Chapter 3

The moment I finished speaking, the air in the chamber seemed to freeze.

Everyone's eyes snapped to Chrysanthes and Hephaestion, like spotlights locking onto their targets.

Chrysanthes's face turned as pale as a sheet in an instant.

He stared at Hephaestion's icy expression and those eyes that looked like they could kill. His legs were trembling so hard that it was as if he couldn't control them.

"Ph-Pharaoh... Th-this..." Chrysanthes stammered.

"What's with all the fuss?" I pretended to be impatient. "Why is it such a big deal to kiss Chelidonia's famous general? He's the Ares' Chosen. Are you feeling wronged or something?"

"No, that's not what I meant." Chrysanthes looked like he was about to cry.

Everyone knew Hephaestion had a serious thing about cleanliness and absolutely hated being touched.

Once, a deputy general got drunk and accidentally rested his hand on Hephaestion's shoulder, and Hephaestion dislocated his arm right then and there.

Making Chrysanthes kiss Hephaestion might as well ask Chrysanthes to dance at the gate of Hades

"Then get on with it," I urged. "Stop dragging your feet. You're keeping me from my beauty sleep."

Chrysanthes glanced around for help, but all his so-called allies had turned their heads away, pretending not to see him, their shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Chrysanthes was completely done for.

Under my intense gaze, Chrysanthes stood up, trembling all over, and dragged his feet toward Hephaestion, taking tiny, hesitant steps.

With every step, his face grew even paler.

Meanwhile, Hephaestion stood there the whole time, not moving an inch.

He didn't even spare Chrysanthes a glance. His deep eyes were locked on me, smoldering with suppressed rage and humiliation.

I met his gaze without flinching, even raising an eyebrow at him.

I knew he was not happy about it. But if he had a problem, why didn't he roll the die and join the game?

As long as he got in on the game, he would have his shot at payback. But I bet he didn't even have the guts.

I was dead set on dragging him into this, one way or another.

For a proud general who commanded an army, being shoved into the Pharaoh's court was already the ultimate humiliation.

The more he put on that holier-than-thou act, the clearer it was he was simmering with rage inside.

And I was determined to ignite that fire in him.

Chrysanthes finally shuffled up to Hephaestion.

He glanced at Hephaestion, whose face was so dark that it looked like a thundercloud, and was so terrified that he collapsed.

"S-Strategos Hephaestion, I-I'm following orders. Please, be generous and forgive me," Chrysanthes stammered.

Hephaestion didn't even blink.

Chrysanthes was about to cry. He glanced back at me, only to find me watching with a smirk, clearly entertained.

He steeled himself, squeezed his eyes shut, and threw caution to the wind.

He puckered up, looking like a brave little chicken marching to its doom, and pecked at Hephaestion's cheek.

As his lips were about to touch Hephaestion's skin, Hephaestion slightly turned his head.

Chrysanthes's kiss ended up landing on nothing but air, missing completely.

Because Chrysanthes had thrown himself into it so hard, he lost his balance and went sprawling face-first onto the floor in a spectacular wipeout, the smack echoing through the chamber.

Someone couldn't hold it in and snorted with laughter.

Then laughter erupted all around, echoing through the chamber.

Chrysanthes lay sprawled on the floor, so embarrassed that he wished he could die right there.

I watched the whole circus, my grin kept getting bigger.

After dodging the kiss, Hephaestion broke his silence at last.

His icy gaze sliced across my face like a blade.

"Pharaoh, have you had enough fun yet?" he asked, his voice low and metallic, the chill in it dropping the temperature in the chamber by several degrees.

"Not even close," I drawled. "Strategos Hephaestion, why don't you join in?"

"No need," Hephaestion shot back without a second thought.

"Oh? So, Strategos Hephaestion, are you saying my game is boring to you?"

"I wouldn't dare."

He said he wouldn't dare, but his face clearly said, "Who do you think you are?"

I didn't get mad.

I rattled the die in my hand, then slowly stood up and walked over to him.

I barely reached his chin, so I had to crane my neck to see his face.

He was seriously tall, like a mountain looming over me, his presence so intimidating that it felt like the air around him was heavy.

"Hephaestion." I looked him straight in the eye, tilting my head up. "Do you think I'm trying to humiliate you?"

He didn't say a word, but the way his lips were pressed into a thin line said it all.

"You're wrong," I said, shaking my head. Then, right in front of everyone, I did something that left everyone's jaws on the floor.

I pressed the die into his palm. "This isn't about humiliating you. I'm offering you an opportunity to turn the tables on me, openly and honorably."

I leaned in, my voice dropping to a whisper meant for his ears alone. "If your roll comes up lower than mine, you get to make me do absolutely anything. Anything you want. No limits."