Before being betrayed by Lee Ki-Young, Commander Jin had been searching for people he thought were of his own kind. The reason he took an interest in me back in Laios was that he hoped I was the same person as him.
The reason he suddenly suggested that stupid game and made a bet was all part of confirming whether I could become someone like him.
Since First Life Commander Jin never got to work with me, he had been spending even more time searching for someone of his kind. With that in mind, it was no surprise that Marquis Jayce showed interest in Aina Peneloti.
Of course, that interest had nothing to do with affection between a man and a woman.
'I mean, come on... Is that bastard even capable of liking someone?’
Had he ever experienced a love full of passion? Unlike the romantic Ji-Hye noona, Commander Jin was the type to never throw himself into the chemical reaction created by hormones.
If I were asked to choose who among those I knew was the furthest from romance, I'd pick that guy without any hesitation.
People like us were generally like that, but Commander Jin was narcissistic, so it seemed like he was designed to be incapable of loving anyone but himself.
That was why it was even more suspicious. I was talking about the faint hint of affection in his eyes.
Of course, the answer was obvious.
‘Damn, I’m such a good actor.’
The calculations in my head ended in an instant. It was obvious why Commander Jin gave me such a large diamond as a gift, and why he decided to stir up a young girl’s heart by visiting her so late at night.
‘He’s trying to reel me in, isn’t he?’
He was not interested in Aina Peneloti as a woman, but as a person. No, it wasn't just interest. It could be called "possessiveness." A lowly desire to own something that could be of his kind. He probably felt something similar when he first saw Jung Ha-Yan.
The situation and the feelings involved were different, but still...
‘This piece of trash, damn it. I just can’t forgive him.’
He was trying to seduce an innocent lady and make her his ally. It was obvious. Even though I couldn’t refuse the big diamond necklace and ended up accepting it, it was far too much to be just a visiting gift for the salon.
He even changed clothes before his visit. I expected him to just stop by, play the rest of our paused chess game, and leave, but this was much more serious. Though it looked like he was following the basic etiquette and decorum for visiting a lady’s salon, Marquis Jayce’s face was filled with kindness and affection toward me.
‘It hasn’t been that long since we met, damn it. There’s no way a guy like him will fall in love at first sight. It’s all an act, damn it.’
However, the young ladies believed in this kind of fantasy-like love. Seeing the emotion in Marquis Jayce’s eyes, they held each other’s hands tightly and exchanged whispers loud enough for everyone to hear.
“T-this is insane. Completely insane. Did you see his eyes? Did you? And that necklace—my god! Sure, it’s his first visit to the salon, but isn’t that gift way too much? I’ve never seen anything like this. Is this... a proposal? A revolutionary proposal?” Lady Pastel asked, looking excited.
“I-is she really going to become the Marchioness Jayce? Isn’t it a bit too soon? Is Peneloti... really going through with this?” Lady Palette asked.
“Phew... Marquis Jayce seems completely smitten. Well, I can’t blame him. Lady Peneloti really is beautiful...” Lady Paint commented.
“I’m so sorry, Lady Paint. But please... just one last cigarette...”
‘Ah, for god’s sake, it’s the cigarette villain again...’
“Shh! Don’t say something ridiculous, just sit down,” Lady Brush scolded.
‘Still, aren’t they staring a little too much?’
Given the customs of this time, a man and woman couldn’t be left alone together.
Since even relatives couldn’t remain inside the salon, the young ladies had withdrawn to what they thought was a nonintrusive distance to observe us, but it wasn’t really nonintrusive at all.
The sofa where they sat and the table where Commander Jin and I were sitting were far apart, yet I was sure they could definitely see our expressions and even overhear our conversation.
‘How do the nobles of the Union of Kingdoms even go on a date?’
It was fine because they were friends, but if their parents had been sitting there instead, how could anyone talk with a straight face?
Still, this was normal here. The four young ladies seemed perfectly used to it, and Commander Jin seemed used to it as well, so it felt like I was the only fool being self-conscious.
The introductions were already over, and the guy took his seat and carefully greeted me before saying, “First of all, I want to apologize for visiting at such a late hour."
“Oh no, not at all. It’s an honor that you’ve come to my salon,” I told him.
“...”
“But, um... regarding the reason for your visit, is it because of the game?” I asked.
“That’s certainly one of the reasons, but...” Marquis Jayce trailed off.
“Yes?” I asked.
“It’s not the only reason,” he continued.
I caught sight of him smiling. It was the kind of smile only someone who knew he was good-looking could pull off. A devil’s smile meant to charm an ignorant and innocent young lady. A smile from a man who knew his looks and charm would work on them.
‘Damn it, I knew this would happen.’
“Ah!”
He flirted with me without a moment’s hesitation. Based on the lore, Aina Peneloti had zero experience when it came to something like this.
She had never even seen anyone express affection toward her so directly, so her flustered reaction was only natural.
She couldn’t help but bow to hide her flushed face, but there was no way to hide the redness spreading to her ears. First Life Commander Jin was probably nodding to himself as he watched Peneloti’s reddened ears, fully aware of what he’d done.
“Ah... I mean... I-I-I-I...” I stuttered.
“There’s no need to feel so pressured. I didn’t say that to make you uncomfortable,” Marquis Jayce reassured me.
“...”
“The debutante ball lasts for quite a while,” Marquis Jayce said.
“Pardon? Ah... yes... it is... quite long...” I mumbled.
“You’ll have time to speak with many people and learn more about yourself,” he said.
“Um... I-I’m not really good at that sort of thing...” I answered.
“But when the day comes for you to make a decision... I just hope you’ll remember that I’ve come to care for you deeply,” Marquis Jayce requested.
‘What an absurd level of confidence. Is he saying that no matter who I dance with, he’ll outshine them all?’
What an insufferable bastard...
“By the way... when did you start playing chess?” he asked.
“Ah... I started when I was little,” I answered.
“Did you ever have formal lessons?” he asked.
“No, I... didn’t have the chance. I just learned by studying the basics,” I answered.
“By yourself?” he asked.
“Yes. At first, some of the household staff played with me occasionally, but later that wasn’t possible anymore... To be precise, I studied from a book called The Beginning and End of Chess. Do you happen to know it?” I asked.
“Of course. It’s an excellent book for beginners. I’ve even played a game with its author, Viscount Seitrice,” he replied.
“Ah!!! Really? I’m a fan of his!” I said excitedly.
“Hahaha, is that so?” he replied.
Naturally, the conversation flowed smoothly after that. Marquis Jayce was treating what was supposed to be a casual meeting as a serious encounter, and it was enough to make the atmosphere slightly awkward.
He even made slightly embarrassing remarks.
“Ah... I, um... I’ve never really thought about it seriously before, but... I do hope to have a big family someday... and have as many children as possible. As long as I have the strength to raise them...” Marquis Jayce confessed.
“Is that so?” I asked.
He expressed his plans of having a family. Since this was a meeting for a potential arranged marriage rather than mere romance, such conversations felt almost like a formality.
Matters like future children were far too important to be seen as inappropriate. If this had been an ordinary meeting between a man and a woman, he certainly wouldn’t have brought up something like that. In the context of this time period, however, asking about the future meant he was seriously envisioning one with me.
He told me more about himself, and he asked me what kind of vision Aina Peneloti had as the potential lady of the house. He also told me what he could provide. Of course, these were just the basics.
Of course, even for a formal meeting, things were progressing pretty fast. Still, his smooth conversational skills made even such unsettling questions feel natural, allowing me to respond without too much embarrassment.
It became clear again that he wasn’t socially inept. He simply knew when and how to act. Of course, not every question could be answered.
‘If I appear too capable, that'll be weird.’
“I-I’m sorry. Honestly, I’ve never thought about marrying into such a prestigious family like the House of Jayce, and... to be honest, my education is lacking, so I don’t know much about your family either... I’m truly sorry!” I shouted.
“It’s quite all right, my lady. None of my questions was meant to test your knowledge, refinement, intellect, or ability. I simply wanted to show you my sincerity,” he said.
‘You bastard. You’re really going all out, aren’t you?’
'So this is your plan—you'll lure me in, and then you'll reveal that you’re the commander of the Republic. Then, you'll make me a hostage of your love, and then you'll use me as your tactical and administrative retainer. Am I right?'
Every single thing this bastard had done was aimed at seducing an innocent young lady trapped within her family’s high walls, so how could I not be suspicious of him? Knowing Jin Cheong’s true nature made every bit of his act feel disgustingly fake.
Of course, even while putting on this performance, he would always serve his own selfish goals—the real reason he came all the way here.
“How about it? Shall we... play that game from earlier...?” Marquis Jayce suggested.
“Ah... right. But, well, there’s a problem. I actually... forgot the record of the board... That’s never happened before...” I mumbled.
“I remember them, but... well... it probably doesn’t matter now,” he said.
‘Right. It’s cooled off, hasn’t it?’
Aina Peneloti no longer felt any interest in the game that had already ended. In fact, she didn’t even have the composure to play chess anymore. Forgetting the record of the board was the biggest proof of that.
The unlucky Marquis Jayce realized that Aina Peneloti was feeling flustered because of their meeting, and he revealed a faint smile at the realization. His face told me that he was thinking about making this encounter a bit more successful.
Just then, he pulled out a move that could satisfy both of us.
“Then how about this? We could enjoy a game I’ve prepared,” he suggested.
“This is...”
“It’s a simple pastime. Think of it like chess or janggi[ref[Korean chess[/ref]. Though it’s a little more complex... I’m sure you’ll understand it easily. Let me explain—” he offered.
“No. I think I get the gist of it,” I said, interrupting him.
Aina Peneloti’s hidden charm was activated—it was time to be a cold genius!
“Pardon?”
“I understand it roughly. The board reflects real terrain... and the composition of the pieces is interesting. The fact that supply lines are needed is fascinating, too. The side that captures the king first wins, right?” I asked.
“That’s right,” he answered.
“Then please just explain the special rules I need to know while we play,” I requested.
“Of course.”
‘His eyes actually changed.’
The naive and awkward girl who blushed when talking about her future children was no longer around. Marquis Jayce was now staring at the same monster from the ballroom.
The one who tore into her prey’s throat and toyed with her victims before murdering them. He probably thought that this was Aina Peneloti’s true nature, which was hidden deep within her. No, it was a unique habit unknown to even Lady Peneloti herself.
Aina Peneloti's eyes didn’t blink even once as she focused on the board. Back when she played this game in Laios, she was ruthlessly stomped on by a seasoned player who didn’t even bother explaining the rules.
However, Aina Peneloti was no longer the same Lee Ki-Young at the time.
‘Now that I know the rules, I’ve got a real chance at winning this.’
In addition...
"Commander Jin, help!"
— ...
"Commander Jin, please help me."
— Stop being... ridiculous.
"Just this once! It’s a fight with yourself. You can’t have a battle like this anywhere else. Doesn’t it make your heart pound?"
- You always pull the same damn stunts. This time, I’ll carry out the operation separately, so keep that in mind.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
— Don’t think I’ll fall for your filthy, childish tricks again. I’ll have my own results, so just focus on your own results. That’s all.
"What? All of a sudden?"
The communication between us was severed.
‘Wow, this bastard...’
“...”
“...”
'You really want to see me lose my mind, huh?'
‘You want to see Lady Peneloti go on a rampage?’
'Is that really what you want to see?'
Marquis Jayce—no, First Life Commander Jin smiled in satisfaction as he arranged the board before us.