The Crown's Fire - Chapter 252

Chapter 252: A Reward
Jade Palace, Kingdom of Ebodia

Greta paced back and forth inside her assigned bedchamber at Jade Palace, her mind racing with frustration. She still couldn’t fathom how things had become so complicated for her.

“All I wanted was to solve this case about the rumor regarding the Queen Regent,” she hissed, her annoyance palpable.

She had already admitted to Elijah that, deep down, she wanted that rumor to spread. However, she wasn’t foolish enough to make a move like that, knowing the fallout would land squarely on her. She was the only one who initially got that information from the palace.

“I can’t believe I fell for this trick and became the scapegoat of whoever started it!” Greta mumbled with a pout. It had been a few days already, and she felt utterly bored doing nothing at all. But then, being confined to her bedchamber was better than being in a prison cell in the dungeon.

Greta grabbed her journal where she often scribbled notes for the cases she was handling and brainstormed alone. “Tessa…” she murmured with a frown. She had a hunch that Tessa was hiding something. “But what could it be?” She had already investigated Tessa’s family and found nothing suspicious in that area.

Still, she wanted someone to monitor this servant’s movements, just to be sure, but she had no authority to give such an instruction right now. “Right, maybe I can ask Elijah for this favor,” she whispered with a frown.

She flinched when her door suddenly opened. Elijah walked in with a wide smile on his face.

“I know you’re feeling bored right now, so how about we play some board games with a bet?” he suggested, casually walking towards her table and comfortably sitting on the chair as he arranged the chessboard.

As Elijah set up the chessboard, Greta eyed him skeptically but couldn’t resist the challenge. “Board games, huh? What’s the bet?” she asked, crossing her arms.

Elijah grinned mischievously. “The winner gets to ask the loser a question, and they have to answer truthfully,” he proposed, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

Greta chuckled. “Deal,” she agreed, taking her seat opposite him. They began the game, each move calculated and sharp. Elijah’s play was strategic, and Greta found herself pleasantly surprised by his skill.

As the game progressed, tension simmered between them. Greta focused intently, her competitive spirit rising. Elijah leaned forward, his gaze locked on the board, occasionally stealing glances at Greta with a playful smirk.

Minutes turned into an hour, and the game remained evenly matched. Finally, with a decisive move, Greta captured Elijah’s rook, securing her victory. She couldn’t help but grin triumphantly.

Elijah leaned back, impressed. “Well played,” he admitted, his tone filled with admiration. “Alright, ask away.”

Greta leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Tell me, Elijah,” she began, her voice teasing, “what’s your deepest, darkest secret?”

Elijah chuckled, caught off guard by her boldness. He hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer, his voice low. “I guess you’ll find out,” he teased back, a hint of challenge in his tone.

“It’s kissing you back that night when you confessed your love for another man, Greta. That’s my darkest and deepest secret! Imagine how much of a pushover everyone will think I am if they find out about it!” Elijah confessed with a pout.

Greta’s face reddened at his words. She hadn’t expected that answer.

Elijah smiled at her. “You look adorable when you blush.”

Greta frowned, trying to hide her embarrassment. Then she quickly changed the topic and commented, “This is no fun. We should play another game.”

“Ah! I have an idea,” Elijah said as he started clearing the table of the chessboard and set out some dice. “I saw this game in the black market this morning. They were playing it there, and I thought it would be fun!”

Greta smiled as she watched him call for the servants to bring plates, bowls, and alcoholic drinks.

Lately, she had been seeing him in a different light. He was quite funny and entertaining. She noticed his efforts to make her feel better in his own way. She appreciated every little thing he did, like giving her time now, knowing she felt bored.

“Do you have much free time now?” she asked, not wanting Elijah to slack off from his duties because of her.

“Of course! Now that Atlas is back, I basically just monitor some things. He’s handling the attack on the head base of Devon’s followers with Minister Greg,” Elijah informed her.

Her eyes lit up at the good news. “They found it already? How about the man Tessa described? I’m sure he’s there!”

“Minister Greg has a lead. He’s the one who located that man, but we’re still unsure if it’s a trap,” Elijah explained.

Greta nodded and murmured, “I’m sure Great Constable Atlas will not be easily lured into a trap. I hope this will be a success!”

“It will be, so don’t worry,” Elijah reassured. Soon the servants entered with Elijah’s request. Greta chuckled and said, “What now? Are you planning to get me drunk? You know I go crazy when I’m drunk.”

Elijah had a mischievous grin as he shamelessly teased her, “That’s why you have to win every round. That way, I’ll be the one getting drunk, and you can take advantage of me all you want!”

Greta’s face turned crimson. She pursed her lips and said, “Stop that. Just explain the game, will you?”

“Oh, right. It’s easy. Here are your dice, and here are mine. Put them inside the bowl, cover it with a plate, and shake. Then, put it down on the table and open it. Whoever gets the lower number drinks a cup of wine! Or do you prefer beer?”

“Wine…” Greta commented. “By the way, can you do me a favor?” she suddenly said, recalling her plan to have Tessa tailed.

“Of course!” Elijah answered with a grin.

“And what will you ask in return?” Greta questioned with a raised brow.

“Hmm, a kiss on the cheek and forehead?” Elijah shamelessly replied, making her face turn red.

“Fine,” she answered.

“Really?” Elijah burst out, rapidly blinking while staring at her.

“Why? Do you want me to disagree?” she countered with a twitch of her mouth.

“Of course not! We have a deal then! What favor do you want?” Elijah quickly responded.

“This servant Tessa. I feel something is off about her. I know she’s cleared, but do you think you can have someone tail her? It’s just a gut feeling, and usually, my guts are right,” she commented.

“Alright, I’ll have someone tail her and monitor her,” Elijah agreed.

“Thank you. Shall we start the game now?”

Elijah nodded, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Absolutely! Let’s start.” He poured wine into two cups and handed one to Greta.

“Remember, if you roll a low number, you drink,” he reminded her with a playful smirk.

Greta grabbed the dice, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. They both shook their bowls vigorously and then placed them down on the table. With a dramatic flourish, they lifted the bowl. Greta glanced at the dice: she rolled a three, while Elijah had a six.

“Looks like you’re the first to drink,” Elijah teased.

Greta rolled her eyes and took a sip of the wine. They repeated the process several times, and much to her dismay, she kept rolling the lower number.

“Are you sure you’re not cheating?” she accused, her words starting to slur slightly as the wine began to take effect.

Elijah chuckled, “I promise I’m not. Maybe you’re just having bad luck tonight.”

Greta frowned but couldn’t help but laugh as well. They continued playing, and with each round, Greta became more animated and carefree. Her cheeks were flushed, and she found herself giggling at almost everything Elijah said.

“Your turn again,” Elijah announced, rolling his dice. He got a two this time. Greta eagerly shook her bowl and lifted it, revealing a one.

“Oh, come on!” she exclaimed, laughing despite her frustration. She took another drink, feeling the warmth spread through her body.

Elijah watched her with amusement. “You’re a lightweight, Greta.”

“I am not!” she protested, but her giggles betrayed her.

They played a few more rounds, and by the end, Greta was clearly tipsy. She leaned back in her chair, smiling lazily at Elijah. “I think… I think you planned this,” she accused with a playful glare.

Elijah grinned. “Maybe I did. But seeing you like this, relaxed and happy, was worth it.”

Greta shook her head, trying to focus. “You’re… you’re something else, Elijah.”

He leaned closer, his expression softening. “And you’re amazing, Greta. Even when you’re drunk. Let’s end this game now since you’re clearly drunk already.”

Greta stood up and sat on Elijah’s lap, giggling. “You… I told you—” she started hiccuping, “I’m not drunk!” She cupped his face, still hiccuping. “Since you accompanied me today and entertained me well, you deserve a reward, right?” she said in her drunken voice.

“Really? You will reward me?” Elijah beamed.

“Of course!” Greta huffed. “Tell me, what reward do you want?”

Elijah’s eyes sparkled as he excitedly declared, “A kiss on the lips!”

“Granted!” Greta burst before landing her lips on Elijah’s.