Chess Noob
I searched for the bed.
It was plush and pretty decent.
At the end of the hallway was Doloris's study.
Next to it was her bedroom, then Ruby's room, and next to that was mine.
Well, what used to be my room.
The bed in my room had vanished.
So that late evening, the three of us—Ruby, Doloris, and I—ended up sleeping together.
My subtle plan to sleep alone starting today had gone up in smoke.
No choice but to huddle together cozily as a trio…
This must be how a beaver feels when its dam gets wrecked.
I lay down on the bed.
Ruby was in the middle.
As always, the order was Doloris, Ruby, then me.
How long had I been lying there with eyes wide open?
“Shh…”
Doloris pressed a finger to her lips and rose from her spot.
She slowly circled the bed and approached from the opposite side—my side.
“Ruby doesn't wake up easily once she's asleep.”
“Yeah, she seems like a heavy sleeper.”
“…Actually, her body's a bit weak.”
Doloris wore a bitter expression.
Was she projecting her own issues onto her?
“Is she sick somewhere?”
“No, nothing in particular.”
Ruby has a weak body… but no specific illness?
I pondered if there was anything I could do.
That was when it happened.
“Lionel.”
Doloris gently stroked my forehead as I lay there, whispering softly.
“Yes.”
“You said earlier you'd take off my shoes?”
“…Y-Yeah, I did.”
Doloris usually wore shoes even indoors, so I couldn't tell exactly.
If they were proper gear, my eyes would have caught it, but they seemed like ordinary dress shoes—no info popped up.
That was when it happened.
She slowly pulled down the blanket.
—Swish…
“These are what I usually wear indoors.”
Doloris sat on the edge of the bed and slipped off her slippers.
“……”
And what came into view was this.
Unique Equipment★★★★★
Compatibility[2/100] — Deadly Poison
Cold seeps into the bones and amplifies. Synergy with Gorgogne's White Gloves boosts yin energy. Currently manifesting at half capacity.
Cause of blockage in 2 of the 9 meridians of Nine Yin Meridians.
『A frozen heart walks on frozen feet.』
— Queen of the Frostfoot Tribe, Tmir —
Sky-blue, translucent socks made of thin fabric.
Like a membrane, ice crystal patterns were etched on the surface.
And what jumped out was the compatibility—deadly poison—and the fact that it blocked 2 meridians.
Plus synergy with Gorgogne's White Gloves, so I couldn't even imagine how intense the yin energy was before removing the gloves.
“Lady Doloris.”
“Yes.”
“Are all your gear cold-attribute like this?”
A fundamental question here.
Did she outfit herself entirely with chilly stuff like this?
Doloris looked at me for a moment, then gave a small smile.
“…Just the gloves and shoes that cover the extremities.”
“I see.”
“The rest aren't this bad.”
I nodded.
Yeah, I'd heard somewhere that covering just hands and feet warms the body.
But wrapping them in something that freezing probably doesn't help.
The reason I couldn't spot it through her shoes? Because the actual gear was these socks.
—Wiggle.
Her bare feet, exposed before me, seemed shy.
Doloris' toes twitched slightly.
Her white, milky feet.
They could create a fetish where none existed.
Good thing only I saw them.
“…These…”
I wanted to yank off the gloves right then, but trust level wasn't there yet.
Now, though? It felt different. I could probably say it.
“Lady Doloris.”
“Yes.”
“Could you maybe go without them for a bit?”
“……Pardon?”
I suggested she take off the socks.
2.
“Ugh… Lionel, my feet feel a bit off.”
“I'll make you new ones soon.”
She fidgeted with her feet as she got ready to head out.
No socks inside her shoes.
I told her to take off the socks, but didn't say go completely barefoot.
Yet there she was, slipping on her dress shoes barefoot and standing at the front door.
Well, whatever.
Considering her eye for quality, half-assing it with something else might be worse than going bare.
“I'll be back. Rest well today, Ruby… Lionel, you too. No using your right hand today.”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Doloris bent down, planting kisses on our foreheads, then headed out.
She was off to buy the minerals and lubricant I'd requested.
She could have sent a servant, but she insisted on seeing them herself.
Honestly, leaving it to the servants would be easier…
Anyway, uneasy about her judgment, I offered to go along.
But she issued a lockdown order:
‘Lionel's face can't be known yet.’
Yeah… I got the point.
I watched her silhouette disappear beyond the estate gates.
“Yawn…”
—Grab.
I caught Ruby as she yawned and headed back to her room.
“Eek!”
“Isn't today your day off?”
“Yeah, so what.”
“Play with me today.”
From what I'd observed of Ruby's habits so far.
She hardly ever went out.
A kid her age should be running around wild, rolling in the dirt.
Back in elementary school, there was this frail kid just like Ruby—sent him to taekwondo, and he toughened up.
Even won awards at some tournament.
Less a generalization error, more like Ruby's exact situation.
She hadn't even gone to school until age 13.
And Doloris said no specific illness.
“Play…?”
“Yeah, big bro'll play with you.”
“Not bro.”
Whoa, suddenly serious…
“Fine. Come with me first.”
I took Ruby's hand and led her along.
Destination: a spot I'd scoped out before.
We crossed the hall to a large door.
“Here.”
“This is…”
Last time, during the 20-strength ranch glove fiasco, I'd been dragged here in Doloris's arms.
Had to sit on her lap and listen.
I'd glanced around the room then—lots of stuff.
Exercise gear.
Chessboard.
Perfect for playing.
I grabbed the handle and opened the door.
—Creeeak…
Beyond: plush sofas, a bed.
Chessboard, bookshelves stuffed with tomes, workout equipment.
And miscellaneous oddities scattered everywhere.
“What do you think?”
“This place.”
Ruby stretched lazily, then added:
“Sisters' room.”
“……?”
Doloris's sworn sisters, the ones who climbed the Tower with her.
Oh, like a parlor…
—Flinch.
My body stiffened.
Thought I could use it freely.
Guess retreat's the play. Using it without permission feels iffy.
That was when:
“Anything but chess is fine. Master said so.”
“Oh, really?”
“I… like it here too.”
Phew, relief. Ruby likes it too.
I stepped inside, heading straight for the workout corner.
Next to some brutish weights: jump rope, and a few other useful bits.
“Ruby, over here…”
But.
Ruby had already flopped into a beanbag by the desk near the bookshelves, nose in a book.
“……Sigh.”
Eh, whatever.
She'll come if curious later.
I started exercising.
Truth is, Ruby isn't the only issue.
I am too.
Pedaling yesterday, hammering a few days ago—it hit me hard.
I need to build strength.
Sure, kid weight training stunts growth, they say.
Myth.
As long as it doesn't crush growth plates, it actually helps.
Right, Yuna?
“Alright then.”
I rolled up my sleeves.
Grabbed the nearest jump rope.
Cardio first.
30 minutes passed.
“……”
I was sprawled on the floor, forehead planted in the ground.
Why's it so brutal?
Jump rope, 1kg dumbbells (estimated), push-ups.
Circuit training, rotating the three.
Exactly on lap 4, my body gave out.
Push-ups on knees, dumbbells two-handed.
Sweat pouring like rain.
Yeah, baby body…
Baby heart rate, baby lung capacity, baby endurance…
Build it up from now…
I barely lifted my head toward Ruby.
She seemed more into my pathetic show than her book.
—Startle!
Our eyes met; she flinched, whipped her head away, and buried it in the book.
I'll keep quiet about the book being upside down.
I hauled myself up.
Exhausted to death, but her constant glances at my panting wrecked my pride.
“…Oh, what's this.”
Pretended interest in the chessboard for a breather, observing.
Truth: I played a ton of chess.
Part of Yuna's static games to break my rhythm game binge.
Ended up playing 17 hours a day.
Yuna watched for 2 weeks, then banned it.
Online chess matching back then? Pure hell.
AIs learned to spot AI moves, started dodging detection.
Cheaters ran rampant—no way to catch 'em.
Playing in that sharpened me to the extreme.
Of course, AI-hater me never used 'em.
Full Luddite mode: exterminate all machines.
My rapid rating? Around 2500.
I know—it's nuts. Point is, no big deal.
Act like it's nothing.
So, glancing at the board, I could see who's winning…
“Black's getting crushed?”
This was a slaughter.
Pieces roughly even… but two-three moves, and it's over.
“Ruby, who's playing?”
“…White's Master.”
Oh, Doloris.
She's demolishing Black.
“They drop by sometimes, take turns. Master plays once, comes back later… but hasn't in a year. About time.”
“…Doubt she'll ever.”
I wouldn't either.
More plays here? I'd ghost forever.
I shook my head at Black's trash play.
“Gonna grab water.”
“Lemonade for me.”
“Mind if I wipe my feet on you?”
“Lemme think. Hmm, no.”
Silly banter with Ruby as I headed to the kitchen.
Feels like we're bonding. Sleeping together did it?
Probably Doloris' arrangement… forehead kiss too.
Kitchen's at the far end of the estate's first floor.
A few servants quietly prepping for afternoon.
“Could I trouble you for a glass of water and some lemonade?”
“Of course, young master. Right away.”
—Clink clink.
One servant filled a glass with water.
Another poured pre-made lemonade.
While waiting, I peeked in the kitchen mirror.
“What the…”
My reflection: hair sweat-soaked, face beet red, shirt drenched to the neck.
Bum central.
Hands full with water and lemonade, I left the kitchen.
Walking the hall toward the parlor, that's when.
—Clack.
Far end of the hall.
A woman cloaked in black strode in purposefully.
Total opposite of Doloris' palette.
Black velvet dress, black gloves, black boots.
Even hair: black with purple sheen, sucking in all light.
And tall.
‘Got it.’
High-up instantly.
I dipped my head slightly.
“Hello.”
She paused, scanning me top to bottom.
“Espresso.”
“…Pardon?”
“Grind beans twice, not too fine. Water at eighty-five degrees. No hotter.”
What the hell?
She breezed past, opened the parlor door, and vanished inside.
—Eek…!
Sounded like Ruby freaking out inside.
Door shut.
She wants me to make coffee?
“Sigh.”
Fine, high-and-mighty type. Gotta serve.
My hobo look probably screamed servant—or didn't matter.
Set down lemonade and water, back to kitchen.
Arrived, spoke to the maid:
“Uh… someone came. Espresso, grind beans twice not too fine, water eighty-five degrees, no hotter.”
“……!”
Recited Yuna's memo verbatim. Without her, forgotten.
Then an older servant from the back emerged.
“Lady Isabella's here.”
“Yeah, pretty dark vibe.”
“While the Duchess is out…”
She eyed me, smiled softly.
Coffee took about 5 minutes.
She handed me a tray.
“…Normally I'd deliver, but she requested you, young master. Can't step in. Lady Isabella's like that…”
“No, I'll take it.”
She looked relieved.
I replied casually; she relaxed, placed cup on tray.
“Where's Miss Ruby?”
“In the parlor.”
She gave a wry smile.
“I see. Please handle it.”
Carefully set tray in my hands.
Coffee in tow, back to hall.
Her reaction, that initial attitude.
‘Yeah, airhead type.’
Tough customer.
Made me think Doloris might be top-tier noble personality.
Assuming sworn sister, high ranker likely.
Parlor door.
—Knock knock.
Felt right to knock.
No answer; I entered.
First sight: empty beanbag where Ruby should be.
Where'd she go?
Turned to deliver coffee—
“……”
Lady Isabella.
Sat at the chessboard.
“Pfft…”
Had to stifle a laugh.
Chess noob—you?
Looked grandmaster material on outside.
Chess noob, who knew.
Fingering lips in thought? Dropped it slyly.
Pity, but no salvation in pondering.
“Coffee's here.”
“Leave it.”
Set it on side table, pretended to leave—peeked at board from behind.
—Sip.
“This house… coffee's the issue.”
Losers always blame others.
“If not for the gloves, I wouldn't come… Ugh, hate it…”
Muttering to herself.
But one line I couldn't ignore.
Gloves?
My 20-strength log? Only Doloris knows.
She might've blabbed.
Not like ‘go kill him’ or anything.
Trust Doloris—gave her full authority anyway.
And.
End of long think: handshake.
Her finger hooked a knight.
Lifted it off the board.
Sorry, but grabbing that? Queen gone in 3 turns.
Doloris would show theory, but kingside falls obvious.
Already lifted—no takebacks.
Rule: must move.
Key rule.
But she shook her head wildly.
Put knight back…
“Whoa, foul.”
“Wh-What?”
I tilted head innocently, like clueless kid.
“Isn't this a foul?”
I can take a lot, but not cheating.
Fucking cheaters. Lifelong enemies.
Isabella, dumbfounded.
Mouth agape, stared.
“You, who?”
“Ruby's friend, Lionel.”
“……Not a servant?”
She gawked, then smirked suddenly.
“Lost interest.”
—Clatter…
Toppled all pieces.
Nice excuse.
Then.
—Rattle…
Reset them neatly.
“You play chess well. Know the rules.”
“A bit.”
“Friends with Ruby? What house… Nah, whatever.”
“I think so, not sure about her.”
Asking house—figures me for some noble kid.
Surprisingly, Isabella didn't seem pissed.
Happy for excuse to flip the board.
I'd be too…
She grinned brightly, asked:
“Wanna play me?”
“……”
Chess?
…With me?
“…Sure, sounds good.”
You?
Stifled laugh.
Sat opposite.
“I'll take white.”
—Spin.
Board rotated.
Even against a kid, grabbing advantage white.
‘Wow.’
Needs schooling.