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“Ihave never been happier to be drunk than I am now,” I grumble beneath my breath, knowing no one can hear me.
Or maybe I’m too drunk to care.
I’m quite fond of alcohol. I have a refined palate and access to some of the greatest meads and wines in the world.
I’m not as fond of the aftermath of drinking entire barrels of ale on my own. But needs must, as they say.
Tonight, however, I’mreallyenjoying being drunk.
This is my fifth shot of zhisk. I know I’ll regret this tomorrow, but at a party like this, I cannot stand being sober.
I cannot believe they’ve invited all these people, spent all this money, just so that they can get a leg up in their social standing.
I sigh as a servant comes around with a tray. I grab some mead off it, along with a few hors d’oeuvres.
I need to give my throat and stomach a break from the sweet burn of the zhisk as I swallow it.
I also haven’t eaten all day, which could be why I’m already feeling warm and generous.
My parents are the Thuvrols.TheThuvrols.
I belong to one of Vhoig’s wealthiest and most influential noble families. My parents are very proud of their nobility and social status, and this party is one of many that they host every few moons or so.
I watch as my father is surrounded by a circle of lesser nobles, all who are anxious to gain his favor, and a wave of nausea washes over me.
“I think it’s time I took a break from this.” I wonder briefly if anyone has noticed the elf talking to himself in the corner.
We haven’t had dinner yet. That will come later. First, my parents, my mother in particular, must show off a great display of wealth to impress the variety of guests they have invited.
I cannot believe that all this is so that we can win the favor of the King of Vhoig.
I leave the dining hall, with its sparkling white walls and high, arching ceilings. Instead, I slip out through a side door that leads to one of the mansion’s many gardens.
The Thuvrol estate, the place where I grew up, is built on the crest of a hill in the High Towns. Because of this, I have always had an excellent view of the entirety of Vhoig. A city which I, in my childhood days, thought was magnificent.
Now, however, I am coming to realize how lifeless it is.
I used to think of Vhoig as the city that never sleeps. Vhoig has excellent clubs that operate at all hours of the day and night. Because it is a port city, it is also always filled with the most interesting people who have come from all over just to marvel at the city ruled by King Ishiraya.
I walk through the gardens on the west side of the house and ignore the giggles that come from the bushes. I saw a couple of young nobles slipping out of the dining room earlier this evening. I am sure they are the source of the noise, and do not care. Instead, I walk until the muscles in my legs start to strain and then I turn around.
Father will be looking for you by now,I think grimly to myself.
He’ll only be looking for me so that our family can look like a united unit, though, not from any place of true care. We need to look perfect, not only for the lesser nobles to aspire to be us, but also for the members of King Ishiraya’s court, such as his political advisors.
One of my father’s greatest obsessions in life is making our family look like we actually like one another. Because, according to him, the King will only do business with close family units.
I have no doubt that my parents like one another, and they definitely like my brother. But they are not as fond of me as they claim to be. And the feeling is mutual.
I used to love them. I used to love my brother. I idolized them. And I thought they loved me, too.
Eventually though, one grows up.
My fatherislooking for me, and he waves me over to sit at the head table while dinner is served.
This is going to be a long fucking meal.I groan internally as I smile at my father and kiss my mother affectionately on the cheek.
She giggles and pats my back then she leans in to whisper something motherly to me.
