottle straight.
That he passed out in the hideout.
Tavik's expression changed instantly.
"So he is still there?" he asked, suddenly tense.
"Yes. He is asleep. He drank almost a whole bottle straight," I replied.
Tavik ran a hand through his hair and started pacing.
"Hey, why are you reacting like that?" I asked.
He stopped for a moment.
"Nothing," he said quickly, avoiding my eyes.
I squinted at him.
"Why do you look so nervous then?"
He clicked his tongue lightly.
"I was just thinking… that we only had one liter for the whole night."
I blinked.
"What kind of problem is that supposed to be right now?"
Before he could answer, someone called my name from a distance.
"Miss Rahina, could you assist us here?"
I turned my head.
"Yes, I am coming."
I glanced back at Tavik.
"I will go now."
"Yeah," he muttered. "Later."
But even as I left, I could still feel his restlessness behind me.
TAVIK's POV
That idiot Almi…
What was he even thinking, drinking like that?
I exhaled sharply and checked the surroundings carefully before slipping out of the palace grounds.
Once I was sure no one was watching, I hurried toward the hideout.
My steps were fast, almost a jog.
When I arrived, I found him exactly where Rahina said he would be.
Lying there. Completely unconscious.
"Seriously…" I muttered under my breath.
I crouched beside him and lightly tapped his face.
"Hey. Wake up. Are you crazy? What if someone finds you here?"
No response.
I shook him slightly.
Still nothing.
I sighed heavily.
"Idiot. If your parents find out you disappeared tomorrow morning, you are done."
I looked away for a moment. Then muttered,
"Rahina…"
"Hey, I am not Rahina," I corrected myself immediately, irritated. "You drank too much."
He still did not respond. I glanced around again. No one knows this place except me and Rahina. No one would find him here.
Still… I took off my cloak and placed it over him.
"Do not take this back to your place," I muttered. "Leave it here."
Then I stood up.
"I am leaving."
RAHINA's POV
Finally, the guests were leaving one by one.
I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open.
But there was still work to finish.
What a straight duty this was.
After sunrise, the place slowly emptied out. Only the maids remained, cleaning everything up. The men were left to carry the heavier tables and equipment.
Once I was done, I went straight to our quarters.
I washed my face quickly and collapsed into bed without hesitation.
After a few hours…
"Has anyone seen where the prince went?"
I heard voices faintly. They were looking for the prince.
Why?
He was at the banquet last night. I saw him myself.
"I have not seen him, sir."
"Where could he have gone… Very well. Thank you. I will search elsewhere."
I turned slightly in my sleep but did not fully wake up.
Too tired. Too sleepy.
Some time later…
"Hey! What time is it?!"
I suddenly sat up, startled awake. I blinked rapidly, trying to process everything.
My room. Empty. Quiet.
Wait… I was not the only one asleep.
I stared at the room for a few seconds.
Then I sighed.
"I will just sleep again."
And I collapsed back onto the bed.