I’m Not the Final Boss’ Lover - Chapter 196

Chapter 196: Like Fish On The Market

“Hold it right there, Windshift’s leader. Aren’t you cutting in line here?”

“Oh come on. This is all about speaking up first, ain’t it?”

Another man stepped in front of the first one that was talking to me and began to quarrel. A moment later, they were grasping each other by the collar.

“Are you trying to put your fork in a meal someone else prepared?”

“You think asking a few questions first counts as preparing a meal? You’re the one forking around here! You ignorant idiot that doesn’t even know social etiquette!”

No matter how dull I could be, it was impossible not to know at this point that they were fighting over me. I blankly watched the men argue in a daze, failing to analyze what was happening. I had never imagined myself in such a situation before. It was only now that I realized that their questions about my personal information and preferences were purely to earn my favor. Although there was no doubt that their motive behind that wasn’t pure… Yes, well. As the saying went: take the second-best if not the first.

These people weren’t after the future seat of the empress, but the husband position of the future grand duchess and prime minister instead. Those were the title and status I would gain as the vice-captain once Mayer became emperor. No wonder no women and only men were prowling nearby…

After coming to my senses so late, I slowly observed the still noisy banquet hall. By the looks of it, the first man who had talked to me was from an expedition corps, while the other one who had interrupted was of the nobility. The others nearby who had been immersed in the clear conflict of origin began to join in, taking sides one after another.

“You should at least have some common sense! What kind of person makes advances right at a banquet hall?”

“Keep on taking it slow like that and all the dungeon gates will open, letting the monsters flood out, you hear?”

The kids of my unit tried to stop the argument in a panic. But it wasn’t easy calming people who were acting like burning oil.

“Wait, calm down!”

“What are you gentlemen doing? You should be old enough to know better.”

“What? Who are you calling old?”

It got so noisy in here it was drowning out the sound of the orchestra, and I decided that I couldn’t stay here any longer. Being surrounded by all these shouting voices felt like being a fish on sale in a marketplace. But while fish couldn’t run, I, thank God, had the feet to do so.

I glanced around as I started to sneak my way out. Since I didn’t stand out much like my gray hair, I managed to safely escape amidst the commotion. From a distance, I glimpsed the kids being busy trying to stop the people from fighting. I felt bad about burdening the young ones while I was running off, but I couldn’t help it. After all, the first rule of an expedition was to run away even if by yourself when possible. That was something I had been repeatedly teaching them.

When they realized late that I had fled, the trio’s face turned pale in disbelief. Did they feel betrayed? Or perplexed? Whatever the case, it couldn’t stop me from moving. I apologized to them in my heart, hoping that they would endure for a little bit. I left the banquet hall before the others noticed, leaving only an apologetic smile.