CHAPTER 72: THE QUEEN AND HER PAWNS

–Sophia–

The Queen? She’s not just the Queen. She’s the King, too.

Livana played two roles on the chessboard. She was the Queen—protecting the King—and the King who needed protection.

And the Pawns? Those were ours. Each one had a specific logo on their white suits. They moved like ghosts in the dark. Even the Queen relied on them. Top-tier assassins—deadly, obedient, and under her command.

Now these intruders? They slipped past every layer of security like it was nothing. Bypassed everything. I don’t doubt the Demon King is going to kill someone for it. Mercy? Not in his vocabulary.

"Someone needs to die for what happened," I told Francis.

His face darkened. "Here I am thinking you wouldn’t work for someone illegal. What happened, Francis?"

"Things happened, Phia."

I narrowed my eyes at him. He’d changed. This bastard left me for a so-called career. Thought he was protecting me. Cute.

He never knew who I really worked for. The irony? I work for the White Queen. He works for the Demon King. Rivals on paper. Secretly tangled in ways that would destroy governments.

"Fix this," I said coldly, "or I’ll let the Pawns do their thing."

"Pawns?" he echoed.

"You haven’t heard about them?"

"Sophia, I work for the security team," he said, trying to sound professional.

I tilted my head, eyes sliding past him to Caine. "Then your security team sucks."

"Nah," Caine cut in, stepping beside Francis. "They don’t handle internal affairs. I do. This was my fault."

Then he smirked. "But your boss doesn’t seem blind at all."

"She can kill with her eyes closed. Bullseye with a bind. She’s got synesthesia—and it only got sharper after losing her sight."

"Oh." Caine’s jaw dropped slightly. "Ohhh," he nodded slowly, realization dawning. "That’s why Laura said Livana could guess the color I was hiding behind my back. I thought she just got lucky. Turns out Livana’s got that... synesthe–thingy."

"Clean up the mess," I ordered as I turned away, heels clicking toward the kennel. Not just any kennel—it looked like a damn guest house. There was even an isolation section, like a hospital ward. Some of the dogs were recovering. We had two full-time vets on the estate. Classy.

The female vet, Dr. Rosalinda, looked up and offered a tight-lipped smile.

"How are they?" I asked, already approaching.

"Drogo’s in critical condition. The other two—Godfrey and Lancelot—had successful operations." She sighed. "Damn."

"I know." I crouched beside Drogo, stroking his head gently. "Mrs. Blackwood wanted them safe. Now I’m thinking... maybe we should add an American Bully. Or a Pitbull. Hmm... actually, a Witch Dog would be perfect."

"Do they still have pure-breeds of Witch Dogs, Miss?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Livana loves Witch Dogs. Pure Filipino breed. Built for the forest terrain around the mansion."

"I’ve never seen a pure one. Not in real life." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Now I’m very excited to meet one."

I smirked. "Sure." I exhaled. "I’ll check on the rest. Thanks for saving them, Doc."

She nodded and left. I made my way back inside, stepping into the mansion’s garden—more like a botanic sanctuary. A massive fish pond shimmered at its center, framed by rare plants. I walked along the cobblestone path, eyes scanning for anything out of place.

The lights were off. Weird. I looked for the switch and flicked it, but nothing. Reaching for my gun instinctively, I froze when someone leapt from the acacia tree.

I stepped back, aimed.

"Woah!"

I lowered the gun and glared. "What the fuck, Kai?"

"Hey, I was checking the lights too," he said, hands up. "Trying to fix the switch."

Suddenly, something clicked. Emergency lights blinked on—especially the ones around the pond.

"Your arm is bleeding," he said, grabbing my right arm, inspecting the left.

"I’m fine."

He sighed and let go. "The Pawns?" he asked. "I never expected Livana to be this powerful."

"I never expected Damon to be that powerful either," I said with a smirk. "They located that Mexican asshole fast. Still wondering why Damon told them not to shoot him in the head."

"It would’ve started a war. Damon’s impulsive." He exhaled. "We’ll deal with the Dela Vega. You should probably tell your boss."

I shrugged. "Hmm. Dela Vega is big news. That bitch made her blind."

He nodded solemnly.

"Well... maybe it ends if she goes blind too."

My eyes widened.

Perfect revenge. No need to kill.

And something tells me... Livana’s already considered it.

–Livana–

My husband?

I’ve just realized how attractive he truly is. Perhaps it’s because I can finally see now. Or perhaps because I can now see how deeply he pleases me—mind, body, and soul.

He kissed my cheek after carefully tending to me—from bathing me to completing my skincare routine. I had seen my reflection. My face... it glowed. I looked radiant. Cared for. Loved.

When I looked back at old photographs—those with my sister—I didn’t look this vibrant. I wasn’t glowing then. Not like I do now. Damon—he doesn’t stress me. He simply... exhausts me.

Pleasurably so, and repeatedly.

He never sleeps until I’ve fallen asleep first.

We shared a late-night snack. I made sure Laura and Damien’s room was secured—triple-checked. There could be assassins hiding in the most unexpected corners. I wouldn’t risk them.

But instead of returning to bed with my husband, I dressed and took Choco’s leash. We stepped into the back lawn.

The Pawns stood in formation, already awaiting me.

I slipped on my sunglasses. Even though it was night, the entire place was well-lit—and I still needed to act blind. I could see them all now, clearly.

It had been so long since I last laid eyes on them. Yet none had died. None had betrayed me. They blended in seamlessly, lingered quietly in the world. Most held cover jobs—ordinary roles in society—but every single one was ready to respond the moment I called.

"Thank you for your immediate response," I said softly. "I appreciate each of you."

I paused, letting their loyalty settle around me. "As promised, rewards will be given for every successful operation. But tonight is not the mission. What matters is stopping these assassins. I want the mastermind. Work with your Bishops and Knights. I will provide all necessary support."

Their signature gesture followed: feet together in silent peace, and a closed fist struck proudly over their chests.

"Rest well for the next mission."

They bowed deeply.

I turned away as Sophia stepped in to issue her tactical commands. The group dispersed, fading into the shadows like mist. Beside me, Choco walked obediently, tail wagging, happy just to assist. I glanced down at him, my fingers lightly tugging his leash. He was more than a companion—he was a presence.

"About the Dela Vega?" Sophia asked, catching pace with me.

"Hmm?"

"I’ll hire someone to recreate the chemicals..."

"Sure," I nodded, "but I want to meet her first. At her family’s event. I want her to see how Damon pampers me. Damon—the very man she’s obsessed with." I smirked faintly. "And I want to meet that ’sexy bastard’ who doesn’t even look sexy."

"The Mexican?"

"Yes. That very man."

Sophia burst into laughter.

"Are you serious? Did you just call him sexy?"

"Did you not hear me the first time?"

She chuckled again. "Okay, well... yeah, he’s sexy. But girl..."

"Don’t you find Kai or Caine sexy? Or what about that bodyguard with the velvet voice?"

She fell quiet.

"I see muscular bodies all the time, Livana," she finally said. "They don’t catch my interest."

"Hm. Nothing’s catchy, is it?" I teased. "You’re always grumpy."

She exhaled. "How could I not be, when you married a Blackwell? Your sister’s tangled with one too. But at least Damien is more fine than your husband."

I grinned. "Define fine, please. Fine like sexy and hot—or fine like meh, okay? Clarify that for me."

"Whatever, Livana," she muttered, trying to hide her smirk. "Let’s just get some sleep, alright?"

I laughed softly.

Upon reaching the mansion, I saw my husband standing by the staircase, holding a tray of snacks—and was that tea?

Behind me, I heard the door close.

"Good night," Sophia said casually as she made her way to the other wing of the mansion. I only caught a glimpse of her from my peripheral vision.

I continued forward, guided by my faithful Choco.

"Wife," Damon exhaled, his voice low. "Even I’m surprised by your Pawns."

He walked toward me, reached for the back of my neck, and kissed me on the lips.

"Hmm... let’s go to bed," he murmured, brushing his lips against mine again. "You know once a day isn’t enough for me. I need more of you."

"Are you trying to wreck me, husband?" I teased, savoring another kiss.

"Yeah," he chuckled, deep and dark, before kissing me again.

"Choco," he called the dog’s name as he gently took the leash from my hand.

"Kai!" he shouted toward the hall. "Take Choco, please."

"I’m planning to take care of myself tonight," he muttered.

...Does he mean masturbate?

"Or give him to Caine, whatever," he added with a sigh, already tugging Choco along.

The dog whimpered. I knelt down, and Choco immediately snuggled into me, like he didn’t want to let go. Sweet, loyal boy.

"Good night, Choco," I whispered, planting a soft kiss on his head.

Damon led me toward our bedroom, his hand never leaving mine. He guided me to the sofa and placed the tray gently on the table in front of us.

"Wife... let’s talk about something serious," he said, taking a seat beside me. "Like bathing Choco. In our bathtub."

"Hmm?" I raised a brow. "What about it?"

"Not in our bathtub. Okay?"

"Well," I said, feigning innocence, "Choco likes to sleep beside me. He should be clean."

"I know," he sighed. "But next time, call someone to handle that."

I smirked. "Of course."

He exhaled again and leaned forward. "Now. Tell me about the possible mastermind."

"About that..." I leaned back into the cushions. "Mind lending your tracers to assist my Pawns?"

"For you? Anything."

He didn’t hesitate. He leaned in and kissed my lips again, lingering this time.

"You know what I need right now, my love," he murmured against my mouth. "And once I’ve had my fill of you... I’ll take care of everything."