To My Beloved, I Present My Exquisite Nightmare (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 102

Laila stared intently at the checkered board—or more precisely, at the pieces placed upon it—without blinking even once, as if locked in a fierce staring contest.

Mel, seated across from her, giggled and said,

“Miss Chrisrad, you should breathe while playing the game.”

At that, Laila let out an exaggerated sigh, and Mel burst into even louder laughter. After staring at the board for a long while, Laila finally slumped her shoulders and pouted.

“You’re just too good, Mel.”

Mel replied in a voice tinged with amusement,

“You only learned how to play this today, Lady Laila. You’ll soon surpass me.”

The game they were playing was called “Lambrale,” an ancient pastime.

Two players each took brown and blue pieces, placing them on the checkered board to capture each other’s pieces and expand their own territory—or “house.” The player who controlled less space when no more moves or pieces remained would lose.

After learning the rules, Laila had played two rounds against Mel and struggled throughout both.

In the third round, she seemed to start off strongly at first, but perhaps that had been a mistake—by mid-game, something felt off, and eventually she ended up staring fixedly at the board, forgetting even to breathe.

“Take the fifth stone from the right.”

A soft whisper reached Laila’s ear as she agonized over her move. Startled, she turned her head to find Mel, who had already known Eustar had arrived, covering her lips with the back of her hand and grinning mischievously.

Laila turned back to Mel and feigned an offended expression.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

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