Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!-Chapter 194: A Game

The diplomatic hall was warm with incense and subtle tension. Delegates from the Black Panther tribe had arrived earlier that morning, cloaked in their signature black and gold attire. Among them was Sahira, a tall woman with obsidian skin and sharp eyes that didn’t miss a single flicker of weakness. Her voice, when she spoke, was sharp as a blade.

She was here to make things right. The things that Leon let fester and worsen. He ruined the trade relations with the Black Panther clan and his mother had been taking care of the mess. He was now forced to make things right.

Leon reclined in his seat, posture loose, expression bored. He hadn’t taken the meeting seriously, believing the matter of tariffs could be handled quickly. But Sahira had other ideas.

"I propose a friendly game," she said, gesturing to the marble chessboard one of her attendants set up. "If I win, you will reduce tariffs on our medicinal herb exports by twenty per cent. If you win, we’ll offer an additional supply at no cost this winter."

Leon scoffed. "A game of chess to settle trade negotiations? How quaint." Everyone knew how good he was at the game. He considered himself one of the best even. No one could outdo him in chess.

Sahira’s smile was unreadable. "Quaint... Or bold. Your choice, King. Either way, you will not suffer a huge loss." freewebnoveℓ.com

Sahira knew that she could not cause actual damage to their kingdom, for diplomacy was not about one winning over the other, but both winning by reaching an agreement, so the stakes had not been to high.

Riven, seated at Leon’s right, blinked once. This was going to be good. The Dowager Queen had pulled him aside and asked him. She started to warn him, but Riven interrupted and said that she didn’t need to worry, he would do as she told. So for now, Leon was temporarily King. He made a mess with the black panther clan, he would have to make things right.

"Fine." Leon stood, arrogance in every step. "I accept."

They sat across from each other as the onlookers settled in, and the pieces moved.

It became clear after ten moves that Sahira wasn’t playing to amuse herself—she was testing him. Leon’s knight was baited into a trap, his queen was forced into a useless position. Riven leaned forward slightly, watching the shift in Leon’s posture. The prince’s shoulders tightened. His smirk faded, he was growing restless.

Sahira didn’t gloat, didn’t boast. She played with quiet confidence, slicing through Leon’s defense like water cutting stone.

"Checkmate," she said after twenty-seven turns.

Leon stared at the board, unmoving, eyes flicking from piece to piece like he could undo what had just happened.

"Thank you for the game, Your Highness," Sahira said politely. "I’ll have the new trade documents prepared."

She rose, gave Riven a graceful nod, and left with her entourage, leaving the silence behind her charged with something more cutting than victory: grace.

"Well, you wanted it to get over quickly... And... You got what you wanted." Riven said with his arms crossed. No, he was not mocking Leon. He was simply trying to tell Leon that he needs to get up and sign. He was still acting as the head.

Leon whipped his head toward him, scowling. "You think this is funny?"

"No. I think it’s tragic," Riven said, standing and walking over to the board. "You’re used to everyone coddling your ego. She didn’t. She didn’t need to. She could’ve declared higher stakes, clearly she was a skilled player and knew that you would not pass on the opportunity to show off your skills." They were here to discuss tariffs, but he wanted to play games like a child.

Leon’s jaw clenched.

Riven didn’t stop. "You lost because you expected to win just by showing up. She won because she prepared."

"I didn’t care about the match," Leon said defensively. "It’s just a stupid game."

"No, it wasn’t. It was a power move, and she played it better than you." Riven leaned in, voice lowering. "You need to stop thinking you’re the smartest person in every room just because you have a throne waiting for you."

Leon turned away, silent.

A beat passed. Then Riven sighed. "But... It’s not like you’re hopeless."

Leon looked over slowly, eyes narrow.

"You handled the loss better than I thought you would," Riven added. "Didn’t throw a tantrum. Didn’t storm out. That’s something."

Leon scoffed but didn’t argue.

Riven smirked. "Don’t sulk. You needed this. Maybe it’ll remind you to listen next time instead of assuming everyone will yield to your name."

Leon exhaled, frustrated. "I knew I was walking into a trap."

"Then why didn’t you play like it?" Riven knew that he was lying.

Leon didn’t answer.

After a moment, Riven said more softly, "You don’t have to be perfect. You will make mistakes, sure, you already made a lot of mistakes. Just don’t think you’re entitled to victory."

Leon’s fists clenched, but this time, it wasn’t from pride—it was something closer to shame.

"...She was good," he admitted quietly.

"She was brilliant," Riven replied with a nod. "And she made you better today."

Leon looked away, jaw tight, but this time, his silence didn’t scream denial—it was contemplative.

Riven gave his shoulder a light nudge. "Come on. I’ll let you beat me in chess to rebuild your ego."

Leon glared. "You think I can’t beat you for real?" He could tell Riven was provoking him but he still fell for it.

"Oh, I know you can’t," Riven grinned. He wanted to egg him on a little.

"...Set the board," Leon muttered. He was supposed to sign the document, but oh well, they can wait. It was almost lunchtime, his mother was probably hosting them. He could sign it later.

Riven did not know how to play chess, he was simply teasing Leon. As long as he was not called an idiot sandwich, he was going to be fine.