Chapter 341

Lulu nodded in understanding and hurried off to fetch hot water to freshen Rafael’s hands and face.

Carissa had just settled her husband on the divan when Lulu returned, saying, “Sage Adrian and Mr. Spencer, along with other guild members, forced His Highness to drink. Deputy Ziegler said His Highness couldn’t refuse, so they poured a great deal for him. They drank rose wine with people from other guilds.”

Carissa frowned. “My master had someone force His Highness to drink?” she exclaimed. Wasn’t that bullying? With so many guild members present, each with a cup, they could have made Rafael drink until he vomited blood.

“Yes, he drank a lot,” Lulu said. “But isn’t the rose wine from the Lunar Guild supposed to be mild? Why was it so strong?”

“It’s likely my master brewed the wine,” Carissa replied, “so it’s not the kind the Lunar Guild usually provides.”

She glanced at Rafael, whose cheeks and ears were flushed red from the alcohol. It seemed unlikely they would be able to drink the ceremonial wine that night, and she would probably be the only one eating all the food on the table.

She had many questions for him, especially about what Lily had mentioned earlier. She had hoped to ask him for more details, but now, not only could she not ask, he was completely unconscious.

Pearl brought over the hot water.

“You should all go and rest,” Carissa said. “You’ve had a long day, too. I’ll take care of him.”

“But tonight…” Pearl hesitated. Lily had initially arranged for Pearl to stay outside the newlywed suite, ready to assist at any time, given it was Carissa’s wedding night. However, seeing Rafael so thoroughly drunk, it seemed unlikely they would even get to the ceremonial wine.

“Ms. Lily, they haven’t had the ceremonial wine yet,” Pearl said, turning to the older woman.

Lily sighed. “How could they get His Highness so drunk? They poured wine into him before he had a chance to eat. Didn’t they think about how important this night is for the groom?” Lily blamed Adrian for this. It was a significant night, and Rafael was a good match. How could they be so heartless as to get him drunk like this? He had been injured many times on the battlefield and had been working hard since returning to the capital. How could things proceed now that Rafael was in this state? Carissa was not the only one feeling pained—Lily was deeply upset as well.

Carissa used a hot towel to pat Rafael’s face and wipe his hands. She then pressed a few acupoints to help him regain some awareness.

Rafael opened his eyes, feeling the world spinning. He couldn’t tell where he was and could only see blurry images of Carissa.

He raised a hand and mumbled hoarsely, his voice raspy from the strong liquor, “Wait, don’t move. Let me look closely. Am I dreaming, or am I really drunk? Why does it feel like I’m actually marrying Carissa?”

Rafael was intensely dizzy. He reached out to touch the face in front of him, but even with his eyes open, the spinning sensation persisted. Closing his eyes only made it worse.

“Oh, it’s a dream,” he murmured. “How could Carissa’s skin be so rough? And there are wrinkles. It must be a dream.”

Lily pushed his hand away. “My face is naturally rough and wrinkled. How old do you think I am? Quickly, drink some hangover remedy.”

The cup was brought to his lips. Without hesitation, Rafael gulped it down.

Carissa soaked a fresh hot towel and came over to wipe his face. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Look at how drunk you are,” she said. “You’re mistaking my attendant for me.”

Hearing his drunken ramblings had surprisingly pleased her. Let him be drunk for now—once he was sober, he wouldn’t say such things.

After drinking the hangover remedy, Rafael suddenly felt his stomach churn violently. He leaped up and staggered out, collapsing in the corridor and starting to heave uncontrollably. The violent retching cleared most of the alcohol from his stomach.

He felt much better afterward, no longer experiencing the spinning sensation. Although he was still unsteady, he could at least lean on the wall to walk.

Lily called for someone to clean up the mess while Carissa helped Rafael back inside. She took a clean towel and scrubbed his face vigorously. Inside, she was fuming. Didn’t he know how to refuse? Just because they poured it, he had to drink it?