CH 136

Yuliana was transfixed by the sight of the scepter on the table. It was the source of her restlessness ever since Cecile appeared with it in hand, and she coveted that symbol of reverence. What had pleased her the most about being chosen as a witch heir wasn’t the power but the attention. If the scepter was hers, she would be one step closer to perfection.

“Heavens, the scepter!”

“What is Her Majesty thinking?”

The immensity of the wager was far too enormous that people who had been clapping moments before had frozen in place and were staring blankly at the scepter.

“Somebody must try to stop the empress.”

“Yes. It would be terrible to stake that and lose.”

“She must have plenty of other treasures, so it should be fine to wager those, and yet…”

Yuliana snapped to attention upon hearing the murmurs. The empress had willingly offered up what she wanted most. This was a chance. Even the empress could not take back her words with an excuse. ‘…And aren’t I absolutely capable of winning?’

The princess hadn’t picked up the huge amount of gold chips to wager without a plan. The games could be manipulated with a little effort. Her intention was to induce the crowd’s praises, and then crush the empress in a one-sided defeat in the next game. The cheering onlookers would naturally admire the victor, and the emotional high would paralyze their rationality, sinking them deeper into her enchantment. She could already picture herself holding the scepter victoriously to a standing ovation.

‘Then, all that would be left is to deal with that woman before Emperor Estian returns.’ After all, hadn’t the emperor invited her to the seat next to him? Based on his actions, she was confident that her powers affected Estian. It would be a simple matter to bewitch him upon his return, that is, if the empress was out of the picture. Yuliana desperately held back a titter.

“Your Majesty, you are aware that you cannot challenge the results of a game, yes? Even if you are the empress, how could you take back what you already—”

“Really, now,” Cecile interrupted with a chuckle, “it is great to see you brimming with such confidence, as if you never considered the possibility of your loss.”

The empress couldn’t have spoken knowing Yuliana’s intention to cheat, yet the princess felt as if she’d been exposed. A chill ran down her back, and she felt her momentum falter.

“But it pains me that your pockets are lacking in comparison to that confidence,” Cecile added with an air of finality.

Yuliana was momentarily unable to comprehend Cecile’s meaning, but her face twisted as the meaning dawned on her. The spectators were also quick to pick up the gist of the empress’s words, and muttering of agreement could be heard throughout the crowd.

“True, the difference is a bit too much.”

“You’re right. Her Majesty wagered the blue phoenix’s blood drop earring and the scepter. Gold chips can hardly compare, don’t you think?”

“It’s not like Princess Yuliana doesn’t have the money. Didn’t she say that she holds a significant stake in this casino?”

“Then wouldn’t it be fine to bet a little more?”

The audience began decrying Yuliana’s wager as paltry in comparison to the empress. In a nutshell, they were labeling the princess a miser.

‘Well, I’ll be! Look at her instantly flip the script and claim the spotlight for herself,’ Richard thought, observing with admiration. The empress had mentioned earlier that she had a plan, and this was the outcome. He felt inclined to revise his evaluation of Cecile. ‘She isn’t as foolish as she seems.’

He assumed her obstinate behavior was driven by her refusal to lose to the princess, but after hearing his explanation and gaining insight into the mechanics of Yuliana’s powers, Cecile managed to immediately turn the tables in her favor. It was a simple ploy, but one not easy to instantly put into action under such circumstances. The empress must’ve been stressed about how Yuliana had ensnared the crowd with her spells, yet she still comported herself in a steadfast manner. It was praiseworthy.

“How could I concern Your Majesty with such a thing?” Yuliana said, deliberately pushing her bosom forward as she spoke. Noticing the audience were being shaken, she knew she needed to recapture the crowd, and quickly!

“Very well. What will you wager then, princess?”

“I shall bet my stake in this casino.” Wagering her stake in the most magnificent and newly-reopened hotel casino in the capital? That was a breathtaking bet! However, her assuredness was instantly shattered.

“Is that all you have? How trifling,” Cecile calmly commented.

Yuliana felt her face redden with indignation. Egged on by the empress’s taunt of ‘trifling,’ Yuliana cried out, “What is more, I will wager my palace in Aswan, as well as all the treasures I possess.” She was placing everything to her name on the line. ‘Can you still call it trifling now?’

“Oh yes, I recall you’ve received many gifts with that beauty of yours,” Cecile smirked, pausing as she nodded thoughtfully, before continuing, “but do you truly believe those things are comparable to this scepter?”