Everyone hides their faces, but this is not the case for the legions of scantily clad handsome men. Lacius glanced in that direction and hugged my waist tightly, as if showing off.
“They are like eye candy for the guests.”
“Eh, eye candy?”
“Yeah.”
“Like the cherry on top of the cake, or something?”
“… They’re just attendants. Merely personnel arranged to attract attention.”
Lacius’ jaw tightened at my analogy. It was clear he didn’t like it one bit. Realizing he was jealous, I snickered.
“Hey, that one over there is cute, isn’t he?”
“… I see a piece of wood.”
“Oh gosh, my man. You got bad eyesight. What about him? He’s got some nice muscles, doesn’t he?”
Even though Lacius knew that I was doing this on purpose, he did not relax his jaw. Instead, he hugged my waist more tightly and whispered.
“It seems like my fiancée thinks I’m not enough.”
“Oh, Lacius. You’re so bold. Everyone’s watching.”
His thick fingers teased around my iliac crest. I slapped his hand away and deliberately took a step forward, escaping from Lacius’ embrace. Of course, it wasn’t because I really disliked it. It was to tease him.
“You’re killing me.”
Lacius groaned, looking at me. His eyes, hooded beneath the sugar mask, glimmered dangerously. It was his sensual side that always showed up just before he pounced on me.
‘You can’t do that here, though.’
I stuck my tongue out at him and spun on my heel. I then ran towards the area where people were engrossed in a money game.
“Go or stop?”
“Go! All in!”
“You’re quite bold. All in it is.”
Eh? But that was then.
I stopped dead in my tracks at the familiar voice that tugged at my ears. He’s wearing a wig and a disguise of his own, but somehow I recognize him. In particular, that dignified appearance, potbellied stomach, and jovial personality were not something that could be hidden by disguising.
“No way… … .”
As I stood silently, Lacius approached, equally speechless. But both of us had the same thought simultaneously.
‘His Majesty, the Emperor of Terran!’
I thought it was impossible, but the impossible happened. I took a look at His Majesty the Emperor, who was very happy after winning the stake, and a look at the bald man next to him.
“That over there….”
“The Chancellor.”
“… Right?”
Poor Chancellor. How did he end up being dragged here with all his work?
At first, I shook my head in disbelief. But hearing the Emperor’s hearty laughter, I felt a growing urge to join the game.
“Where do you change money?”
“Over there. I’ll go.”
“Then I’ll stay by this table.”
Did I mention that the rule here is to pretend you don’t know each other, even if you know each other’s identities? I walked leisurely and approached the game table, blending in with the other spectators.
“Why is it so hard to match these cards?”
“Indeed, it’s not easy.”
“Is it a game of chance?”
Onlookers whispered among themselves while sipping champagne.
“Yay! Godori!”
The chancellor shouted excitedly, jumping to his feet. He seemed to be losing consistently until now, having the fewest chips among the participants.
“Shay.”
“You’re back?”
After a while.
Lacius placed a chip in my hand. I was puzzled at first because there was only one, but then the chatter around me intensified.
“That, that’s…!”
“Isn’t that the legendary chip?”
“The one that’s worth an entire estate…!”
People were making so much noise that even His Majesty the Emperor and the Prime Minister couldn’t help but look at me. Their eyes, behind the unmeltable chocolate masks, lit up with recognition. They knew who I was instantly.
“Well, well. With a chip like that, I can’t refuse a game.”
“… Didn’t you say you’d leave after this round?”
“Hm. When luck is this good, you have to play with the one holding that amazing chip. How do I know I won’t win?”
With the Emperor’s cheeky comment, the Chancellor sighed. Perhaps because it is a private place, they speak informally to each other without hesitation. It was nice to see it because it shows their close bond.
“I’d rather sit out this round.”
“Ayy, it seems you’ve become timid with age. Winning could mean an entire estate!”
“… An estate.”
“Yes, an entire estate. An estate in the countryside you can pass on to your children, and an estate where you can retire comfortably!
The Chancellor tried to back out, but the Emperor kept discouraging him. While slyly coaxing him, the chancellor’s pupils danced like a popping performance. It seemed clear why the chancellor was here at this time today.
“I accept that challenge with enthusiasm.”
I didn’t miss the opportunity, and I sat down with a smile on my face. A much larger number of onlookers than before gathered around us. The chip I held was worth hundreds of millions, as it was said to be worth an estate. It was a very reasonable price for my first appearance as the person holding the overall operating rights of the Makarten Casino.
“Are there any more participants?”
Silence.
“If there is none, the game will begin.”
The dealer’s words were followed by a clatter. The cards were mixed. What used to be played on a grass-colored army blanket is now a very classy affair. The dealer dealt out the hands one by one, and the onlookers gulped unnecessarily as they stole glances at the Emperor’s and the Chancellor’s hands.
If I win these chips, it’s a jackpot, but if I lose, it’s an instant disaster. You need to have money to pay up for the game to proceed. Before I lifted my share of the cards, I casually tossed the chip onto the table.
“Let’s begin.”
For the price of an estate, the battle began.
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