“Checkmate again, brother.”
Kassian gritted his teeth, looking up at Yulien, who smiled like someone who had beaten him four times in a row. It wasn’t a condescending smile, but it clearly said, ‘Are you a masochist?’ loud and clear, considering Kassian had been the one to ask for all of those rematches. And while Yulien was the one who mainly talked throughout the game, his moves were always bold and decisive, like seeing through Kassian’s plays and traps was no big deal. “One more?”
“I don’t think my pride can handle it,” Kassian sighed, leaning back in his chair. The council meeting had finished sooner than expected since the Emperor didn’t attend due to his declining health, so Yulien had baited him with a promise of food and drinks. What really sold it for Kassian was the fact that
