"Where's your bet?" The fat man asked immediately and that was when it dawned on Arianna that she was actually coinless.
Oh,damn? Why didn't she think about this???
She looked at Hera who was staring at her with an *I told you* look.
Then, she turned back to the man.
"Um.... Let's just go on with the game first. I'm sure I'll win" she said and the man looked at her like she had actually gone mad.
"So, you want me to stake my money while you stake nothing? Are you stupid?" He chuckled.
"Hey, you have to trust me, okay? I'll..."
"And what if you lose?" One of the watchers asked and she gave it a thought.
Can she actually lose?
"Well, if I lose, feel free to beat me up." she shrugged.
Then, the fat man smirked and leaned closer.
"If I lose, will you spend the night with me?" He leered at her, smiling in a way that his ugly dentitions were revealed and Arianna almost felt like punching his face.
"Yes, yes. I agree" she answered eagerly and glanced at Hera.
In her mind, she'd already planned on escaping if at all he wins. But she was so definite she was going to win anyway.
The man - being content with the agreement - brought out the coins and placed them on the side of the table.
Afterall, she was only a girl and he was so sure he was going to win.
"Let the game begin!" he smirked and took the first move.
*
Everyone watched with keen interest, mainly concentrating on the moves the man was taking because they were so sure he was going to win.
But everything was happening the other way round as Arianna tactically trapped most of his members until finally, she checked his King.
"Whaaat??? He's trapped!" One of the watchers exclaimed, finding it amusing.
The fat man was already having a scrawl on his face and in a short while, the game came to an end with Ariannabeing the winner.
"Woohoo!!" Hera clapped excitedly and helped her gather the coins up.
The people around were stunned as they couldn't understand how a strange lady was able to defeat someone like Zack.
"I want a second round." Zack gritted and poured more coins on the table.
It was obvious he was angry and felt disgraced.
"With all pleasure." Ariannasmiled and also dropped her own share of the coins.
Then, the game began.
*
It was really tough, but in the end, Arianna won again.
"That's my girl!!" Hera exclaimed happily and helped her with the coins.
The anger on Zack's face was already too broad and he looked really dangerous.
"Another round."' he growled and so it went until Arianna won him for the 4th time.
*
"Sorry sir, but I think I'm tired of winning you. I need to go now." she grinned and stood up, feeling so achieved.
Zack was already in sweats because she had just won everything from him - every single money he made for the day.
"You're not going anywhere." he stood up and gripped Arianna by the arm and immediately, she punched him hard on the nose and ran out of the tavern with Hera.
"Oh my God! That was so crazy, Arianna! That was a huge risk! What the hell did you just do??" Hera asked as they stood far from the tavern and laughed heartily.
"I told you, Hera. I'm the Queen of Chess. Anyway, how many coins do we have there?" She asked and Arianna opened her clothes so they could check it.
"Ahh. It's so many. We can't even count them here. You did really great, Arianna!" Hera said excitedly, making Arianna blush.
"Yeah, you know, this is actually going to be a good business. Anyway, come on, let's get you some clothes with the money."
"Whaaat?? Are you serious?? Oh!! You're such a darling, Arianna!"
She hugged her as they walked away.
*
They didn't just get clothes, but they had gotten some fruits, sweets and cakes as well and by the time they were done, everything was contained in a big bag which Hera held.
"Urgh! This is so heavy, Arianna!" Hera grumbled, but Arianna ignored her.
They walked excitedly to the Mansion, earning a free passage from the guards at the gate who gave them a surprised stare, tho. Probably surprised at the big bag they had with them.
"Come on Arianna, just give me a helping hand please!" Hera groused from behind.
"Just hold on, Hera. We're already there…"
They headed towards the room but on their way, they spotted Aldo.
"Hah! Hera, do you see him?" Arianna gasped and pointed to Aldo who was walking at a distance with some guards behind him.
"That man is so unbelievable! He doesn't even act like he's married".
"And do you act like you're married?" Hera scoffed, earning a glare from her.
But thinking of it, he didn't even call her for consummation like she had expected.
Well, thank Goodness he was making use of his senses.
"Where do you think he's going?" She asked, still staring at the direction he had taken.
He was already out of sight.
"Maybe… he's going to train? Or… who knows if he's seeing another woman? Or…"
"God! You're unbelievable, Arianna. Can we Just get going??" Hera rolled her eyes, but Arianna didn't move.
"Hold on, I think I have an idea. Why don't we follow him and know where he's headed?" Shs asked with her silly smile.
"Whaat?? There's no need for…"
"Fine! You can go ahead, then. I'll catch up with you later" she rolled her eyes and started walking away.
"Goodness! Arianna!" Hera called and hurried after her.
*
Arianna just wanted to see Aldo—know what he was doing or anything at all.
But she really couldn't believe this man was her husband yet, they barely saw or knew each other.
They took the corner he had taken and spotted him going into a room which had some guards stationed at the door.
"And I guess this is the end of the road for both of us" Hera sighed as they hid behind a wall.
Arianna watched carefully, trying to see if there was a way she could get in without being seen. Then, an idea popped into her head.
"Come on!" She whispered to Hera and ran to the other building so she could turn around. Hera had to follow sheepishly.
*
"Are you really going to climb that?? What if he sees you??" Hera asked worriedly as they stood behind the room.
Arianna had made a nasty decision of climbing up the walls to peep through the window.
"I'm only going to have a look, don't worry about me" she answered stubbornly and started climbing the walls.
Hera was so worried and stood right beneath her - just in case she would want to fall.
Arianna beamed as she crawled up the wall successfully and finally got to the window. Bit by bit, she lifted her head towards it and peeped into the room and there she found some people in the room.
First, she saw a guard, then Aldo who was standing in front of a man on his knees.
"Please My Lord! Have mercy! I'm deeply Sorry, please!" The man on his knees pleaded, placing his palms together.
Huh? What's going on? Arianna Thought.
"You should've thought of the consequences before betraying me" Aldo answered coldly and pulled out a sword.
And without a glint of emotion in his eyes, Arianna watched him slice the man through.
A thud.
A pause.
There was a pause in her heartbeat as she watched the scene and with dilated eyes, she didn't realize when a scream escaped her lips.