Chapter 687: [They're quite romantic, don't you think?]

“Then, what should I do…?”

Feriat sighed with sadness and tried to smile but her expression betrayed her.

Allen stared at her, and for the very first time since they had met, Allen felt sorry for her. Although they have no intimate relationship unlike the others, he still felt frustrated by her expression and couldn't help but feel his heartaches. Still, he was not omnipotent and didn't have any real solution that would help her and save all her people at the same time. He could only sigh.

“What else can we do? You can’t escape from the formidable truth, except through drink," Allen smiled bitterly as he poured down the glass of whiskey to his throat. Feeling the heat and bitterness of the drink, somehow seemed to have a strange power to calm people down.

Twirling the glass, the ice cubes within it created pleasant noises that seemed like the sound of bells. "...perhaps, or in moments of rare personal happiness—far from men. You might not be able to save them all, then why don’t you waste your energy in reaching out to those few who truly understand your desire~” finally, he said.

“You mean…?!” Feriat’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Allen’s faint smile. Her eyes widened in shock from the latter's sudden suggestion.

“Not all people share the same thought, Feriat—when there’s a group of two or more people, conflicting opinions always occurred. There's no exception, after all, every person has their own will and mind. Don’t you know, there are always going to be a few bad apples in a basket,” Allen grinned. “Just pick out those that are irredeemable and forget about the ones that you couldn’t. They are already a hopeless case,”

Allen's expression seemed to have been gleaming with a halo. However, those who heard his words couldn't help but spurt whatever they are drinking. They stared at Allen in shock. Especially, Layla who started sweating, could “there are always going to be a few bad apples in a basket” be used this way? Using this kind of proverb this way, if Allen’s previous English teachers knew, they might actually cry.

Layla thought she was getting internal injuries herself.

“Then, are you saying… you’re going to let me try and go?” Feriat asked, amidst the tears clouding her eyes, there was also a twinkle that cannot be concealed—hopeful.

“…I will… and in fact, you should actually bring more people with you, just in case. I fear something might happen to you there,” Allen shrugs his shoulder, “…afterward, just bring them to Solheim and let them established their lives here, it’s safer than in the Celestial Realm,”

Feriat’s expression immediately brightened and her face beamed in happiness and gratefulness. She stared at Allen, and at the very first time, she couldn’t help but feel enamored and attracted by him–indeed, the perfect balance of danger and charm, he was at the same time fascinating and seemingly inaccessible.

For the very first time in her lifetime, she felt its fine to fell in love with a man.

Not like he was any other than man, after all, he wasn’t ordinary.

He was far from being ordinary...!

Unique and sole existence in this world, full of flawlessness, appearing him distant in the world of men.

“Thank you,” Feriat said, her expression unusually gentle and full of honesty. Even Allen feels ashamed for it, after all, despite saying all of those things, he also possesses ulterior motives. His relationship between Feriat has always been quite ambiguous and unstable and if this little thing could patch that up and get her even closer to him, why would not he do it?

Feeling guilty inside, Allen smiled at her, rustling her hair and stood up from the couch.

“Damn this storm,” said him in a slurred voice as he turned towards the window as if trying to shake away all these strange emotions filling him. “How long has it been going on, anyway? Look at that lightning,” he muttered as he set the whiskey bottle thumpingly on the table.

“It does seem pretty wild, doesn’t it…?” Mia replied. The thunderous rain was washing the all bright windows and the wind was howling in the eaves. “… you can actually stop it…” After all, who was he? He can be said to be the God of Thunder and Lightning. With just a wave of his hand, the weather will immediately change to his liking.

However,

“Nah, let it be for a while.” Allen shrugs as he walked towards the fresh strawberries and cream and tea on the table, and picked out one, throwing it on his mouth and said, “Sometimes…this kind of weather is good… it’s kinda calming…”

“That’s kinda ironic…”

“That’s life,” Allen grinned at Xue Ling’s response.

“Where are you going?”

“My whiskey’s gone. I’m going to fetch some bottle of bourbon from the winery…anyone with particular likes?” he asked with a bright smile. Allen then yawned as he his eyes were glazed slightly with alcohol, and there was a tremor about his mouth and his hands.

“A vodka for me~” Mia responded.

“Mine’s the same but put grapefruit Juice and Lime,” Liu Muxiao ordered.

“Tequila on the rocks,” Alkrasha and then Layla’s voice followed after, “…the same but with lime.”

… … and then, the others also voiced out their orders, causing Allen to smile wryly. Couldn't they choose one type...? But he just nodded his head. Then, he turned towards Laura who also answered while playing with Mia and the others. “No alcohol for you, Laura…” he was saying in the precise voice of drunkenness.

“But master…”

“Nope, give it up,” Allen shook his head causing Laura to sigh in regret. Then, “How about you love?” Allen turned at Feriat, “…your night,” he grinned.

“… Same with yours,” Feriat smiled sweetly.

“Bourbon then,” Allen chuckled and then started walking towards the Winery with rhythmic footsteps as if he was a bunny happily hopping into the wonderland.

Feriat looks at his back, a gentleness that had never been seen before in her eyes appeared and also a hint of affection, or probably love that she seemed to have not noticed yet. There was a respectful look on her enchanting, almost alluring, beautiful face, making others feel jealous like crazy.

‘Thank you,’ she muttered inside her heart. All around her, the liveliness and joy once again covered the room, as laughter and giggles rang out like music in a ball.

“…be strong,” Xue Ling appeared on her side and hugged her shoulder. Feriat smiled shyly, “Thanks,”

“No need for thanks, you’re one of us,” Xue Ling chuckled.

Celty also came over. “Just tell me who bullied you, I’ll make them into a Popsicle, I’m good in making ice creams~”

Feriat laughed. And the room once again was filled warm—a family…

Feriat smiled and felt sweet from that word.

“Family…huh,”

Floating in the air, Romiea looks at Feriat and felt somewhat envious. Then, suddenly she caught Alkrasha looking at her with a meaningful smile and she averted her eyes in panic and shame. A family…

.. …

Allen stood drinking in his study, drinking slowly and steadily, and he looks about him at the blue, golden and ruddy room, so calm and sedate under the soft lights of lamps.

He always thought of this room as an autumn room, for it was warm and quiet and gleaming.

The walls hidden by bookshelves and the books, themselves, chosen—not just for their content but also for their tawny shining leather and their gilt.

There was no dark wood here but only Purple Heartwood and unstained Agarwood, with furniture made from Pink Ivory and Ebony which Allen liked the most and specially made by him. They were carefully russet, polished and lacquered by him so that it would glow like glass.

The carpet laid on the floor was a precious Chinese Oriental, in shades of yellow, ecru, cinnamon, silver and gold. The curtains were of gold and silver silk; all the ornaments were of bronze and silver and very masculine in cast, and the lamps were also dyed in crimson and blue also with parchment shades. The fireplace was of brown with reddish marble, veined with yellow so was the earth.

Yet, it was very quiet.

It had always been quiet and staid and spacious.

The firelight flickered on the furnishings and lighted oil lamp with a fluted shade stood on the dressing table at the right side wall, across the bookshelves and the desk table which was positioned in front of the window. Despite the old and ancient ambiance, in front of the beautifully carved old desk was an azure chaise longue that looks like a large sofa, with silver edges where he usually lay down and rest whenever he holed himself here.

Allen sometimes calls it his ‘retreat’ and spent most of his leisure here among ‘his beloved books, his dearest companions’…though, it’s been quite a long time since he had spent his free time here, since after the arrival of his most precious family. And now, he was back—most of the girls were playing in the Dungeon or in the Adventurers City…while some were doing their own things, such as Mia who was also holed up in their room, reading reports and news coming from the mortal world.

Even in here, it seems like she couldn’t neglect her own duties. Allen didn’t want to disturb her as he knows Mia’s personality so he went out and spent his time here, mulling and drinking.

Allen had spent three to four days already; not doing anything like he usually does due to the women’s commandment, on what they call it, Holiday Rest. Because he was not used to it, being so free and without anything to tinker or do at all, he spent his time drinking and staying with the other girls, calming his heart and mind. Well, in any case, he had already done all he needed to do for preparation, such as sending supplies and manpower towards the God Clans he had allied within the Celestial Realm to support them. As for his coming day of visiting the Demon World, he had already prepared himself for it and made much preparation if things had gone worse—so, it was not really that bad for him to be slothful for these few days.

Everyone needed a peaceful rest, even Gods.

“You can actually use light bulbs in here, but why oil lamps?” Layla asked as she looks at Allen with a wry smile.

So primitive…

The soft rain was falling again, but as it was warm, Allen’s study room’s windows were open to the air and the piercing scent of jasmine, lilies, and roses blew into the cozy little room. Layla was knitting serenely, which she had become fond of doing to kill time; she had already made many woolen garments these past few days, each for Allen and the other girls.

“It’s on the mood… I like the sight of soft and piercing lights covering the entire room, it looks as if the room was in the old era, and I’m one… it has flavor,” Allen responded with a faint smile, as he took a sip of his brandy; he had refused the tea, which stood on the low marble table near Layla. “I love all these old things, they’re quite romantic don’t you think…?”

“So you admit to being romantic,” Layla said thoughtfully. “Perhaps that’s also the reason why you live in this Castle that emits the aura of dark ages—really impressed by your taste and romanticism—no doubt you visualized the Castle and its surroundings as being full of history and romantic mementos of a bygone age?”

Allen smiled wryly, “Nah, I’m afraid my reasons were much more mundane." he chuckled in amusement. "In the first place, although I do have some interest on it, only when I had obtained this Castle that I had actually found such romance hiding within me, and I just basically expand it, and wanting to feel the love of it, basically ending with these rooms of ancient harmony.” He responded as he saw, through the window rained down softly, smooth gracious lawns and the well-cared flower gardens, the air of luxury that seemed to encompass the Castle like a golden nimbus.

Layla followed his gaze and saw the beauty of the surrounding, not just in this room. As someone who had been living in a modern era, this castle was truly a vintage setting that is quite hard to adapt—the moisture, the scenery, the atmosphere, Allen would truly have fitted in here, Layla thought, taken her place amongst the luxury and poise of the Ruinos Castle without any doubts or reservations.

Someone like Allen would be completely at ease in an environment like this—in fact, this could be a place of healing for most people, those tired in the impure and smoky modern era.

Fresh air, beautiful natural scenery, and peaceful and tranquil life, this is indeed heaven—too good to be true. And of course, since Allen loved it, Layla and the others had also grown loving it, in fact, already reluctant to part with this kind of life. It was like a drug--addicting. No wonder many who wants to retire would go to rural areas, or some even went into deep mountains to find tranquility and peace of mind.

They cannot help themselves but feel completely at ease; sophisticated and articulate, along with the owner with complex moods that they love so deeply.

Allen looked at his beloved sister, at her aloof face which had a touch of gentleness that was only directed to him. Along with her patrician features, her smooth duck skirt, and her severe white silk blouse. She wore a crimson belt waistband with a fashionable size. Her clever hands flashed with needles. The long lashes on her hazel eyes fluttered duskily on her pale cheek. Her dark head was slightly bent.

“You know… I’m very happy these past few days… it’s like a dream: Peaceful, tranquil and full of warmth. I wished it would never end…” Layla smiled as she looks at Allen.

“But that is life…” Allen sat down on the chaise longue and leaned against it, drinking slowly and steadfastly, and then with the strange clarity of drunkenness, he began to smile and he answered, “As in life, so with the alcohol, we have our joys and our tribulations and there seems to be more of the latter than the former. This kind of moments will only last for a short while… as fate has something for us, which we really didn’t want to know,”

“…I really don’t know if you are an optimist or a pessimist…?” Layla smiled bitterly.

He smiled. “Both faces of the same coin, sis. Sometimes, we need to be optimistic when it needed, but when it is not, then we need to be a pessimist. We cannot only rely on one, as both have cons and pros, and it can only make you look like an idiot if you overact either one side,”

“And I’m saying, you’re too strict of yourself…sometimes, you need to get loose. Not everything needs to be calculated.”

“Well, this is me…” Allen chuckled as he chugged another mouthful from his glass. “Real men never betray himself, no matter if the odds are against him unless he is a fool or a saint.”

“You’re impossible,” Layla smiled wryly. Then, she stopped her hand from what she was doing and stared at Allen, her gaze clouded with worry, “You’re drinking too much, though. Lonely without a company?”

“No matter how much I drink, I would never get drunk… so why bother worrying about it? And besides, don’t I have you?” Allen flashed a mischievous smile.

“Is it really…?” she asked.

Allen laughed. “Ah, I thought that dig at your feminine vanity might get a move on you,”

“I’d have been ready ages ago,” Layla admitted with an amused smile. “...if I hadn’t been dreaming,”

“About me, I hope,” Allen grinned.

“Now who’s being vain?” she smiled. “And it seems like you’re really drunk… normally you wouldn’t try to say that to me, of all people…”

“Won’t I?” Allen asked with an amused smile.

Layla nodded her head with a bitter smile. “How many have you drunk so far…?”

Allen tilted his head and look at the side, bottles about dozens of Vodka, Brandy, Whiskey, Vermouth, Tequila, Cachaça, Rum and different brands of Wine and Alcoholic Beverages lined up against the wall, looking like little dominoes. He smiled bitterly, “…about dozens or so, anyway, it’s been a few years since I last have my moments of drinking bout so I got carried away. Due to my alcoholic tolerance, I lost count of how many had I drunk so far."

"Besides, I missed the alcohol from the mortal world, although those that I found in the Celestial Realms are good, they are too good, to be honest. I kinda missed the taste and flavor of the mortal beverages which is full of impurities, compared to this godly ambrosia-like wines that can make one hyperventilate.”

“Even if it is, can you please drink with moderation…?” Layla asked with a worried expression.

“What? Do you want?” Allen poured her a glass and Layla, sighing still take it and poured it over her throat.

Although she didn’t particularly like alcohol, she didn’t hate it either. “Thank you,”

Feeling the stinging flavor, she felt her face rose in temperature. “Well, it’s also good that you’re a drunk, after all, you would never speak such words to me…which I'm really fond of listening to,” Layla frowned then she sighed. This alcohol was very strong that she had expected. Although she wasn’t a veteran fighter of the drinking table, she was still someone who could drink at least ten to fifteen shots of vodka or Tequila before passing out.

It was even hard to become tipsy, yet this alcohol, actually made her a bit tipsy. Is this not an ordinary brandy…?

Layla was still watching him. Allen did not hear her faint sigh. He was pouring a little more brandy into his glass.

At this moment, Layla couldn't help but assess Allen's appearance. She sighs. He was the more handsome of Layla’s brothers, as everyone was constantly pointing out. In fact, he was even better than Garth, although the latter was also quite popular, having four wives already in the mortal world while who knows how many mistresses outside—including those done through adultery.

These brothers—thinking about his over popular brothers and their weird antics, Layla can’t help but shook her head in bitterness.