"Eresh is my Queen as I am her King," I said, and I don't know whom I was trying to convince at this moment. Shielder chuckled. "I am her real King, Fourth." "No..." I said while shaking my head. Damn this bloody wound! If not for this, I would snatch Eresh away from him! I don't care if Tracer gets angry, but I need my Queen beside me! But I'm feeling so weak. My strength hasn't returned yet. I could only watch as Shielder held Eresh's waist. Eresh flashed me a smile. "You're used to it anyway. Being a pretend King." Her words were like a thousand daggers piercing right through my chest where my heart is. It hurts to hear her say that. But I know her. Her eyes were telling me that she's lying right now. She's planning something again, and I don't like that she's doing it alone. I don't like the idea of her leaving me because of this plan. "Kneel, Fourth. My Queen might consider staying with you." I will do everything just so she will stay with me. "Beg," Shielder said after I knelt on the ground. I saw surprise in Eresh's eyes. See this, my Queen? I'm willing to do everything for you. "Eresh..." I looked at her while kneeling on the ground. She might see me as someone so low, a royalty kneeling for his Queen. But damn it. I'm desperate. "I'm never anyone's first choice. But I want you to choose me. Please..." Thoughts flashed in my mind as I begged her to stay with me. My father who chose not to treat me as his child for this game. My mother who always followed what my father wanted. My butler who got married the moment I freed him. The EL Ordre that made me the King as bait. And Daphne who chose Apollo over me. "Don't leave me. I'm begging you..." If my father were to hear what I'm saying, he would punish someone important to me again. As a Von Amstel, we never beg. Still, Eresh left me that night.
Chapter 1 Prologue
Prologue
Why was I born as a woman? That question echoed in my mind as I gazed at my reflection in a full-length mirror, wearing nothing. It allowed me to see the contours of my body, noticing its slender form.
My blonde, curly hair cascaded down to my waist, veiling my back from view in the mirror. I could only see the front, flawless skin, perky breasts, small waist, and slender thighs and legs.
A sneer played at the corner of my lips, my eyes smoldering with frustration. Disgusting. This feeble and delicate body is utterly repugnant.
I lifted my chin, attempting to exude a commanding presence. My expression remained impassive as I arched an eyebrow, yet it was futile. I still appeared feeble. I resembled an innocent child trying too hard to be a bully. "Pathetic," I murmured.
A knock at the door snapped me from my reverie. I merely stared at it until someone entered. I didn't bother to shield my nudity.
Pierre displayed no surprise upon seeing my bare form. His gaze barely lingered for three seconds. He headed for my walk-in closet and selected a dress for me.
"You should get dressed. It's cold," he advised as he assisted me in donning the garment.
In truth, I offered no assistance. I stood still, unmoving, fixated on his face. He looked grave while adorning me. He dressed me while I gazed at him. He even assisted with my undergarments.
Yet, despite my nakedness before him, I detected no unsavory emotions on his face. There was no... lust or desire in his eyes. All I saw was his concern for me. After all, I'd been undressed and fixated on my reflection for a while. "Are you gay?" I blurted out.
He paused in buttoning up my dress. It was a black button-down dress with a slit on the left side, thus he took his time with the buttons. However, he resumed after studying me for a few seconds.
"I am not," he replied. I snorted and decided to brush my hair. I understood that teenagers his age were often curious about matters of intimacy. We were of similar age. Yet, here I stood, displaying my body, and all he did was clothe me like a doll.
He was always like this. Whenever he caught sight of me undressed and gazing at the mirror, he promptly attired me, asserting I'd catch a chill if I lingered.
Perhaps he truly was gay, desiring only to adorn me. He gazed at me once he'd finished buttoning my dress. I returned his stare while brushing my long, blonde hair. My countenance remained impassive, and he appeared as if attempting to discern my thoughts.
"Am I not beautiful then?" I inquired. I glimpsed a trace of emotion in his eyes, but it vanished swiftly. He sighed and relieved me of the hairbrush.
"You are and will always be the most beautiful woman to me," he asserted, continuing the task I'd begun earlier.
I smirked, the expression evolving into a chuckle. Yes... That was the truth. I possessed beauty and intelligence, but not physical strength. Women like me could rely solely on their allure against adversaries. That was my sole advantage.
Why was I born as a woman?
"Are they ready?" I questioned while he tended to my hair. He tucked a few strands behind my ears before meeting my gaze.
"They're only waiting for you."
I grinned and tapped his cheeks. "The party won't commence without me. Let's go." I finally departed my room. I couldn't discern how long I'd been entranced by my own reflection until Pierre entered. Perhaps an hour? He wouldn't have interrupted me if I hadn't lingered so.
Consequently, my visitors had likely been waiting for me for an hour already. I chuckled. This was how it should be. People should wait for me because I was an exceptionally important person. I shouldn't be kept waiting. Everything must be prepared before my arrival.
I descended the stairs and observed my visitors in the living room, standing up as they awaited my descent to the final step. They'd reserved a seat at the head of the lengthy table just for me. The chair exuded extravagance, as if only a Queen like myself could occupy it.
"Take a seat, my dear chess pieces," I said. They quickly obeyed my command, which pleased me greatly. Yes. That's right. Take my every word as an order that you should follow.
I scrutinized each of them. My chess pieces were complete. These were the people who would follow me. These were the people who would serve me.
Joshua, who looked so young, would be one of the Pawns. I decided to call him Sieg.
Liam and Kenji would be the Rooks and my pillars. With codenames Black and Dyke.
Bryle and Codee would be the Knights. Their codenames would be Ross and Alter.
Pierre would be my Bishop. The Queen's Bishop. I would call him Enkidu.
Then there was the last girl, who also looked very young. I guessed she was about the same age as Alter. She seemed out of place, head hung low while fidgeting. I smiled sweetly. I wanted young people like her. Easy to mold.
"Lirae..." I called her. She looked up, fear in her eyes. My smile widened. "Your new name will be Yucca. You will guard the King."
She opened her mouth but chose to close it again. I chuckled and called her again.
"Lirae... From now on, we will call you Yucca. You should get used to it." I looked at Codee, who looked as confused as Yucca. I smiled at her. "Codee, my dear. Come."
She quickly left her seat and came over to my side. I was pleased. I had a feeling she would be my favorite piece.
"I will call you Alter, okay? You will be my Knight."
"Knight, Ate Eresh?" she asked. I couldn't help but pinch her cute cheeks.
"Yes. You have to protect me, so you must learn about computers, okay?"
She beamed at me. "Of course, Ate Eresh! I'll do my best!"
I chuckled and pulled her into a hug. I caressed her hair, hoping she would remain as innocent as this forever.
But I was certain she would grow to resent me.
I returned Alter to her seat and faced them all. Enkidu stood beside me, ready to do whatever I commanded.
"My dear chess pieces," I began. "Our time has come. We will now play the Bloody Human Chess game. As you all know, we will serve as the chess pieces while defeating our enemy, the EL Ordre."
"Chess pieces? If we're chess pieces, it feels like something's missing," Black interjected. "Where's the most important piece in the game? Where's the King?"
The smile I wore faded from my face. I looked at Black, who dared to interrupt me during my speech.
"King Lancer is not here," I said firmly. But it seemed he didn't understand what I was trying to convey.
"He should be here, and he should be the one sitting in that chair," he said, pointing at the chair where I was seated. "You're just the Queen."
Why was I born as a woman?
"The Queen is the most powerful piece in the game of chess," Enkidu stated. "Watch your words."
Black shrugged. "I'm just curious. The King's Bishop is here, but where's the actual King?"
I gritted my teeth but still managed to smile sweetly.
"My dear Rook, you are just a mere Rook, yet you dare to question my authority?"
He laughed. "I am not questioning your authority. I was just asking why King Lancer is not here."
I gave him my sweetest smile. The sweetest yet the most dangerous smile I had.
"Gather as many Pawns as you can."
"What?" Black asked, looking so confused.
"We need Pawns that we will use as bait. Don't come back here without results."
"What the actual fu鈥?"
"I may not be the King, but I am still the Queen. A much higher piece than you. I have the right to give you punishment if I want it, my dear Rook."
Black remained silent and just stared at me. I saw the anger in his eyes, but he couldn't do anything against me. So instead, he sighed and leaned back in the chair.
Yes, this is how it should be. Everyone should fear my words.
"You are all dismissed except for Yucca and Alter," I said.
The others quickly stood, but Yucca and Alter remained in their seats. Enkidu stayed by my side. It was fine by me. He'd been my loyal servant ever since.
"Yucca..." I called her. Her hands were shaking as she looked up to me. "I have a mission for you."
I could feel Enkidu's surprise beside me. Of course, Yucca was only seven or eight years old, but I was entrusting her with a mission already.
"I chuckled at the thought. 'Protect our King. Do everything you've got just to protect him. When you come of age, I have something that I need you to do. I have a plan and only you can do it, Yucca.'"
"I stared into her eyes, a rare color filling them. They were filled with fear, her hands trembling uncontrollably, so I held both of them. 'Can I trust you on this, Yucca?' I asked, never breaking eye contact. She looked at me, hesitation evident, but eventually nodded."
"Thank you," I said, hugging her tightly. Youngsters. So easy to manipulate.
"Ereshkigal!"
"The small hairs at the back of my neck stood up as I heard that authoritative voice. I quickly let go of Yucca and stood up straight, looking at the owner of the voice."
"Father..."
"Rage is very evident in his eyes. I looked at him, making sure that there is no emotion in my face. 'In my office! Now!'"
"I smiled reassuringly at Alter and Yucca, who looked more scared than me. I caressed their hair before I followed my father into his office. Enkidu remained at my side."
"'Stay here,' I said when we were at the front of the door of my father's office inside the house. I saw the worried look in his eyes."
"'But, Eresh...'"
"'Call me Your Majesty. I am your Queen, Enkidu,' I said as I opened the door and went inside my father's office. I left Enkidu outside the room."
"I approached my father, who was standing by his table, his back to me. I could tell by his breathing and stance that he was really, really mad. I smirked. Oh, I knew what would be the ending for today."
"My father abruptly turned to face me, so he saw the smirk on my face. But I didn't bother to hide it. He saw it anyway, so why bother hiding it? Rage filled his eyes, and I wasn't surprised when his palm landed on my cheek with force. Wow! That really hurt! I almost stumbled, but I didn't allow myself to kneel."
"I remained standing, still poised. Remember, Eresh... You are beautiful. You are smart."
"'You dared to laugh even with everything that you've done!' my father angrily said. 'You are a selfish, murderer, bitch!' Why, father? I got those from you, right?"
"My face remained stoic. I didn't let myself feel the pain of his words, even though they hurt more than the slap. Held your head high, Eresh... You are beautiful. You are smart."
"'Remember that you are the cause for all of this! If you hadn't been born, then my plan would be fulfilled!'"
"Why was I born as a woman?"
"'I hate the sight of you! Get out!' You told me to follow you in here yet you will tell me that you hate the sight of me? So funny."
"I quickly turned around and went out of the room. I saw Enkidu the moment I opened the door. He glanced at my lips, concern in his eyes."
"'Your Majes鈥?'"
"'Can I trust you?' I asked him. He looked taken aback, but quickly recovered. 'Yes, Your Majesty. I offer you my life. I'm willing to serve and protect you until the day I die.'"
"I smirked. I could feel the pain on the cut of my lips, but I didn't pay much attention to it. 'Then do that. Help me defeat the EL Ordre,' I said and walked away."
"I gritted my teeth and balled my fists when tears started to pool in my eyes. I swallowed hard to push down the lump in my throat. No, I mustn't cry. Fuck it, Eresh! Stop! My father might see me!"
"I must be strong. I must look strong. He hated weak women. He will kill my pieces if he sees me like this. I should stop. I mustn't cry. I mustn't show any weakness."
"If he sees me as a weak person, then I should use the only advantage that I have. If I use it wisely, then people will start to fear me and obey my words. I must try hard. I must. 'Cause this is the only chance that I have to win this game."
"Why was I born as a woman?"
Chapter 1 Prologue
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Chapter 2 1
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Chapter 3 2
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Chapter 4 3
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Chapter 5 4
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Chapter 6 5
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Chapter 7 6
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Chapter 8 7
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Chapter 9 8
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Chapter 10 9
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Chapter 11 10
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Chapter 12 11
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Chapter 13 12
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Chapter 14 13
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Chapter 15 14
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Chapter 16 15
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Chapter 17 16
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Chapter 18 17
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Chapter 19 18
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Chapter 20 19
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Chapter 21 20
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Chapter 22 21
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Chapter 23 22
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Chapter 24 23
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Chapter 25 24
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Chapter 26 25
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Chapter 27 26
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Chapter 28 27
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Chapter 29 28
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Chapter 30 29
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Chapter 31 30
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Chapter 32 31
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Chapter 33 32
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Chapter 34 33
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Chapter 35 34
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Chapter 36 35
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Chapter 37 36
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Chapter 38 37
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Chapter 39 38
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Chapter 40 39
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