Betrayed by All? The Boys Still Failed to Protect Themselves

The fragrance of perfume spread through the air, giving off a distinctive scent.

Under the soft candlelight, Aaron and Clea sat facing the Thoughtform and Hermione.

"Come on, cheers!" Clea gently raised her glass and clinked it against Aaron's. She then drained the red wine in one gulp, but Aaron hesitated and did not move.

"Why aren't you drinking?"

"I just feel like something's off." Aaron sniffed and frowned slightly. "This wine seems..."

"I brewed it myself." Clea rolled her eyes at him. "No wonder Aunt Lisana says the men of the Gaius Family are sometimes only slightly better than blocks of wood."

"I mean..."

"I guarantee this glass of wine is absolutely harmless to your health. Besides, I drank it myself."

"No, what I mean is..."

"Are you drinking or not?" Clea pressed him aggressively. "Don't forget that you violated the contract. As long as it isn't an especially unreasonable demand, you can't refuse. How does that saying go? Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty."

Aaron forced out a stiff smile. "I'll drink!"

"That's more like it!" Clea watched with satisfaction as Aaron drank the wine, then turned her sharp gaze toward the Thoughtform. Her meaning was obvious.

The Thoughtform gave an awkward laugh and immediately picked up his glass to clink it against Hermione's.

He drained it in one go, far more decisively than the original body.

Soft music began to play, its soothing rhythm making them relax without realizing it.

Clea and Hermione chatted and laughed as they ate dinner, constantly refilling Aaron's and the Thoughtform's glasses.

Are they trying to get me drunk?

Aaron and the Thoughtform realized it at the same time, but neither took it seriously.

Their alcohol tolerance had never slipped over the years. If she thought two