Episode 36
I had no right to judge, but even the young marquessess kept losing the game. She threw her cards down in frustration, clearly annoyed.
I started to think that the one who tore up their cards in anger in my memory wasn’t Carla—but actually the young marquessess, Pides.
She got up from her table and came over to mine. I adjusted my posture and pretended not to notice her. A shadow fell over my head, and without turning around, I found myself sarcastically blurting out:
“You spoke so confidently, but you sure got loud when you were losing. I could hear you all the way from here.”
“I played fifteen rounds and lost every single one. Isn’t that suspicious?”
“Maybe you were just unlucky.”
“You really don’t trust your sister, do you?”
“Hmph.”
Talking back and forth with Pides felt like chatting with an old friend—even though this was only the second time we’d met.
I flipped over my last card. I didn’t have a single knight card, and Atlas, my opponent, chuckled as he said:
“Games are for fun, after all. Oh dear, I said that and still ended up winning.”
He laid down his cards cheerfully. That made it four wins out of five for him.
Only the first game—possibly out of beginner’s luck or him going easy on me—was my win.
My necklace, bracelet, and two hairpins all went over to Atlas. But I didn’t feel too bad. I had used the Count’s money to buy them, anyway.
“Well, I learned a lot. I’ll consider it the tuition fee.”
“There are more ways to enjoy games than just playing.”
Atlas must have thought I was upset. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his palm.
“Like what?”
“You can bet on the players. Bet on who will win or who will lose—it’s entertaining either way.”
“Oh my, isn’t that difficult?”
“You’ll get the hang of it after a few tries.”
Honestly, betting on someone else would probably give me a better chance of winning than playing myself.
Standing behind me, Pides crossed her arms and raised one hand high in the air—probably suggesting that I should bet on her.
Given how much she’d been losing, I wasn’t sure where her confidence came from.
“You said I could bet on who loses, right?”
“Of course.”
I sat back in my chair and nodded toward the young marquessess. It was a bit arrogant, but since she was Carla’s sister, the others wouldn’t mind.
“Then I’ll bet that she definitely loses the next game.”
“Come on, Sis.”
“I’m just investing where the odds are better.”
“Aren’t games supposed to be about taking risks?”
“Not for me.”
Atlas laughed and joined in.
“You two sure seem close.”
“I’m glad it looks that way.”
“Haha… Actually, she doesn’t usually lose this badly. Maybe she’s just nervous today.”
Unlike what I’d heard from Baron Yvon, Atlas seemed timid and overly cautious. If I hadn’t heard about him beforehand, I would’ve just assumed he was a gentle weakling.
“That’s part of her skill, too.”
“Aren’t you being a bit too cold to me? I usually win more often than this.”
“Well, if you lost today, then that’s your skill showing too. Accept it.”
“Just like how you’re not good at playing games?”
As their banter got a bit sharp, Atlas awkwardly stepped back.
“Uh, I think I’ll go try a different game now. Haha. Have fun!”
Once he was out of earshot, Pides leaned in and whispered:
“What are you trying to do here?”
“This has nothing to do with you.”
She pouted again. It made her look younger somehow. Seeing that, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to explain a little—leaving out the part about Baron Yvon.
“You tried to get closer to Atlas through card games? That’s ridiculous.”
“If you hadn’t interrupted, I might’ve gotten closer.”
“That’s not like you. It was a dumb idea. You’d have gone bankrupt before anything happened.”
“I can’t argue with that.”
After losing so many games, I had to agree. I replied lightly, and she suddenly spoke seriously:
“That pig is dangerous.”
“Pig?”
“The guy who invited you here. He’s totally spineless around strong people but acts like a tyrant to anyone weaker. He’s worse than your husband. You shouldn’t hang around him—try another party.”
“That’s not your business.”
This time, I was the one pouting. It’s true that I didn’t actually want to get close to Atlas, but I didn’t want to hear that from my little sister.
“And you keep playing games you keep losing—”
Then a thought hit me.
No way… this isn’t a drama or movie…
I shook my head to dismiss the ridiculous idea. But the way she exaggerated every loss and kept making a scene… it was suspicious.
I crooked a finger at her, and she leaned in, bringing her ear close. She wasn’t much taller than Carla, yet she acted like she was speaking to someone way smaller. I pushed down my irritation and whispered my thoughts into her ear.
“See? I knew you’d figure it out.”
She didn’t deny it.
“Can you tweak your plan a little?”
I didn’t come here to make money, but if an opportunity like this showed up, I wasn’t going to waste it.
Now that I understood Atlas a bit more, using the remaining time to fill my pockets didn’t sound like a bad idea. Getting close to him could wait.
I leaned toward her ear again and whispered:
“Alright. Just trust me.”
She grinned mischievously. Her eyes curved in a way that looked just like Carla’s reflection in the mirror.
Betting on someone else was easy. You just told the attendant at each table. They kept track of how much was bet on whom and for each round.
“I’ll bet that the young marquessess loses.”
“You’re betting on her to lose, ma’am?”
At first, the staff seemed confused, but after a few rounds, they got used to it.
“On the loser.”
Even without saying who I meant, they wrote it down right away. That made me smile.
“What about the next round?”
“The same again.”
“Sis, don’t you believe in me?”
“No.”
“This time’s different. Trust your cute little sister.”
She scowled as she fidgeted with her cards, making the other nobles around us chuckle.
“She’s pleading so sweetly. Maybe support her just once?”
“Oh dear, but winning and losing should be handled logically, shouldn’t it?”
Atlas grinned, clearly enjoying the show. He definitely saw us as easy targets.
Pides exaggerated her frustration but kept playing. And, of course, she lost again. She pressed her hands together and said:
“Oh great being, please help your servant.”
The gesture was elegant, but completely out of place at a game table. It was her signal.
Can I trust her?
Logically, I knew trusting her was foolish. But something in me whispered to believe.
I swallowed and walked over to the attendant.
“I’m going to bet the same total amount as all my previous bets—on her to win this time.”
The attendant did a quick calculation. I hadn’t bet big each time, but altogether, it added up to quite a sum. Atlas nodded after confirming it.
“Haha, this time you’re betting on her to win? I’m sure she’ll be happy.”
Atlas was charming in the worst way. He’d talk endlessly if given the chance.
“She kept begging, so as her older sister, I couldn’t ignore it.”
“You two are so close.”
His smile stretched uncomfortably wide. He clearly thought she was about to lose again. But we’d see about that.
Pides dragged out the game. The tension grew as cards were drawn and discarded. Other nobles who’d finished their games came over to watch. The area around the table got crowded.
“If you put that card down now, you’ll regret it.”
“Empty threats don’t work on me.”
From anyone’s point of view, Pides had a bad hand. She needed one special card to complete the best combination—but she didn’t have any nobles.
Meanwhile, her opponent had a weak set, but it was already a valid combo.
“I’m placing this card. Face-down.”
“Thanks for the favor. I won’t keep you waiting too long.”
Pides shrugged and drew a card. Instantly, the onlookers’ expressions changed. They didn’t speak, but the air was filled with excitement.
Did she really just draw that card now?
The card was the Diamond Noble. It completed her set. She placed her hand face-down on the table.
Her opponent tried bluffing.
“I’ll give you a chance. You can still fold.”
“Once is enough for a favor.”
They flipped their cards at the same time—and the crowd erupted.
“Congratulations!”
“Incredible luck!”
“She must really be blessed!”
The young marquessess soaked up the attention and strutted toward me. Despite her smug face, she looked adorable—like a little kid.
“See that? That’s my skill.”
“Or maybe someone up there finally stepped in to help.”
We moved away to a quieter area. The crowd lost interest and dispersed to watch other games.
