𝔖𝔞𝔩𝔱𝔟𝔲𝔯𝔫

𝔗𝔢𝔫

I went straight to my room after dinner, dying to change from my dress.

As soon as I was changed, I threw my hair up and left my bedroom. Farleigh's room was across the hall. I saw that he had done the same as I did, changed out of his clothes, as both of us were leaving our room at the same time.

The hall was dark, but we could still see each other. He seemed to be holding something behind his back.

He stared at me with a blank stare and showed me a bottle of Vermouth from his hand.

"Thirsty?" He asked.

I walked over to him and took the bottle he was holding out to me. I opened it and took a sip. He laughed immedietly from my face.

"Jesus, christ." I cringed.

"Cmon. I thought you would have stronger tolerance than that, Madelyn."

"Okay. Let me see you try. Big gulp, no face."

I handed Farleigh the bottle back. He stared at me as he took a gulp from the bottle like I had just did.

"See? No reaction." Farleigh tried to brag. I shook my head.

"No. Your eye twitched.

"No it didn't."

"Yes it did. I just saw it."

"No it didn't. You just can't admit someone's better at drinking than you."

I took the bottle back from his hands, taking two gulps this time. I tried to suppress my reaction, though I knew he could still see it.

All he did was laugh at me.

"It's like watching a puppy try to walk up stairs."

"Shut up, Farleigh." I rolled my eyes.

My arms gave Farleigh the bottle back. Together, we walked through the house to the great hall, stealing glasses from the kitchen as we were on our way. When we got there, Sir James was sitting on the couch sleeping. Every light was off besides the television.

"Should we wake him?" I whispered, the glasses in my hand, the Vermouth in Farleigh's. He shook his head and walked over behind James' chair.

"I have a better idea."

I watched as Farleigh picked up the bottle, grazing the cold glass along James' head. He caused the man to awake with a start, jumping in his chair. Me and Farleigh couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"What the hell are you two doing?" James asked, still startled. I pulled myself together and held up the glasses.

"Would you like a drink?" I offered. James looked at me, then at Farleigh, who held up the bottle.

"Are you two-oh, for Christ sake..." James mumbled. He put his head in his hands, but eventually got up from his chair.

"Oh, James, where are you going? The party is just getting started." Farleigh said. I walked over and held two glasses up as he opened the bottle and poured them full.