"So what game do you want to play?" Asus asked.
"Poker." I said straightforward.
Asus was silent for a moment, perhaps surprised by the choice. Then, he leaned back in his chair, crossing one long, slender leg over the other. The corner of his mouth tugged up into an amused smile, his ruby eyes sparkling with the thrill of the gamble.
"Poker?" he echoed, seeming to roll the word around his tongue like a piece of candy. "It's been ages since I played a game of poker. How delightful." His tone was light, almost jovial, but I could see the strategic gears turning behind his eyes.
The room was silent, every pair of eyes glued to us. Even the most stoic of the leaders, their faces usually like carved stone, were now brimming with intrigue. This was something that had piqued everyone's interest.
"Very well, Wang-Yi-Fei," Asus finally said, his eyes never leaving mine. "Poker it is." The confidence in his voice was unwavering. But then again, so was mine.
"So what will be the token we use?" I asked. "Money? We both seemed to have plenty of that."
"No, we will use 100 chips instead. Whoever loses all their chips first loses." he said.
"Alright. The game will be set at tomorrow, 7 pm." I set the time.
"Since you've chosen the time, I get to choose the place," Asus declared, the corners of his mouth curling up into a smug grin. The sparkle in his ruby-red eyes had intensified. He was clearly enjoying every moment of this.
"Your place?" I asked, raising a brow at the Demon Prince. The others in the room watched the exchange silently, expressions ranging from surprise to apprehension.
"Bingo," Asus replied, a playful glint in his eyes as he pointed his index finger at me. There was an uncanny confidence in his stance, a calm assurance that made him even more enigmatic.
"Alright." I said.
"Deal," he agreed, extending a hand towards me. I hesitated for a moment, meeting his gaze. The room was so quiet that I could hear the soft rustling of the papers on the table, the distant sounds of the palace staff in the corridors.
Then, bracing myself, I took his hand and shook it. The deal was sealed, the challenge accepted. There was no turning back now.
A heavy silence filled the room as Asus was escorted out, the tension lifting once the heavy doors closed behind him. The remaining leaders turned their attention back to me, an array of emotions playing across their faces.
Elandra was the first to break the silence, "That was quite the gamble, Yi-Fei. You've certainly taken us all by surprise."
King Alaric crossed his arms over his chest, his sharp blue eyes studying me carefully, "I hope you know what you're doing. We're putting a lot on the line here."
Chief Tall-Tail gave a low growl, his amber eyes ablaze, "There's no honor in such games, but I trust your judgment. This is not how we Beastkin would handle things, but we will follow your lead."
Aurelia nodded, her eyes showing a glimmer of appreciation, "I believe in you, Yi-Fei. We all do."
King Thorgal Ironhammer's voice resonated within the chamber, "A dangerous game indeed. But as long as the odds are in our favor, I'll raise my mug to that!"
War-chief Gromash grunted in agreement, "Strength isn't always about muscle. If this is the strategy, then we'll go with it."
Lastly, Princess Aquaria spoke, her voice melodious as it echoed within her bubble, "A game of minds... quite a change of pace. We'll be hoping for the best, Yi-Fei."
Each of them had their reservations, their own doubts, but they were willing to put their trust in me. This was our fight, and I would do whatever it took to secure our victory.
Q: Do you know how to play blackjack?