My Substitute CEO Bride

"Sir! Get me a crepe." Another voice rang out at nearly the same time as Alfius' voice did.

Alfius instinctively turned to look at the burly man standing beside him.

He had his arms by his side and wore clothes that were too baggy. Coupled with his unkempt hair, he looked like a beggar living on the streets. However, the swords strapped onto him were especially eye-catching. As someone who was an expert in the field, Alfius quickly noticed that the swords slung across his shoulders were all high-quality weapons.

"Um... There's only one crepe left. Alfius, perhaps you and the gentleman could talk it out..."

The owner was close friends with Alfius, so he made it a point to ask them both that question.

"Oh... I'm alright..." Alfius said shyly as he waved his hands.

"Oh? Is that so?" the burly man said as he turned to give Alfius a once over.

His gaze made Alfius feel uncomfortable, and he shrank away, unwilling to meet his gaze.

"You can have this, little man," the burly man said.

"Oh? B-But..."

"Haha, it's alright! Don't be shy! Here, sir, give this crepe to the little man here! This means our fate is now intertwined, little man. Consider it my treat this time!"

Alfius said frantically, "No, no, no. T-That won't do. Please allow me..."

"Oh, it's alright, little man! It's nothing, so just take it! Also, I haven't asked for your name yet, have I?"

""M-My name is... Alfius Stonemaul..."

"Oh, a wonderful name! I'm in a great mood today, little man. Have a couple of drinks with me. Sir, two pints of beer, please!"

"No, no, no. I... I don't drink..."

"Gosh! You can always learn! Come on, my treat! Don't be a stranger!"

The owner walked over with the beer.

"Haha, what a unique customer you are. You don't seem familiar, though. Where do you come from?"noveldrama

"Oh, I come from the East."

"The East? I heard things aren't very peaceful there right now. Do you know what's going on?"

"Haha, sir, I'm just a wanderer who goes in all directions. How could I know anything about those powerful figures?"

"Haha, you're right. Sorry for being

nosy. Here, take the beer and ask for

more if you need a refill. Alfius,

you're of age now, so it's alright for you to have some."

"But... this..."

The burly man thumped Alfius on the shoulder and chuckled loudly.

"Haha, looks like you've got something on your mind, Alfius! I've seen plenty of youngsters like you! Indeed, the pressure of life is so much that it even becomes difficult to breathe sometimes.

"Come, have a glass of beer and take a break! You'll feel better once you're drunk!" "But... I want to go back..."

"Gosh, what is it that you can't leave till the next day? Come on! No leaving until we're drunk!" As the owner and the burly man egged him on, Alfius had his first taste of alcohol in his life.

A bitter taste immediately surged in his mouth, but his throat and mind were soon taken over by a unique fragrance and a feeling that was difficult to describe.

Alfius savored the feeling carefully. This feeling, which he had been extremely resistant to in the past, did not seem as scary as it once used to. "How does it feel?" the burly man asked as he grinned.

Alfius took several minutes to gather his thoughts together before he answered, "It's so bitter... How could anyone even enjoy drinking this stuff?" "No, no. You looked like you were enjoying yourself just now!" the burly man shouted as he clapped Alfius on the shoulder.

He was so loud he nearly deafened Alfius.

"No, definitely not. But it wouldn't hurt to have another drink..."

"Haha, I was waiting for you to say that! Sir, bring out the big guns!"

"Huh? No, wait!"