I’m Not Sorry But The Prince Will Marry Me Anyway

The woman draped in a black dress lifted a small plate. It held cookies studded with crushed peanuts.

"I didn’t come empty-handed." She smiled. "Of course, I’ll also include something our guest enjoys even more than cookies."

In her other hand were two coins.

It wasn’t until then that I snapped out of my daze and nodded.

"Please, have a seat, Madame."

"Congratulations on your victory, my lady. …Though, from the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like the kind of win you wanted. It feels wrong to celebrate it too much."

"…"

"But a wager is a wager. And I have a duty not to involve myself in the real-world misfortunes of our patrons."

"I understand."

I took the two coins and clenched them tightly, as if trying to capture some remnant of Rick’s warmth.

As Madame Abigail recorded the transaction in her ledger, she remarked,

"That brings your total to three coins."

"I’m… not in the top rankings, am I?"

"I’m afraid not."

I had braced myself for it, but still, it stung.

After earning two coins from my very first wager, I hadn’t managed another proper win.

The biggest loss was when I recklessly bet even my own coins on the hunting tournament, convinced it would be a jackpot—only for it to crash and burn.

After that, I had been too busy with my own matters. Too distracted by Rick’s behavior. A hundred little reasons had kept me from gaining or losing anything.