Shangri La Pt. 1

75: Opportunity

Though the ceremony had only been going on for an hour at this point, Momo couldn't keep her head up to try and enjoy things as she'd had far too much to drink. Each and every time Shoto had received a fresh glass to drink, Momo would distract him and switch her drink with his and drink from the glass as soon as possible. 

It was practically impossible to keep count of how many drinks she'd had at this point, and Shoto started to notice that she wasn't acting anymore. 

"Are you sure you're feeling alright, Momo, you're a little red." Shoto noted as 'little red' was an understatement. As she lifted her head up to see how she was leaning against her Prince, Momo could only giggle to see his worried expression looking down at her. 

"Aw~ Is someone worried about me?~ I'm just peachy~ 'hiccup'!" she sang as if there was nothing wrong.

"Hah~ I don't think you'll be able to last the whole night, Princess, so why don't you let me escort you to your chambers and let you recover your sleep?" Shoto offered as he'd already stood to his feet and held his hand out to her. 

Momo tried to lift her head to look up at her tall Prince as all she could do was giggle from seeing him. 

"Hehe~ You're really handsome... Sho~to~" she hummed, only making the Prince's cheeks blossom sweetly as he tried to remain calm and standing before her. 

'Oh geez.' 

"Your Imperial Majesty, it seems the Princess is not feeling well, so I will escort her back to her room and let her rest for the evening." Shoto reported as he turned to look back at the Emperor and Empress.

And though the Empress remained silent, the Emperor clearly did not. 

"Ah~ Go ahead, my boy~ Take the chance now before you end up regretting it!" 

"Honey!" 

It was clear to Shoto that the Princess wasn't the only one who got drunk so quickly, as the Emperor seemed to start acting happy-go-lucky at the moment. Not to mention that Shoto was a little bit confused by what the Emperor spoke, but he shrugged it off and acted like he didn't hear anything. 

"Mn. Excuse us." Shoto answered as he helped Momo stand to her feet and made a formal bow to the drunk Emperor and sober Empress before leaving the ceremony. 

'Humph, it seems my own daughter can't control herself and remain sober either, she better learn from this.'

"Your Imperial Majesty." 

Both the Empress and Emperor flinched when they heard a faint–almost dainty–voice before them to see it was the Jade Goddess approaching them. 

'The consort.' 

"Ah~ the Jade Goddess has come, and what a splendid performance you've made~!" the Emperor employed as he started to clap his hands loud enough for everyone to get his attention. 

'Oh no, the ceremonies only been going for an hour and the Emperor is already drunk?' Izumi thought as she tried to smile at the Emperor's applause. 

"You praise me far too much, Your Imperial Majesty." Izumi answered as she made a subtle bow to the couple. 

"Now that is nonsense! You're the Jade Goddess, and that means that everything you do is pristine and elegant in every way! Of course you should be praised for your actions!" 

'But I didn't really do anything tonight.' Izumi thought as she carried on with a smile.

"If I may ask you, Jade Goddess..." the Empress started, making both Izumi and the Emperor turn their attention to her.