Damian had watched everything in silence, a mix of fascination and surprise on his face.
At first, he was frozen, in shock, unable to believe what he had just witnessed. Anna, his new 'sister,' had gambled everything without hesitation, without showing the slightest hint of fear or doubt.
Despite the seemingly desperate situation, she had pressed on. That kind of boldness puzzled him, but at the same time, it brought a slight smile to his face.
To him, it was clear: he had found the perfect tool for his plans.
As the dealer's words still echoed in the room and the crowd began to gather around the table, Damian remembered how he had come to this moment.
One day, while strolling through a bustling city square with his family, he had overheard a conversation between two men in a nearby tavern.
They were drinking and speaking in hushed tones, but loud enough for Damian, who had been waiting outside with his mother, to catch their words.
The conversation was about a girl who stood out for her card-playing skills.
One of the men described her as someone with 'unusual luck' and 'quick hands,' who never seemed to lose. Bored, Damian had listened with interest.
At the time, he hadn't given it much thought. He assumed they were exaggerating, as stories tend to get blown out of proportion after a few too many drinks.
However, his family's current need had made him reconsider. Since the last battle that had affected the nearby territories, their assets were frozen, businesses stalled, and the cash flow was almost nonexistent.
They needed funds quickly, and that's why he decided to take a chance and look for that girl. To his surprise, when he saw Anna play for the first time, he realized the rumors didn't do her justice. She was even better than the men had described.
As Damian watched Anna collapse unconscious after her victory, he smiled to himself.
'There's no way my mother or father can refuse now… This is all we need. I'll take care of her personally.'
His smile quickly faded when he noticed one of the guards had started to carry Anna, alarmed by her condition.
Wasting no time, Damian regained his composure and strode purposefully towards the man.
"She's my sister," he said calmly, though his eyes held an undeniable authority.
The guard, visibly confused but with no reason to doubt him, handed over Anna's limp body.
"When she wakes up, she can claim her prize at the rewards office, just behind the main hall," the guard explained.
Damian nodded, grateful, as the man walked away, casting a curious glance over the situation.
Damian turned and looked at the pile of chips on the table.
He swallowed, taking in the considerable amount of money Anna had accumulated in an absurdly short time.
It was a sum that even for someone like him, used to handling family wealth, was surprising.
He quickly gathered all the chips, trying not to let excitement get the better of him, and then, with one last glance at the crowded room, he headed to a more secluded corner where no one would disturb them.
Once there, he laid Anna down on a wooden bench under a quiet shade, away from the hustle and bustle of the place.
He sat next to her, watching her pale face and irregular breathing. The girl was clearly exhausted, but what worried him the most was when he touched her forehead: she was burning with fever.
Sweat was beginning to run down her temples, and her skin was hotter than normal.
Damian frowned, clicking his tongue in frustration.
He hadn't expected a simple game to leave her in such a state.
"Tsk... seems like she gets sick easily," he murmured to himself, still watching her.
As irritating as the situation was, he also felt a strange mix of admiration. The girl had guts, and that was something that couldn't be denied.
However, now he had another problem on his hands.
Anna was in a delicate state, and her mental and physical exhaustion was obvious.
'I'll need help if this gets worse,' Damian thought, glancing around, making sure no one was getting too close.
For now, all he could do was wait for her to wake up, though the rapidly rising fever told him that it wouldn't be a quick recovery.
Damian pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and soaked it in some water from a nearby fountain, then placed the damp cloth on Anna's forehead, trying to bring down her fever.
"Get well soon…," he muttered softly. "We've got a lot of work to do."