The Extra is a Genius!?
Chapter 210: A Night Worth Remembering
CHAPTER 210: CHAPTER 210: A NIGHT WORTH REMEMBERING
Elyra raised her hand as the server approached. Her black hair was braided intricately down her back, and the deep crimson of her noble attire — the signature of House Estermont — matched the subtle power in her posture.
"Bring us a bottle of Crimson Vale," she said, her voice sharp and certain. "From the 208th harvest. House Estermont’s private reserve."
The server’s eyes widened slightly, but he nodded and departed swiftly.
Charlotte blinked. "That’s... your family’s label, right? I thought that wine was only served to kings and visiting archbishops."
Elyra’s smile was almost smug. "It is. But I’ve decided tonight deserves it."
Noel narrowed his eyes. "You’re trying to get us drunk."
"Correct," she replied without hesitation. "All three of you."
Elena tilted her head. "Why, exactly?"
"Because tomorrow we face stress, formality, and probably danger," Elyra said as the server returned with the wine in a dark crystal bottle. "Tonight, we unwind. And I want to see who falls over first."
The server poured into four engraved glasses — a ruby-colored liquid that shimmered unnaturally, catching the light like molten gems.
Charlotte sighed as she picked up her glass.
"This is going to end terribly."
"Only if you’re weak," Elyra replied, already sipping hers.
Noel, glass in hand but not yet drinking, turned to Elena beside him. "Hey... before we leave for Elarith, do you mind cutting my hair?"
Elena blinked. "You want me to...?"
"Yeah. It’s getting messy again," he said, then smiled. "And I liked how it turned out last time. So don’t worry — I trust you."
She looked down shyly, her lips curling into a small smile. "Alright. I’ll make sure it’s perfect."
Elyra grinned behind her glass. "Oh, I’d pay to see him with uneven bangs."
Charlotte raised her glass. "To Noel’s soon-to-be-perfect haircut."
Their glasses clinked.
The bottle of Crimson Vale was already halfway empty.
Noel leaned back in his chair, a lazy smirk on his face as the warmth of the wine spread through his chest. His glass swirled slowly in his hand, though he’d been careful not to drink too much — not yet, at least.
Charlotte had gone a little pink in the cheeks. Elena, still composed, was sipping slowly, though her posture had loosened with the comfort of the evening. Elyra, as expected, held her liquor with aristocratic poise, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"So," Elyra began, setting her glass down with a soft clink, "you all heard about Marcus and Clara, right?"
Charlotte nodded immediately. "Yes! Marcus finally told her how he felt. About time."
Elena’s amber eyes widened just a bit."He did? I hadn’t heard. When?"
"A few days ago," Elyra answered, crossing one leg over the other. "He asked her to take a walk in the greenhouse at night and blurted it out before they even got to the roses. She said yes."
Noel chuckled. "I knew he’d crack eventually. He was starting to look like a lost puppy every time she walked by."
Charlotte giggled. "And now they act like a married couple. Clara keeps telling him to fix his collar and drink more water."
"That does sound like her," Elena said, a gentle laugh escaping her.
Elyra raised an eyebrow toward Charlotte. "You know what that means, right? Of the Class S group, only Laziel remains unattached."
Noel set his glass down with a tap. "Well, technically. But..."
Charlotte leaned in. "But?"
"He’s been... different lately," Noel said, drumming his fingers on the table. "Spending a lot of time alone. Disappearing after class. Even skipping training once."
"I saw him talking to someone behind the greenhouse last week," Elena added, her voice quiet. "It was dark, and I couldn’t see who it was."
Charlotte blinked. "What? Who would he—?"
Elyra waved a hand. "Calm down. It might be nothing. Or it might be something interesting. Either way, we’ll find out soon enough."
"I’m betting on something interesting," Noel said with a grin. "With our luck? Probably very interesting."
The dishes had finally arrived—succulent roasted duck with golden garlic potatoes, a basket of buttered rolls, and a platter of herbed vegetables fresh from the morning market. The four of them settled back into their seats as the table filled with warmth and aroma.
"This smells amazing," Elena murmured, carefully slicing into the duck.
"It’s Mirae’s," Elyra said proudly, pouring the last bit of Estermont wine into her glass. "Only the best for tonight."
Charlotte took a bite and gave a soft hum of approval. "Mmh... the sauce is sweet. I like it."
Noel was already halfway through his plate. "I’m just glad it’s not another cafeteria stew. I think I forgot what real food tastes like."
Elyra arched a brow. "You’re saying I’ve been wasting my gold renting this place all this time?"
"No, no," Noel replied quickly, grinning. "I’m saying you’ve been saving our lives."
Elena smiled at that, golden eyes warm. "We should do this more often. Just us."
Charlotte nodded. "Especially before the trip. It feels... calm tonight."
"Too calm," Elyra said, pretending to narrow her eyes. "I half expect someone to crash through the window and start a duel."
Noel chuckled. "Let’s not jinx it. I’m enjoying this."
The air was soft, filled with idle clinks of silverware and the gentle crackling of the lanternlight above them. Outside, the night breeze slipped through the open balcony doors, bringing the scent of the city’s stone and sea.
Charlotte leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "What time do we leave tomorrow?"
"Not immediately," Elyra replied, sipping the last of her wine. "Tomorrow morning they’ll make the official announcement at the academy. After that, we’ll have about two days to prepare before departure."
"Two days?" Charlotte blinked. "That’s tight."
"It’s always like that," Elena added softly. "They don’t want too much time for rumors or drama to spread. But we’ll manage."
Noel let out a breath and leaned back slightly. "Well, we’ll have to pack fast... and handle whatever we need to before we leave."
The girls nodded in quiet agreement, each one lost in thought for a brief moment. The last of the main dishes sat warm on the table, untouched for now, while the flickering city lights of Valon painted soft patterns across the polished glass.
Outside, the night deepened, but their dinner continued.