The party was still going on when everything got out of control.
The main hall of the dwarven castle was lit by chandeliers made of natural crystals that reflected the light from the external forges. The high ceiling was supported by pillars carved with ancient runes, and the sound of laughter, clinking cups, and rustic music filled the place with a lively and noisy energy.
I had never seen dwarves celebrate so intensely.
They drank as if it were part of their very culture. And maybe it was.
We were seated near the main table, guests of honor beside King Durgan Ironhammer. He spoke loudly, laughed heartily, slapped my back harder than necessary, and kept repeating to anyone who would listen that I was the human who had defeated three demon generals.
I was already getting embarrassed.
Liriel watched everything with curiosity, trying to maintain her serene posture. Elara ate slowly, analyzing the environment with attentive eyes. Vespera seemed to enjoy the music and the noise. Rai'kanna was quieter than usual, and Lyannis took small sips of her drink, clearly finding the whole thing excessive.
And Briena…
She was looking at me.
Since the party began.
I pretended not to notice.
"Takumi, you seem uncomfortable," Liriel commented quietly.
"I'm fine," I replied.
"You're not," Vespera smiled sideways. "She won't stop staring at you."
"Who?" I asked, even though I knew.
Elara sighed. "The princess."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "She's doing this on purpose."
Lyannis added, "And you pretending not to see it is making it worse."
Before I could respond, I felt a presence approaching.
Briena.
She stopped right beside me, so close that her light perfume broke through the heavy mix of alcohol and hot metal in the hall.
"Takumi, come with me for a moment."
I blinked.
"What?"
"Come."
She grabbed my hand.
She didn't ask.
She pulled.
I still looked at the girls, completely without reaction.
Vespera put a hand to her forehead. Elara slowly closed her eyes. Liriel took a deep breath. Rai'kanna was already clenching her teeth. Lyannis shook her head as if she had foreseen the disaster.
Briena pulled me to the center of the hall.
The noise gradually decreased.
Not because the music stopped.
But because everyone began to notice.
King Durgan looked on curiously.
I didn't understand anything.
"Briena, what are you doing?"
She turned to me with a smile far too calm.
"I got tired of waiting."
"For what?"
She held my face with both hands.
And kissed me.
In the middle of the hall.
In front of everyone.
My brain simply stopped.
I had no reaction at all.
The entire hall fell into absolute silence for a few seconds.
Then the noise returned.
But not like before.
Now there were shouts, whistles, loud laughter, cups banging on tables.
The dwarves were celebrating as if they had just witnessed the best scene of the night.
I slowly pulled my face away, completely unsure of what to say.
"Briena…"
She smiled.
"There. Now no one can pretend I didn't make myself clear."
I slowly turned my head.
The five of them were staring.
And their expressions…
I felt a chill.
Rai'kanna stood up from her chair.
Lyannis grabbed her arm immediately.
"Let go, Lyannis."
"You're going to do something stupid."
"I'm going to kill her."
"No, you're not."
Liriel was already on her feet too, but trying to remain calm. Elara looked extremely irritated, but controlled. Vespera just stared at me with an expression that mixed amusement and danger.
King Durgan stood up laughing loudly.
"HAHAHAHA! That's what I like! Decision! Attitude!"
I looked at him for help with my eyes.
He pointed a finger at me.
"If you make my daughter cry, I'll rip one of your balls off."
I swallowed hard.
"Your Majesty, I didn't do anything."
"Yes, you did. You stood still."
The entire hall burst into laughter.
Briena was still beside me, calm as if nothing had happened.
"I warned you yesterday at the window," she said.
"You were joking."
"I never joke."
Rai'kanna finally managed to break free.
"I'm going to rip the hair off that insolent dwarf!"
Lyannis grabbed her by the waist.
"Stop! You're going to start a diplomatic war!"
Vespera came closer to me.
"Takumi, you have an incredible talent for getting into situations you have no idea how to get out of."
"I didn't do anything!"
Elara crossed her arms. "That's the problem."
Liriel took a deep breath. "Let's keep our composure."
"I'm not keeping anything!", Rai'kanna shouted.
The king was laughing so hard he was almost crying.
"I like this group! You are far too entertaining!"
Briena grabbed my arm again.
"Relax. I only made public what was already decided in my head."
"Decided by you!", I replied.
"Exactly."
I no longer knew what to do.
The party continued.
But now everyone looked at me as if I were part of a separate spectacle.
The girls sat down again, but the atmosphere had completely changed.
Rai'kanna did not take her eyes off Briena.
Lyannis watched everything in silence.
Liriel maintained her posture, but was clearly thoughtful.
Elara was irritated.
Vespera seemed far too amused by the situation.
And I…
I just wanted to disappear.
Some time later, we managed to leave the hall.
The corridor was silent, lit by torches fixed to the stone walls.
As soon as the door closed behind us, Rai'kanna turned to me.
"You let it happen."
"I didn't let anything happen!"
"You stood still!"
"I froze!"
"Convenient!"
Lyannis sighed. "Rai'kanna, he really does look like he doesn't know what to do."
"That doesn't help!"
Liriel spoke calmly. "We need to understand the situation before reacting."
"Understand what? She kissed him in front of everyone!"
Vespera laughed quietly. "I admit, it was bold."
Elara looked at me. "You attract problems."
"I know."
Briena was standing a little behind, watching everything in silence.
"I didn't do this to provoke you," she said.
Rai'kanna turned immediately. "Then why?"
"Because I wanted to."
Silence returned.
Direct. Simple. Without shame.
I ran a hand over my face.
I was tired.
Very tired.
"Let's go to the rooms," I said.
No one argued.
But I knew.
That was far from over.
Not even close.
And as we walked through the stone corridor of the castle, I had the clear feeling that that kiss had created a much bigger problem than any fight I had ever faced.