"I concede, Mr. Ansel."
The silver-haired girl, clad in a resplendent black dress, humbly admitted, her head slightly bowed. "I am still leagues away from your level of skill in chess games."
Ansel, with a smile, collected the chess pieces and affectionately patted Marlina's head. "Chess is, after all, merely a form of entertainment. Besides, your talent is already quite exceptional. There is plenty of time, Marlina. Patience is key."
"Words to live by," Marlina responded, her eyes half-closed, her demeanor utterly docile.
The tender green grass of the lawn swayed gently in the breeze. The warmth from above and the comforting heat of the sun melded together, filling Marlina with a sense of bliss so profound it threatened to dissolve her.
How she wished time could freeze in this moment, a moment free of fatigue and worries, especially this tranquility and comfort, it was simply...
"A—N—S—E—L!"
