CHAPTER 173: DISCUSSION AT THE MINIBAR 1

"When you desire something, be honest and admit it. There’s nothing wrong with being open about what you want." — Nero Adams.

°°°

While the girls spent their evening in their own ways, the boys were no less true to themselves. Blake, faithful to his infamous laziness, never once left his room. Dinner was delivered straight to him on a silver tray, and he accepted it without the slightest intention of joining Nero, Lux, and Adam at the table. They didn’t insist—everyone knew Blake’s temperament, how unmovable he could be once he set his mind on something. This was only the first day of summer break, after all. For today, they allowed him the luxury of isolation.

Tomorrow, they would drag him out whether he liked it or not.

The Lux villa’s had multiple dining halls, tonight one was different, this dinning hall was a marvel of its own—polished marble floors reflected the soft glow of golden chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows framed the silhouette of Angel’s City outside, its night skyline glittering like a sea of stars. A long obsidian table stretched down the room, adorned with crystal glasses, silver cutlery, and plates trimmed with gold. At its center, steam rose from an array of dishes fit for nobility.

The chefs had outdone themselves again. Platters of roasted lamb, its skin glistening with honey glaze, rested beside bowls of buttered vegetables sprinkled with crushed herbs. Freshly baked loaves of bread, their crusts crisp and golden, gave off a warm, comforting scent. There were skewers of grilled seafood—shrimp, scallops, and white fish—drizzled with lemon butter, and a pot of creamy mushroom stew whose aroma lingered like a silent invitation.

The three sat together, each falling into their own rhythm of eating and talking.

Adam was the loudest, as expected, his brown eyes shining. He dug into the lamb first, chewing noisily and humming with pleasure. "By the Ancestors—! Now this is food! None of that academy cafeteria slop. Look at this glaze, look at it!" he said, holding a piece up to the chandelier light like it was a jewel.

Nero raised an eyebrow at his antics but kept silent, slicing his portion neatly, he was too lazy to speak. The flavor of the lamb spread across his tongue—sweet, smoky, and rich. His eyes softened slightly, though his expression remained as impassive as ever.

Lux, sitting at the head of the table, smiled faintly. He ate with graceful precision, each motion refined as if rehearsed.

"The chefs have not lost their touch," he said calmly, his silver eyes reflecting the soft glow of candlelight. "I did request they make something special for our second night."

Adam clapped him on the shoulder, nearly making Lux spill his wine. "Special, huh? Hah! This is more than special—this is divine! If I marry one day, I want a cook like this in my house. No—two cooks!"

"Or three," Lux replied smoothly, taking another measured sip of wine.

The dwarf prince laughed loudly, almost choking on his stew, while Nero just shook his head. "You’ll get fat at this rate," Nero muttered dryly, though he too reached for another serving.

The food kept coming—bowls of spiced rice, golden-brown roast chicken stuffed with fragrant herbs, plates of pasta twirled in creamy sauces. Each dish was more flavorful than the last, and the three young men ate to their fill.

Wine flowed easily. Adam indulged heavily, swirling his glass dramatically before drinking in loud gulps. Lux, as always, remained composed—his drinking elegant, each sip delicate, like a ritual. Nero tried a little but preferred water; at least for now.

Conversation drifted between training, stories of the academy, and the occasional playful jab. Adam teased Nero relentlessly for losing at tennis earlier, waving his fork like a baton. "The mighty Nero Adams, beaten by a little brown ball! Truly, the empire shall remember this tragedy!"

’’Puffy little bear instead.’’ Nero shot back with amusement.

Lux chuckled softly at that, though he tried not to show too much amusement.

"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses," he said smoothly.

"Yes," Adam said between mouthfuls, grinning. "And Nero’s weakness is—sports!"

Nero ignored him, focusing on his food, though the faintest twitch at the corner of his lips betrayed amusement.

By the time the plates were cleared, the three were leaning back in their chairs, satisfied. The chefs brought out dessert: a tray of delicate pastries, fruit tarts filled with cream, and a tall cake layered with berries and chocolate. Naturally Nero allowed himself a slice.

"Now this," Adam said, his mouth full of cream, "is why I love summer break."

The night wore on slowly. The chandeliers cast warm light across the room, the wine dulled Adam’s laughter into something softer, and beyond the tall windows, Angel’s City shimmered in the distance. Nero, though still quiet, felt a rare ease settle over him. Lux’s calm presence, Adam’s rowdy warmth—it all blended into something... comforting.

The three of them lingered long after the food was gone, cups in hand, voices low. The night was theirs, unhurried, unburdened.

"Why not go to my special bar?" Lux suggested suddenly, his silver eyes glinting with that composed charm of his.

Adam and Nero exchanged a glance before nodding in unison.

"Sure!" Adam was the first to agree, his grin already spreading wide. A drink lover like him would never refuse an invitation like that.

Nero, though more reserved, found himself wanting it too. He wasn’t one to indulge often, but tonight... tonight he craved something different. A good drink, a quiet space, and maybe—the chance to talk with his friends without the distractions of the dinner table.

Lux stood with graceful poise, adjusting his cuff as though he’d been expecting this moment. "Then follow me."

The three left the dining hall, walking down one of the villa’s polished corridors, until Lux stopped before a door carved from dark oak. He opened it with a casual push, and the scent of aged wood and faint smoke wafted out, accompanied by the warm glow of amber lights.

Inside was Lux’s special minibar.

It wasn’t overly large, but it radiated refinement. The walls were lined with polished mahogany shelves, each stacked with bottles that gleamed like treasure under the soft light. Labels from across the continent stared back at them: Elven Moonwine with its pale blue shimmer, the famous Red Dragonfire that burned hot in the throat, dwarven mead in squat stone bottles, and imported bourbon and whisky from distant lands—rich, golden, and strong. Some bottles were decades old, sealed with wax, their value beyond measure.

A polished counter ran across one side, with stools upholstered in deep velvet. Behind it, a small cabinet of crystal glasses caught the light, throwing tiny sparks across the room. A faint jazz tune played softly from a magical gramophone tucked in the corner, the low notes blending perfectly with the atmosphere.

Adam’s jaw nearly dropped. "By the ancestors..." he muttered, stepping inside as though he’d just found paradise. "Lux, you’ve been hiding this from me? This isn’t a minibar—this is a king’s vault!"

Lux smiled faintly, motioning toward the stools. "Please. Sit. Tonight, we drink properly."

Nero followed quietly, eyes scanning the shelves. Each bottle carried a story, a history, a taste of lands far beyond. It reminded him of the world’s vastness, and of how much he had yet to see.

Lux moved behind the counter with the elegance of a practiced host. He reached for three different bottles, each chosen with deliberate care.

"For the first round," he said, holding them up one by one, "a choice between elven Moonwine, aged dwarven bourbon, and a fine human-crafted whisky from the northern empire. All three have their own... character."

Adam slammed his hand on the counter.

"Bourbon! No hesitation!"

Lux chuckled softly and poured him a generous glass, the liquid glowing a deep amber. For Nero, he poured whisky, neat and strong, its aroma smoky with a faint sweetness. As for himself, Lux chose the elven Moonwine, its crystalline blue liquid shimmering faintly in the glass.

They clinked glasses.

"To summer," Lux said simply.

"To good drinks!" Adam added with booming cheer.

Nero lifted his glass last, his voice low. "...To you my friends."

The clink of crystal echoed softly in the room before they drank.

Adam’s eyes watered slightly as the bourbon hit him, but his grin only widened.

"Hohoho! This is heaven." He slammed his glass down for another.

Nero sipped his whisky slowly. It was sharp, smoky, with a lingering warmth that spread through his chest. He let it sit on his tongue, savoring it. His expression didn’t change much, but inside, he felt a rare sense of ease.

Lux, meanwhile, drank his Moonwine in measured sips, its subtle sweetness reflecting his refined taste. His gaze, calm and composed, lingered on his two companions.

"Good," he said softly. "This is how nights should be spent."

The conversation that followed flowed easier than at the dinner table. The warmth of alcohol loosened even Nero’s usually rigid walls. They talked about trivial things—Adam bragging about his "unmatched" strength, Lux countering with calm logic, Nero occasionally interjecting with blunt truths that left Adam sputtering.

Laughter filled the room.

The three stayed there, glass after glass, the bottles slowly emptying. The jazz in the corner played on, the golden light glowed warmly, and for a while, time itself seemed to slow down.

For Nero, the taste of whisky lingered long after each sip, as did the strange but undeniable comfort of being here, in this moment, with these two by his side. He didn’t regret becoming friend with them. It’s time to bring that matters up.

’’I bet you two must have plenty of experience when it’s come to women, right?"

A sudden question which drew theirs attentions. ’This is going to be fun.’ Adam thought.