Chapter 78 : Baba Game

Ailiya’s brain felt like an overloaded magical computer, screeching toward burnout. A bet? Liliane’s words, cloaked in a sweet smile, stabbed her nerves like poisoned daggers. It’s a trap! A tailor-made, no-win trap!

Her mind raced, possibilities flashing and collapsing. Magic? She’d pin me to the wall with ice spikes. Knowledge? She’d curse me into oblivion in ancient Elvish. Wealth? I’d be humiliating myself. Whatever the game, if Liliane set the rules, Ailiya had no chance.

“What… game?” she asked, stepping back to a safer distance, her voice trembling with the effort of her courage.

Liliane’s eyes gleamed with amusement, savoring Ailiya’s wary struggle. With a cruel, casual tone, she announced the absurd wager: “Rock, paper, scissors.”

Ailiya froze, her defensive stance rigid, staring as if Liliane had spoken in tongues. Rock… paper… scissors? The words echoed, alien and absurd. A kids’ luck-based game?!

A spark of wild hope flared, only to be doused by icy dread. No way! She locked eyes with Liliane’s flawless face. That gentle smile was a mask, hiding playful control and unshakable confidence. A master strategist like her wouldn’t leave her “fun” to chance! There’s got to be a cheat I can’t see!

“What’s wrong, Ailiya?” Liliane tilted her head, feigning confusion, her innocence chilling. “You look troubled. Need me to explain the rules of such a simple game?”

Provocation… she’s using psychological tactics! The bell on Ailiya’s collar jingled with each breath, slicing her dignity. One more day of this public parade, and I’ll lose it. She steeled herself. Trap or not, I’m jumping! Better than boiling slowly like a frog!

“Who says I don’t know?!” Ailiya puffed out her chest, eyes blazing with grim resolve. “Let’s do it! Best of three, no fear!”

“Good.” Liliane smiled, raising her right hand gracefully.

Ailiya mirrored her, focusing intently, trying to predict Liliane’s move from the slightest twitch of her shoulder. First round, begin!

“Rock, paper, scissors!” Liliane extended two fingers—scissors. Ailiya, overthinking in a panic, clenched her fist—rock.

Rock beats scissors. Ailiya won.

She blinked, stunned. I… won? That easy? Where’s the mental attack? The magic interference? The trap? Liliane didn’t pause.

“Rock, paper, scissors!” The second round’s call came like lightning. Ailiya, still reeling, acted on instinct, opening her palm—paper. Liliane, unhurried, showed scissors again.

Scissors cut paper. Liliane won. One-all. The pace was suffocating.

“You’re doubting something, Ailiya?” Liliane’s laugh dripped with mockery. “I told you, it’s just a luck game.”

She raised her hand for the final round. “Third round, let’s go.”

Not luck! Definitely not! Sweat beaded on Ailiya’s brow, her mind trapped in an invisible net. This isn’t a game—it’s war! First round, she threw to lower my guard. Second, a blitz to disrupt me. This round, she’s got an undetectable ace!

Her breathing quickened, pressure crushing her. Then—

“Ailiya…?” A gentle, uncertain voice broke the tension like sunlight. Both turned to see Sylvie, in plain clothes, holding a basket of fresh produce, her honey-colored eyes full of curiosity and confusion. “What are you doing?”

“Playing a fun little game,” Liliane answered smoothly.

“Sylvie!” Ailiya’s eyes lit up, not with joy but with the desperation of a drowning person spotting a lifeline. Year’s top student! A walking magic detector! Grabbing Sylvie’s hand, she spoke rapidly, as if delivering her last will. “Sylvie, my life’s on the line! We’re playing rock, paper, scissors. If I lose, I’ll be paraded like a pet! You’re a magic-sensing genius—watch Liliane in the third round for any trace of magic! Please!”

Sylvie, overwhelmed but moved by Ailiya’s pleading, blushed and nodded firmly. “O-Okay… I’ll do it!”

Bolstered, Ailiya faced Liliane, feeling invincible. They raised hands. As the chant began, Liliane casually dropped a bombshell. “By the way, I’ll play scissors.”

What?! Ailiya’s heart lurched. Psychological warfare? Lying to trick me into overthinking? I won’t fall for it! Squinting, she raised her voice for Sylvie to hear. “Lady Liliane von Winter, as the kingdom’s top noble, your word is ironclad, right? If you deceive a lowly maid like me in public, I’ll tell everyone the Winter heir is a liar!”

Liliane laughed, shaking her head, a fleeting fondness in her eyes. “So sharp-tongued. Don’t worry, I said scissors, so it’s scissors.”

Perfect! Ailiya’s heart soared. Victory’s mine! Sylvie’s watching for magic, and I’ve locked her into scissors with noble honor! No cheats, just logic. The answer’s clear—rock!

The final chant rang out, the air freezing. “Rock, paper—”

Ailiya’s face glowed with triumph, her mind screaming Rock! as her arm tensed to form a fist.

Liliane’s expression was serene, her violet eyes reflecting Ailiya’s confidence, as if watching a scripted play unfold.

“—Scissors!”

Ailiya saw Liliane’s hand form a perfect scissors, just as promised. I won!

But glancing at her own hand, expecting a victorious fist, she froze, struck by divine thunder. Her fingers, defying her will in the final millisecond, had spread into a limp, powerless—paper.

“Huh?”

Scissors cut paper. Ailiya lost.