The Noble Girl’s First Defeat

Kingdom.

The residence of a duke.

A crowd had gathered, watching a game of chess.

Adrian yawned and adjusted the expensive-looking, yet cumbersome, clothes he wore.

He was about to win.

Adrian had already won four games in a row.

Now, he was on the verge of claiming a fifth victory with absolute dominance.

Adrian was an extraordinary person.

Oh no—actually, he was still a child. A prodigious child, more precisely.

His hair was black, just like his eyes. His nose and mouth were modestly shaped—not unattractive, merely unlike the stereotypical, strikingly handsome features typical of men in the kingdom.

He looked more like someone from the distant Eastern Qi Kingdom.

It was said he had been born in the midst of a violent storm.

Adrian was the eldest son—and only boy—of the Delarose family, a rising merchant house in the kingdom.

The Delaroses maintained intricate business ties with the noble families and wielded immense wealth.

However, they had yet to receive an official noble title.

Moreover, countless rumors swirled around the family—especially after Adrian’s birth.

People couldn’t explain how a golden-haired father and a brown-haired mother could produce a boy with raven-black hair and deep, dark eyes.

Some claimed he was the result of a pact the Delaroses had made with a demon.

Regardless, the Delarose family was rich and well-connected—and that was enough.

Recognition from the kingdom and elevation to lordship was only a matter of time. When that day came, all who doubted them would fall silent.

And as the eldest son, Adrian would one day inherit the family’s leadership.

But that was far off.

Adrian moved a piece, capturing his opponent’s minor monster token.

He yawned again.

His mind wasn’t truly on the chessboard.

He was thinking about what had happened in the dead of night.

A monster had died by his hand—though he wasn’t sure if the corpse had been brought back.

Adrian’s gaze drifted upward—and locked eyes with his opponent.

A girl.

And not just any girl…

Ilisia shifted several of her pieces.

Adrian blinked at the board.

‘What the hell? So you’d rather cling to life than die gracefully?’

He was irritated.

He’d already secured total control of the game, yet Ilisia’s move made it blatantly clear: she wasn’t trying to win—she was simply determined to drag things out until the bitter end.

Her cheeks were puffed up, red as a bottle of vintage wine.

She bit her lower lip, occasionally glancing away from the board to glare sulkily at Adrian.

It was just a trivial game among noble children—nothing more.

Yet somehow, Adrian felt an invisible pressure weighing down on him.

Everyone around was glaring at him.

Perhaps he shouldn’t have won a single match.

Because his opponent was none other than Ilicia, the second daughter of Duke Wenser.

Ilisia had inherited her mother’s silvery-white hair and shimmering eyes, paired with her father’s flawless bone structure and naturally porcelain skin.

She resembled a snow goddess from myth—but more vivid, more alive.

Ever since she could remember, the world had revolved around her.

Her older siblings doted on her, her mother spoiled her endlessly, and even the stern, dignified Duke Wenser couldn’t resist pinching his darling daughter’s cheeks whenever he saw her.

Only when Ilisia playfully pounded his chest with her tiny pink hands and cooed, “Father, please stop teasing me!” would the duke finally stroke her hair with a satisfied smile and walk away.

Children her age loved clustering around her.

Whether playing chess or games, Ilisia always emerged victorious.

Not because her peers lacked skill—among nobles, talent was currency—but because their goal in playing with her had shifted from winning to simply watching the sweet smile that graced her face after victory.

If Ilisia wanted to win, they’d gladly make sure she did—just to see her happy.

She was their goddess.

But now—

Some strange boy was stealing their goddess’s smile right from under their noses!

Unforgivable!

Thus, every eye was fixed on Adrian, silently urging him to at least pretend to lose—just give her one win!

Adrian sighed.

‘I was actually gonna throw a match…’

‘But now that you’re all glaring at me…’

‘I absolutely have to win!’

He glanced sideways and gave a subtle wink to his younger sister, Bella.

Bella smiled knowingly.

“Hah! Brother, you’re gonna win again!” Bella shouted triumphantly.

Standing beside Adrian, she shot Ilisia a deliberately taunting look.

“Tch!” Ilisia clicked her tongue in annoyance.

She and Bella had been archrivals since the day they met.

Predictably, Bella’s declaration—“You’re gonna win again!”—shattered what little composure Ilisia had left.

Her nose twitched, and tears welled up in her eyes.

The chessboard blurred before her, yet the outcome was crystal clear.

Total defeat was inevitable.

Her hand trembled slightly as she gripped a piece.

Some onlookers who barely understood chess still watched her with hopeful eyes.

Ilisia couldn’t take it anymore.

“Ugh!”

She shot to her feet.

Clatter!

Whether on purpose or by accident, the hem of her dress knocked the chessboard over as she rose.

Pieces scattered across the floor.

The children who’d been watching immediately rushed after her, showering her with consoling words:

“Don’t be sad, Ilisia!”

“You were amazing!”

“You’ll definitely win next time!”

But their sweet reassurances went in one ear and out the other.

“Shut up, all of you!” Ilisia snapped.

Clenching her tiny fists, she stormed off, stomping away in a huff.

Adrian grinned smugly. He exhaled deeply, then bent down to pick up the scattered pieces.

‘Want to cling to life, huh? I’ll just shatter your mental defenses instead!’

After resetting the board, Adrian turned and affectionately ruffled his sister Bella’s hair.

Bella, thrilled that she’d helped her brother secure a “glorious victory” and humiliate their “sworn enemy” Ilisia, was practically dancing with joy.

From afar, Ilisia glanced back.

A familiar gaze caught her attention.

Bella.

The culprit herself was clinging to her brother, beaming—and then, with cheeky delight, made a silly face at Ilisia and waved.

Her expression screamed one thing:

“Hahaha! Ilisia, you’re so weak!”

…That was psychological warfare!

Ilisia’s face flushed crimson. Hot, humiliated tears nearly spilled over. She bit her lip hard, whipped her head forward, and hurried away, desperate to escape Bella’s line of sight.

Adrian watched the young lady’s retreating figure and pursed his lips.

He knew his “legendary shutout” would earn him long-lasting resentment from Ilisia and her loyal entourage.

But he didn’t care.

‘My family’s wealth rivals entire nations…’

‘Do I really need the approval of some little duke’s daughter and her groupies?’

‘Nope.’

‘But messing with them? That’s fun.’

Adrian called over a servant and ordered the carriage brought round—he was heading back to his family’s estate.

He had more important matters to attend to.

Teasing Ilisia had just been an intermission.

Yes—a boy not yet fifteen had something he absolutely must do.

He had to prepare to save the world.

Maybe.