" Check, mate." Jay Jay said
I smiled and said," You are excellent at this game, Jay Jay." I ruffled his hair as I said this.
He shook his head and said, "No, mom is just too bad. I always lose against dad." He looked a bit dejected at the thought of losing to his father, so I wanted to cheer him up.
I laughed lightly and said, " You caught me. I always lost against my dad, too."
" Really?" He said excited like he had found some new treasure.
I nodded my head and then said, " But there was one game I never lost at." I said proudly.
" Really? What is it?" he asked
" Magic ducklings and ladders," I said
" What's that?" he asked as he frowned, looking confused.
" It's like a race. Our ducklings race against each other on a board like this one. " I said, pointing at the chess board.
" How do they move? Are they real ducklings?" he gasped with his eyes wide as he clasped his small cheeks.
I laughed and said, " Of course not. You move them using your hands each time. "
" Oh, okay." he said, nodding his head
" Do you want to play this game with me?" I asked Jay Jay.
" Yes, please." He said, nodding excitedly but then suddenly frowned again.
" What's the matter?" I asked
" Well... Daddy said that I must not play any games except for this one." he said, pointing at the chess board sadly.
" That sounds like your father, alright." i muttered. And I understood why the chess game was a form of training for little Jay Jay. As heir to the Duke's residence, they expected him to be perfect in every way and not indulge in silly little things. But the problem was, those silly little things they were taking away from him were also important. Every child's life should be filled with lots of silly games and times to explore and learn about the surrounding environment, not books and serious games like chess.
I sighed and said, " Well... Tell you what, what if you can play this game with mom and I won't tell your daddy. And each you are with him, you will play chess?"
When I shared this idea with him, Jay Jay's eyes brightened again, and he even ran up to me and hugged me. This made me feel sad because it showed that he might have washed to play such games like other kids, but since Ryan wouldn't allow it, then he wouldn't play. I made a bow to myself that I would let Jay Jay experience the most of his childhood, and I would make sure that he does in the best way I can.
" Alright, shall I teach you how to play the game?" I asked as I went to take out the set for magic ducklings and ladders.
....
" That was awesome. Mommy, can we play it next time, too?" Jay Jay asked because it was time up and so he had to go do his homework.
" of course, just call me any time. I am glad you enjoyed it." I said as I smiled.
" Yayy." he exclaimed as I took his hand and walked out of the game room with him.
Just as we were about to reach the end of the hallway, a servant came to me with a tray.
" Good evening, Miss and young master." She said politely
Jay Jay coldly nodded, mimicking his father, which made almost laugh, but I held it in.
" Okay, Jay Jay. You can go do your homework now." I said to him before I addressed the servant.
" Janet, do you have something for me?" I asked politely. I preferred using their names rather than addressing them as servants because it felt more respectful.
" Yes miss."
" What is it?"
" It's an invitebmiss to a tea party from Miss Harley Feathermore."
" A tea party?" I asked
" Yes, miss. It was delivered by her personal aide" Janet answered
" Oh? thank you." I said as I took the envelope. I wondered why would she have her personal aide deliver the invitation because personal aides were very well known as being extremely close to their masters, so if you got an invite hand delivered from them, it would cause an uproar because it meant that the host placed some value on you.
Regardless, her invitation gave me an idea. I now knew how I would begin my investigation process and what better way to begin with it than at a tea party with gossiping young ladies.