Rose peeked at the Crown Prince while sitting across from him with the chessboard between them. It was the fifth game and her fifth loss. Their eyes met, and Rose couldn't even pretend to be surprised that he was looking at her.
A lock of hair sat on his forehead, resting perfectly in the middle, just between his bushy brows. His eyes were sharp as they met hers, and a smile lingered on his lips.
"You are getting better," he said with a smug expression at his victory.
Rose did her best not to show any emotion on her face. She preferred when he made annoying comments about her lack of skill than when he complimented her. After all, they both sounded the same; only the words were different.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Rose said, only because it would be rude not to reply.
