After getting advice from the Duke, I tried to make the most out of the pawns, but they still lagged behind. Even if I took enough time to think, later on, I would still get caught due to the pawns.

“The pawns have to be utilized well so they don’t lag behind.”

I arranged the pieces for the fourth game.

“Utilizing pawns? That’s easy.”

Roger raised his head confidently.

“Easy, you say?”

“Just put them in front. They only move forward anyway.”

“Roger, you just said one of the thousand reasons you lose to me.”

“What?”

Roger instantly got heated.

Telling me, who always played cautiously, to play recklessly was absurd. I ignored Roger’s words and looked at the chessboard.

“If you don’t know, you should look at the game record that Baron Kito gave. It might have the solution.”

“That sounds good.”

I took out the game record I had hidden in the desk drawer. Even though I look at the Baron’s game record every day, there were always new moves. So, Roger’s point about finding a solution in this game record could be valid.

I carefully examined the game record. I was searching for a solution, but I felt somewhat disheartened by the moves that were almost perfect.

“Could Baron Kito actually be a god of chess?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

When will I ever be like Baron Kito?

Even if I’m young now, I’m practically an adult. I sometimes doubted if I could advance further here.

“Why did Baron Kito take me as his disciple?”

With a tone mixed with selfmockery, Roger quickly moved a pawn and started the game.

“Because you have talent, obviously.”

“You’re saying this? You used to say the Duke took me as his disciple to keep the Marsen family, which didn’t get along with him, in check.”

“That was in the past.”

Roger glared at me as if asking when I would stop talking about the past.

“I haven’t seen the Baron in a long time. I couldn’t go to the Duke’s place. What if this talent isn’t enough, and I falter later on?”

“I don’t think the Baron seems to worry about that.”

“He’s not worried?”

My ears perked up at Roger’s words.

“Didn’t I tell you? The Baron and the Duke bragged about you. They bragged so much, I thought you were their son.”

“…They are kind people.”

“On the contrary, think about it. They recognize your limitless talent. To be honest, I was a bit jealous. I had a worthless master at one point, but he never praised me.”

Roger seemed to recall that time, his expression hardened.

“He was a real bastard. Still is, actually.”

“….”
“And now, speaking without reservation, I no longer doubt either Baron Keto or Duke Fenton. I felt their sincerity toward you while you were away and I visited the Duke’s house.”

“……”

“Now, it’s your turn, Lise.”

Roger said, tapping the chessboard lightly.

Wondering if I had said something unnecessary to Roger, I turned my gaze to the chessboard.

I had to overcome my limitations and doubts, rather than wallowing in remorse and selfblame. I pondered on the pawn, contemplating whether to do as Roger suggested, but found myself torn again.

“Lise, there’s someon……”

“Shush. Keep it down.”

“No, it seems like someone’s here.”

My concentration broke, and I looked behind. I could see a shadow between the cracks of the door, but I couldn’t tell who it was. Was it the twins who had come for fun, or Bernard or Felicia seeking to get closer to Roger?

“Who is it?”

“……”

“What are you doing? Just open the do……”

As I spoke, the door slowly opened. My eyes met with those of Isabelle, who stood expressionless in the doorway. She looked down at me, who was holding a chess piece.

“Um, mother?”

It was really Isabelle.

“……Si, since when.”

I was doomed.

My heart pounded. How long had Isabelle been standing at the door? Did she overhear the entire conversation Roger and I had?

“What are you doing?”

At Isabelle’s dry voice, I dropped the chess piece. Roger glanced at my puzzled face and stepped in front of me.

“Ah, well, my lady. I suggested we play chess. Lise didn’t want to, but I was so bored……”

Roger’s lie was better than before, but it was still unsettling. Unaware of Isabelle’s eyes growing colder, Roger stammered through his words.

Even my skilled lies couldn’t fool Isabelle; Roger’s certainly wouldn’t.

“Mother, we were just playing chess. Just like other children do.”

“……”

“It’s just a game. We were only playing……”

“Lise.”

Isabelle cut me off midsentence.

Stuck for words, I looked at Isabelle, who moved her lips.

Then it happened. The entrance became noisy.

It seemed that my father, who had been at work, had returned, and the servants also became busy. Back in the mansion, my father raised his voice, scolding the servants and employees.

“Let’s talk about this later.”

Isabelle said that and turned her back. The dropped chess piece rolled over and touched my foot.

“Li, Lise, are you okay?”

Am I okay?

No, not at all.

“It’s over.”

I might never play chess again, possibly forever.