Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 60.1: Bonus Chapter: Drinking Party

During dinner after making early preparations for the mission to go to the Dragon’s keep, Aramellianna speaks up. “Your Grace Daniel, if I may.”

“Yes, your Grace?” replies Daniel. 

“You once spoke to me about a poison that you intentionally drink, and Wenlianna was unsure how to finish the batch you started.”

Daniel chuckles. “Ah. Yes, that. As it turns out, I’ve just about perfected the one I liked to drink back home, as well as a couple of wines.”

“Wines?” asks Bunnrimae curiously.

Daniel nods as several of the women in Daniel’s inner circle perk up. “The wine isn’t quite as good as if it were properly aged, but one of the batches is fairly smooth, so I think everyone here will like it.”

Hekate immediately jumps up, shouting, “Xyreko! Bring them now!” She flinches when Daniel’s hand plops down on her head. “D-Daniel?”

“I know you’ll fight me, so I’ll jump straight to the compromise. You may taste them, but you are not allowed to drink.”

“Wh-What!? Why not!?”

“You’re too young.”

“B-But…”

“I trust you, Hekate. It was illegal entirely in my home country until twenty one years old. But, many countries allow younger people to try it with responsible adults moderating them because encouraging mature habits with alcohol is just as important as waiting until you’re old enough.” She’s still downtrodden, so Daniel comforts her. “Hekate, look around you. Of the girls over whom I have say, you’re the only one who is too young. That means, another Hekate privilege is that you’ll be sharing my glass.”

She perks up. “R-Really?”

Daniel nods. It’s the least he can do, since he knows it’ll make her happy. Hekate sits back in her seat triumphantly. “Very well.”

The human mechanic then adds, “I’ll do my best to watch over everyone, but Xyreko has also been briefed. If we cut anyone off, it’s for your safety. Please understand.”

Everyone agrees, and Xyreko brings in a handful of golems with four carts. On the leading one are the glass bottles with a fairly dark brown liquid inside. They have a label that depicts some sort of hand-drawn round-headed creature with big eyes and multiple tentacle arms. It reminds Aramellianna of the legends of the ‘Strylak’, though the head very much does not resemble the artistic drawings of the Strylak. There are also tiny glass cups accompanying the drink, barely enough for a single sip.

Daniel explains, “The first one is as close to my favorite rum as possible, so I honored it with a drawing of my own so I don’t lose track of the bottles. It’s a very strong alcohol, so definitely use caution.”

Behind the rum cart are another three each with a large wooden barrel with a simple valve already tapped into one of the flat faces of the ‘top’, though it is perched on its side.

“Each of these three barrels represent a different batch of red wine made using the grapes I could get a hold of. I’ve got a vineyard going to start cultivating, but from my memory, the blue-band barrel equates pretty closely to a fairly mild cabernet, the red-band is pretty close to a shiraz, and the green-band I haven’t figured out yet. But, the green-band is the smoothest, so it should be the one we start with to let you try it.”

Daniel thinks for a moment. “I’m certainly no sommelier, and I’ve never had any trouble going in whatever order I want, but it can affect the flavor a little… Hmm…”

“Daniel?” starts Treia. He looks at her, and she suggests, “Your rum is… definitely a specialty taste, right? And, none of us have had the wine, so… maybe we could start with that, and then the bravest of us can try the rum.”

“Is it really that scary?” asks Yormolett nervously.

“It’s an experience,” replies the gatonine sergeant.

“Anything anyone doesn’t like,” starts Daniel, “I’ll finish later. So, don’t worry about drinking all of what you’re given. The rum, especially, keeps for a good long while.”

Daniel helps Xyreko and her golems pass out the wine glasses first, and Daniel says gently, “For anyone who is pregnant, I must ask that you taste, but don’t drink any of the alcohol.”

“Why is that?” asks Yanidere.

“Earth has studied many of the dangers, and the simple answer is; the smaller the body, the faster you blow by ‘drunk’ and go straight into poisoned. A baby is too small for even a little alcohol, and it can have extremely dangerous effects on them.”

Everyone nods, and Daniel looks at Hekate. “A young body and mind are still developing, and alcohol can have adverse effects. A tiny amount shouldn’t hurt you, Hekate, but no more than that.”

She nods, still content enough that she gets the special ‘Hekate privilege’ of sharing Daniel’s glass. Shek and Skloe politely refuse drinks, since Daniel has explained it to them more carefully to ensure they understood when he was first trying his rum.

Ryuogriar asks as Daniel is providing a glass for Aramellianna, “Daniel, what about me?”

“You’re probably safe today, Ryuo. Any later, and I’d tell you ‘no’.”

She smiles and nods. 

After everyone who needs them have glasses, Daniel and Xyreko start pouring wine from the barrels into glass vessels with extremely wide bottoms that then close in on a fairly narrow neck. Aramellianna remarks as she studies her own stem-base wine glass, “This is some interesting glasswork, your Grace.”

“Ooo! I know this one! Daniel, can I explain?” calls out Hekate.

He nods. “Of course. It’d be helpful if you do.”

Hekate nods happily. “The glasses have the stick thingie on the bottom for you to hold with your fingers so your fingers aren’t on the glass.” She demonstrates as she points to the stem while holding Daniel’s wine glass. 

“Why is that?” asks Wenlianna curiously. “Is the wine especially cold?”

Hekate shakes her head. “Nope! It makes the wine taste gross.”

This surprises the others, and Aramellianna asks, “Really, your Greatness? Such a small difference?”

Hekate’s ears lower to the sides as she thinks. “Um…” She looks to Daniel for help as he and several other golems are using yet another device with holes drilled in the side and a somewhat hourglass-shape inside to pour wine into each glass. The device slurps as the wine pours through it.

“The warmth from your fingers can cause some amount of oxidation, which does affect the flavor more than you might think. But, we’re all amateurs here, so I doubt we’ll need to worry about it too much.”

Hekate nods, looking at the Grand Duchess, who smiles and nods. “I see.”

“And, those things?” asks Wenlianna curiously. “You didn’t make any of these things with me, Daniel.”

Daniel chuckles, and Hekate answers quickly to be the one to answer. “The big bottle things are decanters. They help aerate the wine, so more of the flavors are tasty. I think.”

“Close enough. Same with this thing, which is called an aerator, which can make that process even faster.”

Once everyone has a little bit of the green-band wine, Daniel returns to his seat. Aramellianna’s youngest daughters will be tasting from Aramellianna’s glass at her instruction, and Daniel explains, “Now, cheers!” He holds his glass up, and everyone mimics him, replying, “Cheers.” They watch him for a cue as he swirls his wine in his glass, and he smiles. “Don’t try to slam it down. Smell it, enjoy the flavors, sip, decide if you can drink it, and go from there. If you have to spit it out, no hard feelings. I hope we can relax decorum for this private tasting.”

Aramellianna is a little unsure, since she was born and raised a noble. To reject something so openly would be abhorrent in a normal situation, but being present with Daniel, Hekate, and the others is anything but normal.

She simply does as Daniel instructed. She swirls her wine, and Haldestania murmurs warmly, “It’s so pretty. It looks like a really pretty juice.”

Daniel nods. “It’s made from grape juice, as it turns out. But, it’s very different.”

She nods, and Aramellianna takes a sip. She touches her fingertips to her mouth as the others take their time sipping as well. The drink is bursting with flavor, but also sensations. She can tell that it was made from grapes, but only barely. It has a somewhat smoke-like touch to the potent berry flavor, and a mild bite that stings her tongue lightly. That said, it’s a very pleasant sensation, all things considered, and she swallows contentedly. “Interesting…”

“How was it, Mother!?” asks Haldestania. Bunnrimae also urges her elder sisters, “Sisters! Sisters! How is it?”

Aramellianna says gently, “Try it yourself, Bunnrimae. Remember what Daniel said, try a very small sip, and no more.”

She nods. She holds the glass carefully, smelling the drink as everyone else did, and Haldestania watches impatiently as the rest of the Stalvaltan women watch the two youngest. Yormolett sets her glass down, glancing nervously at Daniel. He makes eye contact with her and nods. She gives him a sheepish look, and Daniel waves Xyreko over. “Xyreko, let the girls try the grape soda.”

“As you wish, Daniel.” Xyreko sends one of the golems to retrieve the soft drinks, and Bunnrimae gags on the drink, forcing herself to swallow her tiny sip, but clearly not enjoying it. Aramellianna frowns, while her second youngest daughter drinks water to cleanse her palette. “S-Sorry… Um… Your Grace, I…”

“No need to apologize, Bunnrimae. I didn’t expect you would like it. Xyreko is bringing something out just for you girls. Haldestania, please don’t feel like you have to try the wine.”
The youngest Stalvaltan daughter puffs her tiny chest up, saying, “I-I can do it, too!” She looks pleadingly at her mother, and Aramellianna ponders it. She sighs and nods. “Yes. It is fortunate that our hosts are the Fievegal. I trust there will be no rumors of this experience, yes?”

Daniel smiles. “Your Grace, I intend to make fools out of everyone here, including myself. I guarantee your safety and your dignity.”

She nods, “Very well. Go ahead, Haldestania. Do not force yourself to swallow it if you do not like it.” She looks at Bunnrimae, who shrinks a little under her mother’s gaze. “I-It was surprising, Mother. A-Apologies.”

She sighs. “Indeed. Be sure to thank his Grace later.”

The young girl nods, and Haldestania sips the wine carefully as well. She obediently hands the glass back to Aramellianna while she thinks about her tiny sip, swallowing it without any noticeable issues. She doesn’t seem to have struggled, and she looks at Daniel. “Daniel? I did it! Can I have more when I get older?”

Daniel chuckles. “Most definitely. In moderation, of course.”

She grins and nods, and Xyreko arrives with the sodas, which are kept in glass bottles sealed with crimped caps like classic bottles. The golem removes the cap and pours out glasses for Haldestania, Bunnrimae, and Yormollet.

Meanwhile, Ryuogriar and Geirahoel finish their first glasses contentedly, and Reignleif tries only the taste, disposing of her wine in a separate cup with a subtle and nearly unnoticeable motion behind her mantle after she has savored the taste. Treia hums as she enjoys her glass, and Gwenesphia cautiously tries hers. Vaergraes has a very similar reaction to Aramellianna, nodding as she enjoys it, and Thymeria tries it, but pours the rest into her elder sister’s glass. Illianna regularly started drinking with Daniel and Treia, so she is used to the alcohol, but seems to like the wine. Kera’tai sips hers, and she gasps. “Whoa! This is like a potation, but doesn’t taste like crap!” She gasps again, looking around. “Sorry.”

Everyone chuckles, and Aoloan asks, “Is the process the same as potations, Daniel?”

“Very similar. Potations, to my understanding, require magic, though. Alcohol is a natural process even without magic.”

She nods, finishing her own glass. “May I have some more?”

“If you’d like, we’ll move onto the next...”

“MMMM!” interrupts Daniel, and everyone looks at Haldestania, who is swaying happily in her chair. She flinches and squeaks, “S-Sorry! It’s so good!”

Trying to cover for her younger sister, Bunnrimae adds, “Y-Yes, thank you, your Grace. This is very good.”

Yormolett nods in agreement.

“I’m glad. It’s a bit tedious to carbonate sodas without being able to buy CO2 at the store -or the sodas themselves-, but it’s worth it for smiles like those.” They all grin, and continue sipping at their grape sodas.

Hekate sips Daniel’s wine, following the rules as she ponders the flavor as well. She grimaces, but swallows the sip. She glances at Daniel, and then looks away. “Um… I think I’ll try the soda as well.”

Daniel laughs and pets her head. “Alright. If you don’t like this one, I doubt you’ll like the others.”

“It’s a very… bold taste, if I must describe it,” states Aramellianna. “Definitely unique.” She finishes the glass that was returned to her by her youngest daughters, smiling as she enjoys it. “It’s definitely very interesting.”

Daniel explains, “On Earth, there were hundreds or even thousands of different vineyards, each with their own production styles, different grapes, vines that were cultivated for as long as possible in some cases. And, they’d profile the flavors by a bunch of categories I don’t fully know. You’ll hopefully be able to tell a little bit of the difference between the three we’re trying today.”

She nods approvingly, and the golems bring the blue-band wine around to everyone still in the tasting. Those who are done with wine; Haldestania, Bunnrimae, Yormolett, Hekate, Shek, and Skloe enjoy a variety of soft drinks Daniel has asked Aoloan, Xyreko, and some willing participants from town to work on making. The carbonation is minimal, since it’s not so easy to make in large quantities as of yet. As such, it’s slightly tingly juice and other sweet drinks that the young girls all enjoy immensely.

For the blue-band wine, the ‘cabernet’, the flavor is a little more bold, earning many hums of approval from those who already liked it. As before, Thymeria gives the remainder of her wine to Illianna this time, as she doesn’t seem to like it too much, but wanted to try it to have an objective opinion.

Daniel asks Hekate, “Want to try the blue-band?”

She studies the glass for a moment, sniffs the edge of the glass, and thinks for a bit longer. She nods, “Y-yeah.” She takes the glass and tries a taste, grimacing again. She shakes her head, quickly washing it down with her soda. She sighs. “Puah! Okay, yeah… I’ll leave it to you, Daniel. Maybe I’ll try again when I’m older…”

Daniel gently pats her back. “That’s perfectly fine. I didn’t even try anything until I was almost thirty.”

“R-Really?”

“Mm-hmm. Most of my social circle liked beer, which is from fermenting a special grain similar to wheat. And, to be frank, I can’t stand the smell of it. There are wines and rums I don’t like either, and we usually trade the batches that still have good quality, but that I don’t like. If… anyone tries them and wants to keep a batch, let me know.”

The others chuckle. “We’ll take your word for it, Mukori,” teases Ryuogriar. “I can only barely tell a difference between these two wines, though I can tell there is one.”

“As you learn what the differences are, even I can attest that it becomes easier to tell. Though, there’s a job called [sommelier] on Earth, who specialize in wine flavors and what kinds of foods go well with them.”

“Smell-ee-ay?” repeats Bunnrimae innocently.

Daniel laughs. Thankfully, the Eastern Imperial Trade word for ‘smell’ is different than the pronunciation, so it’s a joke they won’t get.

“So-mell-ee-ay,” clarifies Daniel. “If I remember right, it descends from the French language, one of the different languages from a country across the sea from mine.”

“I’m looking forward to opening trade with countries across the sea,” states Aramellianna a little deviously as she sips at her second glass of wine.

“It will make transporting goods between ourselves easier as well, so I have no objections. We'll just need to be careful not to get ambushed or dragged into more war.”

“Couldn't agree more,” murmurs the Grand Duchess.

Lastly, the golems serve the red-band wine, which reminded Daniel of a shiraz. It has the most potent of flavors of the batch, and a more noticeable dryness compared to the others.

“Oooh!” coos Vaergraes. “That's one of the strongest flavors I've ever tasted in anything.” She sips again as Gwenesphia agrees. “Mm! Yes, it's the strongest of the three. And, I think… a little… more berry flavor?”

“As I said,” starts Daniel warmly. “Each wine will have its own profile determined by where the grapes are grown, what kind they are, soil quality, and even natural disasters like wildfires can have an effect. It's actually quite fascinating.”

“Is there a way to speed up the process?” asks Wenlianna. “Magic equipment can be used to stop food from spoiling for a long time.”

“I only know a few basic things we could make with magic equipment that could help somewhat, but it can be a delicate process. For every successful barrel we have right now, we have two more of waste and one not to my tastes. But, I'll run you through the full process.”

The magic artisan nods, taking notes on the wines, including her own impressions.

“Mmm… Scarcity would make this quite valuable then,” replies Yanidere. “I wonder if you would teach my husband and I how to make it, Daniel, so we might be able to share in the profits.” Aramellianna can't help but smile pridefully at her second daughter. 

“No problem. It'll take years for you to establish vines, so be mindful of that. We have dattakorien foragers who knew of some well established wild vines, and they've been retrieving the grapes we're using the most for the red-band.”

Vaergraes and Illianna hum happily. “I approve,” declares the Uhl’tall Archpriestess. 

“Yes, it's fascinating how so many different flavors can come from the same juice,” adds Ryuogriar.

Daniel smiles at the various other talks occurring around the table. Those with sodas are giddily trying the different flavors and remarking on the bubbling. The dragons have scooted closer to Daniel while Hekate is distracted, and they offer to pour Daniel more. Aramellianna is discussing the wine with Vaergraes, Wenlianna, Yanidere, and Kera’tai, and how nothing else compares. Treia ensures to joke, “If you think this wine is strong, wait until you try the rum.”

It's a truly peaceful and jovial gathering.

Last is the ‘brave souls’; Daniel, Treia, Gwenesphia, Kera’tai, Aoloan, Vaergraes, Illianna, Aramellianna, Wenlianna, Yanidere, Ryuogriar, Reignleif, and Geirahoel, who all volunteer to try Daniel’s rum last, with the promise that they’ll get to have as much of the remaining wine as they could want.

A few of the demon-kin, namely Aoloan and Kera’tai, know what it’s like to be ‘drunk’ from having used too many potations in their lives, or seeing others who do. But, potations are not particularly pleasant to drink. Daniel intends to get his group of companions just to that nice light buzz level while in a safe place where they don’t have to worry about etiquette, coming to harm, or being taken advantage of.

The person most at risk of being taken advantage of with lowered inhibitions is Daniel, and there’s only a handful of people in the room he would regret doing anything untowards to.

The shot glasses are handed out, and the golems pour small amounts of rum for each of the ones trying it. Daniel reminds everyone, “Please remember, this is much stronger, so if you don’t like it, don’t suffer it. I can always make more, and whatever’s left in your glasses can be reused.”

Everyone nods, and Aramellianna does the same as Daniel, allowing the youngest to smell the alcohol. As he expected, Hekate, Yormolett, Bunnrimae, and even Haldestania, who didn’t seem to mind the wine as much, all recoil at the harsh bite of the alcohol vapors in the rum. Hekate whines, “You’ve been drinking this!?”

Treia laughs. “You get… a little used to it…”

“Don’t force yourselves,” urges Daniel to those who are trying it. “In truth, most people mix rum and other harder liquors like it with other things to dilute it and change the flavor. In this case, it’s one of my favorites to drink straight, but it’s definitely an experience.”

“True that,” teases Illianna.

“You’ve had this, Illianna?” asks Thymeria, who also gets the first try of Vaergraes’s, though she has a spit glass ready just in case. The Uhl’tall secretary nods.

“Yes, my Lady. Daniel and Treia have been gracious enough to include me in the taste testing of various batches. Some… are closer to potations than actual drinks.”

“Daniel’s been letting the townsfolk have the ‘mixer’ batches for them to experiment with. They’ve been trying various combinations and selling the results, bottling some of it for trade.”

“Aging is something most of these are lacking, so in time, we’ll have even better and better batches,” adds Daniel. “But, that’s for another time. Let’s enjoy ourselves tonight. Cheers.”

Daniel toasts again, and everyone mimics him, even the girls with sodas. Everyone tries the rum, and they get very different reactions this time.

Treia and Illianna know what to expect, so they enjoy their shots. But, the two along with Daniel can only watch in amusement as everyone else tries it. Gwenesphia grimaces just like the girls did for the wine, and she makes sounds like “Oof! Yeeh… Mmm…” as she shakes her head. Her ears flick side to side in response as she experiences something intense and new. The same goes for Thymeria, who quickly hides her face and uses her spit glass subtly, quickly rinsing her mouth with grape soda. Hekate sips from Daniel’s shot glass, barely letting the drink touch her tongue, and she cries out, immediately chugging her water and soda in turn. Yanidere and Wenlianna are lost as well. They finish their first sip, but can’t finish the shot glass, so they set them down, breathing to cool their mouths off a bit. Kera’tai does similar, but she laughs as she enjoys it. “Wow! You weren’t kidding!”

“Right?” asks Treia. “I was suckered into trying it the first time.”

“Hey, I was drinking alone JUST fine,” retorts Daniel. “You asked me. Same as poor Hekate here.” He pets the feldrok Empress’s head, and she immediately whines, “Daniel! That burns so much! How can you drink that!?”

“Hahaha. You get used to it, my dear little Hekate.”

“I better never get my mouth burned when you kiss me!” complains the black haired girl. She glares into his eyes with fiery gems of gold. 

Daniel concedes, “Fine, fine. There are plenty of ladies here who are fine with it apparently.”

Hekate’s mouth drops open as she stares at her beloved companion, betrayed by his words as the said ladies, Ryuogriar, Reignleif, and Geirahoel, as well as Treia, Kera’tai, and Aoloan, all chuckle.

Aramellianna, for her part, is slow to drink her shot, but she doesn’t disapprove of it. She admits, “I would think I would like to try this mixed at some point, but I can see the appeal. Again, it’s a very intense flavor unlike anything I’ve had before, and it really stimulates the tongue.” She exhales noticeably, amused by the cooling sensation in her mouth in relief to the stronger burn of the higher alcohol content, as well as the combination of spices Daniel has been experimenting with to get it just right.

The Citadel has a humongous stockpile of ingredients to feed presumably dozens of feldroks, which are very large beings, meaning those ingredients go a lot further for Daniel’s needs.

After everyone has given their impressions, Daniel asks what everyone wants to continue having for the rest of the night. He, Treia, Illianna, Kera’tai, Ryuogriar, and Geirahoel go with rum, while Aramellianna, Vaergraes, Aoloan, Yanidere, and Wenlianna choose the red-band wine -the fairly bold shiraz- since it’s more flavorful than even the blue-band, which is a ‘mild’ cabernet, as far as Daniel can remember. He’ll likely have to create his own system for Zenkon, just so it doesn’t get too confusing and doesn’t insult the legendary winemakers of Earth too much.

Shek, Skloe, Hekate, Yormolett, Bunnrimae, Haldestania, and Thymeria stick with sodas, and this time, they try a ‘raspberry soda’, which has a touch more than simple raspberry juice -what Daniel calls raspberries from Zenkon-, and has a very sweet flavor, even more so than the grape soda. If he didn’t know better, he would think it was alcoholic from how excited the girls get, and how energetic they get when Hekate goads them on. Haldestania is the youngest, with Daniel estimating that she’s around Erimaya’s age at 10-12 years old, though it’s sometimes hard for him to tell. The people of Zenkon age a little differently than Earth, since Zenkon has longer days and years at 29 hour days and 450 days in a year. It’s undoubtedly a factor of having been born and raised on Zenkon, as well as some factor that magic applies, since those who know how to use magic and have the affinities for it, like Wenlianna, can extend their youth much longer, not to mention those with high mana pools like the dragons, elves, Uhl’tall, and feldroks, who can live for much longer without effort.

After a few more glasses, Daniel can feel his own buzz, which means he needs to be more careful and monitor everyone. He moves everyone to the nearby lounge to get more comfortable -particularly if a sudden bout of sleepiness comes on-. Xyreko is backing him up, but she’s never seen anyone dangerously drunk, since Daniel always moderates himself in addition to Treia and Illianna. 

But, fortunately, Xyreko is paying attention, and being slow about serving the smaller women, since it’s already starting to show in their behavior. Yanidere has loosened up a lot and is discussing with Thymeria about what each of them does -in a friendly manner-. Thymeria is sporting a patient smile, since she’s far from buzzed, but she is enjoying the discussion.  Hekate is showing off some of the things Daniel has made or given to her over the course of their friendship, including some simple board games that end up distracting them quite easily.

Kera’tai, Treia, Gwenesphia, and Aoloan seem to be having some sort of competition with each other, though Aoloan and Gwenesphia are already looking flushed.

And, of course, Daniel is far from silently watching.

“Daniel! I must introduce you to some business associates of mine. With your ideas and my bankroll, we’ll not have a single obstacle in our way to becoming the wealthiest and most powerful family in the world!” Aramellianna is now seated in the chair that belonged to Hekate, leaning towards Daniel.

“If I could only dump everything I’ve ever seen straight out of my memories, Aramellianna, you wouldn’t believe what we could do. I mean, diamonds were one thing I’d never think I could do, but if we find oil, or I can figure out solar panels…”

“Tell me, what are these solar panels?” asks Wenlianna, also sitting close. 

“Yes, is there money to be made?” asks the Grand Duchess bluntly, not aware of how loose she has gotten.

Daniel chuckles and Wenlianna huffs, “Not everything is about money, Mother.”

“Yes, yes, Dear,” replies the matriarch of the Stalvaltan family as she pets Wenlianna’s head affectionately. “But, money certainly does make your dreams possible. The greater the wealth of the Stalvaltan family, the greater is a fived… fith… fifth when you girls split it up. If I can… give you all your own fiefdoms, I would conquer the whole world!”

“Mother!”

“You’re going about it the right way, your Grace,” replies Daniel warmly.

“Daniel!?” exclaims the magic artisan.

“No no, she is. Conquest through Capitalism benefits everyone, whether they like it or not. If we amass wealth and simply buy the world, fewer people will fight us.”

Aramellianna nods agreeably. “Mm-hmm. Yes. And, you mentioned before producing salt in greater quantities, yes? As it turns out, the Grand Duchy is right on the sea.”

Daniel is probably the only one to notice when the Grand Duchess shifts a little closer, gently touching her foot to his shin. He also has noticed the relaxed state of her elegant dress, which now reveals more of her chest than would normally be considered acceptable in aristocratic society. She’s definitely around the right level he wanted to get her to; simply relaxed and enjoying herself. But, he can’t escape her tipsy advances if he wanted to.

Daniel is buried in a small pile of bodies; three dragons who have used the opportunity to cling to him as he lounges on a reclined sofa with wide cushions. Geirahoel is laying across his lap, already napping with rosy cheeks, while Reignleif is on his other side, laying across his chest with her back to Wenlianna and Aramellianna. She hasn’t actually ingested any alcohol, so she’s simply cuddling with Daniel because she can.

Ryuogriar is still awake, but she is definitely tipsy, if not drunk, given how openly affectionate she’s being, leaning against Daniel’s shoulder with her arms wrapped around him while she listens to the conversation.

“I know of a few methods of salt production, but I was actually more thinking of reducing the water down faster. There are some methods we used in the Navy that aren’t especially efficient, but extremely cost effective, and once you concentrate the brine, the evaporative process is easier no matter what.”

“Yes! If we can reduce the time it takes to make the standard magic crystals, then let us make post haste! The magic crystals themselves have always been a limiting factor keeping magic devices restricted to wealthier households.” She grins deviously, “If we can make them affordable enough for every household, we’ll have more customers.”

“You’re definitely speaking my language!” cheers Daniel with a toast. They both drink, and Daniel asks playfully, “Are you sure you didn’t come from Earth, Aramellianna?”

She laughs. “I wish! It sounds like a wonderful place!”

Wenlianna agrees. “Yes! I can scarcely imagine anything, and I’ve seen the things on Daniel’s phone!”

“Ara ara, Aramellianna…” coos Ryuogriar, which halts Daniel cold. “If you keep this up, you’ll be Daniel’s favorite mistress. Perhaps even the Empress.”

“Heeheehee! Don’t tempt me.” She grins deviously at Daniel, who has finally been fully embarrassed, though not for the latter half of Ryuogriar’s statement.

“What’s wrong, Daniel?” pouts the Grand Duchess as she emphasizes her chest.

“Mother!” Wenlianna tries to rein her in, but the matron keeps going. “Am I not beautiful enough to join my daughter.”

Daniel stammers, “Wh-n-no! That’s… That’s not it…”

“Oh? Then, was it that cute little phrase? ‘Ara ara’, was it?”

Daniel tenses, and the Grand Duchess sports a predatory grin like she just learned Daniel’s darkest secret.

Given what’s about to be revealed, since Ryuogriar is shameless, it probably is in the running for top five.

Aramellianna teases, “I see…” She puts her most titillating tone on it when she repeats, “Ara ara.”

“Oh dear god…” groans Daniel, who is unable to escape. Reignleif’s tail slides against him, and he notices her smiling up at him as well.

“Wh-What does it mean?” complains Wenlianna.

Before Daniel can try to interfere, Ryuogriar explains happily, “Why, it means ‘my my’ in one of the languages of Earth, Sweet Wenlianna, but according to Mukori, it became something of a flirtatious phrase in his culture.” She feigns a sigh as she cups her cheek, pretending to be forlorn. “Mukori asked me to say it to him… in more intimate settings.” She grins wickedly for a brief moment, resuming her ‘forlorn face’. “Oh dear, Reina. We’ll have to settle with being replaced. Aramellianna is truly too powerful for us. She nearly seduced me on her first try. She’ll certainly become the true Empress at this rate.”

Reignleif snickers and hugs Daniel as he groans, laying his head back, which is about all he can do, since he can’t escape.

Wenlianna ‘comes to the rescue’ when she hugs Aramellianna. “You can’t have my mother, Daniel! You have me! I-I’ll say it if you want…”

“No, please god, no! I…” He halts when Wenlianna pouts, looking to the side. “That’s… this is…”

Ryuogriar chuckles. “Myyy, it’s rare to see Mukori flustered like this.” She kisses his cheek, and Reignleif nods in agreement.

“He finds it funny when he teases us,” retorts Reignleif. “I can see the appeal, now. It’s very… cute.” She cuddles against him, flipping her tail over Daniel’s leg. 

Ryuogriar, still enjoying Daniel trying to endure his embarrassment, does somewhat come to his rescue. “In truth, Mukori asked us to keep it private, since it’s something like this. And, it’s a special treat, so it’s not to be used too often.”

Wenlianna nods, accepting the lesson whole-heartedly.

Daniel sighs. He can usually keep his composure, even when any of his companions are being affectionate or clingy, but revealing one of his secret interests did more psychic damage than he thought. He’d probably actually die if he had shared one of his even more liked playful terms.

Aramellianna leans back in her own seat wearing a fairly triumphant smile as she sips at her wine once more. “‘Empress Aramellianna kos Stalvaltan’. Or wait, I suppose it would be ‘Empress Aramellianna kos Lawson’, wouldn’t it?” She sips again, nodding, as Wenlianna whines, “Mother! What about me!?”

The Grand Duchess pets her eldest daughter’s head. “Very well. I suppose I could settle for ‘Empress Consort’, my beloved Wenlianna.” She snickers when Wenlianna groans and Daniel closes his eyes, trying to hide himself from reality as Ryuogriar giggles and presses herself against him.

After a moment, Aramellianna looks off into the distance with a contented smile. She seems to be looking up, more than anything, and she silently toasts before finishing her glass. She relaxes in her seat while Daniel tries to convince Ryuogriar and Reignleif to never reveal that phrase to anyone else ever again, which they lovingly refuse.

The Grand Duchess of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy remarks softly to no one in particular, “It’s been a long time… since I had this much fun…”

The other four look at her, a little surprised. She smiles happily. “Daniel,... Thank you for this…”

He nods. “Thank you for enjoying it with us, your Grace.”

The relaxing night continues for a while longer, and Daniel, Wenlianna, Aramellianna, and Ryuogriar continue discussing future developments, which eventually draws Vaergraes’s attention to join in.

Daniel finds himself agreeing with the Grand Duchess whole-heartedly. He wouldn’t trade away a single moment of this night, even the embarrassment.

It truly is a nice, fun reprieve.

***