The next few weeks, Aestrea spent his time with Christina.
They went on dates and everything!
Just kidding... as he had promised, Aestrea used those weeks to strengthen his army, expand his influence, and stabilize every minor faction within reach.
Documents, negotiations, even military drills, he handled all of it with the same calm efficiency he pretended not to have.
Christina only watched with a mix of awe and guilt.
She had been doing all of this alone before?
He honestly didn't know how she hadn't collapsed yet.
And since Christina had been banned from the casino, thanks to her legendary cheating streak, it fell on Aestrea to go in her place.
He went with the intention to play fairly, truly, and sincerely.
He sat down, placed his bet, and even smiled at the dealer.
But when he saw three royal flushes appear on the table at the same time, something that was not just unlikely, but mathematically impossible...
Aestrea's eye twitched.
