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Author's Note:

Don't forget to comment as it motivates me to write more chapters. Enjoy!

~Exists^^

The streets of the historic Chinese city bustled with life, filled with vendors calling out their wares, the chatter of passersby, and the faint clinking of coins exchanged at stalls.

The air carried a mix of aromas-roasted chestnuts, steaming buns, and the faint tang of incense from a nearby temple. Lucifer walked alongside [Name], his mismatched eyes wide with awe as he took in the sights and sounds of the city.

Lucifer: "This place is magnificent,"

Lucifer said, his voice tinged with genuine admiration.

Lucifer couldn't help but be fascinated by the sights around him. The city was beautiful, rich in history and culture, and everything felt so vibrant, so different from the dullness of Hell. He turned his attention to his companion.

Lucifer: "You know, I never imagined human civilization would be so... lively."

[Name], who walked a step ahead of him, didn't bother looking around. Her gaze remained fixed forward, her expression as cold and composed as ever.

[Name]: "It's just a city,"

She replied dismissively.

Lucifer glanced at her, raising an eyebrow.

Lucifer: "You really know how to suck the wonder out of things, don't you?"

She didn't respond, and Lucifer couldn't tell if she was ignoring him or simply didn't care to engage. He sighed and turned his attention back to the lively streets. Despite the stares he occasionally drew from passersby-likely due to his striking appearance, even in his human guise, he felt an odd sense of comfort here.

As they continued walking, a memory from earlier that morning surfaced in his mind. Before they had left [Name] home, she had mentioned something about the local culture-a peculiar tradition surrounding board games.

[Name]: "People here love their games,"

She had said while tying her sash.

[Name]: "They place bets, not just money, but promises. If you win, the other person must honor the wager, no matter how absurd it is."

At the time, Lucifer had merely nodded, tucking the information away in the back of his mind. But now, walking beside Fengxian and still keenly aware of her guarded demeanor, he saw an opportunity-a chance to break through her icy exterior and gain something useful in return.

Now in present,

He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Lucifer: "[Name],"

He began cautiously.

[Name]: "What?"

She replied without breaking her stride.

Lucifer: "About the board games you mentioned earlier,"

He said, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

Lucifer: "You said people here place bets on them. If someone wins, the loser has to fulfill their promise, no matter what it is?"

[Name] nodded curtly.

[Name]: "That's correct."

Lucifer's steps slowed slightly as he processed her answer. "And... are you one of those people?"

At this, [Name] finally looked at him, her dark eyes studying his face.

[Name]: "I've played a few matches, Why?"

Lucifer hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck.

Lucifer: "Well, I was wondering... would you be willing to play a match with me?"

[Name] stopped walking, causing Lucifer to nearly bump into her. She turned to face him fully, her expression blank but her gaze sharp.

[Name]: "You want to challenge me to a board game?"

Lucifer: "Yes,"

Lucifer said quickly, raising his hands in a placating gesture.

Lucifer: "I mean, you're clearly someone who values fairness and strategy. It seems like the perfect way to settle things between us."

[Name] raised an eyebrow.

[Name]: "Settle what, exactly?"

Lucifer smiled sheepishly.

Lucifer: "Oh, you know... just a friendly wager. If I win, you have to accept my three favor. No dodging, no vague answers."

[Name]: "And if I win?"

[Name] asked, crossing her arms.

Lucifer hesitated.

Lucifer: "If you win, I'll... I'll owe you a favor. Anything you want."

For a moment, [Name] said nothing, her gaze piercing into his as if trying to read his true intentions. Then, to Lucifer's surprise, she nodded.

[Name]: "Very well. I accept your challenge."

Lucifer blinked.

Lucifer: "Wait, really? That was easy."

[Name]: "You think I'd lose to you?"

[Name] asked, her tone almost amused.

[Name]: "I've yet to meet anyone who can best me at a game of strategy."

Lucifer smirked, his confidence returning.

Lucifer: "Oh, you're in for a surprise, my dear. I didn't spend centuries navigating the politics of Heaven and Hell without learning a thing or two about strategy."

[Name]: "Follow me,"

[Name] said simply, turning and walking toward a quieter part of the city.

Lucifer followed, his boots clicking softly against the stone pavement. They eventually arrived at a teahouse tucked away in a narrow alley. Inside, the air was filled with the rich aroma of tea leaves, and a few patrons sat at low tables, sipping their drinks.

[Name] approached the proprietor, a middle-aged man with a kind smile, and exchanged a few words with him in a language Lucifer didn't fully recognize. The man nodded and led them to a private room in the back, where a low table sat on a raised platform.

On the table was a game board, its surface marked with intricate carvings, and a set of black and white stones in small bowls. Lucifer recognized it immediately.

Lucifer: "Go,"

He said, a grin spreading across his face.

Lucifer: "A classic."

[Name]: "You've played before?"

[Name] asked, sitting down across from him.

Lucifer: "Once or twice,"

Lucifer replied nonchalantly, though his eyes gleamed with excitement but deep down, it was a lie. He hoped that his opponent was easy to defeat.

Lucifer settled into the chair, cracking his knuckles. His mischievous smile never left his face as he sized up the challenge.

Lucifer: "This will be easy."

[Name's] expression remained neutral as she arranged the pieces.

[Name]: "We'll see."

Lucifer opened strong, moving his pieces with speed and confidence, trying to catch Fengxian off guard. But [Name] wasn't fazed. Her moves were deliberate and precise. Every time Lucifer thought he was gaining an advantage, she countered with calm precision.

Minutes passed, and Lucifer's face began to show signs of frustration. Despite his confidence, he could feel the match slipping through his fingers.

[Name]: "Checkmate,"

[Name] said quietly, her voice emotionless.

Lucifer stared at the board in disbelief.

Lucifer: "What?! No way... I didn't even see that coming."

[Name] didn't acknowledge his shock.

[Name]: "Your moves were predictable,"

She said simply.

Lucifer leaned back in his chair with a frustrated sigh.

Lucifer: "Alright, alright, beginner's luck. I'll get you next time."

Lucifer was determined to win the second round. He straightened up and focused, shaking off his earlier loss.

Lucifer: "This time, I'll play smarter,"

He muttered to himself.

But as the match continued, he found himself trapped once more. No matter how carefully he tried to maneuver, [Name] was always a step ahead. Her eyes never left the board, and she seemed to anticipate his every move.

Lucifer's frustration mounted as [Name] made yet another flawless move, positioning him into a corner. His breathing quickened as he scanned the board for any way out, but there was none.

[Name]: "Checkmate,"

[Name] said again, her voice devoid of emotion.

Lucifer sat there in stunned silence.

Lucifer: "This... this is impossible. How do you do it?"

He muttered, incredulous.

Lucifer: "I've played against some of the sharpest minds in the world, and you-" (a lie again)

[Name]: "I've played for longer than you think,"

She replied, her voice as steady as ever.

Lucifer slumped in his chair, defeated.

Lucifer: "Okay, okay, you've got me this time."

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply.

Lucifer: "Two losses... This is ridiculous."

Lucifer, now with two losses to his name, wasn't ready to give up just yet. His pride burned, and he wasn't going to let [Name] walk away with the win so easily. So, he will use his ability to help him in this final match.

Lucifer: "I've got one more in me,"

He said, a determined look crossing his features.

Lucifer: "But I'll raise the stakes. If I win the final round, the favor I owe you will be void. Instead, you'll owe me three favor. Anything I ask."

[Name] paused, her eyes locking with his.

[Name]: "And if I win?"

She asked, her voice calm but with a subtle edge.

Lucifer: "If you win,"

Lucifer said confidently,

Lucifer: "you'll get two favors from me. Anything you want."

She considered the offer for a moment before nodding.

[Name]: "Very well. But remember, a bet is a promise that cannot be broken. If you lose, you will owe me those two favors."

Lucifer grinned, his confidence returning.

Lucifer: "Oh, I don't plan on losing."

The final round began, Lucifer activated his ability to read [Name's] mind because this was the only way to win his focus completely on the game. [Name], as always, remained composed, her eyes unblinking as she studied the board with perfect concentration.

He adjusted his approach, becoming more strategic and methodical with each move. He didn't rely on speed or boldness this time; instead, he calculated [Name's] moves with precision, carefully considering every possibility.

[Name], however, remained just as unflappable. Every time Lucifer thought he had gained the upper hand, she would counter with an almost effortless move. The tension between them was palpable.

Lucifer was on the edge of his seat, his eyes narrowing as he finally saw a potential opening. He moved his queen stone into position, setting a trap. [Name's] eyes flickered slightly, but it wasn't enough to stop Lucifer's strategy.

With a final, decisive move, Lucifer placed his king stone in a position where [Name's] pieces could no longer threaten him.

Lucifer: "Checkmate,"

He declared, his voice steady but laced with a note of triumph. Thanks to his ability to cheat, he won.

[Name] stared at the board for a long moment, her face unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded.

[Name]: "Well played,"

She said, her tone devoid of surprise but also without resentment.

Lucifer leaned back in his chair, a grin spreading across his face.

Lucifer: "Looks like I won,"

He said, a sense of satisfaction settling over him.

Lucifer: "That means... you owe me a favor."

[Name] didn't respond immediately.

She stood and gathered the chess pieces, her movements calm and measured.

[Name]: "It seems so,"

She said, her voice steady as ever.

[Name]: "You won this round."

Lucifer's grin widened, though his eyes held a trace of curiosity.

Lucifer: "I look forward to seeing what you'll ask of me."

[Name] glanced at him, her expression as cold as ever.

[Name]: "Don't disappoint me, Lucifer. Favors are not to be given lightly."

Lucifer chuckled softly.

Lucifer: "Oh, I never disappoint."

As they left the teahouse together, Lucifer couldn't help but feel a growing respect for the woman beside him. She was cold, calculated, and brilliant. And even though he had won this round, something told him that this was far from over.
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End of Chapter-3
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Honestly, I was laughing the whole time when I wrote how Lucifer was struggling to win 😭🤣
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