The bet was a best-of-five game, and the Duke of Lucien won the first and second games, as expected.
That was also an overwhelming victory.
Perdes was defeated in vain without ever making a single proper attack.
'What if we lose three games in a row like this?'
There was a way to get the Duke of Lucien's approval, but the problem was that he had to grant my wish.
'Please, let Perdes win.'
The third game began as I earnestly hoped for it.
As expected, this time again it was the Duke of Lucien who took the initiative.
The Duke of Lucien put down his rook with a triumphant smile.
“Well, I guess I should think about what I want to wish for.”
If things continue like this, I think we'll get checkmate and the game will end.
I looked at Perdes with anxious eyes.
“...Huh.”
Are you laughing...?
I was a little taken aback by Perdes' reaction, which was different from what I had expected, even though I thought he would be in trouble.
The same was true for the Duke of Lucien.
The Duke of Lucien asked with a frown.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because the situation is interesting.”
“It’s... Interesting?”
When the Duke of Lucien asked again as if he didn't understand, the smile on Perdes' lips deepened.
“Someone once said this. No matter how advantageous the situation is, if you become complacent, you are giving your opponent a chance to win.”
"What..."
“Checkmate.”
“...!”
Checkmate.
Duke Lucien and I looked down at the chessboard in surprise.
Perdes' white rook was aiming straight at the Duke of Lucien's black King.
Duke Lucien quickly rolled his eyes to find a way to stop it, but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find it.
Well, if there was a way to stop it, Perdes wouldn't have called checkmate in the first place.
“...I lost.”
It was truly the first declaration of defeat in a long time.
Perdes looked at the Duke of Lucien, who was still hanging his head in shock from defeat, and said:
“I’ve read all the Duke’s moves through two games. So I can’t lose now.”
"Ha?"
The Duke of Lucien raised his head with a hollow laugh.
“This is not arrogance, it’s confidence. I will continue to win now.”
“...This is really fun.”
For a moment, an eerie glint appeared in the Duke of Lucien's eyes.
“Lord Perdes.”
It's fine to provoke your opponent, but it seems too much, so I grabbed Perdes' shoulder and tried to stop him.
Then Perdes lightly kissed the back of my hand.
“Besides, I have such a beautiful goddess of victory at my side, I will never lose again.”
As if to show that it was not arrogance but confidence that made Perdes win the fourth game as well.
It wasn't an easy win, but it was meaningful that we won two games in a row.
I hope Perdes continue this momentum and win the fifth game too... but it doesn't seem like it'll be easy.
I looked at the Duke of Lucien, who was carefully considering the first number.
His expression was very serious.
There was also a strong will to win.
This round is going to be harder.
Of course, it would be like that since it is the final game that will decide the outcome of the match...
The sound of chess pieces being placed rang in my ears.
A situation where even breathing is cautious.
During fierce battles, the goddess of victory smiled.
“Checkmate.”
It was Perdes.
Duke Lucien's eyes widened as he realized there was nowhere to run.
He looked around the chessboard as if he couldn't believe the situation, then raised both hands to shoulder height.
“I lost.”
"Ha."
A sigh of relief escaped as the tension that had been pent up in tension was released at the Duke of Lucien's declaration of defeat.
What filled that space was joy and delight.
“Lord Perdes!”
I was so happy that I forgot that the Duke of Lucien was watching and hugged Perdes tightly.
“Hey, Young Lady?”
Then Perdes looked embarrassed and grabbed my arm that was hugging him.
"Ah."
Only then did I realize what I had done, and I fell down in a panic.
Perdes' earlobes were bright red like ripe apples.
“I’m sorry. I was so happy that I didn’t realize...”
“You should be happy. Because you beat me.”
The Duke of Lucien suddenly joined the conversation.
“I never thought I would lose to Duke Leopold with the same tactics.”
The Duke of Lucien looked at Perdes with a smile.
“In addition to what you said, Your Royal Highness, the 4th Prince has many strange similarities with Duke Leopold.”
Perdes resembles my father?
I was a little puzzled because I had never felt that way while watching Perdes before.
“Then it’s time to grant Young Lady’s wish.”
Oh, right. Wish.
“Please grant my wish.”
“Ues. I have to listen. It’s a bet, after all. But do you know that, Young Lady?”
The Duke of Lucien leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs.
“Even if I hadn’t used the wishing ticket, I would have agreed to Young Lady becoming a Duke.”
Huh?
“As Young Lady said, the Duke must be a blood relative.”
This is a completely unexpected answer.
That would be the case. In my past life, I reached out to high-ranking nobles, including the Duke of Lucien, to help me become a Duke, but no one helped me.
But when he said something like that, I felt a little embarrassed and doubted whether he really meant what he said.
“Then I'll cancel your wish.”
“You can't do that. You've already made your wish, you can't take it back.”
Fatally...
When I frowned, the Duke of Lucien smiled with satisfaction.
I don't know if he really meant it, but judging by his mischievous expression, I'm sure he said it on purpose to tease me.
I guess this is how he wants to vent his anger after losing a game of chess.
I feel this once again, but his personality is really dirty.
“The Duke of Lucien was a more narrow-minded person than I thought.”
Perdes said what I wanted to say.
The Duke of Lucien burst into laughter at the sarcastic remark, wondering what was so good about it.
“If you’re that upset, let’s meet again next time. We’re holding a chess competition during National Foundation Day this year, so I hope you’ll participate then.”
"Well."
Perdes' gaze fell on me.
“I think it would be better to ask Young Lady instead of me.”
“The person I wish to see participate is not Young Lady, but Your Highness.”
“That’s why.”
Perdes looked at Duke Lucien with a grin.
“I only do what Young Lady wants. So it would be quicker to ask Young Lady’s permission than to ask my opinion.”
Why are you saying so many awkward things today?
I was embarrassed and ashamed, so I tried to turn my head away, but Perdes grabbed my hand tightly.
And then he gently ran his thumb down the back of my hand.
At that strange touch, I blinked quickly and looked down at Perdes.
Perdes was also looking at me.
My reflection in those clear, sparkling golden eyes was like...
“Phuha.”
“...!”
Suddenly, I came to my senses at the sound of Duke Lucien's laughter ringing in my ear, and I looked at Duke Lucien in surprise.
Duke Lucien was laughing so hard that tears welled up in his eyes.
“Haha, the butler and the other servants had to see this. Hahaha.”
“What does it mean?”
“Hey, didn’t you feel any strange stares when you came here?”
If you say strange stares...
“You mean the Duke’s servants glanced at me?”
The servant who was tidying up the chessboard flinched at my words and looked at the Duke of Lucien.
The Duke of Lucien continued speaking, smiling as if he found even that amusing.
“As you know, I’m almost thirty, but I’m still unmarried. That’s why my butler and servants are worried.”
“What does that have to do with the servants glancing at me?”
“Oh my. I thought you were a perceptive young lady, but you’re really clueless in this area.”
As I stared silently at the words I couldn't understand at all, the Duke of Lucien shrugged his shoulders.
“To put it bluntly, everyone was hoping that Young Lady and I would do well.”
"Yes?"
What kind of nonsense is this?
“Don’t the servants of the Duke of Lucien know that I have a fiancé?”
“No way. We all know that very well.”
“But why do you think that...”
“It’s just an engagement. An engagement can be broken at any time, right?”
“...That won’t happen.”
When Perdes spoke grumpily, the Duke of Lucien smiled and waved his hand.
“Haha, I’m not saying that’s necessarily true, I’m just saying it could be true.”
“...”
He said something unpleasant and then told me not to do it. It was a completely contradictory statement.
“First of all, I have no interest in Young Lady Leopold. Rather...”
The corners of the Duke of Lucien's mouth smoothly rose.
He rested his chin on his hand and looked at Perdes intently.
“I am more interested in His Highness the Fourth Prince.”
Is this a joke? Is this serious?
Judging from his expression, it seemed like he was joking, but his eyes were so serious that I couldn't take it that way.
As I was staring at the Duke of Lucien to gauge his intentions, Perdes clenched his jaw and said:
“I appreciate your interest, but I have to decline. I’m not interested in men.”
What the heck is this...
I looked down at Perdes in confusion.
His expression was more serious than ever. It meant that he meant what he said.
“Poohahaha!”
Duke Lucien also burst into laughter as if he realized that Perdes was being sincere.
“Ugh...”
It was the same for me too.
While even the servants were laughing with their eyes, Perdes was sitting alone, looking serious, which made it even funnier, and we couldn't stop laughing for a long time.
That was also an overwhelming victory.
Perdes was defeated in vain without ever making a single proper attack.
'What if we lose three games in a row like this?'
There was a way to get the Duke of Lucien's approval, but the problem was that he had to grant my wish.
'Please, let Perdes win.'
The third game began as I earnestly hoped for it.
As expected, this time again it was the Duke of Lucien who took the initiative.
The Duke of Lucien put down his rook with a triumphant smile.
“Well, I guess I should think about what I want to wish for.”
If things continue like this, I think we'll get checkmate and the game will end.
I looked at Perdes with anxious eyes.
“...Huh.”
Are you laughing...?
I was a little taken aback by Perdes' reaction, which was different from what I had expected, even though I thought he would be in trouble.
The same was true for the Duke of Lucien.
The Duke of Lucien asked with a frown.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because the situation is interesting.”
“It’s... Interesting?”
When the Duke of Lucien asked again as if he didn't understand, the smile on Perdes' lips deepened.
“Someone once said this. No matter how advantageous the situation is, if you become complacent, you are giving your opponent a chance to win.”
"What..."
“Checkmate.”
“...!”
Checkmate.
Duke Lucien and I looked down at the chessboard in surprise.
Perdes' white rook was aiming straight at the Duke of Lucien's black King.
Duke Lucien quickly rolled his eyes to find a way to stop it, but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find it.
Well, if there was a way to stop it, Perdes wouldn't have called checkmate in the first place.
“...I lost.”
It was truly the first declaration of defeat in a long time.
Perdes looked at the Duke of Lucien, who was still hanging his head in shock from defeat, and said:
“I’ve read all the Duke’s moves through two games. So I can’t lose now.”
"Ha?"
The Duke of Lucien raised his head with a hollow laugh.
“You've only won once, don't you think you're getting too cocky, and besides, you just told me not to get cocky.”
“...This is really fun.”
For a moment, an eerie glint appeared in the Duke of Lucien's eyes.
“Lord Perdes.”
It's fine to provoke your opponent, but it seems too much, so I grabbed Perdes' shoulder and tried to stop him.
Then Perdes lightly kissed the back of my hand.
“Besides, I have such a beautiful goddess of victory at my side, I will never lose again.”
***
As if to show that it was not arrogance but confidence that made Perdes win the fourth game as well.
It wasn't an easy win, but it was meaningful that we won two games in a row.
I hope Perdes continue this momentum and win the fifth game too... but it doesn't seem like it'll be easy.
I looked at the Duke of Lucien, who was carefully considering the first number.
His expression was very serious.
There was also a strong will to win.
This round is going to be harder.
Of course, it would be like that since it is the final game that will decide the outcome of the match...
The sound of chess pieces being placed rang in my ears.
A situation where even breathing is cautious.
During fierce battles, the goddess of victory smiled.
“Checkmate.”
It was Perdes.
Duke Lucien's eyes widened as he realized there was nowhere to run.
He looked around the chessboard as if he couldn't believe the situation, then raised both hands to shoulder height.
“I lost.”
"Ha."
A sigh of relief escaped as the tension that had been pent up in tension was released at the Duke of Lucien's declaration of defeat.
What filled that space was joy and delight.
“Lord Perdes!”
I was so happy that I forgot that the Duke of Lucien was watching and hugged Perdes tightly.
“Hey, Young Lady?”
Then Perdes looked embarrassed and grabbed my arm that was hugging him.
"Ah."
Only then did I realize what I had done, and I fell down in a panic.
Perdes' earlobes were bright red like ripe apples.
“I’m sorry. I was so happy that I didn’t realize...”
“You should be happy. Because you beat me.”
The Duke of Lucien suddenly joined the conversation.
“I never thought I would lose to Duke Leopold with the same tactics.”
The Duke of Lucien looked at Perdes with a smile.
“In addition to what you said, Your Royal Highness, the 4th Prince has many strange similarities with Duke Leopold.”
Perdes resembles my father?
I was a little puzzled because I had never felt that way while watching Perdes before.
“Then it’s time to grant Young Lady’s wish.”
Oh, right. Wish.
“Please grant my wish.”
“Ues. I have to listen. It’s a bet, after all. But do you know that, Young Lady?”
The Duke of Lucien leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs.
“Even if I hadn’t used the wishing ticket, I would have agreed to Young Lady becoming a Duke.”
Huh?
“As Young Lady said, the Duke must be a blood relative.”
This is a completely unexpected answer.
That would be the case. In my past life, I reached out to high-ranking nobles, including the Duke of Lucien, to help me become a Duke, but no one helped me.
But when he said something like that, I felt a little embarrassed and doubted whether he really meant what he said.
“Then I'll cancel your wish.”
“You can't do that. You've already made your wish, you can't take it back.”
Fatally...
When I frowned, the Duke of Lucien smiled with satisfaction.
I don't know if he really meant it, but judging by his mischievous expression, I'm sure he said it on purpose to tease me.
I guess this is how he wants to vent his anger after losing a game of chess.
I feel this once again, but his personality is really dirty.
“The Duke of Lucien was a more narrow-minded person than I thought.”
Perdes said what I wanted to say.
The Duke of Lucien burst into laughter at the sarcastic remark, wondering what was so good about it.
“If you’re that upset, let’s meet again next time. We’re holding a chess competition during National Foundation Day this year, so I hope you’ll participate then.”
"Well."
Perdes' gaze fell on me.
“I think it would be better to ask Young Lady instead of me.”
“The person I wish to see participate is not Young Lady, but Your Highness.”
“That’s why.”
Perdes looked at Duke Lucien with a grin.
“I only do what Young Lady wants. So it would be quicker to ask Young Lady’s permission than to ask my opinion.”
Why are you saying so many awkward things today?
I was embarrassed and ashamed, so I tried to turn my head away, but Perdes grabbed my hand tightly.
And then he gently ran his thumb down the back of my hand.
At that strange touch, I blinked quickly and looked down at Perdes.
Perdes was also looking at me.
My reflection in those clear, sparkling golden eyes was like...
“Phuha.”
“...!”
Suddenly, I came to my senses at the sound of Duke Lucien's laughter ringing in my ear, and I looked at Duke Lucien in surprise.
Duke Lucien was laughing so hard that tears welled up in his eyes.
“Haha, the butler and the other servants had to see this. Hahaha.”
“What does it mean?”
“Hey, didn’t you feel any strange stares when you came here?”
If you say strange stares...
“You mean the Duke’s servants glanced at me?”
The servant who was tidying up the chessboard flinched at my words and looked at the Duke of Lucien.
The Duke of Lucien continued speaking, smiling as if he found even that amusing.
“As you know, I’m almost thirty, but I’m still unmarried. That’s why my butler and servants are worried.”
“What does that have to do with the servants glancing at me?”
“Oh my. I thought you were a perceptive young lady, but you’re really clueless in this area.”
As I stared silently at the words I couldn't understand at all, the Duke of Lucien shrugged his shoulders.
“To put it bluntly, everyone was hoping that Young Lady and I would do well.”
"Yes?"
What kind of nonsense is this?
“Don’t the servants of the Duke of Lucien know that I have a fiancé?”
“No way. We all know that very well.”
“But why do you think that...”
“It’s just an engagement. An engagement can be broken at any time, right?”
“...That won’t happen.”
When Perdes spoke grumpily, the Duke of Lucien smiled and waved his hand.
“Haha, I’m not saying that’s necessarily true, I’m just saying it could be true.”
“...”
“Everyone knows I'm not a married man or a very old man, so I'm just doing it in the hopes that it will lead to something, so please don't take offense.”
“First of all, I have no interest in Young Lady Leopold. Rather...”
The corners of the Duke of Lucien's mouth smoothly rose.
He rested his chin on his hand and looked at Perdes intently.
“I am more interested in His Highness the Fourth Prince.”
Is this a joke? Is this serious?
Judging from his expression, it seemed like he was joking, but his eyes were so serious that I couldn't take it that way.
As I was staring at the Duke of Lucien to gauge his intentions, Perdes clenched his jaw and said:
“I appreciate your interest, but I have to decline. I’m not interested in men.”
What the heck is this...
I looked down at Perdes in confusion.
His expression was more serious than ever. It meant that he meant what he said.
“Poohahaha!”
Duke Lucien also burst into laughter as if he realized that Perdes was being sincere.
“Ugh...”
It was the same for me too.
While even the servants were laughing with their eyes, Perdes was sitting alone, looking serious, which made it even funnier, and we couldn't stop laughing for a long time.
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