The World Is Mine For The Taking

"For starters, how about you begin, Zeruel?" Princess Titania teased, her playful smile dancing at the corners of her lips. She held out the wine glass to me, the crystal catching the warm light and sparkling like a jewel.

"U-Um, okay…" I stammered, my voice coming out shaky, my palms already starting to sweat just from the attention.

I reached out, my fingers brushing hers for a second—a spark of contact that somehow made my chest flutter—and gently took the glass. My heart thudded faster as I raised it closer, feeling the cool smoothness of the glass against my skin.

As it neared my face, the rich scent of grapes rolled over me, thick and heady, mixed with something almost sharp that prickled at my nose. The aroma felt so strong it was almost dizzying, and for a second, it stung enough that I had to blink my eyes.

Was this what alcohol really smelled like?

I'd never had even a single sip of it in my life, and right now, the whole experience felt weirdly big and overwhelming—like it wasn't just about drinking, but stepping into something completely new.

I risked a glance at the others. Princess Titania and Miss Trill were watching me closely, eyes sparkling like they were holding in laughter but also curious to see what I'd do. The other two looked like they were already a bit flushed, caught up in their own quiet enjoyment.

I took a small breath, gathering every scrap of courage, and pressed the rim of the glass to my lips. Then, with my pulse hammering, I tipped it slightly and let the liquid slip into my mouth.

The moment it hit my tongue, my eyes flew wide open.

An explosion of flavor burst across my taste buds. It was sweet, but not cloyingly so, balanced with a faint bitterness and a soft acidity that made the taste feel layered. There was a warmth too, a heat that trailed down my throat with every swallow, spreading like tiny sparks through my chest. It felt strange… but in a good way. Smooth and a little fiery, leaving a faint burn that made me shiver, but paired so perfectly with the sweetness that I found myself liking it almost instantly.

"It's good, right?" Titania teased, leaning in with a grin so wide it almost felt smug.

"Y-Yes…" I mumbled, lowering my head a bit and gently lowering the glass too, my cheeks burning as the warmth of the drink seeped deeper.

"Fufufufu~ Of course it would be," she chuckled, her voice lilting with playful pride. "Now then! Let's really get this girls' night started!" she declared, her excitement practically bouncing off the walls.

And just like that, it really felt like the night officially began.

At first, I felt awkward with my hands really stiff and my shoulders tense, my mind worrying over every tiny thing. But after a few more sips, my chest loosened, and it was easier to breathe as well as more easier to smile.

And honestly… it wasn't bad at all. Being with them felt strangely warm and it was like being wrapped in a blanket you didn't know you needed. Their laughter as well as the gentle teasing... it all felt like an invisible thread pulling me in closer.

Before long, our glasses weren't empty anymore, and our voices got louder and freer.

Then, the door creaked open softly, and someone stepped in.

"Hello," the soft, slightly formal voice greeted.

It was Princess Myrcella.

Her gaze moved around the room before settling on me, and she gave a polite little smile. "Oh. Hello there, Miss Zeruel."

"Hello…" I replied, ducking my head into a small bow, feeling a flicker of nerves again.

"It seems I'm a bit late to the occasion, but I hope I'm still allowed to be friendly with you," she added, her voice gentler now, with a hint of shyness that I hadn't expected.

She sat down gracefully among us, blending in so naturally it was almost like she'd been there from the start.

And after a little while, with the alcohol soaking deeper into us, the awkwardness I'd felt around her just… melted away. My thoughts got softer, a little fuzzy around the edges, and I stopped overthinking what to say or how to sit. It felt easier to just… be.

At some point, the conversation drifted—as if pulled by its own gravity—straight to Leon.

"Ahhh~! I really love Leon!" Titania declared suddenly, her voice loud and unfiltered, eyes sparkling as her words tumbled out. "There's no other man who could possibly be greater than him! I mean, he's stupidly handsome, so damn good in bed, and let's be honest, he's packing a seriously good thing down there. Who could even think there's anyone better, right, Trill?"

She spoke so fast and so shamelessly it made my ears burn, but I could see how real her feelings were, right there on her flushed face.

"Yes, I know, Nia… Leon is just the greatest," Trill agreed, her words slower but just as sincere. "With how much pleasure he gives us, no man could compare. Honestly, I'm just glad I chose him as my mate."

"Fufufufu…" Princess Myrcella chuckled softly, hiding part of her face behind her hand. "I feel the same. Leon is almost too perfect to be real. I can't imagine anyone else being better."

Listening to them, it made my heart squeeze a little. Because yes… I felt the same. After everything Leon had done, all the ways he'd helped… I really couldn't picture anyone better.

Then, Titania turned her gaze on me. Her eyes glinted, playful and mischievous, and she leaned in just a bit.

"And how about you, Zeruel? What do you think is the best thing about Leon?" she asked, her voice soft but eager, as though she was dying to hear my answer.

For a second, my breath caught. My mind fumbled around, words slipping away from my tongue.

"U-Um… Just like you all said… I don't think there's probably anyone better than him," I stammered out, voice shaking under the weight of everyone's gaze.

"And?" Trill pressed, a teasing grin on her lips. "What do you think of his penis?" she asked, so casually it made my chest tighten.

I froze. Their eyes locked onto me, waiting, curious and mischievous.

"I-I think… it's really big and massive… and… it's really great…" I managed to say, my voice small and muffled behind my hands as I hid my burning face.

For a heartbeat, everything felt silent—and then the room burst into laughter. Their voices mixed together, warm and loud, echoing off the walls. Even I ended up laughing too, breathless and embarrassed, but somehow… happy.

It felt silly, shameless, and oddly freeing. And despite how red my face still felt, for the first time in a long while, it also felt really good to be part of something like this.