The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Hungover

Aeliana woke up very hungover as she sat on the edge of the bed, trying to recall anything that ‘thing’ the warmth that just recently left.

I bet he thought I’d gone completely bonkers!’

The memory of the kiss replayed again and again, and no matter how hard she tried to forget it, it clung to her like a bite mark from a Werebeast.

“How could I mistake him for Lucian?” she muttered under her breath. Her mind reeled with questions. Did he know I thought he was Lucian? Did he kiss me back, or was that just my imagination?

The thought sent a shiver through her. Silvion had always been kind and charming, but he was her cousin—a familial bond that she had never questioned before. Yet now, the kiss had crossed a boundary she never imagined breaching.

“Am I the only one so up in my feelings, and he doesn’t give two shits about what just happened?” She was flabbergasted at the realization, glancing by the door as if expecting him to return. He was gone, leaving her alone with her tangled thoughts. Unbelievable.

Aeliana tried to recall every detail of the moment, her emotions swinging wildly between shame and confusion. There was no denying that the kiss had stirred something in her—a fleeting sense of comfort, perhaps even desire. But these scorching feelings bubbling up are fueled, by sexual frustration for him.

Lucian.

“What would he think if he knew?” she whispered, her voice breaking. The memory of him leaving in the dark carriage flashed before her eyes. He leaves me for dead, me and everyone in ruins then all my plans will be all for naught. Not telling him is riskier and so is being dead honest has its consequences too. What do I do?

I have to tell him. What if Lucian misinterpreted it? Can I tell him in detail? How? How?!

She let out all the breath she didn’t know she was holding and glanced at the mirror across the room. Her frizzled hair and disheveled appearance greeted her back. “I’m a mess.”

“It was a mistake. A drunken mistake.”

But was it really a mistake? everything? she asked herself and no response came just an eerie silence she was familiar with making her convictions positive and not in a good way.

It was Kael.

The sight of him was unexpected, and she froze mid-step. His usually sharp and polished demeanor looked slightly dulled—his hair was a bit tousled, and his eyes seemed as bloodshot as hers felt. He was drinking his soup quietly, his gaze focused on the steam rising from the bowl.

The head cook, a stout older woman with a kind face named Merrin, noticed Aeliana immediately. “Ah, Princess! You look like you’ve been through a battlefield,” she said, her tone warm but tinged with teasing.

Aeliana winced at her own appearance, running a hand through her messy hair. “I feel like it too,” she muttered, her voice hoarse. “Please tell me you have something to help with this pounding headache.”

Merrin chuckled and waved her over. “Come, sit. A good bowl of my hangover soup will set you right.” She ladled a hearty portion into a bowl and placed it on the table across from Kael. “Eat up, Your Highness. ”

“Kael,” she replied, sliding into the seat across from him.

“Merrin’s hangover soup works miracles. You looked worse than I felt when you walked in here.”

She shot him a half-hearted glare.

“What about you? What happened to you last night?”

Kael raised an eyebrow. “You don’t remember?”

Her brow furrowed, flashes of the previous night coming back to her in bits and pieces—the bar, the elixir, Kael joining in, Silvion’s words, and… Silvion.

Her cheeks burned as she quickly shook her head. “Not… everything,” she said, avoiding his gaze.

Kael snorted softly, though there was no malice in it. “You drank me under the table, that’s what happened. Don’t expect me to ever do that again,” he muttered, rubbing his temple as if reliving the headache.

Despite her lingering embarrassment, Aeliana couldn’t help but laugh. “Fair enough. I didn’t expect you to join me in the first place.”

Kael gave her a pointed look. “Someone had to make sure you didn’t do anything reckless.”

She opened her mouth to argue but then remembered the events she wasn’t ready to talk about—the kiss with Silvion, Lucian leaving… It was too much. She sighed and picked up her spoon again. “Thanks for looking out for me,” she said quietly, her tone more sincere.

Kael shrugged, his gaze softening just a bit. “It’s my duty, Princess.”

Merrin approached the table, her hands on her hips. “Now, you two, finish your soup. I won’t have either of you leaving this kitchen looking half-dead.”

Aeliana chuckled, feeling just a little lighter despite everything. “Yes, Merrin,” she said, picking up her spoon again.

For now, just focus on getting through today.

Aeliana finished the last spoonful of her soup. She felt a semblance of normalcy return, though her mind was still clouded with everything that had transpired. She glanced at Kael, who had already pushed his empty bowl aside for Merrin to collect and was sitting with his arms crossed, watching her thoughtfully.

“Feeling better, Princess?” he asked. “Much,” she admitted, offering a small smile. “Good,” he said, standing up.

“You’ve got a long day ahead of you, Princess. Whatever mess you’re tangled in, don’t let it show. Strength is half the battle.” His words lingered as he walked away, his boots echoing softly against the kitchen’s stone floor.

Aeliana sat there for a moment, staring at her empty bowl and wondering how much longer she could keep her strength intact. Merrin returned to collect the dishes, giving her a knowing look.

“Whatever’s weighing on your heart, dear, don’t let it fester too long. The people you care about will notice.” Merrin added with a hearty smile

Aeliana nodded silently and stood, smoothing her dress. The sunlight pouring through the windows felt brighter and harsher, and it reminded her of Lucian’s absence.

Aeliana exhaled a deep breath, she resolved to move forward, no matter how fractured she felt inside. For now, she had a role to play, and she wouldn’t falter—it’s time to get my act right.