CHAPTER TEN
"Here we are, once again!" I said cheerfully. We were back at the gambling den now, and my fingers were just itching for a second round of tic tac toe. "Here, miss...?" Levi asked, awkwardly trailing off, and I suddenly realized he didn't know my name. Ah, I wasn't a noble at all. Because I had no manners. "OH MY GOSH! Sorry, sorry! My name's Cordelia. I ditched my last name coz' my family sucked, but just a first name is fine. right?" I said, and Levi nodded. "So, why here, Cordelia?"
"Oh, I'm good at gambling. It's easy money." I said, and Levi frowned at me. "No, it's not. I've tried it before."
"Well, then you just did it wrong. Trust me, this is where I got the money before." I snorted. It looks like he didn't believe me. Still, Levi didn't seem as suspicious of me as he did before, which was a good thing. "Just because you got lucky before -" "No, shut up! I'll prove it to you right now!" I huffed, marching in again. Everyone looked at me again (I was used to it by now) and someone said, "Hey, it's that girl…"
"Yep, me! Who thinks they can beat an eight-year-old? Or are you scared?" I said again, confidently. Ha ha, this world was made for me, by me. No way was I going to lose.
"Cordelia, are you sure about this…?" Levi asked, standing next to me. "Cordelia's too long, just say Cor. Also, Of course! Ive done this before." I said, not looking up, as the people who had gathered to watch the 8-year-old prodigy beat multiple grown men placed bets on who they thought would win. "If you're sure…Cor." Levi said sheepishly, as I made yet another line of 3's. Win. The person cursed and walked away, leaving me to make the pile of coins at my feet a bit bigger. Levi was watching me like a hawk now too - probably just to check whether or not I was cheating. But I wasn't. Just gold ole' practice. Another line of 3's, another bag of coins. The sack was about to be full again.
Since I had been in a rush to find Levi last time before anyone else got to him, I had left early - but this time, I was going ham. No rest for the wicked. I smiled. Checkmate, again. As I drew in another circle, cheers erupted. Levi tapped my shoulder. "That's enough. We should go."
"Yeah, we should." I sighed, standing up. Everyone booed, and I stuck my tongue out. I was used to crowds. "You had enough fun betting against me. I won't be sticking around." I said, walking out, hand-in-hand with Levi.
"How did you get so good?" Levi asked, and I didn't say anything. It was the best option anyway. Ah, lying to a ten-year-old kid didn't feel very good. (I get a pass since I'm secretly 18). But, then again, I didn't have a choice. The rest of the walk to the inn was in an awkward silence.