I could see him gritting his teeth. He was visibly angry. I smirked looking at him but hid it before he could notice it.

“Such arrogance for being a noble? Do you think being a noble gives you the right to hurt commoners? Just because you were born in a family that rules, you are above those who took birth in a normal family, even when they are more skilled and have better looks.“ his voice comes through gritted teeth.

“Oh, so you think, you have better skills and looks?” I asked as I looked at his redhead, which was shining with the sun rays falling over it and the blue eyes that always reminded me of the royal empire. It was so deep that it could suck many oceans in it yet stay dry. His straight nose and thin full red lips that even give competition to a model and he would be the one to win it.

His chiseled face and sharp look was so perfect. Definitely he was a piece of art but that was not the point of concentration now.

“Can you prove it, if you did i would make sure to accept you better than all the nobles over here.” I admitted, and he finally looked at me as if contemplating.

“Who cares what a little dumb girl thinks?” he said, shrugging his shoulders and that was enough.

“Coward, all you are is words. You have been arguing with me for so long yet you are not ready to accept a challenge. Either it’s fencing or a simple competition of chess, you are not ready for any. Yet talking so big, ha.. Nothing but a big coward “I said, shaking my head and with that I turned and started moving back.

“Wait..” he said, and a big smile bloomed on my face.

I turned back with a tired face as if I did not want to pursue the matter anymore, “now, what, are you not tired of arguing already.”

He pursed his lips and nodded, “I am, that is the reason I want to end it too. Tell me how do you want the bet to proceed?” he asked finally with a serious face.

First step completed!

“Well since you don’t want to spar, then how about a match of chess?” i asked and he nodded,

“We can play here, I will not go to the game room of the palace.” he said and pointed at Mathews who looked reluctant but nodded and went away.

It didn’t matter to me where we were going to play a match. All i wanted was to win and that is it, so i nodded my head.

We both walked towards the gazebo where most of the time knights sit to have lunch or do their training as a page and squire. When we sat there a few of the commoner knights were learning music and etiquettes. They looked at me with surprise.

Their faces had a clear expression of ‘oh how did this proud lady finally enter their humble abode’ yet I kept my face neutral and wished them all the best and they returned with proper greetings.

We both sat on the middle table and soon Mathews bought a chess board and set the pieces.

“Your start, my lady”

I nodded and started playing. Soon most of the knights surrounded us to see who would win. One thing was sure this time period was highly prejudiced, they all were sure that he would win. But they did not know that I was highly trained in chess while he was just at the starting level. Moreover, I knew better tricks than her.

I looked at him with a smirk when I saw his frown, he was lost, it’s just a matter of time when he would realise it.

“Check” I said as he moved his rook.

His frown grew deeper, his brows almost touching as he looked at the game with deep concentration and finally moved his queen to save the king,

‘See, even the game knows that the queen saves the king. Tch.. i need to made this lesson learnt here’

In the next turn I killed the bishop that was entering my territory and my rook covered the other lane where the king was supposed to move. Reluctantly he had to move the knight there which got killed instantly.

Soon others followed, though my pieces were killed too. Yet I was at an advantage in the end.

“Check” I said again and he sighed, he knew he had lost it.

I could hear the whispers getting stronger, their expressions were filled with surprise and denial.

He moved his queen and sacrificed it but now only king and 3 pawns were left while I still have my queen, knight, rook and 4 pawns.

He looked at me with complicated expressions when I started surrounding his king with all sides.

Soon all his pawns were killed by my rook getting sacrificed and so as one pawn.

“Check ” I chimed again and he looked at me with a smile.

To say that I was surprised would be an understatement. Should he not be brooding or frowning why did he smile and that also so bright that it was almost brightening.

“Check and mate” I said again as I ended the game and he nodded, well it was easier than I had thought.

Now only the last step was left.

“I accept my defeat. Tell me what do you want as part of the bet?” he asked and I looked around.

He raised a brow reading my expressions, but still did not move.

‘Hmph!’

“I want to talk to Noah in private ” I spoke loud and clear and they all looked at me surprised like I had asked for his chastity. Even his eyes were widened and mouth agape.

Why did it feel so wrong in their eyes? Dirty minded people!