When I Finished Playing the Terminally-Ill Villainous Omega C38

Chapter 38

Locke took the parasol from the Marquis’s servant.

The servant immediately stepped back several paces.

Outside of restricted areas, a family’s own servant always had priority in attending to their master, so the Marquis’s servant quietly withdrew.

“It’s hot out here.”

“When did you get here?”

“I was on my way to the guest wing to deliver your medicine.”

“There wasn’t much time left.”

“I happened to see you here.”

“If you’d sent word, I would’ve come to attend you immediately.”

A servant’s duty was to follow their noble master like a shadow, taking care of whatever small errands arose.

But just as I’d done back at the Count’s estate, I’d given Locke his own free time.

Since things were different now, I’d been wondering whether it was appropriate to summon him whenever I wanted—and if so, how I should do it.

So I could’ve just called him whenever I wanted to see him!

Now that Locke himself had said so…

I’m definitely calling him more often.

I moved right up beside him, grinning from ear to ear.

While I secretly celebrated my tiny victory…

The noble seated with his back to me suddenly conceded the match and stood.

Judging by the empty hourglass, his allotted time had run out.

“I lose.”

“As expected of the Chess Master personally recognized by His Majesty the Emperor.”

As the victor collected the jewel resting on the table, he addressed the surrounding crowd.

“Does anyone else wish to challenge me?”

“If someone can overturn this board…”

“I’ll give them this jewel…”

“And one additional gift.”

A person wearing an extravagant wide-brimmed hat asked,

“What sort of gift?”

“That depends on the winner.”

“If it’s a lady…”

“It may be a beautiful jewel.”

“If it’s a gentleman like the one beside you…”

“Perhaps a fine sculpture.”

I remembered what Locke had said moments ago.

“What do you think?”

“Can this board really be turned around?”

“Why?”

“Do you want the jewel?”

The gem in the man’s hand was a citrine brooch the same color as Locke’s eyes.

It certainly looked beautiful.

But since I didn’t know anything about chess, I wasn’t desperate to have it.

“I do want it.”

“But I don’t covet things beyond my ability.”

“I was just wondering whether it could actually be overturned.”

At my words, Locke’s deep amber eyes shifted toward the chessboard below.

His profile was so elegant and noble that, had no one known his status, he would’ve seemed more dignified than any aristocrat gathered here.

“White was winning from the very beginning.”

“Really?”

“How?”

Unable to hide my curiosity, I stared at him.

“You move that bishop diagonally.”

“It looks as though you’re attacking the king directly…”

“But it’s actually a decoy to prepare a discovered attack.”

“The real purpose is to open a path for the queen.”

“Once the opponent senses the danger…”

“They’ll instinctively defend with the queen protecting the king.”

“Then White advances the queen to that empty square…”

As he explained, Locke casually mimed moving the chess pieces across the stone railing.

“Checkmate.”

The sun had almost set.

Yet the sunlight reflected in Locke’s eyes seemed warmer than anything else in the world.

At that moment…

I realized I’d been wrong.

His eyes were far more beautiful than the citrine brooch.

For no reason at all, my face grew warm.

“I see…”

I quickly lowered my gaze.

“The trapped king has no escape.”

“And no remaining piece can defend it.”

“Even if he tries to capture the queen…”

“He immediately falls into the knight’s and bishop’s net.”

“Ah…”

“So that’s how it works.”

Locke truly was incredible.

Despite being a servant, elegance seemed to flow naturally from him.

Though he’d never received a noble’s education, he knew more than most aristocrats.

The principles governing the world…

The rules of swordsmanship…

Even chess.

Every time, I found myself amazed by his vast knowledge.

It was another side of him I’d completely missed in my previous life, when I’d been too busy tormenting him.

“The inevitable end of an emperor who abandoned loyalty for personal gain.”

After those strangely cold words…

Locke fell silent.

The silence stretched on.

Afraid he might leave, I looked back toward the chessboard and hurriedly asked,

“By the way…”

“What do the bishop and queen pieces actually look like?”

Locke’s eyes slowly narrowed.

The warmth disappeared.

His gaze became as cold as ice.

Did I say something wrong?

Without realizing it, I shrank back a little.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“Do you see the piece wearing a bishop’s mitre?”

“That’s the bishop.”

“It can only move diagonally.”

I wanted to ask about the queen too.

But I was afraid he’d look at me like that again.

So I simply nodded.

“I see.”

“It seems…”

“My streak ends here.”

Several challengers came forward after that.

Every single one failed.

I wish Locke could participate.

He knew exactly how to win.

Yet because of his status, he couldn’t even step forward.

It felt unfair.

Normally, I would’ve chatted with Locke about all sorts of things.

But after that cold, piercing look he’d given me earlier…

My mouth refused to open.

Why is he upset?

I wish there were a system window that explained Locke’s feelings.

I kept sneaking glances at him, wondering when it would be safe to speak again.

“Are you perhaps the youngest son of House Hestian?”

A familiar voice suddenly called out.

Startled, I looked down over the railing.

A man was staring up at me.

The moment our eyes met, his face lit up like a predator spotting prey.

I frowned immediately.

It was the very same man I’d dueled at the inn.

Unlike yesterday, he now spoke with perfect noble etiquette.

Even so…

I had absolutely no desire to get involved with him.

Ugh…

“So that is the youngest son of House Hestian.”

“I’ve heard he spends most of his time at home.”

“They say he passes the time playing chess and reading books.”

“I’ve also heard he’s an outstanding chess player.”

This time, another noble I didn’t recognize addressed me.

Enjoying books?

Sure.

That part fit me.

But chess?

That was news to me.

Which meant…

It had been Cedric’s hobby before I possessed his body.

I forced an awkward laugh—

Then froze.

If chess really was Cedric’s hobby…

Oh no.

As Cedric’s personal servant…

There was no way Locke wouldn’t know that.

Only then did I finally understand the strange look he’d given me earlier.

“I’ve heard the youngest son of House Hestian possesses remarkable talent.”

“If you don’t mind…”

“Would you care to overturn this board?”

The silver-haired man looked at me with genuine interest, completely oblivious to my predicament.

Earlier I’d overheard someone call him the Chess Master acknowledged by the Emperor.

How exactly was I supposed to beat someone like that?

Is this idiot still holding a grudge because I took those rooms yesterday?

Despite his sturdy build…

He was surprisingly petty.

More importantly…

What am I supposed to tell Locke?

I needed to politely decline the noble’s invitation…

While simultaneously coming up with the perfect excuse for the still-suspicious Locke.

My brain worked furiously.

“First of all…”

“I’d like to thank everyone for recognizing me despite our meeting for the first time.”

“I am Cedric Allure Hestian…”

“The youngest son of House Hestian.”

“As some of you may already know…”

“I’ve suffered from a chronic illness for many years.”

“My memory isn’t what it used to be.”

“I’ve also been unable to keep up my hobbies.”

“I’m afraid that if I step forward…”

“I’ll only inconvenience everyone present.”

It was the strongest defense I could come up with.

I politely bowed to the gathered nobles.

“Besides…”

“My ability is no more than what one develops by amusing oneself alone in one’s room.”

“It wouldn’t even make for proper entertainment.”

“I hope you’ll kindly forgive my refusal.”

“You don’t necessarily have to solve it.”

The silver-haired man smiled gently.

“The point is simply to gather around a single puzzle and enjoy each other’s company.”

“So please…”

“Feel free to try.”

He politely gestured toward the empty seat waiting before the chessboard.

I don’t feel free at all!

I’ve refused this much already! Just let it go!

Refusing any further would ruin the atmosphere.

Worse…

It would be rude.

The silver-haired noble had been nothing but courteous.

Turning him down now would only damage my own reputation.

Left with no choice, I gave a small nod and headed toward the stairs.

The forced smile on my face trembled at the corners.

Diagonal bishop.

Move the queen.

I silently repeated Locke’s instructions over and over.

Just then…

He quietly followed me.

Gently tugging at my sleeve, he stepped close enough that the Marquis’s servant couldn’t see.

Tilting the parasol to shield us…

He took my open hand and traced a shape across my palm.

A crown…

With a small round ornament on top.

“The queen.”

I looked up in surprise.

“Just pretend you solved it yourself.”

“I’d like to see what sort of gift he’ll give you.”

The suspicion had disappeared from his face.

Peace instantly returned to my heart.

I nodded eagerly.

When this is over…

I’ll thank him.

And I’ll give him the citrine brooch as my prize.

Filled with excitement, I hurried down the stairs.

“Oh my…”

“He’s so terribly thin.”

“That reminds me of the lilac sapling my wife planted.”

“It looks as though it’s come to life and started walking.”

“Shh.”

“He’ll hear you.”

I’d expected people to comment on my appearance.

So it didn’t hurt too much.

…Well.

Even a small wound was still a wound.

The nobles whispered among themselves while making way for me.

Enduring countless curious stares, I sat across from the silver-haired man and looked down at the chessboard.

“Do you think he can actually solve it?”

“He admitted himself that he isn’t what he used to be.”

“If even Count Chelsea couldn’t solve it…”

“How could that young master possibly succeed?”

“Should we place bets?”

“Can you even call it betting?”

“His opponent is the Chess Master personally acknowledged by His Majesty.”

No one expected much from me.

I only wanted to move the pieces exactly as Locke had instructed…

Then hurry back to his side.