✓ | REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [Book One]

CHAPTER 17

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[ C H A P T E R 17 ]

LATISHA VALENTINE

Four Clover Knight Laphel Flyn Wagner is the Duke's most trusted tactician. His brain is his asset and he strategizes most of the Duchy's defenses. Mahirap siyang kalabanin sa mind games dahil wala pang nilalang na nakakatalo sa kanya. Whoever dares compete with him will end up crying, although let's see if I will literally end up crying or he will.

Sir Laphel was seated on a single couch opposite to mine, while there was a chessboard on the marble table separating us. Malalim ang kanyang tingin sa chessboard na parang iniisip ang milyon-milyong stratehiya ng bawat chess piece na natira. While I was just casually sipping my tea, hindering myself from grinning because I know whatever move he will make, he will lose.

Nasa second floor ang Commander ng mga Kabalyero, habang kasama niya si sir Logan na nakapatong sa railing, at si Sir Wince na may hawak na ice pack. Dinapuan ko sila ng tingin paminsan-minsan. Sir Hasan is with us in the living room, while my husband is comfortably seated at the far end, behind Sir Laphel. Erwan left and I don't know where he went.

Tuwing nakatingin ako kay Roshan ay hindi ko nakalimutan na bigyan siya ng libong-libong palaso gamit ang aking mga mata. He should be reminded every time that we had unfinished business, and until now I still haven't received an explanation as to why this is happening.

"Ang tagal naman," bulong ko at bahagyang nag-angat ng tingin si Sir Laphel para tingnan ako, kaya't napilitan akong ngumiti. "I am getting bored, Sir. Please, move at least one."

Sir Laphel let out a scorn. He moved his spine to stretch his backbone. "Are you confident that you are winning? I will never lose in this game, your grace."

I fake a smile as a response. To be honest, tinatamad na talaga ako sa ginagawa namin. We had been sitting here for more than an hour already, and I had eaten more than half of his chess pieces while he had eaten half of mine. Any move is great but he knew I could counter them effortlessly. He is being decisive and calculative at this point, while I was just aiming to win because I want to see Annika.

His eyebrows began to cross as his eyes never left the table. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako at binaba ang hawak kong tasa saka tumayo. Nagulat ang Knight sa ginawa ko pero wala talaga akong balak manatili pa rito ng isang minuto.

"I withdraw," I said confidently, which made their mouths gape. "I know the condition is to win against four in order for me to see Annika, but I have a throbbing headache from earlier, so please excuse me."

Sir Laphel said something but I didn't focus my ear on hearing what it was. Umalis ako ng living room at diretsong tinungo ang daan papunta sa guess area. Pagkasara ko pa lang ng pinto ay napahawak na agad ako sa aking ulo. I wasn't kidding that my head is aching, because it literally is.

Napilitan akong gumising kanina dahil nahimatay ako, at agad naman akong sinabak ni Roshan sa isang chess competition. My brain doesn't have much time to heal from the last fight I had and my body is reacting from the pain. Umakting lang talaga akong kalmado kahit gusto ko ng humilata sa sahig dahil sa sakit.

I felt pain at the side of my waist. Ramdam ko na parang namamaga 'yon dahil ilang beses akong sinipa ni Sir Wince sa tiyan. Nababanas nga ako e, may gana pa siyang magreklamo sa nabali niyang ilong kung halos patayin na niya ako kanina.