The Duke's Secrets

Chapter 12 - Sacrifice

"...and that's checkmate, Elizabeth," the Duke declared, toppling her king. "Impressive game all around. Your progress over the past month is clear. At this pace, a victory might arrive in, oh, let's say, ten months?"

During the game, the Duke had already altered his mask to cover only his eyes, allowing Elizabeth to see the cocky grin plastered over his face as their gazes met.

"Where did I go wrong?" Elizabeth sighed, disappointed.

With a snap, the chess pieces sprang to life, rearranging themselves—a familiar routine for Elizabeth, as the Duke would do this after every practice session to explain precisely the move that doomed her.

"Your 12th move, when you decided not to sacrifice your knight to capture my bishop," the Duke explained. "Your hesitation to sacrifice blinds your view of the bigger picture. Sometimes, only through loss can one gain something...more. Remember that, Elizabeth."

"Sounds like you're not talking about chess anymore..."

"Perhaps," the Duke chuckled, snapping the pieces back to their final positions.

Elizabeth absorbed the Duke's advice as she analyzed the board. He was right, as usual. Her hesitation had proven costly, allowing the Duke to ravage her forces in a relentless assault as he moved without a single pause, predicting her every move effortlessly.

"Don't look so down," the Duke said, making Elizabeth glance back up. "You'll get another chance in one month's time. Ask Lemon for some pointers. Though she may not seem like it, she's quite skilled at this game."

"As skilled as you?" Elizabeth questioned.

"No," the Duke grinned. "But she's surpassed any child her age and even exceeds some adults. Plus, she's taken a liking to you, partly because she still thinks you're a princess—but only partly. The rest is just, well, you."

Elizabeth's cheeks warmed slightly. The Duke's words felt somewhat, flirtatious, but she brushed it off, knowing it was just his unusual way of speaking.

"Why does she think I'm a princess?"

"Ah..." the Duke inadvertently let slip as he sat up.

"Ah? So you know why? She mentioned Grace told her. But I can't see why she'd lie."

"That's...partially my fault," the Duke confessed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Lemon saw me carrying you into the castle...well, after, you know. Seeing that and knowing you needed rest, Grace and I concocted the story that you were a Sleeping Princess so she wouldn't disturb your recovery by entering your room. But our little lie worked a bit too well."

"That's adorable!" Elizabeth cried.

"Yes, although I should warn you—when she eventually asks you to sleep with her, be careful. Once you agree, she'll magically appear whenever she wants. And she'll get her way."

"I doubt I'd mind."

"Everyone thinks that until Lemon wakes you up with a kick," the Duke groaned, prompting a small chuckle from Elizabeth.

"Can I ask why you call her Lemon? Celestia is such a lovely name."

"Thank you! She insisted on being called Lemon because her hair color resembles a lemon. I tried to fight against it, considering it originally took me a week to settle on her name. But there was no winning that battle—as stubborn as her mother that one. Though you didn't hear that part from me."

"You sure you're not her father?" Elizabeth teased, laughing.

"Not a chance! Lilith has no interest in men. Nor do I have any interest in her like that," the Duke shivered at the idea.